This is the first time I've seen a local candidate use Xtranormal to communicate his or her message. If you're familiar with Xtranormal, you know it usually takes a sarcastic tone; the target here is the current Joliet City Council.
Here is the video Andy Mihelich posted on his YouTube account:
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Joliet City Council District 2 Candidate Robert O'Dekirk
Will County News Politics spoke with Joliet City Council Candidate Robert O'Dekirk at the recent Informate/Get Informed Candidates Forum hosted by the Unidos Marketing Network.
O'Dekirk is challenging incumbent Timothy Brophy, along with fellow challengers Brian Baltz and John M. Gurka.
O'Dekirk said District Two residents take a lot of pride in their neighborhood and Joliet, saying many District 2 residents have lived in the same neighborhood their entire lives.
O'Dekirk said residents of District Two are concerned about crime, and with the Joliet police department running 40-50 officers short, it is a legitimate concern.
O'Dekirk said among his main goals is getting the city back on a healthy financial track by sitting down and working with the unions.
O'Dekirk said while some have advocated for a 10-20% cut in the budget, he is not sure if citizens are ready for a 10-20% cut in services. Along with cutting back to an economically sustainable point without jeopardizing services, O'Dekirk would like to focus on increasing revenue. For example, he said he would push to prosecute misdemeanors locally so that the City of Joliet could collect the fine money. To do that, Joliet would pass local municipal ordinances that the city could use to prosecute the case and keep the fine money if the person was found guilty. O'Dekirk also said Joliet could increase its use of asset forfeiture to increase revenue.
O'Dekirk is challenging incumbent Timothy Brophy, along with fellow challengers Brian Baltz and John M. Gurka.
O'Dekirk said District Two residents take a lot of pride in their neighborhood and Joliet, saying many District 2 residents have lived in the same neighborhood their entire lives.
O'Dekirk said residents of District Two are concerned about crime, and with the Joliet police department running 40-50 officers short, it is a legitimate concern.
O'Dekirk said among his main goals is getting the city back on a healthy financial track by sitting down and working with the unions.
O'Dekirk said while some have advocated for a 10-20% cut in the budget, he is not sure if citizens are ready for a 10-20% cut in services. Along with cutting back to an economically sustainable point without jeopardizing services, O'Dekirk would like to focus on increasing revenue. For example, he said he would push to prosecute misdemeanors locally so that the City of Joliet could collect the fine money. To do that, Joliet would pass local municipal ordinances that the city could use to prosecute the case and keep the fine money if the person was found guilty. O'Dekirk also said Joliet could increase its use of asset forfeiture to increase revenue.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Jan Quillman: "I believe our unions will come together because they love this city as well"
At the March 23, 2011 Informate/Get Informed Candidate's forum held at the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish Banquet Hall on East Jackson Street in Joliet, City Council Woman and Mayoral Candidate Jan Quillman stated she wanted to make it clear that she "was not there when the money was spent."
Quillman said she saw the current budget crisis coming, noting that in 2010, 15 million was taken out of reserves just to cover the 2010 budget. Quillman said with many advisors she will fix the budget crisis because, "failure is not an option." Quillman said after her forensic audit of the budget, she will talk to the unions to gather trust and level the playing field. Quillman said: "I believe our unions will come together because they love this city as well."
Video of Quillman's speech:
Quillman said she saw the current budget crisis coming, noting that in 2010, 15 million was taken out of reserves just to cover the 2010 budget. Quillman said with many advisors she will fix the budget crisis because, "failure is not an option." Quillman said after her forensic audit of the budget, she will talk to the unions to gather trust and level the playing field. Quillman said: "I believe our unions will come together because they love this city as well."
Video of Quillman's speech:
Friday, March 25, 2011
Warren Dorris, Joliet Mayoral Candidate: "We need to make sure the jobs we got here are paying a decent wage, so people can support their families"
At the Informate/Get Informed Candidates Forum hosted by the Unidos Marketing Network--a locally owned business in Joliet--Warren Dorris explained why his experience makes him the leader Joliet needs. Dorris cited his work with the Rev. Isaac Singleton to reduce the gang problem on the East Side of Joliet. Dorris also said he has a vision for Joliet and he has a 100 day plan to work on the issues Joliet faces.
Dorris also said we need justice for the warehouse workers of America, which struck a chord with the Warehouse Workers for Justice--a Will County group that advocates for improved working conditions, pay, and benefits in the many warehouses to have been built in Will County in the last decade.
Watch Joliet Mayoral Candidate Warren Dorris discuss his qualifications and his positions on the city budget and other issues:
Dorris also said we need justice for the warehouse workers of America, which struck a chord with the Warehouse Workers for Justice--a Will County group that advocates for improved working conditions, pay, and benefits in the many warehouses to have been built in Will County in the last decade.
Watch Joliet Mayoral Candidate Warren Dorris discuss his qualifications and his positions on the city budget and other issues:
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Andy Mihelich: "We need to utilize the Latino business owners on Collins Street as an example of good entrepreneurship and use of private capital that creates jobs in the local neighborhood"
Will County News spoke with Joliet Mayoral candidate Andy Mihelich at the recent Informate, Get Informed Candidates forum held at the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish Banquet Hall in Joliet.
First, in regards to salaries of City of Joliet employees, Mihelich said that City of Joliet "salaries and fringe benefits have to be sustainable, they have to be the right size to meet the needs of the citizens of Joliet without a property tax increase."
Next, Will County News asked Mihelich what he thought of a recent report by the Warehouse Workers for Justice which argued that many jobs in area warehouses are temporary and do not offer benefits. Mihelich responded: "I don't consider a good job anything less than $10 dollars an hour with benefits. We should not promote, we should not incentive any project that pays less than $10 an hour."
Mihelich said that if elected, he would implement an aggressive economic development program to include an economic development commission which would promote Joliet as Joliet, not as a suburb. Mihelich also said he would create partnerships with local business groups and community resources such as JJC.
Mihelich said he would ensure minority contractor participation meets its goals.
Mihelich also said Joliet "needs to utilize the Latino business owners on Collins street as an example of good entrepreneurship and use of private capital that creates jobs in local neighborhoods."
First, in regards to salaries of City of Joliet employees, Mihelich said that City of Joliet "salaries and fringe benefits have to be sustainable, they have to be the right size to meet the needs of the citizens of Joliet without a property tax increase."
Next, Will County News asked Mihelich what he thought of a recent report by the Warehouse Workers for Justice which argued that many jobs in area warehouses are temporary and do not offer benefits. Mihelich responded: "I don't consider a good job anything less than $10 dollars an hour with benefits. We should not promote, we should not incentive any project that pays less than $10 an hour."
Mihelich said that if elected, he would implement an aggressive economic development program to include an economic development commission which would promote Joliet as Joliet, not as a suburb. Mihelich also said he would create partnerships with local business groups and community resources such as JJC.
Mihelich said he would ensure minority contractor participation meets its goals.
Mihelich also said Joliet "needs to utilize the Latino business owners on Collins street as an example of good entrepreneurship and use of private capital that creates jobs in local neighborhoods."
Joliet Mayoral Candidate Michael Marconi: "Stop Marketing Joliet as a tourist location, market Joliet as a place to make money."
Will County News spoke with Joliet Mayoral Candidate Michael Marconi at last night's Informate, Get Informed Candidate Forum at the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish Banquet Hall on East Jackson Street in downtown Joliet.
First, Marconi said more nightclubs and bars are not the way to bring prosperity to Joliet. Marconi expressed outrage at the recent fight outside an all-ages nightclub on East Cass street. Marconi said no matter how much is spent on banners and decorative lighting, no one is going to go downtown for business purposes until there are more policemen on the street and people feel safe.
Next, Marconi said Joliet needs to stop marketing itself for tourism because tourism connotes short-term stay. Marconi said, "our buildings are suited for commerce. Our roads and our skilled labor force make Joliet a place to make money, and we need to communicate that message--that Joliet is a place to make money--to businesses so they locate here and create jobs. Again, we first need to clean up downtown and make it safe."
Lastly, Marconi shared that on a recent trip to downtown with a family member, as his group was walking back to their car, they saw 3 cars getting parking tickets. Marconi said he would examine the city's parking ticket policies because he thinks if people get tickets while parked downtown, they are less likely to come back to do business downtown. Marconi said if you are trying to get people to go downtown and do business, you need to welcome them and give them encouragements to return downtown, not parking tickets.
First, Marconi said more nightclubs and bars are not the way to bring prosperity to Joliet. Marconi expressed outrage at the recent fight outside an all-ages nightclub on East Cass street. Marconi said no matter how much is spent on banners and decorative lighting, no one is going to go downtown for business purposes until there are more policemen on the street and people feel safe.
Next, Marconi said Joliet needs to stop marketing itself for tourism because tourism connotes short-term stay. Marconi said, "our buildings are suited for commerce. Our roads and our skilled labor force make Joliet a place to make money, and we need to communicate that message--that Joliet is a place to make money--to businesses so they locate here and create jobs. Again, we first need to clean up downtown and make it safe."
Lastly, Marconi shared that on a recent trip to downtown with a family member, as his group was walking back to their car, they saw 3 cars getting parking tickets. Marconi said he would examine the city's parking ticket policies because he thinks if people get tickets while parked downtown, they are less likely to come back to do business downtown. Marconi said if you are trying to get people to go downtown and do business, you need to welcome them and give them encouragements to return downtown, not parking tickets.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Unidos Marketing Network Informate/Get Informed Joliet Mayoral and City Council Candidates forum draws large crowd
Joliet mayoral and city council candidates met with citizens tonight at the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Banquet Hall on Jackson Street in Joliet. Organized and sponsored by the Unidos Marketing Network, the event gave citizens a chance to meet 1:1 with candidates as well as listen to candidates state their case and answer questions. Here are some photos from the event:  |
| Warehouse Workers for Justice at the Informate, Get Informed Candidates forum at the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Banquet Hall in Joliet, Illinois |
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| Informate, Get Informed Candidates forum at the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Banquet Hall in Joliet, Illinois |
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| Informate, Get Informed Candidates forum at the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Banquet Hall in Joliet, Illinois |
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| Informate, Get Informed Candidates forum at the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Banquet Hall in Joliet, Illinois |
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| Informate, Get Informed Candidates forum at the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Banquet Hall in Joliet, Illinois Here is a video of downtown Joliet from the Mt. Carmel parking lot on the night of the event: |
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