WurfWhile

Hiram Wurf
Democratic Candidate
DuPage County Board District 5

Introduction

My campaign is about bringing openness and transparency to DuPage County government. Only with openness and transparency can there be accountability, and responsive government. Without accountability, government is not “of the people” nor “by the people,” but in spite of the people.

On November 2, 2004, DuPage voters in County Board District 5 will have a real choice. Voters can place blind faith in a county government that keeps them ill-informed about the issues that matter to them, and rejects requests for more information; or voters can vote for a candidate who believes that informing the public is more than an obligation, it is the best way to foster interest, solicit other views, encourage participation and, ultimately, improve the way we live and work in DuPage County. The open sharing of ideas, encouraging participation through public comments in the www.wurfwhile.com web log (blog) provides an example and pledge to voters: the medium communicates the message.

As an elected member of the DuPage County Board I will advocate open, transparent and accountable government that actively solicits public views and advice. On November 2, 2004, I offer voters in County Board District 5 a choice to become a part of their local government, instead of keeping them apart from their local government. Together we can, and will, do better.

The Platform

Government Accountability

I will work to increase public participation in, and awareness of, the issues before the County Board. I will seek to make the Board’s deliberations and decisions public whenever possible, including putting this information on the County Board website that now shows little beyond the planned agenda, making it impossible for most citizens to know what their government officials are really doing. Working with County Board members, I will try to schedule periodic meetings that working members of our community can more easily attend, instead of having just morning meetings on Tuesdays. I will, through visits to community groups, regular press releases, and a regularly updated website, strive to keep DuPage voters and taxpayers better informed about their government, because only an informed public can make government responsive to its needs.

Fiscal Accountability

I will work to make the County Board Budget more transparent to voters, seek to end the DuPage Airport line item on property taxes and find ways to save money through smarter spending. Citizens and government watchdog groups, like Elmhurst-based Citizens Advocacy Center, should not need to sue to see the county budget. Nor should it take years of county board opposition to end the unpopular taxpayer support of the DuPage Airport. Spending money on preventative programs, like accountable and strictly supervised probation for some categories of non-violent offenders, saves taxpayers money from reduced jail costs, makes the community safer through reduced recidivism and helps offenders become productive citizens by addressing their behavior in a rehabilitative setting.

Transportation and Smart Growth

Open, transparent and accountable government encourages the community interest and participation necessary to tackle tough issues. Transportation and growth are critical issues in DuPage at a time when open spaces are rapidly disappearing. Richard Mattoon, senior economist with the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and DuPage resident, argues the high taxes and overcrowding that once drove businesses from Cook County to DuPage now hurt DuPage. One solution is for DuPage to take the lead in non-motor and mass transportation. I will work to take money we currently spend on new road construction and use it to increase busing and bicycle and walking paths. Working with citizens, businesses, community groups and the government, together we can reduce traffic congestion, reduce traffic pollution and encourage healthier lifestyles in DuPage. Without increasing taxes we can have better transportation that will attract and retain businesses in DuPage as it improves our quality of life.