Peoria Illinoisan

1. Why are you running for Peoria City Council?

Beth Akeson: I and am running for office because I believe Peoria can be more, providing we have city council members who appreciate planning and are willing to respect the vision of the citizens.  We need city council members who understand it is the little decisions over time that create quality of life- and rarely the mega projects.

Timothy Riggenbach: I am running for city council to revitalize our core neighborhoods; address the crime issue and develop a healthy & constructive dialogue with District 150. I believe these three are inter-related and addressing one will assist in addressing the others. As we fight crime, with increased saturation patrols, surveillance cameras in the high crime areas, a focused commitment to public nuisances, I believe we will be increasing the quality of, life in these core neighborhoods. We also will be making the east bluff a choice for families again and that will in turn benefit the schools.

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

Beth Akeson: The most important work our city council can do is to make decisions and write policy that will create the type of city to which people who value education are drawn. Communication and collaboration between government units is key. We also must include the public early and often. As it stands today, there are virtually no real avenues to affect policy as a citizen in a proactive way. The city council and the school board allow citizens to address- but only after decisions are made. Standing up in front of these groups today is ineffective and unsatisfying.

Timothy Riggenbach: I have a vested interest in District 150 because my three daughters attend Hines and Von Steuben. I have a healthy relationship with many of the school board members and my wife and I are well known at the schools. It is easy for outsiders to try and dictate what needs to be done, it is something different when it comes from the parents of District 150 students. The District has to recognize the City as a willing partner, and the city must be willing to become engaged; but the city must not forget that the School Board is a duly elected governing body and they are the ones charged with running the schools.

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

Beth Akeson: Chief Settingsgaard and I are both firm supporters of the “broken windows” theory as a tool to help combat crime. The theory goes like this: when neighborhoods look as if no one cares they have a tendency to attract crime. Broken windows, trash, grass that needs mowing, clutter on lawns and driveways etc all contribute to the picture of blight. Code enforcement is but one spoke of the wheel to change blighted neighborhoods. The city council can affect change through tough policy and empowering neighborhood associations. In areas where there are no neighborhood associations- I would want to help get them organized. Additionally, I am in favor of a police sub-station in the East Bluff.

Timothy Riggenbach: I have had some interesting conversations with the chief and already have many ideas in this regard. Obviously the main thing is that the constituents of the third district know that I will be their advocate with Chief Settingsgaard. The concerns brought to me will be relayed appropriately to the chief.

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

Beth Akeson: I applaud the developers for wanting to renovate the Pere; however, when tax payer dollars are pledged- tax payers need to see an open and transparent process. Developers asking for public money should expect scrutiny and public involvement in the decision making process. We (the public) learned through the paper this project was coming forward and yet our city council members never asked or presented opportunities for our input. This approach puts taxpayers in a reactive position. The designs I have seen in the Journal Star look suburban in scale and the skywalk is unnecessary. I have major concerns about the funding as the city council agreed to general obligation bonds. I am against public funding of private projects- unless the projects are proven to offer broad public benefit and are open to public evaluation.

Timothy Riggenbach: The city has needed a host hotel for the Civic Center for some time. Many on this side of the river have been wringing their hands since the Embassy Suites opened in E. Peoria. By saving the glory of the historic Pere Marquette, getting the first class convention hotel we need and attaching it to the Civic Center, it appears to be a win. The way the deal was brought to the public is the part of this piece that troubles me. The public had little to no time to weigh in on this huge project. Something I have been most proud of during my tenure on the County Board is the fact that we are very transparent in our decision making and we always encourage the public to attend and weigh in. I am sure if the council had given this project the light of day, many concerns could have been addressed. To summarize, I am a supporter of the concept, but very troubled by the way the decision was made.

5a. What are your thoughts on Museum Square?

Beth Akeson: I have written at length about this topic and I would direct you to my website www.bethakeson.com. Please go to the “positions” tab at the top of the page and scroll down to Build the Block.

Timothy Riggenbach: As chairman of the County Finance Committee, I was instrumental in allowing the voters the choice by bringing this to referendum. I have been a supporter of the project for some time and I personally believe in the project. That being said, anytime we bring government into an area it hasn’t been, I believe the voters should ultimately decide.

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

Beth Akeson: I think the city needs to grade it and plant grass- take the walls down an allow people a chance to see the space as is. Then I would advocate for a city wide event lead by Fred Kent from the nonprofit group Projects for Public Spaces and start a grass roots effort to build the block.

Timothy Riggenbach: Unfortunately, there is no Plan B at this time. I would suggest we do something like Chicago did with Block 37 across from the State Street Marshall Field’s…we should turn it into a park until a developer comes with a plan. In Chicago, they had art exhibits in the summer and a skating rink in the winter. At the very least, let’s have a grassy field.

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

Beth Akeson: I am in favor of the trail project and would urge the city council to endorse it.

Timothy Riggenbach: I am a supporter of the trail and will move to immediately have the council pass a resolution in support of the trail. I will work with our senators, congressman and of course Secretary of Transportation La Hood to ensure that the STB knows that Peoria wants the trail, now.

7. What is the biggest challenge facing the 3rd district?

Beth Akeson: The 3rd district is a large district with diverse needs and concerns; however, I think everyone will agree crime and disinvestment affects us all and until these issues are under control we will be forever faced with blighted neighborhoods and a struggling school system.

Timothy Riggenbach: I believe quality of life issues, particularly crime, is the number one issue in the district.

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

Beth Akeson: I think most people initially would say it is District 150 schools because of their continued budget crisis and failing schools. I would urge people to study how we evolved to have such a troubled school system. This issue is complicated and will never be solved with a silver bullet. Running farther north to “get away” is only making the problem worse. The city must place high importance on planning and be able to show citizens we are guided by a vision rather than an ad-hoc anything goes approach. There need to be more formal roles established between all governmental entities. The city, school district, park district, library board, churches, social service agencies, businesses and citizens all have a role to play.

Timothy Riggenbach: Our city is facing a budget crisis that will only get more serious if we neglect to deal with it now. We must continue to talk about our hopes and dreams for the city but we must get our financial house in order. I bring real experience in dealing with this type of situation with proven results.

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

Beth Akeson: I am a communicator and I value education. I do not think I have all of the answers. I search out advice and welcome input. I travel to cities to see what is working and I will continue to do this when elected. Our city can be more- we just need to take off the blinders that have led us in the same direction year after year.

Timothy Riggenbach: There are a number of things I believe I bring to the table, but my financial experience has to be at the top of the list. Taking Peoria County from deficit spending to $50,000,000 in the bank; lowering property taxes from over 0.88 to just over 0.80 is something I am very proud of. With the city facing financial challenges, having someone “who has done it” will be extremely helpful. We need someone with experience in understanding budgets and someone who can work with the various departments to maximize the taxpayers dollars. Most important we need someone who knows it doesn’t have to be their idea to be a good idea. We need someone who can build bridges and work well with those who disagree with him. We need someone who will put their personal agenda aside for the good of the community.

10. Anything you would like to add?

Beth Akeson: Please go to my website www.bethakeson.com to learn more about me, call me at 696-7530 or email me at bethakeson@comcast.net

Timothy Riggenbach: I commit to the people of the third district that I will be their voice on the city council. My wife and I are raising our family in a 1950s era neighborhood. Our daughters attend District 150 schools and we are committed as a family to do our part to make this city great. We live the joys and the frustrations of life in Peoria and I believe greater things can still be done in this city.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 25th, 2009 at 6:01 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.