Meet Lemont Township Highway Commissioner Candidate: James Durham

LEMONT, IL —James Durham is one of two candidates running for Lemont Township Highway Commissioner. Durham is a facility operations and maintenance manager, and has previously served as a Lemont fire district trustee.

Durham recently filled out the Patch candidate survey, and his answers can be found below:

If you are a candidate for the April election, and would like to answer our Patch candidate questionnaire, please email andrea.earnest@patch.com.

Name: James A. Durham

Age (as of Election Day):

64

Town/City of Residence:

Lemont Township

Office Sought:

Lemont Township Highway Commissioner

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No and no one in my family provides any contract work for the township or the Village.

Education:

Some College with life-long experience in common sense and practical application.

Occupation:

For the past 38 years I’ve been employed by and owned companies that have serviced the commodity chemical industry. 32 of those years I’ve worked for a local company where I currently hold the position of Facility Operations and Maintenance Manager. I manage approximately 50 employees with a $25 plus million dollar budget.

Campaign website: Can be found here.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office:

Lemont Fire Protection District Trustee

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is accountability for tax dollars and to all neighborhoods in the township, and this is what I intend to do about it.

There is definitely unfair practices being conducted by the current highway commission. Certain neighborhoods are being treated unfairly and others are being favored. When these conditions are present, tax dollars are spent foolishly to buy favor in those neighborhoods. All neighborhoods in the township should be treated on the equal basis. Repaving roads in neighborhoods that don’t need to be paved is a waste of taxpayers’ money. Most civil engineers will tell you that studies are guidelines and may not always be reality. Studies must be coupled with common sense.

Do you support Black Lives Matter and what are your thoughts on the demonstrations held since the death of George Floyd and the shooting of Jacob Blake?

N/A

Do you think the current board has done enough to support racial equality, and if not, what specifically should be done to do so?

N/A

What are your thoughts on the national and local coronavirus response? Do you favor measures such as limiting operation of non-essential businesses and restricting indoor/outdoor dining? And do you favor a local mask mandate?

N/A

What are your thoughts on the state and local coronavirus vaccine distribution, and how do you think local governments should work together to handle vaccine rollout?

I think the pharmacies in Lemont Township are doing the best job that they can with the limited supplies of the vaccine they are receiving. I personally know many of the pharmacists and employees in these stores and they are working hard to get our citizens vaccinated as soon as possible.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I will not owe any single person or entity anything when I am elected. Unfortunately, my opponent owes too many people and entities favors. The former township superintendent burdened my opponent with these favors. I would never have let that happen

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

The township highway commission and the general township are designed to run separately. This avoids the practice of a poorly run general township that may offer favors to neighborhoods to buy votes. I plan on running the highway commission absolutely separate and by the state’s rules for highway commissions. The only thing that the general township will do for the highway commission is pay the vendor bills after they have been vetted and approved by the highway commissioner.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I have been volunteering in Lemont since I was in grade school. In seventh grade I started a two-year career as a reporter for the then “Lemont Reporter” and covered Lemont grade schools’ sports. I was a Lemont Fire Protection District Trustee; I served on the Lemont Environmental Advisory Commission; I served as Lemont’s Representative to the I&M Canal National Heritage Corridor Civic Center Authority; I served on the Lemont’s I&M Canal Commission; I served as the Committee Chair for Lemont’s Boy Scout Troop 49; I served numerous years as Council Chair for Bethany Lutheran Church; I was a Little League coach for both tee-ball and softball; I was a Flag Football coach; I have been in Lemont Lions Club off and on since 1992; I am a former Firefighter/Paramedic for the Lemont Fire Protection District; I am a member of the Lemont Firemen’s Association; I was a founding member of the Lemont High School Educational Foundation; I have presented at the Independent Liquid Terminal Association conference in Houston Texas and for the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity .

There is not a single candidate in any current Lemont election that has the years of volunteerism and community involvement that I have.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success?

When all the township roads are safe for school buses to travel on; and, the drainage and retention in the township is satisfactory; and, people recognize me when I drive through their neighborhoods because I have been visible and assessable to them.

Why should voters trust you?

Because of my experience and my “right first time” requirements.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the use of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?

Spend every tax dollar wisely, be accountable for those tax dollars and have a solid answer for the reason you are spending them. I am treasurer for the Lemont Lions Club heading into my third year.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

No

The best advice ever shared with me was:

I have had so many mentors in my life and always seek advice. There are a couple of things I know for sure. You must listen to all and I’ve never met a successful person who only works 8 hours a day.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Help people in your community that need the help. Support your food pantries. Tell your general township officials that nice offices do not clothe and feed hungry children. They do not provide a roof over the heads of a needy family. They do not provide the warmth for a child who is cold because the gas and electricity has been turned off. Don’t build temples to honor yourself.

I am ready, willing and qualified to serve our township. Help me to help you.