CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE

Candidate:  Rusty Dunn          Position Sought:  Council Person, City of Pekin

1.  Why are you seeking this office?

This is a wonderful opportunity to bring some fresh voices and fresh faces on the Council.  I think the majority of Pekin's citizens recognize how unique and special this community is - in terms of its people, its rich mix of old and new neighborhoods, its schools, diverse businesses, and its park system.  It would be a privilege to be an active part of the effort to keep Pekin moving forward, and to represent residents who believe as I do, that our community can be one of the Midwest's "crown jewel" cities.  In the past, I've talked about doing something to help.  Now, I think it's important that I step up and try to get directly involved.

2.  What are your qualifications for this office?

I'm not really a politician, but if you were to ask the people who know me - both personally and professionally - I think they'd tell you that I'm a good listener, a decent communicator, a consensus-builder, a team-player, trustworthy, and I always come armed with a strong sense of humor.  As I've demonstrated during my years working for a Fortune 100 company, and sitting on the Board of Directors of various organizations, I'm not afraid to lead or make a decision when armed with the facts and data.  Part of that process involves being an active listener, in trying to determine what the best course of action may be for an organization-or in this case-an entire community.

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

I've not owned my own business, but have held various management/supervisory positions within the company for which I currently work.

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

Organizations like the Pekin Chamber of Commerce must continue to play an integral part in the process of retaining, expanding and attracting businesses here - which means working closely with the City and its economic development team to put together a comprehensive package that make this community an attractive place to do business.  However, I think there needs to be a balanced approach.  Establishing and maintaining a vibrant and growing local economy does not mean littering the area with one big box store after another - doing it with incentives that puts stress on the City's bank account, which is taxpayers' money.  We don't want to lose momentum with what's happening on the eastside of town, but let's not forget about looking for new business opportunities on the southside, the downtown area, and the corridor coming in from the north end.

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

The City's Economic Development team, along with the Chamber organization and our large contingency of realtors, are all on the front-lines in telling Pekin's story and playing to the City's strengths, during their interactions with businesses and people who may be thinking about locating to our community.  That requires a high level of inter-organizational cooperation to ensure our front-line people are making a coordinated attack in promoting the City.

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

I absolutely support the efforts to extend and expand Veteran's Drive.  From what I've read and heard and observed, it appears that the continued development of this road will be one of the keys to Pekin's future economic growth and progress.

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?

If there are clear advantages and future benefits to residents for the City to change the Route 9 designation, then I would support it.  The reasoning to do so needs to be clearly articulated to citizens, so everyone understands the pros vs. cons of the proposed change.  I'm not sure that's happened yet.

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?

I'm not sure the question should be so much about one person's vision for a particular area of the City - rather what makes sense for the entire community?  In talking with residents, I'm hearing that people want a downtown that is unique, accessible, marketable, and captures the look and feel of the downtown Pekin of old - flourishing and once again can become a destination point for shoppers.  

With regard to the riverfront, the City has made some great strides in its development.  The riverfront area is very relevant to a lot of people.  In addition to the obvious attractions of boating, fishing and being able to walk along the river - I think residents might welcome a commercial attraction on the water, such as a restaurant or some type of grill and bar establishment.  

The rebirth and redevelopment of the West Campus complex is something I strongly support.  It is an eyesore and a public safety hazard, and the building is too important to many citizens for it not to be brought back to life - but not funded with our tax dollars.  The City and Chamber should do all it can to support its rebirth, but let private developers do the work.

With James Field, citizens have been very vocal and very clear that it is a community jewel to be improved and maintained.  A number of people have stepped up to offer their time and services and ideas to nurture what I see as valuable green space.  I hope the school district will take advantage of this desire to restore James Field to its glory days, which will link nicely with a redeveloped West Campus.  This would create in essence, a dynamic and one-of-a-kind "gateway" on that end of town.

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

I'm not sure that a lot of people believe that the City of Pekin should be in the tourism business.  We have a number of fiscal challenges at present, and not so many points of interest to market to tourists.  The folks who run the Dome have done a great job of marketing the venue, and it's become a community asset.  From a sports event marketing standpoint, Pekin has some great strengths to offer - including its park facilities and ball fields.

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?

As a candidate, let me be clear:  I believe in a Pekin City government that is fiscally conservative, and runs on a true balanced budget.  I believe in a Pekin City government that concentrates on providing its citizens with reliable and affordable city services and makes public safety a top priority with strong fire and police departments.  I believe in a Pekin City government that will hold the line on any new taxes, and do everything it can to find new revenue sources.  I want Pekin to be recognized as a great place to live - not a great place to be taxed.  As a $45 million enterprise, the Council must rely on good information, guidance and recommendations to consider from its City Manager in terms of cutting, spending and developing new revenue streams.

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

None.

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?

There is no going back.  I respect and support the City Manager form of government.  The City has become too large an entity to be run directly by the Mayor and Council.  It requires strong day-to-day management.  As a council member, I wouldn't intend on being at City Hall everyday to help Denny Kief and his team run City Government.  As a policy-making body, the Council is only as good as the information, data, guidance, and recommendations it receives from the City Manager and staff.

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

The City Council is a policy-making body.  We do not participate in the everyday operation of the City - nor should we.  Council members and the citizens they represent, entrust the City Manager to make the right decisions in the daily operation of City Hall.  As a council member, I will take residents' issues and concerns to the Council and City Manager for discussion, recommendations and possible action.

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

I don't believe that council members should serve on municipal boards and commissions.  It is not necessary - nor appropriate under the city manager form of government. Mayor Mackaman's decision to withdraw all council members from the various boards and commissions was the right one.

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

1. Supporting a philosophy of fiscal conservatism and "living within our means," while maintaining a safe community and meeting the City's infrastructure needs.

2. Promoting local economic growth and finding new revenue sources to ease the tax and fee burden on our residents.

The third priority requires a little more background and explanation:  3. As a council member and as a City, we must be more proactive in telling the "true" Pekin story to people, businesses and organizations beyond our city limits.  It's my belief that the decades of myths, misconceptions, and stereotypes about Pekin being racist and not accepting of people from all races and backgrounds - might be preventing the community from realizing its full potential in terms of gaining new businesses, or scaring people away from relocating here.  It is a myth that we've allowed to perpetuate.  As a council member, I would ask that we collectively step up and talk to people about the Pekin that we know - a community that is home to a rich mix of people from all walks of life...blue collar, white collar, young families, retirees, entrepreneurs, bikers and businesspeople, and the list goes on.  Some of us may not have a lot in common, but we share one thing:  Pekin is our home.  Let's not be shy about telling the true story and potential of a city that can be recognized someday as one of this region's "crown jewel" communities.

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

I suspect that the citizens of Pekin will let me know.  Also, I would consider my tenure successful if I'm able to answer "yes" to several questions:  Have I made a positive difference to residents?  Have I been a contributor to positive change in the community?  Do I leave a positive lasting legacy in the City?  Have I made my family proud to have served as a member of Pekin City Council?