Questions & Answers

What is the importance of City Council to residents of Champaign?

To provide steady, long-term, well-reasoned policy guidance.

Why are you qualified to be on the City Council?

Since the day I graduated from the College of Law at the University of Illinois in 1980 I have been a self-employed owner of a small business. In that capacity I have bought and sold real estate, invested in capital improvements for my business, hired and fired employees, met payroll, purchased advertising, and met with thousands of clients from all walks of life at some of the most stressful times in their lives.

Additionally, I now have more than 20 years' experience on the City Council, reviewing expenditures and anticipating revenues, so that the City can remain fiscally sound, while employing over 500 employees and delivering services to 80,000 residents. That experience has taught me a lot, and I call upon that experience regularly as the City faces new challenges.

If elected, what is something you want to accomplish on the City Council, and how long will it take?

We need to continue to oversee the economic boom we have seen in the City of Champaign in terms of capital investment in our community and creation of jobs. We do this by creating a regulatory environment that is attractive to investors and employers, rather than one that is hostile to the employers and investors that seek to stay in Champaign or come to Champaign for the first time.

We need to maintain a City that has a high quality of life to attract and retain a robust, skilled workforce.

Is there anything else you would like to say to an undecided voter?

Our long-standing practice of remaining non-partisan in City of Champaign governance has served us well. I am committed to working with all of my colleagues to continue the success that our city has seen for the past 20 years.