CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE

Candidate: John Abel         Position Sought:  Council Person (4-year term), City of Pekin

BACKGROUND

1. Please provide us with some basic information about yourself (family, education, employment, etc.)

Life long Pekin resident, PCHS 1965, 1966-70 USAF, ICC Fire Science/Political Science/Journalism, Pekin Fire Dept. 1977-2007.

2. What education, skills and experiences do you bring to the Pekin City Council?

I try to see both sides of an issue. I try to talk to people on both sides of an issue.

3. What has motivated you to seek this office?

New leadership in city hall, leadership not afraid to think outside the box, especially in finance and new revenue streams.

4. What is your vision for the community and how are you going to get us there?

Improve our image. Tearing down buildings and houses that are beyond rehab. Continue to work with Habitat for Humanity etc. to bring new owner occupied housing and locally owned mom & pop businesses to Pekin.

GOVERNANCE

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

Council members direct the city manager in how and which direction the city should go. Hopefully with support from the citizens.

6. Do you support the city manager form of government? Why or why not?

Yes I support the city manager form of government. Our city manager is the CEO of a $61 million "business."

7. Do you support Home Rule in Pekin?  Why or why not?

I support Home Rule. Without it the legislature in Springfield would much more control our own city. Think real estate taxes are high now, try it without Home Rule. Talk to Rockford, IL.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

8. What, if anything, should the City Council do to retain, expand and attract "head of household" jobs and new residents?

More promotion of our "ready to go" Rivervway Industrial Park.

9. How should the City Council invest the remaining Downtown TIF funds?

Power lines at the river front must go. Developers have told us they are slowing down future development. If we keep putting it off the cost won't get cheaper.

Work on filling the empty buildings down town. Example Schipper & Block, bank building at Court & Capital.

10. What, if anything, should the City Council do to promote tourism in Pekin and the region?

The Dome is a major draw throughout the year. With a new hotel giving us more visitors, money will stay in Pekin.

Help the dome build a "quad" of diamonds, the land is already there.

INFRASTRUCTURE

11. What are your thoughts on the completion of Veterans Drive all the way to I-474?

Veterans Drive must be completed to 474, the last 2 most expensive sections. This will bring more traffic and business to Pekin. Continue reminding our state and national legislators to find funding for the completion.

12. Should the City of Pekin continue to invest in the infrastructure of the Pekin Municipal Airport? Why or why not?

Pekin airport Yes!! In my time on the council the red ink has slowly gone down. With airport director Todd Dugan we are so close to being in the black. Everyone should tour the airport and see what all is going on there. Plane repair business alone is drawing customers from several surrounding states.

13. Please identify the three most important infrastructure projects in the City of Pekin. How do you propose to pay for these projects?

Upgrade Court St., resurface, new curbs, sidewalks, etc. Finish Veterans Dr.

Upgrade main arteries in Pekin first, blacktop not oil & rocks. 40% of traffic in Illinois travels on local roads, municipalities only get 21% of road funding.

Local road funding from state must increase. Also the gas tax has not changed since 1990. If it is to change it should be indexed to the CPI or inflation, etc.

FINANCES

14. Are there opportunities to cut expenses?  Are there departments that are over-staffed? Where, specifically, would you support cuts?

We have the opportunity to save a considerable amount of money on our pension payments. Public hearing will be in January. Pensions are a huge problem with almost all cities.

In the last year our infrastructure committee was formed. Infrastructure problems throughout the city, some being a problem for 10-20 years are being taken care of at no cost to taxpayers. We are using impound fees to fund the projects, many being done by our own street department at savings compared to going out for bids, etc.

15. Are there areas where spending needs to be increased?  Are there departments that are under-staffed? If yes, where does spending need to increase and where would the money come from?

The street department we need to watch. As Pekin has grown in sq miles, we have gained miles of streets. If any department need to be looked at closely for future growth it is the street department.

VISION

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

Rebuild savings/investments to the 25% benchmark
Hit top 3 infrastructure projects hard.
Court Street, Veterans Drive, and Derby Street

17. What distinguishes you from the other candidates?

I believe I have the perspective to look at issues from both sides.
I try to be a "half full" councilman
We have enough "half empty" negative opinions around Pekin