Grafton Township Supervisor Candidate: Pam Fender

Patch.com wants you to know the candidates for Grafton Township Supervisor as you head to the polls.

Pam Fender 

Age: 59

Family:  Mother to newlywed daughter Liz (husband Jason) and son Mike (wife Lina), proud grandmother to their two children (Hudson & Zoey) My happy family is completed by my 88 year old mother Joan, my brother Bob (wife Lyn), and sister Wendy (husband Steve) and the cutest dog, Grover. Ask me, I will show pics!

Occupation:  Business person – until recently I ran my own small business with 6 employees, for 20+ years. Now work several part time positions. I have the time to work at the Supervisor’s position full time.

Previous elected or appointed offices: Village of Huntley Trustee, Two 4 year terms, Appointed to the Zoning Board prior to that.

Position sought: Grafton Township Supervisor

Political party: Republican

Campaign E-mail address: www.pamfender.com

Campaign committee: Pam Fender Campaign Committee PO Box 592 Huntley, IL 60142

Campaign Website: www.pamfender.com

Campaign Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/PamFenderCampaignCommittee?fref=ts

What is the primary reason you are running for this office? To do the right thing, I have a strong reputation for being honest and working hard. My well-worn track record of organization, both in business and in leading volunteer projects, show I know how to get things done. I started the Huntley Fall Fest on a shoe-string, but for 8+ years now it has been a quality family event, that raises lots of money for charity and highlights some of our local businesses. “Paint-A-Thon”, “Spring Fling at Green Trees”, the Huntley Historical Society, Shepherd of the Prairie Church; all are events/groups where I take a leadership role- projects & programs, events done with quality, done with minimal cost, done without going to “the well” that is public taxes.

I want to make a real positive change for our area Seniors, our Developmentally Disabled, our working poor and the average person just needing a temporary helping hand at getting back into the work force. Remember, NO NEW TAXES. Most of the people reading this know me- they know I will get the job done, honestly, within budget and with a smile.

What will be your single most important priority if you get elected?

Stop all this Drama!

Find out where this past four years has left us, how do we go forward; to even just do the minimum of what a Township does. Pay all outstanding bills. Put all financials records in order. All four years of audits need to be completed. Find out what happened, how, when and why- it is said that this Township will be broke for the first months of the new administration- we will need a loan- where will it come from? How much will it cost? Start a fresh slate. Bring back normal.

The Township office needs to be an open, friendly place to offer help and assistance to our residents. Not under lock and key, to reach the official you have elected to serve. Put the coffee on, start new programs, new projects, be welcoming of all. Start cooperating with other local governments and charities; let's help as many people recover from this horrible economy that has plagued us for the past 4 years. Use volunteers as much as possible.

Open the books, Open the files, be as transparent as possible- this is public information, FOIA should not be necessary - put every possible file on the web site, instant access to all taxpayers and press. Only personal, sensitive files will not be put up.

What are the top three issues facing Grafton Township residents?

Financially sound procedures, cutting costs where possible, ending the “loans & litigation” cycle.

Senior Transportation: update our equipment with grants and sponsorships, ease scheduling & open new routes.

Get Along- stop the bickering, bring professional attitudes and procedures back- Grafton used to have a PO system, regular audits, on-time State & County reporting, non-political newsletter and web site; and cooperation with all.  End the Two-Pantry Problem.

What sets you apart from the other candidate?

I know Township procedures, know what a Supervisor is supposed to act like, have plenty of friendly professionals ready to pitch in and volunteer to help Grafton come back from the ashes. I will be reaching out to everyone I already know, in connecting municipalities,  other taxing bodies, other organizations that help the poor and seniors.

There is no “transition” in Township government; the entire Board is new all at once. From Day 1, it will be up to me to set the tone. I will be reaching out to all Board members to find out what their priorities are, who they are, what goals they would like to achieve and how we can possibly work together. I have a long track record of putting aside personal differences, working together as an elected official, as a leader, for the betterment of a group and a community.

Anything else you would like to add?

I really want to thank those that made it out to vote in the Primary. Thank you to those who believed in me, those that made a difference in your neighborhood and in my life. I spent very little money on my campaign, (less than $2000 in the Primary) compared to anyone else running, and will likely be spending relatively little on the next leg of this two-step race. I am a tightwad. I will not waste your tax dollars any more than I will waste my own hard earned money. I work VERY hard; I will make you proud of what this Township will be able to do without spending a lot to do it.

I am Pam Fender; please vote for me on April 9th. Thank you for taking the time to read this.