IndiaPost - Voice of Indians Worldwide: Dorothy Brown eyes Cook County Board Presidency

Dorothy Brown eyes Cook County Board Presidency
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Mohammad Ghouse on 03/07/2009 07:41:00
 
Besides a great number of her Indian American supporters who seemed enthused
over her decision to seek the highest position in Cook County,  her candidacy is
endorsed by African American Clergy leaders representing over 300 churches in
Cook County also.
The endorsement from the Clergy leaders was announced during a press meet at
South Loop Chicago Hotel on June 30.
She said that one of the motivating factors is to save tax payers' money thru
streamlining administration and finding innovative solutions to the problems
facing the county. She indicated that she would reverse the sales tax hike that
the Current President Tod Strogger introduced last year.
"This is the right time to run for the position of Cook County Board President
with a proven track record of saving taxpayers' money. We need a leader who will
step up and get our fiscal house in order.    We won't get that with politics as
usual and we won't get it by infighting.  The time is now to bring people
together to address our great budget problems.
With so many people struggling through tough economic times and facing
inadequate health coverage, how could we look them in the eye and tell them we
have wasted their money and they have to pay more," she said
Brown came out against the current sales tax increase level passed by the Board.
 Brown said, "We can't keep making taxpayers pay for the failed leadership.  We
need new ideas, not just new taxes."
Dorothy Brown has been a consistent friend of Indian American community and she
has diversified her administration thru giving due importance to different
ethnic minority communities. It is this quality that has endeared her to Indian
Americans who have by and large, welcomed her announcement to run for the Board
President. She is expected to get very strong support for her move from the
community.
Brown claims a strong record of reform and sound management of tax dollars in
the Clerk's Office that she heads at present.  On her watch, $187.5 million in
tax money was saved by improving fee and fine collections.  The practice of
awarding "no bid" contracts was stopped.  The office collected $21.5 million
from "deadbeat defendants" who hadn't paid their court fees.
While serving as the Clerk of the Circuit Court, Brown has also dedicated
herself to advocating for women, including supporting a new domestic violence
court house with specially trained judges and support services for victims of
abuse. She also touts both teen dating and adult domestic violence programs, to
educate citizens about the dangers of domestic violence and successful methods
to prevent it.
Brown is also dedicated to improving public education and helping children
succeed. She created a scholarship program to encourage and assist Cook County
public education students to attend college.  A Certified Public Account (CPA),
Brown has also an MBA and a law degree under her belt.