Dan Kennison has never sought political office, but that hasn't stopped him from running for Will County executive, a position currently held by Democrat Larry Walsh.
"I'm not interested in more of the same," Kennison, a Republican, said. "I don't need to have the power, the salary. This is about proving we can do this right. If we can prove we can do it right, others will follow."
An issue Kennison hopes to get a following on is his anti-third airport stance. "This is an issue I have a problem with."
<strong>Intermodal development</strong>
"We need controlled, managed growth. If we do nothing, in 25 years this county will be fully grown out. But that's not the right thing to do," Kennison said. "We need coordination of regional, economic growth."
Instead of looking only at the current situation, Kennison said the county needs a far-range plan of what should Will County look like in 40 years.
"Without a goal, you don't know what to say yes to and what to deny," he said.
When it comes to the subject of intermodals, Kennison is certain companies should be paying for the infrastructure expansion that is needed to handle the massive influx of traffic and damage this causes to the road network.
Kennison said a public safety fee on a per container basis should be charged to the intermodal operators. What that tax would generate, Kennison said, is unknown because he doesn't know what the fee would be. He did said there are probably 10 million containers moving in and out of the CenterPoint intermodal in Elwood.
"Have the companies pay for the roads they are using and making Will County into a parking lot," he said. "As far as I can see, these companies have gotten a free ride."
<strong>EJ&E sale</strong>
Like Walsh, Kennison said he opposes the sale of the EJ&E line to Canadian National as the deal currently stands. He said CN is not putting up enough money to deal with the issues this acquisition is expected to create.
"What they have offered to this point is just a drop in the bucket. In my opinion, this pending sale is the biggest issue facing Will County," he said. Kennison said this transaction would have far-reaching implications.
"This county needs to deal with these potential impacts now rather than later," he said. Kennison said he doesn't yet know what CN should be putting on the table, nor is he aware of what they are capable of bring forward financially.
Kennison said he would like to see the proposed $300 million sale scrapped and all the parties take a seat at the negotiating table. In addition to CN and EJ&E, Kennison said Will County should be part of the negotiations.
<strong>Third airport</strong>
Kennison said he would like to see the third airport discussion put to bed once and for all and let the people in eastern Will County live their lives there without a proverbial cloud hanging over them.
"There is a better way to bring jobs and generate taxes for Will County," Kennison said. "Government officials who have let this go on for far too long need to bring this to an end.
"Tell the people if this will happen or not. Enough of this. We can promote and develop Will County without this airport. There are so many better ways of development. If we go down this airport path, we will never be able to turn back from this decision."
<strong>Dan Kennison biography</strong>
<strong>Age:</strong> 49
<strong>Home:</strong> Joliet
<strong>Family:</strong> Wife, Victoria; three children
<strong>Experience:</strong> Association for Service Disabled Veterans, board member, 2001-06; Premier Medical Industries owner, 1989-2001
<strong>Quote:</strong> "Have the companies pay for the roads they are using and making Will County into a parking lot. As far as I can see, these companies have gotten a free ride."
<strong>Party:</strong> Republican