CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE

MAYOR, CITY OF PEKIN

3. What has motivated you to seek this office?

Mark A. Luft: I am seeking the office of Mayor because I do feel we have had poor leadership in that position for too long. As a councilmember, you are restricted as to how far you can reach to make significant and needed changes. I feel the Mayor should have the ability to pull the council together as a team in order to get business done and keep us moving forward. The Mayor should possess the ability to communicate with ALL entities of our local government AND open communication with the taxpayers. The position of Mayor is not a dictatorship and should never be allowed to reach that status. Communication, communication, communication.

John McCabe: I am seeking a second term as mayor because I believe that I can continue to make a positive difference in our community. In my years as mayor, we have seen the completion of Veterans’ Drive South, the opening of the medical office building (Pekin East) on Griffin Dr., major repairs to some of the more heavily travelled roads and streets. We used input from community members in an open house setting and other means to assist us in making decisions on which street to address first. I would like to see the city continue this approach. There has also been additional business in the downtown TIF district. As a citizen who believes in the democratic principles that make our government work, I strive to embody that participation. I have worked hard as mayor to give all issues that have been brought before the council the attention that they deserve before making what I see as the best decisions for all of Pekin. We have seen advancements over the past few years, and I would like us to build upon these improvements as we continue to progress. Many community members have expressed concerns about infrastructure (roads, sidewalks, curbs and etc.) and the need for additional businesses that would bring more head of household jobs to Pekin. I intend to address these matters directly in order to maintain and improve the quality of life within our community.