The Obvious Difference
(DeKalb
Candidates Forum 2005)
The rules for
discussion at the DeKalb Candidates Forum (March 15, Best
Western Inn) allowed each mayoral candidate two minutes to
address a question followed by one minute to rebut their
opponent's comments. Those rules were adroitly followed, by
challenger Frank Van Buer and incumbent Greg Sparrow, until
this question from the audience was delivered by moderator
Chris Doyle, publisher of the Daily Chronicle:
"Tell us what your opponent's greatest weaknesses are and
then take twice as long to describe his greatest strengths."
Instead of
taking the full six minutes allotted the discussion was
completed in less than four minutes. But for the 265 people
in attendance, and the listeners of WLBK 1360 AM this brief
session brought the politics of campaigning back to reality.
Sparrow recalled
how Van Buer had once been his teacher, one who the Mayor
had respected and admired. Sparrow remembered his teacher
giving him an A for a grade in his class.
Van Buer
recalled Sparrow with pride and respect for the
accomplishments his student had made. He reminded his former
student that Van Buer, the teacher, did not give As, his
students earned them.
This race is
about issues and philosophy not personality and integrity
because there is no lack thereof.
The issues
important to the sponsors of the candidates forum; the
DeKalb Chamber of Commerce, DeKalb County Building and
Development Association, DeKalb County Economic Development
Corporation, the Daily Chronicle and The MidWeek, the DeKalb
Area Association of Realtors and RAMP Center for Independent
Living are primarily focused on the local economy.
Sparrow believes
the "ball is rolling" in DeKalb towards a thriving economy
with a balanced tax base close to his goal of 50-percent
residential and 50-percent other. He believes that more
growth is needed to reach that goal and that a balanced tax
base is the surest way to reducing residential property tax.
Van Buer thinks
that perhaps the ball is rolling too fast and that the city
administration needs to be more deliberate in its management
of growth. He is not comfortable with tax abatement packages
such as that offered at Park 88 to Target Corporation. As a
county board member he voted against the Target incentives
and would be more stringent in that area as mayor.
It is hoped that
for the remainder of this campaign season the political spin
of personal attacks diminishes and that the philosophical
differences between the mayoral candidates are more fully
explored. That philosophical difference exists in the races
for the DeKalb District #428 School Board and the city
alderman races as well. Further discussion of their
differences is needed as well. The result would be informed
voters.
Exceptions to
this philosophical difference on economy and growth
management are in the race for DeKalb Township Supervisor
and in the race for 6th ward alderman.
Challenger Mike
McCoy believes that current township supervisor, Pat Lavigne,
does not earn her $49,000 per year salary and that this
salary amount is unjustified for the work load and
responsibilities of the office. Lavigne, of course,
disagrees. However, McCoy's promise to donate 25-percent of
his salary, if elected, to local charities does not mask the
fact that, no matter how admirable donating is, the tax
payers will still pay $49,000 per year for the township
supervisor position.
Jesse Perez and
Dave Baker both appear to be more aligned with Greg Sparrow
on their growth and economy stances. Perez, the challenger,
has learned that he does not meet specific residency
requirements set forth by the Illinois Board of Elections.
Those new laws (passed in July 2004) require that a
candidate live in his ward at least 12-months prior to
running for the office. Perez has lived in DeKalb for more
than five years but he was not a resident of the 6th ward
for the 12-months preceding this election. He stated that
should he win the election and someone challenged him on the
law to prevent him from taking office he would sue. Baker
responded by questioning why Perez would want voters to
elect him to a lawsuit.
The evening
forum was not only informing but at times it was downright
entertaining.
In the 4th ward
session, Chris Doyle, who did a masterful job as moderator,
asked challenger Donna Gorski to describe the differences
between her and incumbent Mike Knowlton. For those sitting
in the audience who are informed on the two candidates'
positions the obvious difference is their stances on growth
and economics. Gorski is probably the most ardent opposition
to any further residential development or corporate
incentives in DeKalb. Knowlton's stance aligns with
Sparrow's.
But Donna Gorski
let the audience know that we had overlooked a most obvious
difference.
"The first big
difference," she replied, "is I am a woman and he is a man."
These are my
first-hand observations from the DeKalb Candidates Forum.
I'd love to read yours!
Mac McIntyre
