All six Republican candidates running to fill the four open trustee positions on the Winfield Township board this election cycle attended a forum last week to answer questions about why voters should vote for them.
Introduction:
My name is Jerry Ruzicka, I’m from Orangeville. Something unique about me that not that many people can say is: I grew up of a farm, the son of a pharmacist. My dad was Ed Ruzicka who was a pharmacist who owned Ruzicka Drugs in Orangeville for over 40 years. He was also known as Mr. Republican in Orangeville. He served on the (county board) for 50 years, a Republican precinct committeeman, also was a trustee for Winfield Township who I replaces 23 and a half years ago. My mother was a school teacher for over 40 years in Chicago Public School system. Like I said, I grew up on a farm … and now there is a hardware store where my old house was … it was a big farmhouse, we rented the upstairs apartment and the farm was a complete farm – cows, pigs, chickens … then when I was 12 we moved down the street to a house that my grandfather built ... so I’ve been in Orangeville, which is part of Winfield Township, my whole life.
I graduated with honors, cum laude, from St. Josephs College in Indiana.
Q: Have you been attending township board meetings, and what do you think the current issues are?
I have been attending the meetings and … we haven’t had a lot of controversy. Things have been going real smooth and I hope they continue to go that way. So, I don’t, right now, see any big problems coming up that I’m aware of, and I’m sure when they do come up, we’ll handle them very well.
Q: Do you support township government in its current form? If not, how should it change?
I obviously support township government. It’s one of the oldest forms of government. If memory serves me right, it was established in about 1787 by Northwest Ordinance. And it has been an effective means of government for people, and a lot of people do not live in the cities and they might not have any services at all … it’s much better to have township people here who are accountable and can respond to their complaints or suggestions or whatever it is. So I think it would be a good idea to keep Winfield going … and all townships.
Q: Do you or will you always vote the party line or would you break from the majority and vote against something?
The issues before the township are usually not political … but have I ever deviated from the Republican line? Probably. If I didn’t agree with the candidate or someone, yeah. However, township-wise, I think we’re doing a good job and would like to continue to do a good job.
Q: Would you reduce or eliminate any services that the township currently provides?
I’m very much a fiscal conservative and spending money efficiently, and right now as far as I see, I don’t see any area that we need to cut or expand at this time.
Q: The Daily Herald newspaper stating many townships spending more on salaries for staff to administrate programs for the poor, than they are giving out to the poor. How much does this township spend on the staff and how much money is given to the poor annually?
I don’t have any figures on it either … I doubt, like Mary Ann (Manna) said, that we are spending more on our salaries … again, I don’t have any figures but my real strong opinion is that we pay out far more.
Q: The DuPage County Election Commission estimated the cost of the primary to be $50,000 and would be borne by taxpayers. Did you vote to have a primary vs. a caucus?
Apparently, cost effective-wise, a caucus would have been more cost effective. Now, I didn’t vote for the primary system, I didn’t actually vote for the caucus, but it’s the first time to have a primary in the last … maybe ever. We’ll see how it works out and we’ll just have to live with the results.
Q: Why is the township road district separate?
I can’t really tell you why it’s separate. The way that it’s been handled … the budget is separate and it’s worked out very well and I don’t see a problem with it.
Q: Do you believe in term limits for township elected officials?
I’m going to have to vote no on that one because I’ve been there 23 and a half years, and I’ve got a lot of experience and I’ve done a good job, and it would be ridiculous to have a term limit for township official.
Q: How long have you been active, specifically with the Winfield Township board? Why run now?
Well, I’ve been trustee for 23 and a half years and I don’t feel I’m stagnant. I’m still interested. I grew up (with) my father (who) was a precinct committeeman also township trustee. I’ve been involved with township politics. I work well with the people I work with, and I’m looking forward to four more years coming up.
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