City Council candidate Bruce Hart (left) shakes hands with Mayor Jimmie Lansford as county board member Don Jordan watches before the Streator Leading Ladies Candidates Forum at the Streator Country Club on Thursday.
Mayor Jimmie Lansford and opponent David "Moose" Conner laid out their visions for Streator's future Thursday night.
The two were part of a forum with city council candidates hosted jointly by the Streator Leading Ladies and the Streator Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the Streator County Club.
In Lansford's opening remarks, he spoke of his accomplishments since being appointed mayor in the wake of the late Ray Schmitt's death.
"In the past 12 months Ihave provided leadership through two major disasters:the June 5 tornado and the February blizzard,"Lansford said. "In a 12-month period, we have seen the recruitment of Results, Inc. in Westgate Plaza, working with ALMon the revolving loan fund, an agreement with a wind farm for 165 units and currently working on an agreement with another wind farm. Walmart broke ground. With these four businesses, we will have created 500 new full- and part-time jobs."
Later, in the question-and-answer portion of the forum, Lansford was asked where he saw Streator in five, 10 or 25 years.
"If we don't take the necessary steps today, there may not be a Streator as we know it in 25 years," he said. "We can no longer market ourselves individually. We must market ourselves regionally through networking on state, federal, city and county levels.
"I have done that at this point. I have also spoken with economic development officials in Livingston and La Salle counties and the Illinois Valley. ... If we don't do that and take the necessary steps to plan for the future, it will be extremely difficult for Streator to survive."
Conner, who worked for 30 years in the wastewater treatment plant and Public Works Department, said working for the city has allowed him to see its operation from different views.
"If elected, Iwill work with the city manager, city council and SACCIto bring more businesses to downtown,"he said. "Iwould like to find ways to increase revenue while the state is decreasing funds."
Conner spoke of potential programs, such as combining fire and ambulance service, the cost of annexation to the city; making the town safer and free of drugs and implementing a "helping hand" system, where residents with background checks can put a card in their window, indicating they are a safe place for people in danger to go for help.
In the question-and-answer portion of the forum, Conner was asked his thoughts on improving economic development.
"Iknow Streator is already active in the La Salle County Mayors Association,"he said. "We have to work with towns like Pontiac, La Salle-Peru and Ottawa to see if business don't go there, if they will come here. It's working together to not only get jobs in town but in the area too."
In closing remarks, both candidates spoke of their desire to serve the community.
"I think the question that should be asked of anyone running for city government is 'Why do you want the job, since it is a little-respected job?' "Lansford said. "Iwant to give back to the community that has been good to me and my family. I'm asking for your vote to give me the chance to continue to do that."
"(There should be) accountability in city hall,"Conner said. "Iwill treat people with respect. Iwill work for you, the taxpayers. Fourteen thousand people working together, we can make a difference."
3 comments:
Mayor Harl and his supporters running for this spring election in Peru , DO NOT KNOW HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS KIND OF FORUM!
Proof of this statement is just look back at what happened in Peru the last election, intimidation and false statements and higher taxes, closed swimming pool because of stubborness, on , on.
I suppose in Lois's eyes this comment is mean spirited but true and will not be published but if not again we will prevail on April 5.
Losers don't cry they just fade away , sooner rather then later.
8:02 First of all, please explain why Mayor Harl would be participating in a forum - he's not up for election. Next, please expand on your intimidation and false statements comments. And, last but not least, if you think closing a facility that could possibly pose a 'DANGER' to its users being "stubborn" then I applaud our MAYOR. You are obviously a bitter person who has an extreme dislike for certain individuals. Whatever your reasons may be your are entitled to them but please try to act and speak civilly. This blog is for intelligent conversation and dialogue - not for hatred.
I think you have it all wrong. The pool wasn't closed because of stubborness on the part of the Mayor, because of stubborness on the part of the council. When you have knee hi weeds coming up through the cracks of the pool, you know its not safe. wake up and smell the roses. No intimidation by Harl, but Dima told the workers if they want to keep their jobs, don't talk to the opposition. If the past Mayor and council didn't spend money wisely, we wouldn't be in the shape we are in today. Abuilding that sits empty, a new building for the past mayor and councils egos. No roads fixed. Apool that should have been taken care as early as the 80s.
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