I want to voice my support for Bob Rosemier for DeKalb County Board and tell everyone what I’ve seen Bob do first-hand while on the county board. For the past two years, Bob and I have represented an area including both Greek Row and apartments west of Annie Glidden Road, as well as Rivermist and neighborhoods off Annie Glidden Road, Hillcrest Drive and Ridge Road. Bob and I represent young children, NIU students, graduate students, families and seniors, people from broad racial and ethnic backgrounds and people of the broadest range of economic status.

On the most important issue in the last two years, Bob supported the bipartisan referendum to expand our badly overcrowded county jail and add alternatives addressing drug and mental health issues in the jail. Bob has shown real commitment to farmland preservation, supporting asking the state to let voters choose a program to purchase farmland development rights. Bob voted for a wind farm, showing he is forward-thinking. He advocated a better and broader distribution of senior service funds, served on a special committee that changed the way the county evaluates employees and voted to let people pay fees and taxes by credit card.

Another vital example of Bob making the right decision came just recently. He supported a fee to support GIS mapping charged to people that cause work for that department that few would ever pay more than a couple times. The fee frees up money to pay for more guards in our overcrowded jail and more courtroom lawyers for the badly overworked state’s attorney and public defender. Some opposed that move out of principle; several opposed it out of politics and supported a financially risky alternative plan. Bob held strong and supports a responsible budget and will not put politics before effective criminal justice and our safety.

Bob Rosemier’s record speaks for itself. He’s not a rubber stamp for some party platform – he thinks for himself and seeks a deeper understanding of issues. Bob’s a proven advocate for senior citizens, has a real commitment to preserving farmland, a commitment to good government and financial responsibility and a record of supporting our sheriff, public defender and state’s attorney – a record of supporting all of our safety. Bob’s done the job representing all of us; I’m proud to have him representing me. Reward a job done well and support someone you can be proud of. When you cast your vote for Barack Obama, remember to support someone Obama supports. Vote Bob Rosemier today.

Rich Osborne

Student-at-large

County Board District 5