Burns Seeks Kane Board Chairmanship—Here's a Sneak Peek at His Noon Announcement

Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns let the world know on Friday that he'd be running for Kane County Board chairman.

It wasn't a big surprise. The mayor had in June that he would to look into the possibility of replacing present Kane County Board Chairman , who in turn is running for the state Senate District 33 seat.

Burns is the first to throw his hat in the ring.

State Sen. Chris Lauzen has shown interest in pursuing the Kane County Board chairmanship, as well. Jim Oberweis, the successful dairy business owner who made unsuccessful runs at the U.S. Senate and congressional seats, decided recently not to pursue the County Board position.

At noon, Burns will set the tone for his campaign and attempt to show out of the gates why he's best suited for the position. The text of his speech is below.

Burns for County Board Chairman—Announcement Remarks

We stand in the presence of the Kane County Veterans Memorial and acknowledge the sacred pledge of the individuals inscribed upon it … as soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen and coastguardsmen and the sacrifices they made to defend our communities, county, state and country.

I stand here as but a humble and grateful beneficiary of their collective sacrifice and make a similar pledge to serve, protect and promote the interests of all Kane County citizens and businesses.

Just a few yards over my shoulders stands the Kane County Seat of government, where topics are debated, decisions are made, policies are enacted.

The citizens of Kane County will elect a new chairman in 2012. Kane County will need a leader who can step in and assume the responsibility of the job on day one; and equally important, a chairman who can work well together with County Board members, county elected officials, and county staff to move establishing budgets, managing personnel and investing public resources in a responsible, fair and accountable fashion—to move the work of the people of Kane County forward from the outset. There will be no time for a learning curve, no time for on-the-job training and certainly no time for a honeymoon.

My name is Kevin Burns. I am mayor of your Kane County seat, and today I announce my candidacy to become the next chairman of your county.

I begin an eight-month interview for a full time job with a four-year contract—a job that requires a leader with extensive and relevant experience setting policy.

As mayor of Geneva for over a decade, I have demonstrated my ability to carry out the duties of chief executive officer by working constructively with department heads, developing department budgets, allocating resources to address the needs of citizens and business owners and working collaboratively with local, county state and federal officials.

My track record is clear. As mayor I have promoted sound policies that led to successful economic development and job creation. I advocated for and implemented open space preservation, enhanced public safety operations and provided for the efficient delivery of public services. I facilitated transparent and open government and have been, and remain, a steadfast champion of our nonprofit community.
Throughout this experience, I have nurtured an environment of mutual respect and cooperation between elected and appointed officials, volunteers and professional staff.

Absent such an environment, the mechanics of government begin to falter and ultimately fail.

The primary role of a leader is to understand the roles of those with whom he or she serves. The role of Kane County Board chairman is not about fiats or directives, but finding solutions to challenges and setting course to capture and capitalize on opportunities. It is what those whom we serve expec and what we as public servants must deliver.

A CEO must encourage, involve and even inspire leadership in others. My style and success throughout my tenure in municipal government makes me uniquely qualified to lead the Kane County Board.

More than 1,350 men and women are employed by Kane County. Their shared mission includes:

• Providing innovative and strategic leadership by delivering essential and effective public services in a fiscally prudent manner;
• Being good stewards of the natural and economic resources that makeup our unique urban and rural communities;
• Adapting to and providing governmental services to a growing and diverse population;
• Promoting an environment that advocates health, welfare and safety;
• And encouraging and valuing citizen communication, input, and involvement in governing so that residents have faith in their elected leaders and proud to call Kane County "home."

And their shared vision:

• To be accountable to its citizens by providing innovative and high quality government services in an economical, fair, professional, and courteous manner to enhance and protect the health, welfare, and safety of those who live and work in Kane County.

The next chapter of Kane County requires, and indeed demands, a chief executive who embraces this common mission and vision and is prepared, positioned and committed to be a true partner with municipal officials, business and not-for-profit leaders and residents in every corner of the County—today and the thousands of tomorrows to come.

To the professional staff who carry out the policies and practices of Kane Count I pledge my mutual respect and understanding of the challenges you face and, make no mistake, will work with you to ensure that we remain true to the mission and vision of Kane County government.

And to those employees who are represented through collective bargaining, I recognize, honor and support your rights and pledge to work with you in the best interests of the our county.

To the Kane Count Board, I watched you from a distance and from up close. I appreciate the difficult balancing act your job entails and have enjoyed working with you throughout my tenure as mayor of Geneva, and I look forward to shaping the future of our county for the benefit of current and future generations through creativity, collaboration and consensus.

With more than 500 square miles of land, 750 miles of county roadways, hundreds of miles of bike and pedestrian trails, thousands of acres of open space and thousands of businesses large and small, and more than half-a-million residents and counting, Kane County’s story is authored and illustrated by each and every one of us every day.

As candidate for Kane County Board Chairman—an applicant for the job now posted—I am the best-qualified candidate and respectfully ask for your support and help to build on the success already achieved and help write the next chapter of Kane County’s extraordinary history.

I look forward to the work, I’m up to the challenge and I’m ready to lead—for all of Kane County.