By Eric Timmons, etimmons@qconline.com

Name: Virgil Dueysen

Party: Democrat

Address: 4312 7th St., East Moline

Age: 66

Education: Finished high school in the U.S. Army

Occupation: retired

Previous elected office: Rock Island County Board member since 2003

Which approach to modernizing county offices do you support: consolidation at the Quad Cities Industrial Center, new construction or some other plan?

Public opinion of the citizens of Rock Island County is that it should remain in downtown Rock Island. I would only agree to consolidation if it was not financially feasible to remodel or build a new facility downtown. I would base my opinion on an unbiased study by a consultant.



Should the county hire a professional administrator to oversee day to day operations?

No, because county has a full-time county board chairman at a cost of $90,000 a year. A professional administrator would cost the county $40,000 or more, plus cost of staff, etc.

Do you support reducing the size of the county board?

I would agree to reduce the size only if I know for certain it will not effect the representation of the citizens in each of the county board districts. Also, the voters decision on the referendum to be placed on the ballot will weigh heavily on my decision.

What are your goals generally for the county, if you're elected?



My main goal if re-elected is to be continually mindful of the taxpayers money so that the county can continue to provide quality services without putting a larger tax burden on the citizens of Rock Island County.

Name: Douglas Strand

Party: Independent

Address: 918 36th Ave. East Moline

Age; 60

Education: B.A., Luther College, Iowa; B.S., University of Minnesota; Masters of Science, Western Illinois University.

Previous elected office: Black Hawk College trustee, East Moline City Council.

Which approach to modernizing county offices do you support: consolidation at the Quad Cities Industrial Center, new construction or some other plan?

I don't have enough information at the moment. I would have to get more information, if elected, to make an intelligent decision.

Should the county hire a professional administrator to oversee day to day operations?

If elected, I'd like to research this before making a decision.

Do you support reducing the size of the county board?

I'd like to look at the options and, if elected, discuss them.

What are your goals generally for the county if you're elected?

I'd like to see the county board balance its budget and stick to it. I'd like to see them do some cost-cutting and maintain some positive services while keeping property taxes low.