Lake County Board District 13 Issues
Balanced Budget
Over the years, Lake County has experienced declines in revenues due to the economic recession, and reductions in state funding. Wisely the Lake County Board made many necessary cuts and adjustments to balance the budget. The 2012 budget for Lake County is $17 million less than the 2009 budget. Lake County also has a AAA bond rating from Standard & Poor's and Moody's. Lake County is one of only 38 Counties in the United States to have a AAA rating from both Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s.
"We must continue this practice of sound fiscal policy. If elected I promise to continue with the responsible spending that our board has demonstrated."
"We must continue this practice of sound fiscal policy. If elected I promise to continue with the responsible spending that our board has demonstrated."
Build Route 53
As an area's population increases, its infrastructure needs to grow too.
Lake County has the same road infrastructure in place from over 50 years ago. Meanwhile the County has grown but our through roads have not expanded too meet our needs. I fully support building Route 53 which would bring much needed relief to all of our road congestion in Lake County.
Winchester House
I believe it is our responsibility to take care of Lake County's seniors that are incapable of taking care of themselves’. It's a well known fact that America's elderly community is growing larger. Every day 7,000 americans turn 65. Abolishing Winchester House would be short sighted. Winchester House is a vital safety net that is needed in our community and I could not in good faith take any action to get rid of. Lake County will not have to raise any taxes, fees or new revenue to pay for the construction of the new Winchester House Building. The debt services costs will be fully paid for in Winchester House's budget.
Brief History of Winchester House:
1982- Lake County Voters approved a small tax levy for Winchester House which provides 4.8 million dollars per year.
2007- Lake County Board Debated on closing Winchester House, instead they voted 22-1 to construct a new building.
2011- Lake County Board voted 15-8 to privatize operations (Health Dimensions Group)93% of contract union staff was retained.
Go Green and Stay Green
Lake County is known for its open spaces that have been preserved and protected well by the Lake County Board. The open spaces we have need to be protected now and in the future. I fully support and endorse protecting our Preserves and would encourage more progressive future solutions to protecting Lake County and our environment.
Fort Sheridan
I am the only candidate that has taken the position that a golf course should be built on the 250+ acres at the Fort Sheridan property. For the record I own a set of golf clubs but would not consider myself a “golfer”, in fact I did not play a single round of golf in 2011.
For the past seven years Lake County Board has been discussing what to do with the Fort Sheridan golf Course. Most recently the Lake County Board requested bids, for a 9-hole golf course combined with a nature preserve. The Advisory Committee that was appointed in 2009 was misguided and by their actions alone did not seem to understand the guidelines that they had to work under. Instead of finding a solution to reducing the cost to build the required 18 hole golf course that the citizens of Lake County were promised. The Committee attempted to circumvent the Legally binding Deed with a 9-hole golf concept and nature preserve that was destine to fail (and did).
First and foremost the Deed has very specific language. To quote from the deed (page 3, item 3) "the property shall be a golf course and recreational open space in perpetuity and not devoted to another use, all in accordance with the Fort Sheridan Joint Planning Commission Concept Plan, dated September 30, 1994."Okay now it took a little digging but I found the Ft. Sheridan Joint Planning Commission Concept Plan dated Sept. 30, 1994. And the plan specifically calls for an 18-hole golf course. Nowhere does it have anything about an option for a 9-Hole golf course.
Yes the numbers of rounds of golf played each year have been down. The economy has an instrumental part to do with people having less expendable cash for leisure. But that recurring argument is straying from the fact that the deed has a very specific restriction. I believe in keeping promises, and I believe in responsible government. Unless the deed is changed, there should be no discussion on what to do with the land besides how to build an 18-hole golf course (as legally required).
Please don’t construe my position as being pro-golf and anti-preserves. That is simply not the case. I am a huge advocate of open spaces and feel that they are necessary to preserving our environment and also key in reducing the burden on our infrastructures. My position is based on keeping promises and abiding by a legally binding contract (deed). Government should have to follow the same regulations (laws) that everyday citizens are held to.
Click here to see the entire Fort Sheridan Deed Restriction
Click here to see Lake County Board Published Documents on Ft. Sheridan
For the past seven years Lake County Board has been discussing what to do with the Fort Sheridan golf Course. Most recently the Lake County Board requested bids, for a 9-hole golf course combined with a nature preserve. The Advisory Committee that was appointed in 2009 was misguided and by their actions alone did not seem to understand the guidelines that they had to work under. Instead of finding a solution to reducing the cost to build the required 18 hole golf course that the citizens of Lake County were promised. The Committee attempted to circumvent the Legally binding Deed with a 9-hole golf concept and nature preserve that was destine to fail (and did).
First and foremost the Deed has very specific language. To quote from the deed (page 3, item 3) "the property shall be a golf course and recreational open space in perpetuity and not devoted to another use, all in accordance with the Fort Sheridan Joint Planning Commission Concept Plan, dated September 30, 1994."Okay now it took a little digging but I found the Ft. Sheridan Joint Planning Commission Concept Plan dated Sept. 30, 1994. And the plan specifically calls for an 18-hole golf course. Nowhere does it have anything about an option for a 9-Hole golf course.
Yes the numbers of rounds of golf played each year have been down. The economy has an instrumental part to do with people having less expendable cash for leisure. But that recurring argument is straying from the fact that the deed has a very specific restriction. I believe in keeping promises, and I believe in responsible government. Unless the deed is changed, there should be no discussion on what to do with the land besides how to build an 18-hole golf course (as legally required).
Please don’t construe my position as being pro-golf and anti-preserves. That is simply not the case. I am a huge advocate of open spaces and feel that they are necessary to preserving our environment and also key in reducing the burden on our infrastructures. My position is based on keeping promises and abiding by a legally binding contract (deed). Government should have to follow the same regulations (laws) that everyday citizens are held to.
Click here to see the entire Fort Sheridan Deed Restriction
Click here to see Lake County Board Published Documents on Ft. Sheridan
No Tax Increases
We are over taxed right now and should not even entertain any new taxes to offset the shortfalls in revenue. I applaud the Lake County Board for being fiscally responsible and keeping a balanced budget. I promise to show the same financial discipline and transparency with County finances. I will support fiscally conservative policies that control spending, balance the budget, and ensure tax rates remain as low as humanly possible.
We are over taxed right now and should not even entertain any new taxes to offset the shortfalls in revenue. I applaud the Lake County Board for being fiscally responsible and keeping a balanced budget. I promise to show the same financial discipline and transparency with County finances. I will support fiscally conservative policies that control spending, balance the budget, and ensure tax rates remain as low as humanly possible.
Where does Lake County get its revenue?
Well, it is important to note that only about 1/3rd of the County revenue come from property taxes. The rest comes from sales taxes, user fees, and income & business taxes as well as from various grants and payments from other governmental entities.Only about 7% of a homeowners TOTAL real estate bill goes to Lake County government. The County Treasurer collects and disperses all funds collected from real estate taxes to all the other taxing bodies while the County only keeps about 7%. So, for a house that is valued at $250,000; about $400 goes to Lake County government.
Well, it is important to note that only about 1/3rd of the County revenue come from property taxes. The rest comes from sales taxes, user fees, and income & business taxes as well as from various grants and payments from other governmental entities.Only about 7% of a homeowners TOTAL real estate bill goes to Lake County government. The County Treasurer collects and disperses all funds collected from real estate taxes to all the other taxing bodies while the County only keeps about 7%. So, for a house that is valued at $250,000; about $400 goes to Lake County government.
How is the money spent?
30% Public Works and Transportation
28% Judicial and Criminal justice (court functions, the jail, sheriff's office)
25% Health Department and other community services
12% Supports the operations of county government
3% Elections and Records
2% Planning, Building and Zoning
VOTE SOLER
Now more than ever we need a fresh new face in elected office. Do you feel that the special interest groups and lobbyist are overruling the common sense that should come first to spending our tax dollars? I urge you to join me and vote for the Proven Leader. . .
. . .Vote for Anthony Soler Lake County Board District 13
Click here for a detailed PDF map of District 13
Paid for by "Friends of Anthony Soler". A copy of our report with the State Board of Elections is (or will be) available on
the Board's official website (www.elections.gov) or for purchase from the State Board of Elections.
the Board's official website (www.elections.gov) or for purchase from the State Board of Elections.