Vying to keep his seat representing District 12 on the Lake County Board, incumbent Republican Mike Rummel answered questions during a virtual debate along with Democratic candidate Paras Parekh Thursday.
The respectful exchange allowed the candidates to share their views on a number of issues, such as taxes, infrastructure and the forest preserves, and why they’re running.
Rummel, who served as an alderman and mayor in Lake Forest before joining the County Board in 2012, said he decided to run again because for a lifetime, he has served the community and has the financial background and experience to continue that service.
Parekh, a native of Ann Arbor, Mich., who is a West Deerfield Township Trustee, said he’s “incredibly fond of this community,” and wants to restore the trust in local government and have a better focus on the environment.
Each candidate agreed, based on what they’ve heard from the community, that taxes are the No. 1 concern residents face, and said they wouldn’t vote for tax increases.
On the issue of the environment and the management of the forest preserves, Rummel spoke in detail of what project is in the works.
– Original Credit: News-Sun
As a Lake County Forest Preserves commissioner since 2012 and treasurer of the Preservation Board —the nonprofit arm of the Forest Preserves — Rummel said the group has embarked on an initiative to involve citizens, by creating a $30 million endowment that will make sure the forest preserves will be taken care of in the future, so generations can enjoy them.
Rummel said the board needs to “communicate better” with residents so they know all the work being done to address their environmental concerns. He added the board also needs to put pressure on the culprit companies that are polluting.
“The forest preserves are the crown jewel of Lake County,” Parekh said.
Citing his active engagement with the Stop EtO Lake County group, Parekh added that the environment is an important concern to be addressed.
As a board member, Parekh would look at how disadvantaged communities could have better access to the green spaces, he said.
To the question of what more available funding for infrastructure could mean for the county’s roads, Parekh said more electric buses could help people without access to a vehicle to have an easier commute.
The reality is the county has a backlog of infrastructure projects to address, Rummel said, and that the decrease in ridership for Metra could pose further challenges for residents.
On the issue of ethics, transparency and working well with board members across the political aisle, Parekh said the has been “acrimony on the board for far too long” and one of the first moves he’d make as a board member would be to meet with each colleague and ask them to “help me understand their experiences, their wisdom and what they’re doing to help this community.”
More Top Picks Evolve Gtx Bamboo Street
“During my eight years as a county board member, I have worked across the aisle all the time,” Rummel said, citing a health insurance initiative he worked on with Democratic Board member Paul Frank, who represents District 11.
On the pandemic’s impact on the county’s shortfall, both candidates agreed that creative choices have to be made, and Rummel went a step further, suggesting that a top-down look at the county’s employees, which he said is 70% of the county’s budget, be looked at carefully.
The reduction in the number of districts was also discussed, with Rummel saying that while he foresees a reduction happening in the future, it must be pursued methodically, as less representatives mean more residents per board member.
Parekh would like to see less seats and more diversity, saying that out of the 21 county seats, only two African-Americans are currently sitting on the board, with no Latinos representing that community.
The event was hosted by the non-partisan group, the League of Women Voters Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Area.