Here you will find a direct and informative page about my positions and ideas for Elgin. This is a frank page that addresses key issues. I wouldn’t trouble you with generic answers or roundabout and misleading opinions.
Please know, I am open to assorted ideas and perspectives. I truly appreciate positive input from all citizens on these and other issues. I also look forward to working with the current council members in getting their input on these and other issues.
Please check this site often for updates and additional positions.
What Are Some of Elgin's Biggest Issues In This Campaign?
*Restoring Elgin’s image and reputation
*Downtown survival and growth
*The results of declining riverboat revenue
*Gang crime
*East side development
*Far West expansion
*Customer-friendly city services
Elgin citizens need to be treated like clients rather than just taxpayers. There is a difference.
Like businesses and their clients, if citizens are not happy with their city, they will, as they have in the past few years, move away. Even worse, they will spread the word about what their life in Elgin is or was like. That is what we are dealing with now, and that is part of the reputation issue we need to address.
Many of Elgin's problems are based on a lack of communication and customer service. With more than three decades of experience in customer service, I will propose plans that will result in citizens feeling like customers. A phone call to city hall should be resolution-based and not a never-ending string of voicemail messages left with unidentified city employees.
Also, local steps need to be taken to address our image and reputation. I firmly believe one of the reasons that quality, big box stores do not choose Elgin is, in part, because of the perception and reality that we are a tolerant destination for street gangs and illegal aliens. Therefore, it can be assumed that we do not have the clientele base to support these types of establishments. In traveling throughout the area on business, I constantly hear these points from others living outside our city.
Many people ask me, “What happened to Elgin?”
I will propose solution-based plans to address these critical problems.
Why Should Business Owners Support You?
As the owner of Prigge Auctions, I know first-hand the joys and heartaches of running a sole proprietor business. I am in the self-employed mix every day slugging it out every day performing blue collar to white collar duties. I know businesses need more than just great products and services. They need to know their city is doing everything they can to allow them to flourish and expand. They also need to know the city is not getting in their way.
I will propose solution-based plans that will focus less on giving incentives to home developers to come to Elgin and more on incentives to keep existing homeowners and businesses from leaving Elgin.
We have enough empty homes and storefronts in Elgin.
Downtown Elgin needs to be vibrant and successful - be it a mix of uses or dedicated to one theme. Not only for the city's growth but especially because Kimball St., Highland Ave. and E. Chicago St. are bridge streets and are showcase streets to commuters - a point often disregarded.
My Positions
Elgin's Illegal Alien Population
While walking door-to-door getting petition signatures, this was and is clearly Elgin citizens’ number one concern. In fact, before signing my petition, two people demanded to hear my feelings on this matter first - and this was just to sign a petition!
I don’t want to just pass the buck. Time and time again, like you, I’ve heard this cookie-cutter, legally formed response from the incumbents:
It's a Federal problem and there is not much we can do about it.
What???
Even while federal and state lawmakers struggle to repair our dysfunctional immigration infrastructure, we can still step up to treat this this problem LOCALLY. Completely solving the nation’s illegal alien problem is a Federal problem.
Guess what?
I do not want to try to solve a Federal problem - I want to deal with Elgin's problems. Frankly, I do not care about the illegal alien population in Seattle, WA or Tallahassee, FL. I know that no city council can completely solve this issue. I care about Elgin issues and this is an Elgin issue.
My plan? Treat this Elgin problem. Do not try to solve it. Treat it with what can be done. It is the council's responsibility to act on problems that affect its citizens. I will be very interested to hear what the incumbents' plan is. Not enough is being done now and it's too late for them to have a plan now.
One thing for sure: It is time to get serious about this problem. I’ll need your vote to implement change.
One course of action is to first inform all Elgin businesses on how to avoid hiring someone who is not permitted to work in this country. I am in favor of and will develop a plan that deals with businesses that hire illegals or those who choose not to do the minimum required to make sure their employees are legally allowed to work in Elgin.
This includes, but is not limited to businesses being subjected to fines and temporary/permanent loss of their Elgin business license.
And, yes, this does include employment agencies who send employees to work in Elgin.
I believe there is significant reason to believe there are employers who knowingly hire illegals via temp agencies to insulate themselves against problems.
That must stop. Another way is to follow the footsteps other communities have taken and organize a coalition of other communities to seek more help from ICE.
These are just two ways to treat, not solve, the problem of Elgin being an attractive city for illegal aliens to work and live in. There will be more ideas coming.
Home and Business Beautification Incentives
We have all seen beautiful homes and businesses in our city and, if you are like me, it makes you feel good! Well-maintained homes and businesses are the backbone of a desirable community. I would be in favor of developing an incentive plan supported and/or sponsored, in part, by area home improvement stores.
Well-maintained homes and businesses would be rewarded. The city would be divided in zones and judged randomly in walk-by inspections. Winners would receive gift certificates for applicable products and services. My plan would not only reward Elgin residents for their efforts, but also encourage the continued beautification of their property.
The Despair of Downtown
Who knows just what to do with downtown? First, I have never been a fan of making our downtown a residential area. I believe converting storefront buildings into multi-spaced living units should be a last resort when you have no other space for homes. We certainly do not have that problem.
Second, the closing of the Prairie Rock Brewing Company is a major blow to downtown and any immediate plans of resurgance. Perpetual road construction, the city's Randall Rd. magnet growth and, of course, our declining reputation as being an unsafe city are detriments to many public-reliant businesses.
The bottom line is until all of Elgin's reputation changes, downtown ventures will face tremendous odds to succeed. One thing for sure is this does not look good for Elgin.
City Support of Non-Profit Agencies
Supporting agencies that serve our citizens is a big responsibility in tough economic times. I am under the impression that many city-funded groups do little or no fund raising on their own, relying solely or heavily on tax dollars. I would be in favor of reducing the initial funding of agencies and offer a fund-matching program based on their own fund raising efforts.
Providing an accounting of all city dollars given to these agencies and being guaranteed via contracts they are not conducting, facilitating or enabling any illegal activity would be mandatory on a quarterly basis.
The Centre of Elgin
I have doubted the practicality of this recreation center since its inception.
I believed then that some facility was needed - just not one this size. I thought we should have grown into an initial recreation center. Now we are dealing with decreasing, yet still, substantial financial losses every day. Its costs increased seemingly every month during construction and now, years later is still losing close to $1600 per day. Remember, The Centre's original construction budget was around 20 million dollars. It ended up being more than double, thanks in part to the three incumbents who consistently approved the increases. Even when faced with a petition from its citizens to simply put the issue to a vote, they routinely stamped the increases through. More people signed that petition than voted for some of the candidates in their last election.
Elgin needs a main recreation center even if it does not pay for itself. It just should not be losing this amount of money every day. I believe the honeymoon period is over and therefore would favor exploring other and/or additional uses for the Centre that will decrease its losses, i.e., developing a corporate center with amenities. I would also consider studying the expected savings of closing The Centre one day per week. $1600 per day is too much.
Streetgangs in Elgin
This is a large issue that affects everyday life in Elgin, and has branded us as a city.
As of March, 2009, there have been four gang murders in the last 20 months, a shooting at Drake Field during a Pee Wee football game plus a large increase in “tagging”. All have made Elgin a dangerous place to be at times. There is more and more graffiti on public and private property, especially on entryway streets like Dundee Ave. Even a ROPE officer’s squad car was tagged last September in front of his home. This vandalism has changed from just a few scribble marks on an underpass to well-crafted artwork similar to New York City subway cars. It's everywhere. And, worse? It's tolerated by our council members.
Where are many of our gang crimes happening? Many of them occur in or near our beloved historic districts - one of the most positive and promotional aspects of living in Elgin. Our police make quick arrests to support the suppression aspect of fighting this crime, but the recent Halloween Night murder on Douglas Ave. illustrates we need more and different types of solutions.
Do you know what troubles me?
After the three recent gang murders, none of the incumbents came up with any ideas, plans or suggestions on how to attack what is attacking us - gangs. And these are the three most senior councilmen we have.
Not one has shown any interest in changing the reputation we have earned the past decade. It’s unfortunate, but true. Elgin’s reputation is not good. I grew up here. I can tell you that people used to be proud of this city. Your vote for me tells the incumbents that their eyes should not be permanently fixed on Randall Rd. and westward expansion.
Therefore, I would be in favor of bringing civil lawsuits against gang members whereby court orders can be established against them from congregating and organizing. Civil judgments can be awarded against them. Collecting on these judgments can be done via wage attachments and would severely limit financial independence until paid. This form of enforcement is currently used in DuPage County where it has been tested via appeals and remains successful.
Additionally, judgments collected can be combined with a city-funded Crimestoppers-type reward program specifically designed for fighting gang crimes. I would favor offering substantial rewards for tips leading to arrests - not just convictions - for most gang crimes. A $1000-$5000 reward for a tip leading to an arrest may convince a fellow gang member or a neighbor to contact police after a major crime has been committed. Knowing that this type of program exists in Elgin might also be a gang deterrent. Funding this plan could be explored with sales from the confiscated and unclaimed goods auction held every year. Perhaps local merchants could participate to some extent by donating goods and services to these auctions with their proceeds going directly to this fund.
City Services/Communication
We live in an e-mail society now and city hall needs to be up to speed. Communicating with city hall can be frustrating when a citizen needs information during and after business hours. Having specific contact information on the city's Web site is a must. Currently the city's Web site does not list the names of the people in charge of each city department.
That must change.
Furthermore, when a citizen calls any city department the employee answering the phone must answer with their department and their name. All outgoing voice mail messages must include the employee's name, department and e-mail address, and, if appropriate, fax number. Messages left on a city voice mail before noon must be returned by 5 p.m. that day. Messages left after noon must be returned by noon the next business day.
Businesses serving a much smaller customer base than Elgin's population do this. We should, too.
The best news? This plan would not cost the city anything - no consultants, no seminars to attend. Just my idea of treating citizens like clients.
Odd-Even Street Parking
Currently in place in some areas now, I agree with its need and, where needed, would endorse its expansion.
Over-crowded housing
This is another dent in our reputation. Redefining our codes for acceptability is a must, if possible. Along with a redefining, I favor a plan where landlords become more responsible for the over-crowding of their rental property. Landlords are business owners. Business owners have a responsibility to do everything possible to insure their business is in compliance with all city laws just like any other business in Elgin must. Therefore, I would endorse a plan where landlords could lose their license to rent property in Elgin if their properties are found to be illegally over-crowded. Landlords establishing a yearly mode of compliance would receive free or reduced license fees.
Growth and Westward Expansion
Most agree that growth is important for all cities. Elgin has expanded way beyond its level of responsibility. I feel the westward expansion to Rt. 47 has come at the expense of those who are struggling with life on the east side. This ties into my feelings of our incumbents ignoring important quality of life issues in favor of grabbing land on the west. I feel much of our new residential housing is short-sighted in favor of being able to send more real estate tax bills and forgetful of earning those tax payments. I believe every action has a reaction and, as our public schools become choked with students and nearby communities curse us for this rapid explosion of homes, we will see more negative reaction.
I believe the incumbents have orchestrated too many plans of taking one spot of land that receives one tax bill and turning it into one with many tax bills via condominiums. Unsold condominiums, in fact, many of which did not generate the low minimum bids at a recent public auction. Citizens I have spoken to are deathly afraid that the ample supply of unoccupied residential units in downtown will eventually become low-income rental units.
I feel we need to slow down our growth and expansion plans and raise the bar on what we consider in the future. We also need to fix what is broken - the east side - before buying into anything new in residential development.
Going "Green"
I am in favor of implementing a "green" policy for Elgin, but only if it is financially responsible. Due to the newness of many "going green" devices and technology, their costs can be prohibitive to implement. Example: a solar cell phone charger is a great "green" idea for all city cell phones but not at the advertised cost of $175.00 each. I would look at these and other "green" ideas and products on a case-by-case basis.
Naming and Branding Our Public Places
Part of improving Elgin's reputation includes branding, and I firmly believe Elgin is in need of some positive branding. Nothing is more positive than our American flag. I would be in favor making it mandatory that every new and existing city park have at least one appropriately-sized, illuminated (where feasible) American flag flying or showing in a visible location, preferably at entrances and exits. In larger parks, one flag per a certain amount of acreage would be acceptable. Wing and Lords parks may have many flags flying throughout the park. This would also include all city-owned baseball, soccer and softball fields. Funding could be part of the package from builders on new homes. Donors and sponsors could be sought for other locations, all to be combined as a partnership with city funds.
Promoting and preserving Elgin’s history is a passion of mine. Honoring Elgin citizens who have made a great impact on life in Elgin by naming public places after them shows the world we have pride and gives us credibility to others visiting. It tells all who visit and live here that we care about people who have contributed to Elgin’s well-being.
We need to increase the awareness of places already named and put into place a procedure to name many of our public places. At times a touchy subject, one possibility might include assembling a qualifying committee and allowing citizens to vote online.
East side development
I have long felt Elgin's east side has been on the short end of everything - from quality businesses being able to get incentives to street repairs and beautification, just to name a few. I am convinced the incumbents have ignored the east side in favor of Far West expansion and over-development of downtown as a residential community.
I believe the east side has been forgotten and pushed to the low end of the priority sheet. Due to the populous of towns east of us, I believe most visitors coming to Elgin have to come through the city via the east. That alone should make improving the east side a priority. There is no excuse for a street like Willard Ave., a major cut-through street linking E. Chicago St. and Villa Ave., to exist in our city. It has resembled a farmer's abandoned runway for decades. Remarkably, some west side streets have had more attention in the past few years than some east side streets have seen in dozens of years. (Wing Park Blvd., for one)
I am concerned that this lack of attention will deepen as many of the auto dealerships on E. Chicago St. and Sherman Hospital leave the east side for Randall Road soon.
Therefore, I favor making the east side an emergency priority for improvements and beautification. I also advocate offering incentives to certain businesses that choose the east side as their home. It's time to balance the scales.
Businesses/Jobs Coming to Elgin
Incentives are important in attracting large, quality businesses to Elgin, but, as the same time, they have to bring a quality return to the city. When a large company chooses Elgin and boasts that it will be bringing a certain amount of jobs with it, it's important to get a clarification.
Do the business owners mean they are bringing current employees or positions that need to be filled once in Elgin?
By bringing dozens of employees with it, a company relocating from another suburb to Elgin may help nearby gas stations and fast food restaurants, but it does not mean new positions needing to be filled by Elginites. In today’s economy, people will drive to an easy-to-get-to Elgin to keep their job. I would be more excited over a company coming to Elgin needing 25 new employees because of their move rather than a company bringing 200 current employees with no immediate hiring needs.
I would favor any plan that rewards companies who hire Elgin citizens and keeps them for a minimum of one year. We have the work force right here.
Animal Control Issues
Dog attacks, specifically pit bull and rottweiler attacks, make the news frequently. These types of dogs are also a street gang status symbol. Our police officers have had to shoot a charging pit bull seemingly every year. Some of the animals I’ve seen walked on heavy tow chains throughout our city’s streets and parks are large and forbidding enough to intimidate anyone.
While pit bull owners protested an earlier proposal directed at them and may feel singled out, one thing is for sure: When most dogs bite a human, they bite and run away because the dog is scared. When a pit bull bites? They bite and clamp down on their victim. Sometimes, only their death will cause a pit bull to release from a bite. Additionally, bystanders are less-likely to intercede in a pit bull attack than a poodle or cat attack.
I favor a plan where all owners of animals that attack or bite another pet or human will have their animal confiscated and must pay a substantial graduating fine within one week to get the animal returned. Animals not picked up are destroyed, as biting animals are not adoption-worthy. Unpaid fines are treated like any other unpaid city fee and attached to either the address of the attack or the pet owner individually.
Supporting the Arts
As a former stage performer and author I know communities that support the arts are communities that can thrive. This ties into branding our city. Festivals and artistic outreaches are important to us and others watching Elgin when they are held in the proper places. However, building a new performing arts center is not prudent given the competition from nearby venues. This will not change until our core reputation changes first.
