Contemplating another run for council
I’ve been asked by many if I’m going to run for council again. I’m entertaining the idea, but things are much different then they were four years ago.
Four years ago, I ran mainly on the platform of historic preservation. While historic preservation is still important to me, it is completely unrealistic to use it as a platform for economic development. Over 20 buildings have been razed since I started that campaign. Even if every remaining building was renovated, it won’t be enough to sustain downtown. It is time to seriously look at infill development.
Last election, I stated I believed the Mattoon had the right amount of professional management with the City Administrator. I wasn’t really interested in the City Manager form of government. Now after watching the way Mattoon and Charleston operate (Charleston has a city manager) for four years, I believe the manager form is more desirable. Some may call it a ‘flip flop’ but I say I am more informed on the topic then I was four years ago.
Mattoon voters will be choosing if they wish to change the form of government to a City Manager form in the November election. If elected, I would want to focus on legislative issues so the outcome of this may make my decision easier. If we keep the mayor/council form, council members will also be department heads and in charge of personnel. I am not interested in managing department.
I am also not interested in running to replace current department heads. While I may not agree with some of the decisions they have made, I believe they all would start even at the start of the new term. Again, this topic may be taken off the table if the manager form is adopted.
What else?
TIF districts: I am a strong believer of TIF districts as a tool for economic development. Mattoon now has four; three of which were good decisions. The I-57 TIF district is a gross misuse of the TIF law. However, it is in place and appears to be legal. I am not going to run on the platform of undoing the actions of past councils.
Business districts: I am not convinced these are a good thing. I can’t see raising taxes as an effective tool to attract more business. However, I am open to debate. I would not want to create any new business districts for two years so we can see if the ones created are working as planned.
Fiscal responsibility: I will not vote for projects unless funding is secured. Taking out loans based on projected sales tax revenue is not secured funds in my opinion. Applying for matching fund grants with no plan on how to pay for the city’s share is irresponsible. Approving business district grants based on projected sales tax revenue for a business that doesn’t even exist yet is dangerous.
Update codes: The subdivision and zoning ordinances are grossly outdated. The comprehensive plan was approved in 1968. These need to be updated and enforced. This would be a goal of mine if I served on the council.
I also need to take a serious look at my personal life. Do I have the time and energy to put into a campaign and serve? I have lived a lifetime in last four years since the last local election. Some things just don’t seem as important as they used to. Will I be able to give the citizens all they deserve by electing me? How would serving on the council affect my relationships at home?
Finally, do I realistically believe I can get elected? One thing I learned four years ago is local elections have little to do with issues, ideas, and knowledge. They are more about who you know. Not the status of who you know, but how many of those people can you get to show up on Election Day and vote for you. I don’t really have a base of voters. I don’t belong to a service club; I am not a member of any lodges; I am not an active member in a large church. I am not sure how far my recognition from my column will carry me.
Am I electable? If I get on the ballot and get spanked twice in a row, will I ever have enough political capitol to get elected? I really don’t want to be the guy who always runs, but never gets elected. Continuing to lose elections will erode my credibility and make my goals harder to reach.
Edit:
Open meetings: Current and past councils have caught flack about violating the open meetings act. If I am in a meeting where topics are being discussed that violate the act, I will bring up the open meetings act and refuse to take part in the conversation. If it continues, I will leave the meeting and publically acknowledge the act was being violated.
Four years ago, I ran mainly on the platform of historic preservation. While historic preservation is still important to me, it is completely unrealistic to use it as a platform for economic development. Over 20 buildings have been razed since I started that campaign. Even if every remaining building was renovated, it won’t be enough to sustain downtown. It is time to seriously look at infill development.
Last election, I stated I believed the Mattoon had the right amount of professional management with the City Administrator. I wasn’t really interested in the City Manager form of government. Now after watching the way Mattoon and Charleston operate (Charleston has a city manager) for four years, I believe the manager form is more desirable. Some may call it a ‘flip flop’ but I say I am more informed on the topic then I was four years ago.
Mattoon voters will be choosing if they wish to change the form of government to a City Manager form in the November election. If elected, I would want to focus on legislative issues so the outcome of this may make my decision easier. If we keep the mayor/council form, council members will also be department heads and in charge of personnel. I am not interested in managing department.
I am also not interested in running to replace current department heads. While I may not agree with some of the decisions they have made, I believe they all would start even at the start of the new term. Again, this topic may be taken off the table if the manager form is adopted.
What else?
TIF districts: I am a strong believer of TIF districts as a tool for economic development. Mattoon now has four; three of which were good decisions. The I-57 TIF district is a gross misuse of the TIF law. However, it is in place and appears to be legal. I am not going to run on the platform of undoing the actions of past councils.
Business districts: I am not convinced these are a good thing. I can’t see raising taxes as an effective tool to attract more business. However, I am open to debate. I would not want to create any new business districts for two years so we can see if the ones created are working as planned.
Fiscal responsibility: I will not vote for projects unless funding is secured. Taking out loans based on projected sales tax revenue is not secured funds in my opinion. Applying for matching fund grants with no plan on how to pay for the city’s share is irresponsible. Approving business district grants based on projected sales tax revenue for a business that doesn’t even exist yet is dangerous.
Update codes: The subdivision and zoning ordinances are grossly outdated. The comprehensive plan was approved in 1968. These need to be updated and enforced. This would be a goal of mine if I served on the council.
I also need to take a serious look at my personal life. Do I have the time and energy to put into a campaign and serve? I have lived a lifetime in last four years since the last local election. Some things just don’t seem as important as they used to. Will I be able to give the citizens all they deserve by electing me? How would serving on the council affect my relationships at home?
Finally, do I realistically believe I can get elected? One thing I learned four years ago is local elections have little to do with issues, ideas, and knowledge. They are more about who you know. Not the status of who you know, but how many of those people can you get to show up on Election Day and vote for you. I don’t really have a base of voters. I don’t belong to a service club; I am not a member of any lodges; I am not an active member in a large church. I am not sure how far my recognition from my column will carry me.
Am I electable? If I get on the ballot and get spanked twice in a row, will I ever have enough political capitol to get elected? I really don’t want to be the guy who always runs, but never gets elected. Continuing to lose elections will erode my credibility and make my goals harder to reach.
Edit:
Open meetings: Current and past councils have caught flack about violating the open meetings act. If I am in a meeting where topics are being discussed that violate the act, I will bring up the open meetings act and refuse to take part in the conversation. If it continues, I will leave the meeting and publically acknowledge the act was being violated.
posted by Unknown | 10:25 PM
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