Wilmington City Council candidates state their goals

The consolidated election is less than one week away.

In Wilmington, elections for City Council are staggered every two years, with the mayor and four aldermen on the ballot in one election, and the other four aldermen seats up for grabs in the next.

This year, the election focuses on just those four aldermen seats, one from each of Wilmington’s wards. There is only one contested seat this year: First Ward Alderman incumbent Kevin Kirwin and former mayor Marty Orr will both vie to serve that ward for the next four years.

However, the Free Press Advocate reached out to all candidates to get their views on the city.

This year, the newspaper asked the candidates just three questions:

1 - In your own words, define the position that you are seeking. What is the role of the alderman as both a member of the council and as a representative of your ward?

2- What is your number one top strategic goal for the city of Wilmington over the next four years?

3 - What is your plan for long term commercial and residential growth in Wilmington, and how will you remain transparent while implementing those plans and efforts while in office?

While only one seat is contested, all candidates were asked for their responses in an effort for the voters to get to know their city leaders. For the contested seat, the candidates’ answers appear in the order that they are listed on the ballot.

Election day is April 4.

Alderperson Ward 1

J Marty Orr

In your own words, define the position that you are seeking. What is the role of the alderman as both a member of the council and as a representative of your ward?

I am seeking the position of 1st ward alderman. It is a position I have held in the past and worked diligently to ensure that the needs of residents in the first ward were represented as well as worked towards making the city as a whole a better and more prosperous city. It is vital that as an alderman you  ensure that through debate and dialogue that other members of the council are aware of the needs and concerns of the 1st ward and  you are steadfast in making sure they are met.

What is your number one top strategic goal for the city of Wilmington over the next four years?

Many know that I have previously served as Mayor and during that time as well as  alderman my primary focus has been growth. My focus will be no different. It is our lack of growth over the past several years that has continued to push our utilities higher than normal. The longer we stay stagnant the more we will have to pay. How do we do that? We have to go out and get it. We need staff engaged in marketing and promoting our city. We also need a fair and competitive package that will show we  are the best fit for their business above what other neighboring communities can offer. If we continue to wait for someone to knock on our door we will again miss the opportunities that our neighboring communities are currently benefiting from.

What is your plan for long term commercial and residential growth in Wilmington, and how will you remain transparent while implementing those plans and efforts while in office?

Commercial growth is highly beneficial for us as taxpayers and we have a great commercial base now and we need to actively engage with them and the chamber to make sure we are a catalyst for their business and not a hindrance. Unfortunately,governments look to the small business as a cash cow and continually add and increase fees. I firmly believe that by working with them instead of continually raising those fees will have a much greater benefit. By also working with our current base will also have a much more positive impact on attracting new businesses to our community. We currently have well over 150 vacant lots that are waiting for that home to be built. Oftentimes the cost of the fees can have a negative impact on that home being built. The city currently is offering a fee waiving the next 10 builds which is great but we can also go a step further as well. The current fee reduction is a benefit to the builder and can be passed down to the homebuyer. If we can offer a percentage of the property tax to be waived or paid back in the first couple years may increase that incentive for people to locate in Wilmington.

Kevin J. Kirwin

In your own words, define the position that you are seeking. What is the role of the alderman as both a member of the council and as a representative of your ward?

I’m a 3 term incumbent seeking re-election as 1st Ward Alderman. Representing the ward that I live in, I am responsible to make decisions in the best interest of the ward and city. I also attend committee meetings that discuss issues that impact the city and set policies, pass the annual budget, and oversee performance of departments that maintain the ward.

What is your number one top strategic goal for the city of Wilmington over the next four years?

First and foremost keeping a balanced budget, then repairing infrastructure is a hard decision. Finances are at a minimum so we work together to get the most for our dollar so as not to impact the taxpayer.

What is your plan for long term commercial and residential growth in Wilmington, and how will you remain transparent while implementing those plans and efforts while in office?

I would definitely like to see growth to enhance the city. We have a lot to offer being in an area of Route 66 Gemini Giant, historic downtown, and all our other establishments. Any plan for growth is first brought to the Mayor’s office, then Planning and Zoning make their recommendations and finally the council makes their decision if it’s in the best interest of the city. The council has the final decision. I will be transparent by listening to my residents and answering any questions to the best of my ability.

Alderperson Ward 2

Dennis Vice

In your own words, define the position that you are seeking. What is the role of the alderman as both a member of the council and as a representative of your ward?

I am seeking reelection as alderman of the second ward. As alderman, I am a member of our eight person City Council. Our role as the legislative branch of local government is to create, amend and pass local ordinances. My role as alderman,  as a member of the council is partially defined in the previous sentence. We also approve the yearly City budget as well as all spending. My role as alderman as a representative of my ward is to listen to the concerns of residents, then discuss these concerns with the city administrator, mayor and City Council. The objective would be to resolve the concern(s), hopefully to the satisfaction of the resident.

What is your number one top strategic goal for the city of Wilmington over the next four years?

There are many opportunities that the City Council will be dealing with over the next four years and beyond. Improving our streets/infrastructure is my number one top strategic goal.

What is your plan for long term commercial and residential growth in Wilmington, and how will you remain transparent while implementing those plans and efforts while in office?

There will be numerous opportunities for commercial and residential growth in Wilmington over the next four years and beyond. We need to be responsible and control our growth. There needs to be a balance of single-family and multi-family dwellings. With the upcoming I-55 interchange rebuilds at Rt. 129 and. Lorenzo Rd., there will be numerous opportunities for commercial growth. This will benefit the city through sales and real estate taxes. This growth will be outside of the city proper, so we can enjoy and benefit from them while not disrupting the small downtown atmosphere we currently enjoy. I am and will continue to be transparent with anything I do for the city. I am always available to discuss anything that has been discussed in a City Council or committee of the whole meeting.

Alderperson Ward 3

Leslie Allred

At press time, Alderman Allred had not responded to our questionnaire.

Alderperson Ward 4

Todd Holmes

In your own words, define the position that you are seeking. What is the role of the alderman as both a member of the council and as a representative of your ward?

The role of an alderman is to provide a sound decision making platform for not only the constituents of their ward, but for the community as a whole.

What is your number one top strategic goal for the city of Wilmington over the next four years?

Rebuilding the infrastructure in our community is the forefront of what I am focusing on in the next four years with special attention being directed to the downtown district. We need to start making strides towards permanent fixes when it comes to our infrastructure instead of putting on the proverbial Band-Aids and have the issue fail or migrate in just a couple of years.

What is your plan for long term commercial and residential growth in Wilmington, and how will you remain transparent while implementing those plans and efforts while in office?

This council has already implemented two key components to growth in our community. The first being the approval of a new zoning map which incorporates heavy industrial off of South Arsenal Rd., and the second is waving of tap on fees for new single family homes. Quite simply when it comes to transparency if someone has a question and I know what the answer is, I’ll answer it. Finally, to the people of Wilmington. I do not want this to sound like I am being haughty or cocky, because that is not me at all. I have been in the infrastructure industry for over 36 years and have received 2 awards from the Illinois Road and Transportation Builders Association for projects that I have overseen. Being able to bring this knowledge and experience to our city is vital not only moving forward, but protecting our past. We have a lot of work to do in our little town folks and I want to see it through.