New Format

The old format had a small column for posts and required a lot of scrolling. I hope this makes it easier for everyone to read and follow along.

Community Questions

I have received some questions from a few citizens for the candidates. I sent these questions over to the candidates yesterday. I have replies back from Harold and Dennis, no reply has been received from Kevin at this time.

These were not my questions and are marked as "Community Questions"

Community Question Number Three

This question is mainly for Dennis and Harold. I will post an answer here for Kevin if he chooses to reply.

2. As Mayor Hutchinson has represented Columbia on the Southwestern Illinois Council of Mayors and East West Gateway Council, how do you plan to represent Columbia to the Metro and Southern Illinois area?

Dennis Patton's Reply

I would like to say that if I win I will ask for Kevin's support to help me get involved with the East-West gateway Council and the SWI Council of Mayors. I feel our mayor, whom ever it its, should continue to represent Columbia on these councils.

Kevin Hutchinson's Reply

It took many years of networking and relationship building to position Columbia representation on these boards. Being an active member is a small part. It took years to get to know the members and for them to get to know me. When I was elected Mayor, I had already spent many years networking and meeting the officials in the State and Region. You do not just slide into these positions, you must be nominated and voted in by your peers. This takes far longer than 4 years to obtain these positions. I can show hundreds of thousands of dollars Columbia received as a direct result of these relationships and elected positions. The benefits to Columbia are well worth the effort.

Harold McCarty's Reply

I would like to get involved in those organizations, but my immediate concern is leadership for Columbia and taking responsibility for getting things back on track. My immediate plan it to meet with the local governments of the surrounding communities as soon as possible to open up lines of communication so that we can work together and move forward.

Community Question Number Two

This question is mainly for Harold but I sent it to the other candidates as well and will post their comments if they send me an answer.

2. If elected Mayor, how will you entice businesses to (re)locate in Columbia when your own business is not located in the city of Columbia and its taxing district (approximately 1.8 miles outside as the crow flies)? How do you plan to justify your business location if even you weren’t willing to locate in Columbia?

Dennis Patton's Reply

Kevin Hutchinson's Reply

I will continue to work with business using the many tools the city has to offer.

I along with the city economic and community developer, administrator and others have negotiated many deals assisting and collaborating with existing and new business helping them do business in Columbia. Harres Furniture, Electro Door Services, Weber Chevrolet, Our House Coffee, Maverick Technologies, Hampton Hotel, The Falls Banquet Center, Metro Chrysler are just a few of the business we have assisted.

I have always done everything in my power to help and assist business development in Columbia.

Harold McCarty's Reply

We learned first hand how hard it was to work with the City of Columbia in trying to keep our business here, so this opened my eyes as to what problems Columbia created in keeping business and getting businesses to come here. It was not my choice to move out of city limits but every step of the way the building inspector and city hall made it so difficult, so costly and so time consuming that I was finally forced to give up and go another route. I got an entirely different experience with the County, in fact, Mike Faust and Dan Row came to me and promised that I would not have the problems I had with the City and I did not. Three days after I submitted my plans with the County I had a building permit. After 4 months with the City of Columbia, I still had nothing.

A question I have for our city government is this: Why is it only now after 3 years and I am running for office are they asking why I moved out? Also,I would like to note that at that same time we knew of other business having this same experience who also moved. I would like to note that we also could have moved across the river to St,. Louis which would have been cheaper for us, but the county actually came out and actively recruited us. I would like to take this kind of approach with potential new businesses or those wanting to relocate. I think that having experienced this first hand gives me a unique in site in to how to deal with retaining businesses and promoting new businesses moving in to Columbia.

Community Question Number One

1. What is your education background?

Dennis Patton's Reply

Bachelor’s Degree in Education, SIU-Carbondale
Master’s Degree in Ed. Administration, SIU-Carbondale
Specialist in Educational Administration and Leadership, EIU-Charleston

Kevin Hutchinson's Reply

Pinole Valley High School Pinole ,CA
Primary Leadership Development Course - US Army
2 years Contra Costa College El Cerrito, CA

Harold McCarty's Reply

I am a graduate of Columbia High School.

Mayoral Questions One through Nine

Kevin Hutchinson's and Dennis Patton's answers for the questions were posted on Wednesday March 25th as the posts show.

I received Harold McCarty's answers to these questions at about a quarter after four March 28th and amended the original posts so the blog is easier to read.

That being said please read each candidates answers and decide for yourself who you think best represents your ideas and vision for the city, not what your neighbor or a candidate has told you to do.

Update: Harolds Explanation

I gave Harold a call just now. He is still basically unwilling to write down some answers to the questions I have emailed to him on several occasions. He understands the reasoning why I want him to reply this way, mainly I do not want to mis-represent any of the candidates. I also do not want to leave any candidate unaccounted for in answering my questions.

He has not really given me a reason why he wont just respond by email. He offered for me to meet with him and go over things one on one, again. It leaves me in a bad position to be responsible to write down what he says to me in a one on one meeting. He said I can tape record the meeting so I have a record of what he says. I'm thinking video maybe. The bottom line is I will be setting up a meeting with Harold to go over my questions.

Since he is willing to sit down and answer some things are there any other answers people want from Harold. I will not be asking him rumor type questions (example: were you with Jay doing this? your looking to fire this person right? your the mayoral answer to Jay's problems right?) These are dumb questions so dont bother wasting my time or his.

If you have something valid for me to ask let me know and I'll determine if its a responsible thing to ask.

Question Nine: City Administrator?

9. If elected mayor will you support advertising for and hiring a city administrator within a few months of your election? If yes please explain the advantages of having a city administrator and if no then please explain why our city does not need to have someone in this position.

Dennis Patton's Reply

City ordinances call for a City Administrator to be hired. If the current deficit budget situation entices the Council to make cuts, I believe they should be made at the administrative level. If the majority wants to change the ordinance I feel I have the experience and the time to adequately complete many portions of the City Administrator’s job description. Developing budgets, working cooperatively with the City Financial Officer, evaluating personnel, meeting with department head to oversee daily City operations, working with the City Engineer to develop long range plans to maintain the City’s infrastructure, and leading labor negotiations are tasks I have 27 years of experience with.

Kevin Hutchinson's Reply

Yes, over the past 6 years we have seen how an administrator has saved the city hundreds of thousands of dollars. I could write a book on this but I will try to keep it short and simple.

Elected officials set policy and procedure. Based on the political climate, that is what we are elected to do.

Administrator carries out day-to-day operations without political bias

Elected officials come and go leaving no consistency for operations or employees.
Administrator is the common denominator to keep operations flowing consistently

Elected officials may have no training, education or experience
Our Administrator had his masters degree in administration, planning experience, zoning experience and the list of municipal experience goes on and on.

A Mayor playing administrator micro managing day-to-day operations opens every employee up to political scrutiny. This could change every 4 years. Employees should be able to do their jobs without this stress.

I could go on and on but I hope you see my point

Harold McCarty's Reply

No, I am planning on having strong department heads to run their departments and they will report to the City council and the Mayor. I also plan on having an executive secretary which the mayors had in years past which worked out very well, not only in getting the job done, but financially was more cost effective.

Question Eight: Time to be Mayor?

8. Obviously Dennis Patton is retired; Mayor Hutchinson and candidate McCarty have obligations to their regular jobs. How many hours will you be able to devote to the city on a weekly basis if you become mayor?

Dennis Patton's Reply

If elected mayor that responsibility will be my only job. Anyone who knows me understands that I will put more than adequate time into the position. As principal I regularly put in 60 hour weeks, and I expect a similar time commitment as Mayor. An old Irish Blessing that sums up why I want to be Mayor-
“We are all on this earth together, fight not on your own behalf, but for the sake of others.”

Kevin Hutchinson's Reply

I am fortunate to have great support staff at CJ Thomas Company. I own my own agency. I devote as much time to the City as needed to get the job done. Over the past 4 years some weeks are as light as 20 hours, other weeks are 40 or more hours. I do what it takes. Plus I have a very understanding Wife and Family.

Harold McCarty's Reply

I own my own business, I have two men who work for me who can fill in whenever needed. I can be at City Hall within 5 minutes when need be. I plan on being at City Hall every day.

Question Seven: City Attorney

7. Are you happy with the services provided by our current city attorney? What are the advantages of keeping Mr. Adams if you retain him? If you would like to replace him who would be your choice and why are they a good choice?

Dennis Patton's Reply

The length of Tom Adams tenure as City attorney indicates that past City Councils have been satisfied with his services. It was reported at the March City Council meeting that an Alderman and the Mayor had directed the City Administrator to begin developing a Request for Qualifications for the City Attorney position. I believe it is a good practice to seek out competitive bids for these services on periodic bases, regardless of the City’s satisfaction with their legal representation. Mr. Adams would have the opportunity to make a proposal along with any other interested legal firms. He has the advantage of holding a wealth of experience and information that should give him an edge in submitting a very competitive proposal. If he is not selected the City forfeits the benefit of his past knowledge, but competition is good. Wit the current budget situation the City must get the best possible legal council for the lowest possible price.

Kevin Hutchinson's Reply

The city legal services have been under scrutiny. Many months ago asked the Contracts Chair (Jay Unnerstall) to put together a request for proposals (RFP) for legal services. I asked Alderman Unnerstall because he leads the majority of the alderman and he has often argued with current legal opinions. Over half a year later, we still do not have a RFP. I asked the city administrator a month ago to complete this task and it will be done for the next council meeting.

Harold McCarty's Reply

I am not happy with the way our legal services are handled. This past year we paid three separate attorneys. I think it would be much more cost effective to look at different avenues for legal advice.

Question Six: Past Agreements

6. Will you support all obligations from signed contracts and agreements that you may inherit from the current administration or past administrations?

Dennis Patton's Reply

I believe that all signed agreements and contracts, if they are in the best interest of the City and are legal, should be honored.

Kevin Hutchinson's Reply

4 years ago, I inherited many agreements from the previous administration. Those I did not agree with I tried to re-negotiate, if not I honored the agreement. We are only as good as our word. If our word is no good than what good are we.

Harold McCarty's Reply

I will review them all and make my decision on an individual basis.

Question Five: Relationships with Alderman

5. Do you have agreements with any current aldermen or candidates for alderman regarding certain ways to vote on items if you get elected, if so who? Have you met with current aldermen or candidates for alderman to discuss the issues facing our city, if so who?

Dennis Patton's Reply

I have talked personally with each Alderman and all of the Candidates for Office, including my two mayoral opponents. I have known many of them for a long time. I admire the incumbent’s dedication to Columbia and the time they have dedicated to our City. I believe those running in the April 7 election are doing so for the right reason, to serve our City. I believe it is time for a change at the top and that I offer the education, training and experience that are needed to bring everyone together and once again pursue a common goal- a Columbia First Attitude. I believe the Mayor should put his personal agenda’s aside and try to lead the council toward common ground. This can only be done by remaining neutral on issues until all public input is heard and the diverse opinions of the Council are digested

Kevin Hutchinson's Reply

I have no deals or pre-meetings with Alderman. I deal with issues in public meetings. I listen to the Alderman's thoughts, ideas and opinions. I weigh the facts and issues and that is how I base my votes. Keep in mind my vote only count to make or break a tie.

Harold McCarty's Reply

I have made no agreements with any aldermen or candidates for alderman regarding how to vote on any issues. I have spoken with many of the aldermen and candidates for alderman about many of the issues.

Question Four: Police Department

4. What changes would you like to see in our police department? Are there changes you would like to see made? I have heard that some may want to change police chiefs, if there is any truth to this then please explain and who would replace the current chief?

Dennis Patton's Reply

All major staff positions need to be reviewed, but I do not believe in change for the sake of change. I am not in favor of a musical chairs program whenever a new mayor is elected all office holders are changed. All performance should be reviewed and to the extent personnel are performing up to expectations they should continue on. If there are problems with performance or budget problems dictate cutting is necessary a thorough review of job descriptions, making certain no services are duplicated, should be conducted and recommendations made for continuing employment or changes.

Since I have not been elected I do not have privilege to performance reviews and employment concerns that may have been discussed in executive session, so it would be premature for me to comment on individual staff issues. I elected I will research any and all issues relating to performance.

There is much positive to be said for experience and continuity, but sometimes change is needed. Naturally, the Mayor is the Chief Executive Officer of the City and responsible for organizing a staff that works together. He is also ultimately responsible for evaluating the performance and capability of staff members.

I have 26 years experience in evaluating personnel and making recommendations for employment. I would meet with all department heads and personnel in major staff positions and discuss qualifications and performance expectations. Where changes are warranted staff members should be given evaluations stressing areas of improvement needed and time to address those recommendations.

As I have been campaigning around town many people have expressed concerns about the Police Department. Some have complained about the Police Administration and a few say they feel that some of our policemen are oppressive in doing what they consider is their job. I have not experienced any problem of this nature with the Police Department and had a good working relationship with them during my 22 years as Principal. If elected Mayor I would certainly look into any complaints and concerns. Perception is reality in the eyes of those who have bad feeling about the Police Department. The department needs to be pro-active in its approach to public relations. I do not believe in a policy of musical chairs with staff positions whenever a new Mayor is elected. I do believe in a thorough evaluation system and time for making improvements if deficiencies are noted. Those that are doing a good job should be retained and supported and those who cannot improvement may need to be replaced. Until one becomes an elected official they are not privilege to executive session personnel information so it would be premature to run for office with an agenda to get rid of someone based on innuendoes and rumors. The Mayor should influence the policy of the Police Department and I believe, and would stress, that their primary duty is to ‘Serve’ the citizens of Columbia.

As a former educator I would like to see a school resource police officer put in the High School to promote safety and foster better relationships between our youth and the police.

I would also like to see police officers assigned as Community Resource Officers whose duty would be to communicate with the Service Organizations, Senior Citizens, and other Community Groups. I believe this would improve the public relations, promote better understanding, and allow for exchange of information between the police department and our citizens. I believe frank exchanges of information between law enforcement personnel and citizens and students can only benefit our community.

Kevin Hutchinson's Reply

Chief and I have made many changes over the past 4 years. We added personal (Public Relations) communication by officers to say "hi... how can we help you" to businesses and residents.

• Received numerous grants saving the citizens tax dollars.

• For 2008-2009 traffic violations are down.

• Chief Joe Edwards is fair and equitable, I have no plans to replace him.

Harold McCarty's Reply

I would like to change the current attitude of the police department back to where our officers would protect and serve rather than harass and intimidate.I also feel the police should be more visible inside Columbia patrolling the streets rather than on the interstate unless called for backup. As for the police chief, if I become mayor, that is something that I will discuss one on one with him.

Question 3: New Revenue Streams

3. What other revenue streams should the city explore other than an increase in sales tax from new businesses?

Dennis Patton's Reply

Columbia must fight for their share of stimulus money and continue to have long range plans in place so we are prepared with projects that needed completed when grant money becomes available. Transportation Improvement Fund Grants are also available and a long-range street plan will help us be ready to apply for any new monies on short notice.

Kevin Hutchinson's Reply

I am Vice President of Southwestern Illinois Council of Mayors representing over 40 municipalities Through cooperative efforts with other mayors we address issues at the local, State and Federal level. I am also a member of the Legislative Committee addressing legislative issues in Springfield affecting Columbia and this region.

I am a voting member of East West Gateway Council of Government (EWGCoG) a 21 member policy and decision-making board made up of the 7 metro counties. This position gives Columbia a voice with a cooperative planning and problem-solving group. The council researches and promotes public investment and taxing policies that will lead to responsible growth and redevelopment.

• I will be pursuing stimulus money that is approved by EWGCoG.

• Continue fighting unfunded mandates from the Slate and Federal Government.

• Continue working with the City and County Economic Development directors, Representative Reitz, Senator Luechtefeld, and State agencies for grants and other funding tools.

• Partner with private groups for funding on City projects IE Friends of the Library, Oerter, Eppinger and other foundations

Harold McCarty's Reply

I would not raise taxes on businesses so that we could make Columbia more attractive to new businesses coming in. In turn with more business coming in, our revenues would go up.

Question Two: New Business in Columbia

2. As we all know expenditures of this city must be augmented by new revenue streams. From what I heard at the forum everyone supports new business in Columbia. What new business types do you approve of and where should they be located?

Dennis Patton's Reply

It is important to know how sales tax revenue comes to Columbia. Businesses pay their sales tax to the State and 1% is returned to the City. Weber Chevrolet and Royal Gate generate 30% of Columbia’s $1,300,000 sales tax revenue. We need to promote and do whatever it takes to keep these dealerships here. Fast food restaurants can bring 10 to 20 thousand dollars of revenue to the City; sit down restaurants can general 20 to 40 thousand dollars of revenue. That is a big factor in Waterloo’s high sales tax revenue.

Columbia needs to promote our existing restaurants and businesses and aggressively pursue new ones. Currently, the area off 255 and Route 3 near the Red Roof Shell is platted and zoned for retail development. Utilities are already nearby. Columbia needs to entice new businesses to that area and then begin to explore annexing new territory into the City limits. The area near the YMCA along Route 3 South is primed and ready for new businesses. Old Route 3 around Weber Chevrolet is also properly zoned and the new intersection coming to Route 255 just north of Weber will bring better access to that area to travelers coming south. Finally, we need a Columbia First PR Program. An example might be “Visit Columbia and eat at our fine restaurants, Shop at our unique stores, and buy a car.”

Kevin Hutchinson's Reply

There are basically three types of taxes, residential, commercial, and industrial.
The best way to reduce the residential tax is increase commercial and Industrial tax base. Industrial growth does not fit Columbia's charm so that leaves commercial growth. I have a short and long term plan for non residential growth.

Short term promote the city's existing shovel ready commercial building sites. We will continue to seek out professional office buildings, medical facilities, smaller retail, restaurants and light manufacturing business that fit with Columbia's charm.

Long term explore new commercial areas. Medical buildings, office buildings, restaurants and light commercial by the YMCA and Hospital, office buildings, light manufacturing, retail, and restaurants by the Jefferson barracks bridge. Planned commercial growth will lower your residential tax burden.

Harold McCarty's Reply

I would be willing to look at all types of businesses coming in for example, restaurants, small manufacturers, specialty shops and stores etc. As far as locations, we have Main street, Southwoods, the TIF district behind Budnik, the empty holes in the Market Place, the old video store, roughly 10 lots in Southport, and also along old highway 3. I believe we should fill these holes up as soon as possible. We are losing sales tax and utility taxes on these buildings and lots.

Question One: Budgeting the City

1. I presume all of you have looked at the city’s budget and have an idea of what you would like to see changed in that budget. Ideas and projects I have read about included new streets projects, resolving the issues around our legal expenditures, having city hall open on Saturdays, reducing the budget by $500-750K. All of these issues should be explained more than the general blanket statements I have so far heard. Please explain in detail what expenditures you wish to cut from the city budget in an effort to save the city money and what new expenditures you plan to add if any in your term as the city’s mayor.

Dennis Patton's Reply

Because the department heads are only just now developing the expense side of the budget and have not submitted requests it is impossible to cut before you know is being asked for. Instead, I will share my thoughts on the budget.

The City Budget must be handled similar to the way most of us handle our household budgets in these difficult economic times. Limit spending!

Our current Mayor talks of his accomplishments and states being Mayor is like being the CEO of an $18 million company. Since he has become CEO revenue has went down each year and expenses raised. The City spent over $400,000 in legal fees in 2008 and had a deficit in the general operating fund of over 1/2 million dollars. Comparing Columbia to Waterloo, Waterloo has a fair market value of all real property, not county schools and municipal properties, of $555 million, revenues of $620,000 from property tax in the general fund and collect almost 2 million in sales tax generated from businesses. Columbia has 10% more property value, $615 million; collected over a million dollars in property taxes for the general fund, and collected $1, 600,000 total property taxes for city services. Columbia’s sales tax revenue is falling by 10% yearly, a trend seen in most small cities. Someone has to be responsible for Columbia's dismal finances. To take credit for the positives and ignore the negatives is politics as usual. Companies all over America are firing CEO's whose companies are loosing money and according to the 2008 audit Columbia's deficit was over $505,000 in the general Fund and minus almost $330,000 in the total funds. The Mayor is not the cause of all of the Cities troubles, but the buck stops there.

Spending over $400,000 in City legal fees in 2008 is outrageous and I believe this amount can be immediately cut in half. The City is still defending two lawsuits, the appeal by Grewe and Columbia Crossings and Pine Creek lawsuit. Most citizens know about and have opinions about the Columbia Crossings Issue, but many don’t even know about Pine Creek. The Pioneer Ridge Subdivision at the top of Cherry pour a tremendous amount of storm water down through Old Town and is taxing the Cities existing sewer lines. A new sewer and storm water retention that would help alleviate the Pioneer Ridge problems was all part of the Pine Creek development process that has been halted by disagreements at City Hall resulting in a second lawsuit. Several other legal actions, dealing with the handling of personnel issues, have been initiated against the City and our current Mayor. Settling these lawsuits and eliminating legal costs will go along way in helping to balance the General Fund budget.

During my first fifteen years as Columbia High School Principal I was faced with having to cut expenditures because of falling revenue. Our administrative team spent countless hours cutting minor expenses and could not dent a $200,000 deficit budget. It is only when large equipment items are eliminated and/or personnel and their benefits are eliminated are you able to cut substantial amounts. I believe that any personnel cuts, if forced to make them, should come at the top, administrative positions at City Hall, not by eliminating workers who are actually performing public services.

Kevin Hutchinson's Reply

With 6 years of experience I am very familiar with the city Budget. When I was finance chair, -we started quarterly progress meetings with department heads, our Finance Director and the City Administrator, This kept the current budget on track and gave the council ongoing input for next years budget. Last year we made drastic cuts, police officers, equipment and employee training to name a few. Every cut we make cuts into services provided to city residents. We are just now solidifying our projected revenue dollars, so it is impossible to know at this time what will or will not be cut or added. I do not foresee any additional line items being added.

Harold McCarty's Reply

I plan to cut legal fees, engineering fees, departmental budgets, and administration costs. I plan to run the departments with common sense like you would your own house, cut the fat and eliminate things we don't need. Make all departments run more efficiently.

I plan on having City Hall open 8-12:00 on Saturdays to accommodate the citizens who work but that will not cost anything extra because as Mayor I am salaried as is the City Clerk. Any of the clerical people working a Saturday would get a half-day off during the week. Therefore, it would not cost anything extra to keep City Hall open on saturday as it has been suggested, and it would be a service to our taxpayer's.

3/19 Question Answers: No reply from Harold McCarty

Answers to the questions I asked the mayoral candidates last week Thursday will now be posted one question at a time. I have not received a set of answers from candidate McCarty. I did receive the following email from him or whomever answers his emails,

from Harold McCarty
to Levi Ottwell
date Thu, Mar 19, 2009 at 9:26 AM
subject Re: Questions regarding your candidacy for mayor.
mailed-by gmail.com

Dear Levi,
Great set of questions and as I'm sure you are well aware, Harold is out working in town right now and he will get this when he gets to a computer. I will call Harold to let him know about your questions. This is the best set of questions I have seen and I wish someone at the forum on Tuesday would have spoke up like you just have here. It is awesome that you have sent these questions to Kevin Hutchinson and Dennis Patton as well so you can make an informed decision on Mayor. Thank you so much!

Sincerely,
Web Master for www.mccartyformayor.com


--
Sincerely,
Harold McCarty Jr
Candidate for Mayor

I stand by my position of a written set of answers in order to share them here and to have a record of what the candidates have said to me.

Videos of the Columbia Candidate forum 3/17/09

These videos are taken form the Monroe County Independents youtube video postings.

Question Update

I have sent out a couple of emails each to candidate McCarty and Hutchinson, I have not received a reply from either. There is a possibility that Harold will be at the committee meetings tonight in which case I will get him a set of the questions and ask him to get back to me. He has offered to discuss my questions over the phone. I stand by my position of wanting written answers, for a couple of reasons.

If the answers are written down by them there is a reduced chance I will misinterpret them. Secondly, I can share the questions and answers with other citizens without any information being presented by me, all info is put forth by the candidate, I would simply be sharing the info the candidates have shared with me. Third, I know when I write something down I think about it a little more and add detail I might have left out in a typical conversation, I would hope the candidates would do the same. Lastly I would like to keep these answers as a record of what the candidates said they would do.

Questions sent to mayoral candidates 9:15AM 3/19

I have started a blog to write about what I feel is happening and to comment on what I see happening in Columbia. http://worldasiknowitnow.blogspot.com/ I have wanted to do this for quite some time but have not because I felt I did not have a clear enough picture of what issues our city is facing. I suppose I also refrained from starting this blog for fear of being branded something I am not. That time is passed and I have begun.

I have been going to city council meetings over the past year and have kept myself fairly open minded. I do not have a side. I hold everyone to the same standards. I would like all three of you to reply back via email with complete answers to all of my questions. I do not see any of the questions as unfair to any candidate. I will post your answers to my page once I get them back from you for others to see.

I want to be clear that I have not made a choice on who I am voting for in the mayoral race and your responses to these questions will bear greatly on that choice. Your replies will also dictate how I share my opinions with others when discussing the mayoral race. If you chose to not reply, that is your choice and I will respect it. I do not need to sit down one on one with you; I would prefer to have your ideas spelled out in writing for me to refer to later regardless of who wins the election. I am sure you all have great ideas and maybe even if not elected your ideas could be implemented to improve our city. Not any one man has all of the right answers.

Questions:
1. I presume all of you have looked at the city’s budget and have an idea of what you would like to see changed in that budget. Ideas and projects I have read about included new streets projects, resolving the issues around our legal expenditures, having city hall open on Saturdays, reducing the budget by $500-750K. All of these issues should be explained more than the general blanket statements I have so far heard. Please explain in detail what expenditures you wish to cut from the city budget in an effort to save the city money and what new expenditures you plan to add if any in your term as the city’s mayor.

2. As we all know expenditures of this city must be augmented by new revenue streams. From what I heard at the forum everyone supports new business in Columbia. What new business types do you approve of and where should they be located?

3. What other revenue streams should the city explore other than an increase in sales tax from new businesses?

4. What changes would you like to see in our police department? Are there changes you would like to see made? I have heard that some may want to change police chiefs, if there is any truth to this then please explain and who would replace the current chief?

5. Do you have agreements with any current aldermen or candidates for alderman regarding certain ways to vote on items if you get elected, if so who? Have you met with current aldermen or candidates for alderman to discuss the issues facing our city, if so who?

6. Will you support all obligations from signed contracts and agreements that you may inherit from the current administration or past administrations?

7. Are you happy with the services provided by our current city attorney? What are the advantages of keeping Mr. Adams if you retain him? If you would like to replace him who would be your choice and why are they a good choice?
8. Obviously Dennis Patton is retired; Mayor Hutchinson and candidate McCarty have obligations to their regular jobs. How many hours will you be able to devote to the city on a weekly basis if you become mayor?

9. If elected mayor will you support advertising for and hiring a city administrator within a few months of your election? If yes please explain the advantages of having a city administrator and if no then please explain why our city does not need to have someone in this position.

Who I am.

My name is Levi Ottwell.
I moved to Columbia, IL last March.
I have been going to the city council meetings fairly regularly since about June of last year. I would not say I am disappointed in any one person on the council, rather the amount of time that has passed with no resolution being found between the members of the council.

I am a new person in town and do not know the history of everything that has happened in Columbia over the years. I also understand that having only lived here one year does not give me as much credibility with some of you, that being said it does not mean I love our city and what it is and can be any less than those who have lived here for generations.

I hope you continue to check back here and offer your opinions. I will delete comments as I see fit. This site will not spread rumors. I intend to gather information from credible sources and share it with anyone who wishes to see another point of view.