Endorsements: Kane County Board members

Kane County Board endorsements:

District 10:

We were impressed with both candidates, David Brown of Batavia and Mary Kay Crantz of North Aurora.

We agree with Crantz’s assessment that the county’s delay in disbursing the CARES Act funds was due to partisanship in its current leadership.

But we also note that board members realized it and took action to set up their own committee so the money could be disbursed.

In choosing a board candidate, however, we are considering Brown’s 22 years of experience in government serving as an alderman in Batavia – creating a balanced budget, zoning issues, successful projects such as the redesign of River and Houston streets – we think that will be a plus serving on the county board.

Brown is endorsed.

District 12:

Kenneth Shepro is the stronger candidate than recently retired teacher Ruth Kuzmanic.

Shepro has a wealth of experience in government, financing, politics and bipartisanship.

Shepro served on the Kane County Regional Planning Commission for 20 years, as County Board attorney for eight years under former chairman Karen McConnaughay, and took a leading role in drafting and implementing the county’s 2020 Land Resource Plan and the 2030 and 2040 updates.

Shepro served as legal advisor to the special committee that oversaw the county redistricting that occurs every 10 years with the census.

The county needs someone with experience as it faces the future.

Shepro is endorsed.

District 16:

Incumbent Michael Kenyon has shown himself as a leader – as president of the Kane County Forest Preserve Commission – and as one who strives for bipartisan efforts on various projects and initiatives.

While we appreciate Megan Larson’s business credentials – a doctorate in organizational leadership and experience with Fortune 500 companies and in running her own business, Kenyon has a track record of getting things done in the county.

As president of the Forest Preserve Commission, he promoted the referendum in which voters chose to purchase 22,000 acres to keep as open space.

Also a farmer, Kenyon is also chairman of the Agriculture Committee, which supports Future Farmers of America, a pollinator project and working with the Kane County Farm Bureau.

Kenyon is endorsed.

District 18:

Sandy Kaszmarski has good ideas and a record of civic involvement. She has experience as a radio news anchor, journalist and photographer. She also ran for Kane County Board chairman in 2008.

But incumbent Drew Frasz has repeatedly shown himself to be a strong and accomplished board member who actively leads on several fronts.

Frasz was involved in getting financing and construction started on the multi-purpose building. He has negotiated with neighbors on local projects – such as the Mill Creek community and a school Marklund proposed to build.

He also participated in creating the special CARES Act committee to get the federal funds disbursed.

Frasz is endorsed.

District 14:

Incumbent Mark Davoust is the stronger, more experienced candidate in leadership and representation than challenger William Bachman.

While we appreciate that Bachman has public service experience and has chosen to run to reduce the need for partisanship in the county board, but Davoust’s experience and leadership tilts us toward supporting him.

As chairman of the Kane County Forest Preserve Finance and Administration committees, Davoust led the effort on a referendum to protect the 22,000 acres of the county’s open space – which voters supported.

Davoust also worked with staff to refinance debt and save money, helped create the position of Ethic Advisor and led efforts to provide health insurance for employees while also saving the county money.

The latest project that Davoust supported is the new multi-use facility that will house the long-overdue new coroner’s office and morgue.

Davoust is endorsed.