Sparks fly at the Farm
Bureau
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Jerry Smith was
moderating the DeKalb County Candidate's Night forum like a
seasoned professional. Smith, who volunteered as moderator,
is the executive director of the DeKalb County Community
Foundation. His knowledge of local issues and his background
in community service served the audience in the packed
auditorium at the DeKalb County Farm bureau.
Just past the
midway point in the lively debate between DeKalb County
State's Attorney incumbent Ron Matekaitis and his
challenger, Clay Campbell; a member of the audience, Frank
Paciga of rural Kingston, approached the stage and
interrupted while Matekaitis was giving his closing remarks.
Paciga complained that his questions were not asked. He
again interrupted when the debate concluded to demand that
his questions be asked. Clay Campbell walked over and put
his arm around Paciga and led him off the stage. Paciga
mumbled, "They're biased."
Who said local
politics can't be entertaining?
I googled Frank
Paciga and I think one of his questions might have had
something to do with his tax appeal (see related
link). The forum allowed 30 minutes for each debate
and most of the questions were gathered by the Candidates
Night Committee consisting of Greg Milburn (DeKalb County
Farm Bureau), Rose Treml (Sycamore Chamber), Ken Andersen
(DeKalb County Building and Development Association), Kim
Kubiak (DeKalb Chamber of Commerce), Grace Mott (eWorldLinx,
Inc.), and Roger Hopkins (DeKalb County Economic Development
Corporation). A few questions from the audience did make it
to the podium.
Clay Campbell
appears to be going for broke by going after Matekaitis'
throat. He wasted no time on attacking the incumbent
from his opening remarks throughout the debate. His
strategy appeared to be aimed at putting his opponent on the
defensive as he continually reminded the audience that he
believed Matekaitis was doing little more than prosecuting
traffic violations and that taxpayers were paying $135,000 a
year for those services. Campbell believes the States
Attorney should be the lead prosecutor on all major felony
cases. He appeared to be annoyed with questions pertaining
to civil law responsibilities of the office. He also appears
to be passionate about his positions, even to the point of
being abrasive.
Matekaitis
countered Campbell's assault with assertions that the
challenger did not understand the full responsibilities of
the office and would often adroitly use Campbell's
allegations as examples of his opponent's lack of
understanding. Matekaitis believes the office of State's
Attorney is better served by an effective administrator who
will put his best human resources to work for the task that
is required. The incumbent appeared to be confident in his
record and annoyed by what he thought was distasteful
campaign tactics by his opponent.
If an
in-your-face defiant prosecutor is what is needed most for
the office of State's Attorney then Campbell is the choice.
But if an effective administrator is needed most Matekaitis
appeared far more qualified than his challenger.
Emotions were
not as high in the 70th District Illinois House debate
between Bob Pritchard-R and his challenger Bob Brown-D. Both
are respected lifelong residents of DeKalb County with
strong ties to agriculture and education. Both were
knowledgeable on the issues and in several areas there were
stark, but polite, differences.
Governor
Blagojevich and the Illinois Tollway Authority are pushing a
doubling of current toll fees for pay-as-you-go users of the
toll system and much smaller increases in the prepaid I-Pass
system fees. Brown supports the effort citing studies he has
seen that indicate a single semi-truck has the same wear and
tear impact on roads than 9,000 cars. Pritchard expressed
opposition to the hikes based on his concerns that this, and
the steady stream in increasing (and the creation of
)government fees on commerce, were not only hampering
Illinois' efforts to attract new businesses, but were
chasing Illinois businesses away.
Brown was clear
in his support for Illinois House Bill 750, an education
finance reform bill that calls for annual foundation level
increases to be tied to the Employment Cost Index (ECI) and
funded by increases in state income taxes, adding new sales
taxes on items and services not taxed under the current
system and the creation of income tax on retirement benefits
in those households earning more than $75,000 per year.
Typically the ECI rises at a much higher rate than does the
Consumer Price Index.
Proponents of
the bill (HB750) say that it will reduce school property tax
in wealthier communities by 20% and in poorer communities by
25%. Critics say that it will increase the state income tax
67% and does not prevent the school districts from seeking
referendum tax increases immediately after the bill passes,
should it pass.
Pritchard
expressed willingness to look at any education finance
reform tool and stated his commitment to shift the burden
for K-12 funding from property taxes as well as continuing
efforts to improve funding for higher education.
Both candidates
expressed opposition to any effort by the state to legislate
statewide impact fees on new homes. Brown insisted that
local governmental units regulate impact fees. Pritchard
agreed but warned that impact fees were not the solution to
education funding reform and that the fees increase property
taxes on new and existing homes.
Candidates for the DeKalb County Board met with the public
in an hour-long open house prior to the debates. More than
200 residents were in attendance. The debates were broadcast
live thanks to WLBK 1360-AM.
It was good to see so many candidates and to hear their
views. It was even better to see so many residents
interested in local politics. Jerry Smith and the Candidates
Night Committee did an outstanding job in providing the
public with an informative and entertaining evening.
Mac McIntyre
For pictures of the Candidate's Night,
click here.
