Peoria Illinoisan

1. Why are you running for Peoria City Council?

Curphy Smith: I think we need new leadership for the 2nd District. While I appreciate the efforts Barbara Van Auken has made, we need someone that is not only responsive, but also effective.

I believe I posses the judgment, skills, and experience to implement neighborhood friendly economic development and make sound financial decisions not only for the second district but also for the city of Peoria.

Barbara Van Auken: I wish to continue the progress that has been made in the Second District and the service I have provided.

2. How will you work with District 150 to improve our Public School System?

Curphy Smith: We need to focus on education. It is as plain as day that our city council and District 150 need far better cooperation. It has been mentioned repeatedly in past elections with little results. We must move forward with concrete action. I think a good start would be an annual Council retreat with the school board to get to know each other better and brainstorm ideas.

I intend to be relentless in bringing an end to the misunderstandings that result missing vital opportunities for our city to partner with our schools. We have so much at stake by not improving our schools: the right to equal opportunity for each student, the property values of homes in our city, our businesses having graduates with the skills companies need to succeed, and the willingness of new employers to locate in only communities with good schools.

The City Council should assist District 150 in lobbying legislators to allow for more Charter Schools in Illinois. Rockford is poised to scoop up many of the remaining Charters and Peoria must secure at least one for a Charter School in Renaissance Park.

I will do everything I can to assist in nurturing this relationship between Dist. 150 and the City of Peoria. The Neighborhood Impact Zones are a GREAT start.

Barbara Van Auken: I believe frequent contact and partnerships on appropriate projects with other units of government are essential to having a vibrant community. The City Council as a whole and I, individually, have developed good working relationships with District 150 Board Members, staff and administrators. For example, I worked with Cindy Janovitz, Principal of Columbia Middle School, Bonnie Noble, Executive Director of the Park District, Library staff and many others to rebuild Columbia Park so that neighborhood children have a safe, attractive place to play. I am also working with District 150 on the development of a Math, Science and Technology Academy to be located on Moss Avenue. Other Council Members have been deeply involved in new public school developments, using concentrated City resources to create neighborhood impact zones, which I fully support and want to bring to existing schools within the Second District.

3. How will you work with Police Chief Steve Settingsgaard to help combat crime?

Curphy Smith: I believe crime is uneven in our city. In many areas of the Second District violent crime is rising at an alarming rate. With the economic downturn, there should have been strategies considered and implemented to deal with the likelihood of increased crime. Obviously policing is an essential service that just cannot be shortchanged in the city’s budget. I am committed to leading relentless efforts of leading strategy sessions with our police department and Second District residents and community leaders in implementing tried and true strategies that have worked in communities across our country to combat the very situation our people are now in.

Although staffing is critical, that does not mean I will defer to the Police and Fire Unions on pension decisions. Again, with pensions being one of the cities largest expenditures and continuing to rise, we must be honest with our public servants that we cannot continue to add officers and firefighters AND offer increased pension benefits. It is unrealistic.

I have faith in Chief Settingsgaard, but look forward to getting to know him better while serving on the Council. I will be active in knowing about crime problems in the district.

Barbara Van Auken: I will continue to support his requests for personnel and equipment to the maximum extent possible.

4. What are your thoughts on the city backed Pere Marquette hotel expansion?

Curphy Smith: It is a challenge to say how I would have voted on a project in which I have not seen all the details that were provided to the Council. Although this project may be very worthy, it has not been publicly vetted and I would like to see more public inclusion before any project of this scale is funded with taxpayer funds. From what I have seen about the project, it does sounds like one of those unique opportunities in Peoria’s history to move downtown light years forward. However, there are many details I would like to know more about.

I am not against the City offering economic development incentives in some cases. However, I would also like to see some infrastructure improvements worked into agreements to expand TIF districts. Developers should be required to provide some real community benefits, in addition to just building something new, in exchange for TIF district incentives (like street lighting improvements and green space requirements. How do developers plan to make the sewer and wastewater outlets from their development help our CSO issues, and not just add to the problem? Are there green alternatives that can help in this regard- like built in “industrial-size” rain gardens instead of pumping this wastewater into an already overloaded system, or “brownwater” re-use systems? Developers should have to provide some information on how many jobs are created and retained in order to qualify for benefits. The developers should have to provide information on what percentage of their contractors will be local. There should also be some protections put in place for the taxpayer should the economy further deteriorate. I would like developers to create a maintenance & beautification fund to allow for continued renewal of structures so taxpayers don’t get stuck with the bill down the line for deferred maintenance.

Projects must also take into account the neighborhood it is located in. Does the structure compliment other existing structures? I don’t think it need match, but it must compliment to help the overall vision for our city.

As far as TIF or Eneterprise zone expansions, I would want to carefully review each proposal with specifics before allowing for further expansion of enterprise zones and TIF districts.

Barbara Van Auken: As with virtually every community in the US, Peoria is providing money to attain a high-quality hotel and a restoration of its historic “crown jewel” hotel, as well as upscale restaurants and retail shops. This development will not only provide a badly needed revitalization of a central part of the downtown, but also provide the means to attract medium-sized conventions and the considerable revenue they will bring to the entire community.

5a. What are your thoughts on Museum Square?

Curphy Smith: I am a strong advocate of the arts and believe we need to see some economic development on the old Sears block. Caterpillar has put its money where it’s mouth is with this project and now voters countywide must decide if they are willing to take the plunge. I challenge the voters to do their homework and look at the pros and cons of the project. Especially during these tough economical times, we must be sure we have minimized any risk that may fall back on the tax payers. Although much work has been done on the Build the Block proposal, some questions have been unaddressed. It will be contingent on the taxpayers to make the decision if this is a good deal for us all.

I am pleased to see that if the referendum passes, there is a sunset provision. If it passes, voters must be wary in 20 years that there are no high jinx to ensure this tax continues without further taxpayer approval.

Barbara Van Auken: I support the Build the Block project as a tremendous opportunity for development in Peoria that will benefit the entire area. By individually paying about $17 a year additional when buying non essentials, we can leverage that into a $90M investment that will create hundreds of jobs (both construction and long term) as well as bring people to our community to shop, eat and stay in hotels.

5b. If voters do not approve of the County sales tax increase, what should be done with the Sears block?

Curphy Smith: The Heart of Peoria Plan calls for mixed use facilities. Whatever projects we look at, I will make sure I have done my research on that project that minimizes the risk for city of Peoria and its taxpayers. I have years of experience reading budgets, balance
sheets, profit and loss statements, and business plans. The taxpayer’s money is too important to not take the time to fully understand policies and projects we implement. The wrong decisions only hinder development. We must make sound financial decisions that promote economic growth, and we must get back to even handed budget priorities.

Barbara Van Auken: The City will have to start over trying to find developers interested in projects that are compatible with the City’s downtown and river front.

6. What is your position on the Kellar Rail branch and what priority will you give it?

Curphy Smith: It is always a concern to remove infrastructure. Yet until it can be proven the rail, which is virtually unused right now and for some time, can produce some type of large economic revenue in the near future, we need to look at how other economic and quality of life opportunities can be derived from this resource.

Barbara Van Auken: I still believe both a rail and a trail are possible. Given the difficult economic times and the City’s infrastructure needs, this project does not have a high priority for me.

7. What is the biggest challenge facing the 2nd district?

Curphy Smith: The second district has many challenges. The main challenges are that everyone is seeking a leader to preserve the beauty of the neighborhoods and still promote neighborhood friendly businesses. They are also very concerned about crime and education. If elected, I intend to change current operating procedure of being a lone ranger and instead will energetically engage our five at-large city council members on issues of concern to the Second District. I will stop playing favorites between neighborhoods and allowing personal political considerations to infect where city resources are delivered. A strong community working together enhances the quality of life for ALL.

Barbara Van Auken: Stabilizing and revitalizing our older neighborhoods and neighborhood-friendly businesses.

8. What is the biggest challenge facing the city as a whole?

Curphy Smith: The unfunded mandate by the EPA will be one of our major challenges the city needs to face. The City was first notified that they must begin to reduce CSO’s over 20 years ago and it took us more than 10 years to even begin to discuss it publicly. I believe we should be allowed to explore all alternatives that provide the city with a solid environmental solution that will be effective and is economically reasonable.

Incentives for “personal responsibility” solutions are a must on the overall plan. As mentioned above for businesses, individuals should be trained about rain gardens and reducing the demand on our Combined Sewers by reducing water usage and overflow. We must partner with Peoria County and organizations like the University of Illinois Extension and Peoria Farm Bureau to provide free or low-cost training about these programs. Households willing to install “brownwater systems” should be given property tax credits.

The City should use Council meetings a pulpit to encourage solutions that also build a sense of community. Let’s partner High School and University students with neighbors and scout troops to implement neighborhood trainings on reduction and ways we can all help.

However, some infrastructure changes will be a must. They will likely be painful. Again, we should consider combining purchasing power with other municipalities and lobby state and federal legislators for low-interest loans and attractive bonding options to fund these projects. Design should be with an eye to the future, not just to meet current demands, but also to anticipate overall growth strategies for the City.

Barbara Van Auken: Paying for the unfunded mandate to replace our combined sewers while keeping taxes reasonable and City services adequate.

9. What is your best quality or attribute that you will bring to the council?

Curphy Smith: My 13 years of professional financial experience has taught me to separate the fluff from the facts. Too often we see elected officials not do their homework and take a vote. I will make sure I have done my research on projects that minimizes the risk for city of Peoria and its taxpayers. The taxpayer’s money is too important to not take the time to fully understand policies and projects we implement. The wrong decisions only hinder development. We must make sound financial decisions that promote economic growth, and we must get back to even handed budget priorities. We must also have well prepared council members willing and able to independently ask the tough questions necessary as matters are considered on the council. As I said before things go wrong when few on the council are willing to stand up and thoroughly examine the details being proposed. It is no secret that our city has greatly benefited from Councilman Bob Manning’s financial expertise—and I make no claims of his endorsement in this election—but our city simply needs someone on the council with a similar professional background in finance. I am ready, willing and able to step up to that essential task.

Barbara Van Auken: The seriousness with which I take constituency services. I’ve earned a reputation for being very hard working and responsive to citizens.

10. Anything you would like to add?

Curphy Smith:

Barbara Van Auken: I truly love public service, but dislike the politics that go with it!

2nd District only bonus question: What is your vision for Main Street and what will you do to bring that vision to fruition?

Curphy Smith: As a member of the City Traffic Commission, I have had the opportunity to develop invaluable insights regarding the importance of proper traffic and transportation patterns. All parties involved want to see a vibrant, walkable Main Street with businesses that not only cater to student needs, but also family needs. We need wider sidewalks, slower traffic, and economic development that benefits the whole community. In that capacity, I have already been working with our city staff to implement the first ever city approved traffic calming measures that will allow neighborhoods the tools to go out and apply for traffic calming devices that are effective. I want to implement a process and work on actually funding infrastructure that promotes walk-able neighborhood friendly businesses. This type of infrastructure not only encourages economic growth, but promotes community. It is long past due that action in this regard is taken on Main Street and other thoroughfares throughout the Second District

Barbara Van Auken: I envision a return to a vibrant Main Street that is safe and attractive not only for its surrounding neighborhoods but also for those living throughout the City. To achieve this, I’ll continue working with neighbors, businesses, developers and Bradley University to develop different solutions to the competing needs of those entities in Peoria’s most densely populated area.

http://www.smith4peoria.com/
http://www.citizensforbarbara.com/

This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 25th, 2009 at 6:02 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.