Running for board from District 6

I am announcing my candidacy for the Democratic nomination to the vacant District 6 seat on the Champaign County Board. I look forward to the campaign between now and the Feb. 2 primary.

Julie and I own a house on Fair Street and enjoy the neighborhood. It is from this that I take my campaign slogan, "Our Neighborhood, Our Future."

I have three important issues.

First, I propose shifting the county property tax burden from owner-occupied housing – folks living in their own homes just trying to make the mortgage – towards out-of-county and out-of-state developers and speculators who have driven down local property values and rental values in what was once popular student housing within District 6.

I support fairer assessments, insuring that mansions and high rises are reassessed just as often as family homes. I support making certain that large developers come through on their promises.

Second, through my involvement with the C-U Green Roofs Initiative, I hope to bring sustainability and clean-energy issues even further to the forefront of board policy. I support the growth of our wind-turbine farms and efficiency efforts within our county buildings. We need to find ways to get green stimulus grants and new industries based here in Champaign County.

Third, through my time at the Illinois Department of Transportation, I learned the importance of infrastructure projects as not only projects that supply jobs, but also as long-term investments in growing the other sectors of our economy. We can have our own local building stimulus plan.

I hope to have the opportunity to meet with many residents of District 6 in the coming months.

JOSHUA HARTKE

Champaign