Ward 7 candidates say city needs to support families

March 15-- Mar. 15--DANVILLE -- Ward 7 Alderman Lloyd Randle, seeking his second term on the Danville City Council, is being challenged by Bob Iverson, one of the original alderman who served when the city government changed to mayor-alderman in 1987.

Ward 7 encompasses the northern and northwestern area of the city, north of Woodlawn Street along the Logan Avenue area to West Newell Road.

The Commercial-News sent surveys to the candidates regarding city issues.

1. What qualities make you, or would make you, a good alderman?

Randle: I feel that my long term involvement and commitment to this community is overwhelming proof that I'm qualified to serve as alderman for the city of Danville. I've had the good fortune to serve the public in countless ways as I have participated on boards and committees, too many to mention. I am a former United Way agency director. I have literally worked with every social service agency in the community. My efforts to support our youth, through sponsored activities and scholarships, has spanned some 40 years. I have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for local events, organizations and causes and have been as charitable as my resources have allowed. My life's work has been spent improving the quality of life for everyone in our community.

Iverson: I served as an alderman when the form of government was first implemented, so I know how government needs to work in a difficult time. I have been away from the city council long enough that I can objectively view how the council has been struggling and bring a new point of view. City government also needs to provide better communication with the public. Communication has been my life's work, and I feel there are ways to make city government more transparent and appreciated.

2. Do you support city employees living in the city? Why or why not?

Iverson: It is probably a good idea to have employees in emergency services such as police and fire departments live in the city. It is less important for jobs such as engineers. I lived in Danville all 13 years I worked at the University of Illinois in Urbana, and it never affected my job performance. The city should work with local Realtors to develop information that would help new employees find homes in the city.

Randle: I support city employees living in the city because it sends the message that employees are proud to live in the city that supports them and their families.

3. How can the city better combat violence and drug and gang activity?

Randle: The city can best combat violence by supporting families through education and employment. Far too many of our citizens are left out of the job market by employers who hire outside of the community. The issue with gang activity is directly linked to our community's inability to understand and provide the necessary tools required to raise the quality of life for those at the greatest risk. I strongly believe that those charged with growing the local job market and economy do not understand who we are in terms of our capabilities. We are a grinding, welding, packaging and assembling workforce and that should be our market. The technology sector will only follow when the basic employment needs of our citizens are in place. We must also internalize our economy by investing locally.

Iverson: This may be the most important issue facing the council, and the most difficult to fix. Violence and drugs are a national problem, not just a Danville problem. I agree with the budget proposal to hire three more officers and restore the POP (Problem Oriented Policing) program. We need more police involvement with city residents. Trust is a two-way street that must be restored. City leaders need to develop a task force with local schools, health care providers, local businesses and social service agencies to reach young people and give them ways to succeed and alternatives to using drugs and joining gangs. Some of the local arrests for serious crimes have been teenagers. We must reach these children with the good news that a crime-free life is worth living.

4. What should be focuses in the city's budget? Why? Do you support additional revenues? Why or why not? What should be looked at for budget cuts?

Iverson: The proposed $50 million budget should be enough to finance a city the size of Danville without additional taxes. The way the budget is created needs to be changed. Instead of looking at a department each year and deciding what percent increase to give it, each department should start at zero. Department heads should come to the whole council (or a finance committee of council members) and justify their budget. That would give the council a better idea of which departments should be increased or eliminated. There also needs to be a multi-year budget developed so the city has an idea of where it is going in the next couple of years. The city also needs to be wary of some grants. This is not free money, the city must make a match, and city workers are used for most projects. I would be more interested in fixing roads throughout Danville than funding road beautification projects.

Randle: The focus in the city's budget must now be salary freezes, re-alignment of departments, technology as well as possible layoffs. Any opportunity to increase revenue and reduce taxpayer liability should be our main focus. If outsourcing at any level can be brought in house as a revenue stream it should be considered.

5. What specific actions would you support to improve housing? Help downtown? Cut the city's pension obligation?

Randle: Housing improvements must be at the forefront of how we create a new image in our community. Local investors, contractors, financiers, government agencies, Habitat and the housing authority must all come to the table. The rebirth of a vibrant downtown requires both local and outside investment. The opening and building of new restaurants, hotels and entertainment venues must happen sooner than later. As far as the cities pension debt is concerned, we must as citizens of the state of Illinois send a clear message to our legislators that the time is up for non-action. The city's administrations, including the aldermen and representatives of the Danville firefighter union, must consult with outside resources to reach a resolve to the pending crisis that lies ahead.

Iverson: In the recent tax levy discussions, the city council missed a chance to put more money into the pensions because they wanted to make fewer budget cuts. The additional money should have gone to the pensions. Cities are getting mixed and confusing information from the state about their pension requirements. The city council must work with state lawmakers to make the pension requirements more reasonable. The housing authority is talking about building new residence in the downtown area. Why can't that money be used instead to rehab existing homes? The city could donate the homes to a group like Habitat for Humanity, and the housing authority could use its grant to fix them and get them back on the tax rolls."

6. Other issues/additional comments.

Iverson: I worked with a University of Illinois department that helped businesses reduce their environmental impact and save money. I brought this company to the First Presbyterian Church to develop a sustainability report. By tying this to the energy improvement and environmental efforts of the church, First Presbyterian was able to win an Illinois Sustainability Award, the first church in the state to win one. The city of Danville has made some energy improvements, but I am convinced that more could be done. I could use my experience and contacts to help the city reduce energy costs and help the environment."

Randle: Additionally, I have demonstrated through my life's work that I love my community and that I have been willing to make the personal sacrifices required to improve its quality of life. I would appreciate the support of my Ward 7 constituents as well as the continued support of all of the citizens of Danville for whom I serve.

Bob Iverson

Age: 68.

Address: 2907 Country Way Drive.

Family: Wife, Judy; daughters, Amy Iverson and Anne (Jason) Binette; grandson, Keaton Binette.

Employment: Retired from the University of Illinois; work part time on WITY radio.

Education: Glenbrook South High School in Glenview, Ill.; Bachelor's degree in Journalism from Southern Illinois University; also taken computer classes at the University of Illinois.

Political experience/organizations involved with: One of the original aldermen when city government changed and on city council 1987-1993; active member First Presbyterian Church; on Illiana Alzheimer Association board.

Lloyd S. Randle

Age: 64.

Address: 2704 Townway Road.

Family: Wife, Aleta, married for 34 years; four adult children.

Employment: Pepsi-Co/Quaker Oats for 32 years.

Education: Danville High School -- Class of 1973; some college credits.

Political experience/organizations involved with: Alderman City of Danville for four years, elected April 7, 2015.

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