CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE

Candidate:  John Abel          Position Sought:  Council Person, City of Pekin

1.  Why are you seeking this office?

Seeking a seat on the council is something I've wanted to do for a long time.  Having worked for the city fire dept for 30 years I feel I have a unique view on the business of the city.  I'll be retiring in May so I give even more time to the citizens of Pekin as their councilman.

2.  What are your qualifications for this office?

I feel I'm qualified for the office because I'm a life long resident of Pekin.  I've been a political "junkie" all my life from debate in high school to taking every political science class I could in college.

3.  Have you ever owned or managed a business?  If yes, please explain.

No I have never owned or operated a business.

4.  How do you propose to retain, expand and attract businesses in the Pekin area?

I believe Pekin is on the right track in attracting business to Pekin.  Working together marketing Pekin along with the tri county region.

5.  What role should the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce and other business organizations play in strengthening the City's economic base?

I feel the chamber has come out of its shell in the last few years and became a leader & magnet to both small & large business to form one voice be it a city council or in Springfield.  The chamber is an excellent showcase to the many varied business both now & those coming to Pekin in the future.

6.  Do you support the continued construction of Veterans Drive?  Why or why not?

The continued construction of Veterans Drive must be "Job #1."

7.  Do you support the proposed change to the Route 9 designation from Court Street to the southern/western leg of Veterans Drive?  Why or why not?

Yes I definetly support the change to Rt 9 from Court St. to the S/W leg of Veterans Drive.  The simple fact of getting truck traffic off of Court St. will add years to the life of Court St.

8.  What is your vision for downtown Pekin, including riverfront development, West Campus, and James Field?  What should be the City's role in these efforts?  How should these projects be paid for?

The ideas like the rumor or not that have been thrown around about the West Campus are really great.  An I.C.C. sub campus, a Bible college, senior citizen housing, etc.

Several communities in Ill. have taken old schools and done similar things even going as far as doing luxury condos.

There must be private money in this.  This city can't & should not fund it all.  We just need a catalyst to get the ball rolling.

9.  What, if anything, should the City of Pekin do to promote tourism in Pekin?

What Pekin does now I think is sufficient.  As the dome prospers and the new athletic facility on 5th St. becomes a reality the money spent will go even farther.

10.  What are your thoughts about City finances?  Are there opportunities to cut expenses?  Specifically, where are those opportunities?  Is there a need for new or additional revenue?  Specifically, where would it come from?  Are there areas where spending needs to be increased?  Specifically, where does spending need to increase?  Specifically, where would the money come from?

Past administration lowered taxes to low.  It look great on paper but certain members of that council have admitted they went to low to fast.  We have now held the tax rate and continue to fund most requests from city staff.  

We can't continue to pass unfunded mandates off on the tax payers as "fees."  A tax is a tax!!  

After sitting through recent budget meetings I think the city staff has cut a lot of fat from the budget.

I would like to explore more 1st time home buyer loan programs.  We have more than our share of rental & subsidized housing.  I think in general people who own their own home take better care of it.  The proposed rental inspections program is basically good.  It does need some tweaking and the landlords have the opportunity to help city staff rewrite the initial proposal.

11.  Do you have any "conflicts of interest" with the City of Pekin, either financially or personally?

Some would say my being a city employee and running for office is a "conflict of interest."  I think any candidate can be found in conflict of interest on a given council vote.  My retiring from the fire dept. May of '07 will help defuse this so called problem.

12.  What are your thoughts on the City Manager form of government?  Has it been successful for Pekin?  If not, what form of government do you believe would be best for Pekin?

Having worked under both mayoral & city manager forms of gov. I feel I can compare both.  I had a problem changing forms of gov.  Some of the people behind the change no longer live here.  I think our first city manager was the wrong man for the job.  I'm known as a conservative but our first city manager was far to conservative.  I can see Pekin going back to the mayoral form of gov. even going to council districts someday.

13.  What do you believe is the role of a city council member in the city manager form of government?

A council member in a city manager form of government is to both guide & direct the city manager in the running of the city.

14.  Do you believe city council members should serve on the various city boards and commissions?  Why or why not?

I think the citizens should be encouraged to serve on the various committees & boards.  The more people the more varied ideas & opinions.  More representation!!

15.  If elected, what would be your top three priorities?

My top three priorities would be to give the public a more favorable impression of city gov.  I have talked to many people in getting my running for council off the ground.  I can't believe how many people of all age groups want to see a new slate of council members.  To paraphrase "a new mayor, a new council."

Quit saddling taxpayers with "fees" here & there just to cover an unfunded mandate.

To explore on a given expenditure or resolution any & all grants that may be available to help fund these expenditures & resolutions.

16.  At the end of your term in office, how will you know if you've been successful?

I would hope by the end of my term to have the public feel better about how their tax money is spent.  Last city election 19% of eligible voters voted.  This is an embarassment and must be increased.  Pekin is every citizen's city & we should all want to have a say in how it is governed!