Marsha Murphy: Candidate Profile

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Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioQA Bio City: ADDISONWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: DuPage County Forest Preserve District 1 Age: Candidate did not respond.Family: Son Frank Daughter Kathleen Grandchildren Ryan FrankOccupation: Small business ownerEducation: Some college with accounting/business ownerCivic involvement: St. Demettrious Church 1970 thru present Member IADP 2002 thru present Treasurer of DuPage County Forest Preserve 2004 thru present.Elected offices held: Appointed Addison Township Trustee 8/98 thru 2002 Appointed Addison Township Finance Chairman 1999 thru 2002 President Addison Township Womens Club 1999 thru 2001Questions Answers Outline two initiatives you have to improve the forest preserve district.The first community-driven strategic plan was launched as a way to improve the Districts interest in actively engaging DuPage County residents while also helping the District better identify community expectations, What we discovered was that residents want us to maintain open space for future generations. But we also learned that we need to take another look at our organization - which confirmed our movement toward another initiative: organization restructuring. Recognizing the need to enhance internal opportunities, the District approved an early retirement incentive to allow District veterans the opportunity to retire while also providing other employees the possibility of advancement.What role should be the forest preserve district play in preserving historic buildings on its land?The Forest Preserve District's core purpose is to connect people to nature which is underscored by some of the feedback we've received from our recent community-wide surveys. While historic buildings may be on our land, they don't represent our core purpose which is why I don't believe District funding should be used to preserve them. But I do recognize that historic sites are an important touchstone to the county's past. That's why I believe that third party groups, like the Graue Mill Foundation at Fullersburg Woods, should be used to help fundraiser to ensure that historic sites can be protected.Are you satisfied with how the district responded to complaints from volunteers about the treatment of horses at the Danada Equestrian Center? Why or why not? Does more need to be done?When accusations relating to animal abuse first surfaced, the District took the claims very seriously and launched an investigation. Two independent herd assessments were conducted and neither could find any validity to the claims. When concerns continued to be voiced, the District conducted another independent herd assessment and again found no validity to the claim. I believe the District was slow to respond to the initial accusations,but once it did respond, it acted appropriately. I believe everyone involved at Danada is doing a great job in ensuring the facility moves forward.Do you think forest preserve members should receive pensions? Why or why not? If elected, will you accept a pension?Candidate did not respond.The forest preserve district has been approached by several agencies looking to use its land for other purposes. Describe your position on such requests and if it is ever appropriate to develop forest preserve land for non-forest preserve activities.The District has been asked on several occasions to sell or lease land for private use. I believe that the primary purpose of forest preserve district is to conserve, preserve and protect land as outlined in the Downstate Forest Preserve Act. Therefore I believe that the District has an obligation to the citizens of DuPage County to ensure the conservation, preservation and protection of that land.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Flood-control management and wetland mitigation is something that I believe is critical to DuPage County and something that the District effectively provides through our forest preserves, gold courses and wetlands. I have supported land acquisitions to provide flood mitigation across the county - which is why I've supported how the District uses its golf courses as a way to provide flood relief for county residents.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Although I can't single out a favorite current leader, I can say that Dewey Pierotti's passion for the Forest Preserve is something that inspires me.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Follow through on my commitments. Not everyone may like you, but they will respect you, they will respect you if you do what you sayIf life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Work less and spend that time with family and friends. life is too short. unfortunately it's a lesson that's often learned too late.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Math. There is always a solution to every problem. It's not always obvious; sometimes you have to work at it.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Happiness if fragile. Appreciate every moment and do everything you can to protect it.