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Democratic candidates in Henry County District 2
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Name: James "Jim" Kursock Party: Democrat Address: 703 Cambridge St., Kewanee Age: 68 Education: Kewanee High School, Black Hawk College East and West Occupation: Retired Kewanee police chief Prior elected office: None Family: Wife Sandy, two sons, four grandchildren In your opinion, how should the county spend ongoing property tax revenue from the wind farms? Balance the budget, help with repairs on courthouse. Do you think the county could lower the property tax levy for next year? I would like to, but the levy is set by the state. Some county board members are voluntarily forgoing pay, etc. Should the board require all members to do so, or would that discourage good candidates? If you are doing it for money, don't run for the board. What, in your opinion, is the biggest issue facing the county today? A balanced budget. Name: James E. Findley Party: Democrat Address: 701 McKinley Ave., Kewanee Age: 60 Education: Eight years Visitation Catholic School, Kewanee High, two years Black Hawk College East Occupation: Retired, Department of Transportation, currently part-time Black Hawk College East Campus custodian Prior elected office: Currently on county board, appointed year ago Family: Wife Mary; two daughters, two grandchildren In your opinion, how should the county spend ongoing property tax revenue from the wind farms? They should put into a reserve fund for future use, I believe county will benefit from the wind farms in many ways Do you think the county could lower the property tax levy for next year? After doing complete research, and it is feasible, yes. Some county board members are voluntarily forgoing pay, etc. Should the board require all members to do so, or would that discourage good candidates? Everybody's economic situation is different. I do not believe it will discourage good candidates, but the little you make does help with gas expenses for meetings. What, in your opinion, is the biggest issue facing the county today? Jobs, we need to find a way to stimulate county to bring more jobs in. Tourism is a great asset to Henry County. Name: Thomas M. Wiley Party: Democrat Address: 15269 N. 800th Ave., Cambridge Occupation: Retired journeyman mechanic for 20 years Family: Married, two children, eight grandchildren, one great-grandchild Prior elected office: Precinct committeeman since 1984 What, in your opinion, is the biggest issue facing Henry County? I strongly believe: We need people in office who will address the real issues of our county and act upon them; we need to break loose from the "good ol' boys" political framework and instill new ideas to help our county grow stronger. I also believe we need to keep taxes down, make sure the county is in good financial shape and try to get good paying jobs into our county. Name: Eric Richard Hollaway Party: Democrat Address: 480 W. South St., Apt. B4, Kewanee Age: 27 Education: BM in music education from Western Illinois University; MMEd in music education from VanderCook College of Music in progress Occupation: Music Director for Kewanee School District No. 229 Family: Parents Berle and Bonnie Hollaway, of Orland Park, four brothers, one sister In your opinion, how should the county spend ongoing property tax revenue from the wind farms? We should reinvest the property tax revenue for more improvements on infrastructure and double down on renewable energy services for the county. Do you think the county could lower the property tax levy for next year? If all of the services that the citizens require are paid for, I see no reason not to lower the taxes. However, if essential services need to be cut to pay for the loss of revenue, I would be against any such action. Some county board members are voluntarily forgoing pay, etc. Should the board require all members to do so, or would that discourage good candidates? I do not believe that it should be required; however, if the member chooses to forgo payment, that is the decision of the individual. What, in your opinion, is the biggest issue facing the county today? It is my goal to see that the people of Henry County receive a local government that will help better their lives. I believe that government is a place where people can come together and where no one gets left behind: an instrument for good. It is my goal to listen to the people in an open forum and compromise on the best course of action for the betterment of all people. Name: Jan May Party: Democrat Address: 15 Edgewood Drive, Kewanee Age: 64 Education: Wartburg College, Waverly, Iowa; master's from University of Illinois Occupation: Retired teacher of German and world history at Kewanee High, still substitute teaching Prior elected office: On county board since 2000 Family: Husband Tom, two daughters, one son, six grandchildren In your opinion, how should the county spend ongoing property tax revenue from the wind farms? That money has afforded us the opportunity to make needed repairs to our beautiful and historic courthouse. In addition, I would like to see the money used to provide quality services for our citizens, to develop programs and partnerships that would bring industry and business to Henry County and to promote a bright future for our children. Do you think the county could lower the property tax levy for next year? We strive to balance our budget, but contracts with the unions are approaching and that is an unknown. I would prefer to see the budget balanced through economic growth and development rather than through taxes. Some county board members are voluntarily forgoing pay, etc. Should the board require all members to do so, or would that discourage good candidates? I have given up money in the past, but I feel strongly that this should be a personal issue. I believe that if we value an individual's time and effort in doing a job, then we must also believe that person's time has worth and value. What, in your opinion, is the biggest issue facing the county today? I believe that our biggest issues are economic ones, which can be improved with new industry, good-paying jobs, job training and the willingness to work together for the good of Henry County and the entire Quad-Cities area. Name: John Sovanski Party: Democrat Address: 25273 N. 970th Ave., Kewanee Age: 64 Education: Kewanee High School, 1966, Black Hawk College, two years Occupation: Retired, part-time office worker Elected office: Henry County Board, 16 years; Kewanee Township Trustee, 18 years; Kewanee Community Fire Dept Trustee, eight years; Kewanee School Board, four years Family: Wife Charlene; one daughter, two sons In your opinion, how should the county spend ongoing property tax revenue from the wind farms? We have quite a bit of renovations on the courthouse left to do, by using wind farm money we can keep taxes down. Do you think the county could lower the property tax levy for next year? Probably not. Some county board members are voluntarily forgoing pay, etc. Should the board require all members to do so, or would that discourage good candidates? The small stipend we receive is well deserved for what we do. If some can afford to give some back, that is great, but I believe that should be up to that person. What, in your opinion, is the biggest issue facing the county today? Trying to stay within our budget. Looking for more economic development and hope the economy grows along with interest rates.We have some of the best services around, and we need to maintain them. Name: Ted Sturtevant Party: Democrat Address: 1206 Mark St., Kewanee Occupation: Retired electrician Prior elected office: Two terms on county board, two terms Kewanee Township trustee Family: Four girls, wife, several grandchildren In your opinion, how should the county spend ongoing property tax revenue from the wind farms? Maintain the integrity of the courthouse through needed repairs, interior and exterior. Continue to maintain upgrading equipment required for the administration duties. Do you think the county could lower the property tax levy for next year? Yes. Some county board members are voluntarily forgoing pay, etc. Should the board require all members to do so, or would that discourage good candidates? Should be voluntary only. What, in your opinion, is the biggest issue facing the county today? City and county governments implementing business-friendly policy. Name: Jerry L. Thompson Party: Democrat Address: 601 Dewey Ave., Kewanee Age: 66 Education: Wethersfield High, Black Hawk East Occupation: Retired from Case New Holland Prior elected office: Seven years county board Family: Wife Wanda, two daughters, three grandchildren In your opinion, how should the county spend ongoing property tax revenue from the wind farms? The property tax from the wind farms won't be seen till 2014 and will go in the general fund to be used for all general fund accounts (wages, maintenance, etc.). Do you think the county could lower the property tax levy for next year? The budget already is set for next year. Some county board members are voluntarily forgoing pay, etc. Should the board require all members to do so, or would that discourage good candidates? The county board is elected, and you can't tell them not to take per diem. It's voluntary to take or not. What, in your opinion, is the biggest issue facing the county today? While there are many, the sheriff's department is a big one. Keeping the safety of the county is very costly. Having good deputies, cars, radios and jail is a very big item in our budget. Name: Sammie J. Borst Party: Democrat Address: 1306 W. Third St., Kewanee Education: Black Hawk College Graduate Occupation: Logistics Specialist, Caterpillar, Morton IL Elected office: None Family: Husband Jim In your opinion, how should the county spend ongoing property tax revenue from the wind farms? Revenue from the wind farm could be used to supplement transportation, (roads) etc. It also can be used for county health care, (community health care) just to name two things. Do you think the county could lower the property tax levy for next year? Everyone wants lower taxes. When the cost of things go up, so do taxes it seems. I would like to see the same tax levy next year; however, what are going top be the costs of government. This is where wind farm revenue could be used, also. Some county board members are voluntarily forgoing pay, etc. Should the board require all members to do so, or would that discourage good candidates? It's a personal decision by individual board members, and no, the board should not require its members to forgo pay. What, in your opinion, is the biggest issue facing the county today? The biggest problem, as it is a problem everywhere it seems, is jobs, especially for our young people. They go off to college and don't come back, and as our population ages, health care is going to be a factor also. Name: Tom May Party: Democrat Address: 15 Edgewood Drive, Kewanee Age: 68 Education: Kewanee High School; bachelor's, Arizona State Occupation: May Electric & Communications, Pioneer Grill, 27 years Elected office: City of Kewanee commissioner, 1971-75 Family: Wife Jan, three children, six grandchildren In your opinion, how should the county spend ongoing property tax revenue from the wind farms? When the amount and/or amounts are received from the wind farms the county board should look at the different departments and allocate those funds that will serve the people of Henry County the best possible way. Do you think the county could lower the property tax levy for next year? When the board gets all the information, and we know our revenue and expected expenses, we can better answer this question. Some county board members are voluntarily forgoing pay, etc. Should the board require all members to do so, or would that discourage good candidates? My experience with serving on tax supported commissions and boards is you normally work for a lot less than minimum wage and if elected I intend to spend that amount of time to give the taxpayers a fair amount of time for a fair compensation. What, in your opinion, is the biggest issue facing the county today? If elected I promise to work with all members of the board to allocate resources and funds for the betterment of our county. Candidates Jo Anne Hillman and John Smith did not answer the questionnaire. 
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Today is Tuesday, June 18, the 169th day of 2013. There are 196 days left in the year.
1863 -- 150 years ago: Fanatics have grown wonderfully civil since the president snubbedthem by revoking Burnside's infamous attack upon the freedom of the press.
1888 -- 125 years ago: The Interstate baseball league has collapsed, leaving Davenport'sleading team without a league connection.
1913 -- 100 years ago: Passengers were stunned yesterday when lightning struck a LongView street car at 9th Ave. and 25th St.
1938 -- 75 years ago: X-ray examinations today traced the trouble with Dizzy Dean's$250,000 pitching arm to a pulled muscle back of his right shoulder blade.
1963 -- 50 years ago: Radio station WQAD in Moline is being considered by the NationalCivil Defense Office for selection as a "secured communication center" Mrs. Gault,executive deputy director of the Moline Civil Defense unit reported today.
1988 -- 25 years ago: "Marketplace 29 A.D." an unusual vacation Bible school programthat will allow children to live three days as people did during the Bible Times June 21-23. The three day program, is a joint project of Aldersgate and Bethel-Wesley UnitedMethodist churches.
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