Peoria Illinoisan

1. Why are you running for Peoria City Council?

Gloria Cassel-Fitzgerald: To assist the citizens of Peoria to bring about meaningful changes, restore prosperity and growth whenever possible, and solve social issues that restrict these changes.
Cassel-Fitzgerald targets are:

1. Elevation of Education
2. Strategic Planning
3. Marketing
4. Reduction of Crime

Dan Irving: I want to use the private sector business experience I have gained along with my common-sense approach to dealing with problems to provide my District and the City of Peoria excellent representation. If elected, I work for the constituents and I am here to serve them.

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

Gloria Cassel-Fitzgerald: The improvement in our Public School System can be simplified to “Why Johnny can’t read.” We will have to address these issues aggressively. District #5 elevation of education is one of my # target goals. This district has public schools, private schools, Christian schools, 2 colleges, and has Dunlap schools. Some of these schools meet the educational standard and must be used as models to assess and correct the problems of the schools that do not. The council of Peoria working together with District 150 will be a joint, successful, and worthy task for both components.

Dan Irving: School District 150 is its own governing body and has its own decision making authority. With that being said, it is important that District 150 understands that we as a City are here to help them. I think it is important the school district identify things they need from us as a city but we need to also let them know things they could possibly do to help our city grow and prosper. Communication needs to be a two way street.

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

Gloria Cassel-Fitzgerald: Reduction of crime is one of my targets. The Peoria police must become more visual and walking in areas which discourages crimes and establishes more positive truth of police for citizens. Also, other cities have effectively used neighborhood watch programs more strongly to assist law enforcement with crime. I think Peoria should consider a city-wide mandatory ‘”Watch Program” that includes neighborhoods, businesses, religious facilities, and city/police property. I have visited other cities as a representative of Peoria which have a very strong working program such as this.

Dan Irving: As a council member, I think it is important to have regular meetings or reports to the council with him that focus on the monitoring of crime and the impact our efforts are having. We also need to encourage him to continue to find new and creative ways to fight and reduce crime in our city. Crime is down due to the efforts of Mayor Ardis, the Council, Chief Settingsgard and our police, but we need to remain vigilant.

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

Gloria Cassel-Fitzgerald: I strongly support this city expansion. It will help and expand the use of downtown businesses and convention guests. The walkway is a model of larger cities that are guest positives. Also let us note that Chicago is still in the list for the Olympic Games and if they receive this golden opportunity, history indicates that the events extend to other cities, not just suburbs.

Dan Irving: I support economic growth in the City as a whole and the general concept of having a hotel connected to the Civic Center. Having a full service convention center could help us attract more regional conventions than what we currently host. Tourism is important and generates sales tax dollars for use in our city.

5a. What are your thoughts on Museum Square?

Gloria Cassel-Fitzgerald: I strongly support the Museum Square project. I feel the reply to question #4 defines my support for this project.

Dan Irving: I support the referendum. This decision was made by the Peoria County Board and now the ultimate decision of the financing of the project is in the hands of the voters. Previous city councils have significantly contributed financially to a positive and progressive museum for the riverfront

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

Gloria Cassel-Fitzgerald: This would present a difficult finance issue. I strongly suggest that the City start immediately seeking State and Federal grants or loans to forgo those costs. The City should also offer spaces in the block to businesses that have “green” products or services.

Dan Irving: If not approved, we need to begin the community forum process of soliciting ideas from the citizens and businesses on what their thoughts are regarding the best use of the property. Citizen input is important. Timeliness is important for these discussions as we need to ensure this property is utilized and not sitting vacant for many years to come.

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

Gloria Cassel-Fitzgerald:

Dan Irving: I support having a trail and think it is time this issue moves forward and gets resolved within the next 12 months.

7. What is the biggest challenge facing the 5th district?

Gloria Cassel-Fitzgerald: The biggest target issue is tri-fold of 3. The direction and help for our educational system and schools, and the positive marking and reduction of crime.

Dan Irving: Infrastructure improvements, such as the fixing of the Allen Road/Alta Lane intersection, the widening of Allen Road north of Rt. 91 and Wilhelm Road, are critical with the amount of increased traffic in the district. We also need to be looking at how develop the Pioneer Park extension which will help attract new business and could provide the opportunity for some existing business to expand.

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

Gloria Cassel-Fitzgerald: The direction and needed help for our education systems and schools! Finance the deficit of District 150.

Dan Irving: The city is facing a major expense with the combined sewer outflow project. We need to work to fix the problem and comply with the EPA mandate. For funding, we need to look at sources in the form of government grants or EPA funding/financing to undertake this improvement. This is a major expense burden the city cannot undertake by itself without some type of federal and/or state help.

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

Gloria Cassel-Fitzgerald: A new perspective (new seeds of thought) on issues that touch ALL other issues, especially education and schools. I am/was/did:

• Retired Illinois State Deputy Director of Education (IDCFS)
• Established IDCFS Department of Ed and wrote Ed rules and procedures.
• Member of Illinois Board of Education responsible for 30,000 – 60,000 youths.
• Responsible for Illinois adoption, pregnant and parenting teen, and institutional placements.
• Administrator of IDCFS State Regional Administrators.
• Established and administered IDCFS Director’s Youth Board.
• Balanced a budget of 34 million dollars.
• Maintained an office in Chicago and Springfield, with an additional Peoria weekend office.
• Trained and/or certified in multiple fields including negotiation with unions, discrimination, effective Black parenting, African centered social work, Strategic Leadership for Sales Executives, and others.

Dan Irving: I am a person that likes to get things done and not talk about them. My listening and communication skills provide me the ability to interact with others in a way that facilitates the building of trust and working together.

10. Anything you would like to add?

Gloria Cassel-Fitzgerald: I am a Peorian. I attended and completed the Sacred Heart School (Father Sweeney Gifted), Academy of Our Lady, Bradley University (BS, MA Counseling), University of Chicago (MA/MSW Master in Social Service Administration). I am retired and have an adult son. I also have a dog named King who is a good friend. I will bring to the council:

• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, and to the point.
• Proven administrative ability.
• Community activism.
• Experience in marketing areas and interests.

Dan Irving: If elected, I will have big shoes to fill following in the steps of Patrick Nichting. I will strive to continue the prompt and courteous constituent service he is known for. And, I’ll use my leadership skills and business background to help the city navigate some difficult issues in the future and help continue the progress made by Mayor Ardis and the council. I am endorsed by the Peoria Area PAC and Peoria Firefighters Local 50.  You may contact me via email at Dan@DanIrving.com

This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 25th, 2009 at 6:00 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.