A Public Hearing - An Empty House

In my writings, on the web page, facebook and this blog I often mention the level of disengagement between the city government and the public. Before I head out to stump in front of the Post Office today, I remembered something that I hadn't shared publicly yet.

On March 19th, at 6:00pm, there was a Public Hearing about the referendum on Electrical Aggregation held in the Council chamber at City Hall.  Briefly, aggregation means that the City would select an electricity provider and negotiate a price for all residents and businesses in Zion. Anyone who doesn't like the negotiated rate can opt out and choose their own provider.

Since it was a workday, I went right to city hall after getting off the train and arrived at 6:15 pm. I walked in and found the room empty, with the exception of the Council members; Flammini, DeTienne, Shantal Taylor, and Mayor Pro-Tem Jim Taylor presiding.  At the podium was a representative of NIMEC, Northern Illinois Municipal Electric Collaborative, the agency that will be brokering the aggregation process if the referendum passes.

I sat in the back as I usually do, just to observe.  I think one other person was in the audience.  The presenter finished answering questions from the Council members.  Mr. Taylor announced that the floor was open for public comment, and there being none, there was a motion to adjourn. That was it, the whole public hearing on a process that may determine what everyone in Zion will pay for electricity for the next two years.

Now, I can't fault the city for not providing notice to the public, the hearings have been announced at City Council meetings, posted on the city website, and published in the Zion Benton News.  All these notifications meet the requirements of the law on open meetings. The letter of the law is being upheld, but is the spirit?

The Sunday after that, I went to a gathering of some supporters of mine, and in the discussion I asked if anyone had been aware of the hearing about electrical aggregation.  None of them knew about the hearing, and these are people who are actively interested in the city and how it functions.  I think we have a lot of hard work ahead to get the public and the government talking to each other.

The next public hearing on Electrical Aggregation will be this coming Tuesday, April 2nd, 6:30 pm at City Hall. Self-governance requires us to participate in the process too. So, I encourage anyone who can to attend, even if it is just to listen and learn about what is being proposed. 

Get Out The Vote (GOTV) Information on the website

I've updated the website with information for GOTV as voting begins tomorrow.

Early voting starts March 25th, and we being the final push towards Election Day on April 9th. I've added a new page to the site, giving information on polling places and actions you can take part in between now and when the polls finally close. Go to: Get Out The Vote & Polling Places to learn more. If we want to bring change to Zion, we need to get voters to the polls. Every Voter is Important, and Every Vote Counts!

Outside the Post Office - A Candidate's View

As those of you who have been reading this blog, receiving campaign updates via email, or facebook are aware; today I was outside the Zion Post Office meeting voters and handing out flyer's. While the experience is still fresh in my mind, I thought it would be useful to record my impressions of the day.

The mission for today was, Basic Campaigning 101, meet the voters and get the message out.

You just need the stamina to stay on your feet for over four hours, keep your hands warm enough to not have to wear gloves (handling paper with gloves is nearly impossible), and greet every person coming out of the post office with the same enthusiasm as the first person who came out at 9:07 am. Luck was with me this morning, and I had a nice sunny day to be outside.

Physically, I think I did pretty well, though my left knee is sending me some nasty notes reminding me that I also spent three hours the day before going door to door.  Also, my face is now sunburned.

Overall, the impression I received was positive, and that makes me hopeful. For all the grousing about how coarse our society has become, at heart we are still a polite people. When greeted respectfully, most people will pause to listen, take the flyer, and say "Thank You" or "Good Luck" and then move on. 

Out of the 300 or so people I approached today, only two refused to talk with me because they had already decided to vote for another candidate. One man was so adamant that he had already decided who to vote for that he practically ran to his car to get away from me!

Some people did stop and talk with me; a gentleman asked how long I had lived here (17 years), a lady asked if I was related to the Fischer's in Winthrop Harbor (it's possible), and several asked if I am a Democrat or a Republican. I always remind them that it is a non-partisan election, and then I give them an honest answer. (If you want to know what that answer is, ask me and I'll tell you.)

Others expressed their frustration with how the city is being run, a few aired grievances over past conflicts with the Building Department, or a particular Commissioner. A few even said that they had read my Candidate Profile in the Zion Benton News and quite liked it. That last item makes me feel particularly good.

In the end, it was time well spent, and now I have a better appreciation of this time honored tradition; meeting people face to face, talking with, and listening to them is a requirement that must be met before anyone can presume to speak for them as their representative.
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Don't forget, early voting starts on March 25th, election day is April 9th.  I will be posting Get Out the Vote activities in the next few days, and if you believe that Zion needs a change, I am asking for your help to make it happen.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Christopher Fischer

Candiate Profile - Unabridged Version

Today's edition of the Zion Benton News features the profiles of the candidates for the office of Commissioner in Zion.  Of necessity, the version printed in the paper has been edited for space considerations.

For those who are interested, here is the full text that I provided to the ZB News.

Q1. What are your qualifications?

A1. Under the law, a prospective candidate must meet a basic set of standards in order to run for or hold a public office. The candidate must be of legal age, a registered voter in the district for the office being sought, have resided in said district for a period of one year, not owe any back taxes or other fees to the city, and finally ‘must not have been convicted in any court located in the United States of any infamous crime, bribery, perjury, or other felony’.  Another way to say it would be; a law abiding citizen who takes an active role in our participatory democracy.

I have been a homeowner and taxpayer in good standing since my wife and I moved to Zion in 1995. Also, I have served as a Lake County Election Judge since 2004. So, I satisfy those basic qualifications. Beyond that, I offer a brief summary of my experience and knowledge.

For the past thirteen years I have been employed in the Human Resources department of the American Medical Association in Chicago.  During my tenure, I have acquired good hands-on education not only in the technical aspects of employee benefits and compensation, but also in the various facets of people management required in a large, nationally prominent organization.

Prior to working at the AMA, I spent over a decade in the Private Security industry, often as an Account Manager.  As such, I had the responsibility ensure my staff performed their duties to the client’s satisfaction.  Those responsibilities covered everything from interviewing applicants, training staff, rating job performance, and on occasion terminating someone’s employment.

After graduating High School, I volunteered for the U. S. Army and served as a Military Intelligence Analyst.  My military training provided the basis for all of the technical and leadership skills I have developed since.  In addition, there are the invaluable lessons learned regarding the importance of; discipline, duty, honor, loyalty, and teamwork.

I believe that out of the sum total of my experience I can bring a set of organizational and management skills to the office of Commissioner that will serve the people of Zion well if I am elected.

Q2. Why are you running for office?

A2. I believe that as citizens in a democracy it is important to take an active role in our government, especially on the local level. Over the past couple of years I’ve observed what can best be described as an unfortunate level of dysfunction in the City Council.  I shared my concerns with other residents, and even wrote editorial letters that appeared in this publication that were critical of this behavior and urging changes to remedy it.  After much consideration, I determined that bringing change to the Council requires a change in the membership, and that it was my responsibility as a citizen to step forward as a candidate to bring about that change.

Q3. What do you think are the most critical issues facing the City of Zion right now?

A3. The critical issues facing Zion are the same as those faced by many municipalities today. Some of the most prominent ones are; crime, a crumbling civic infrastructure, the surplus of abandoned or foreclosed homes, slow economic growth, and the problem of maintaining essential city services during a time of rising costs and a diminishing tax base.

Q4. What do you hope to achieve if elected?  

A4.  A man I know, who is a life-long resident of Zion, once told me, “I used to go to the City Council meetings, but they never said anything, so I stopped going.” I think that statement is emblematic of the gulf that exists between the City Council and the citizens of Zion.   

I would hope to change that dynamic, to begin to bring the city government out of its remote, authoritarian past into a more open, responsive, and innovative future.

 

A declaration of good intentions, however sincerely made, is insufficient without plans and proposals to give them focus and direction. The challenges facing our city are often interrelated, and that while there is not a single answer to any problem, in the following platform are areas where I believe the City Council should focus their efforts toward improvements in the near term, and beginning long term planning for the future.

Near Term

 

·         Public Safety. Keeping the public safe in their homes and in their persons is perhaps the paramount duty of our city government. Our quality of life, the desirability of the city as place to live or work, and even the value of our homes and businesses are all directly affected by how well this task is accomplished. Making sure that our Police and Fire Departments are properly equipped and fully staffed with trained professionals is not a luxury, it is a necessity that we must support with solid funding.  Both departments have made great efforts to obtain grants and special funding in order to maintain services. This is commendable, but the City needs to step up and do its part for our first responders.

 

·         Economic Development. Encouraging new business ventures to come to the city is key to creating the revenue base that will support city services and help reduce the tax burden on homeowners.  That is why I publicly supported the approval of the Big Chicago Brewery.  A multifaceted development plan that brings in more niche industries such as the Brewery, and more light industrial projects such as the proposed biomass reactor project for Trumpet Park, is what is needed to move the city forward in this area.

 

·         Review Staffing and Resources. Tight budgets have already resulted in staff and service cutbacks, a trend that will likely continue into the foreseeable future. There should be a top-down review of all departments, independent of the budget process; focusing on resource allocation, implementing efficiencies, and reducing costs over the long term.

 

·         Revitalize Home Ownership. Housing stock currently comprises one of the largest assets of the City, and is the foundation of a living, growing community. Keeping it viable is of the greatest importance. The City should actively encourage; home improvements, infill development, and rehabilitation of existing properties. Modification of the Building and Zoning Codes may be required, a topic that is further explored in the Long Term planning.  Also, there should be a push to identify and promote state and federal programs to assist property owners with those efforts.

 

·         Rental Property Licensing and Inspection. The collapse of housing values has resulted in a corresponding increase of residential rental properties, often owned by absentee landlords or property management companies. Unfortunately, distance tends to foster an attitude of neglect, and proper maintenance is often exchanged for profit. A well-regulated program to register and inspect rental properties is vital in order to sustain the value of neighboring properties, and to ensure the health and safety of the tenants.

 

·         Abandoned Residential Property. The other aspect of the housing crisis is the increase in vacant properties, and the resulting negative aspects associated with them. Resources must be directed to identify abandoned properties, and making the lien holder accountable for the maintenance of that property.

 

·         Greater Transparency and Open Communication.  There should be an expanded use of social media to inform the public about the work being done on their behalf.  Documents such as Appropriations, and the City Budget should be made available on the City website for download. City Council meetings should be recorded and the highlights posted on the Internet. City Departments have already taken steps in this direction; the Council should do the same.

Long Term

·         A Renewed Comprehensive Development Plan.  In 1992 the City Council approved the 2010 Comprehensive Development Plan. As with most plans aspects have changed over time due to circumstances.

I believe it is time to make an overall reassessment of future development in the City. Some of the areas that an updated plan should address are:

 

o   Lakefront Development. Currently, the removal of the decommissioned Zion Nuclear Power Station is scheduled to be completed in 2020, just eight short years from now. Plans for the future use of that land must take into consideration; habitat preservation, recreational use, access to the neighboring State Park, and the hard fact that there will be a nuclear waste storage facility located there for the foreseeable future.  The lakeshore area has the potential to become a tremendous asset to the future growth of the City. If planning for the post-decommission phase hasn’t been started, it should become a top priority.

 

o   Review Zoning and Building Codes. The recent controversy surrounding the move of the Big Chicago Brewing Company to Zion is an example of the difficulties that arise when codes have become outdated. Homeowners can also find themselves hindered by restrictive standards and thus discouraged from making improvements to their property. An open review process which solicits input from the public could help identify problem areas and suggest possible remedies.

 

o   Civic Infrastructure. Maintaining aging buildings and the equipment necessary to keep them functioning can become a greater drain on the taxpayer than the financial investment in newer, more efficient structures.  In this time of economic distress, it is hard to imagine making such an investment, but plans that are made with careful consideration now will result in substantial savings in the future.

 

·         Encourage “Destination Driver” Enterprises. Unique cultural, entertainment, or recreational experiences attract visitors to the city, boost collateral spending, and provide local employment opportunities.  For example, the nucleus of such a driver might center on a new multiplex to replace the now shuttered Dunes movie theatre, an art gallery in the downtown business district, a recreation center, or even a unique restaurant.  The economic benefits resulting from investments that encourage culture and entertainment are well documented, and such an environment improves the quality of life for the community as a whole.

 

·         Leverage Regional Planning Resources.  The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (www.cmap.org) has as part of its charter the Local Technical Assistance Program (LTA), which provides planning assistance to local governments that apply for a project grant.  Our neighbors in Antioch recently obtained an LTA grant to develop a new bike and pedestrian corridor in the city. Other cities are using the LTA to create Comprehensive Development plans. If we are truly serious about planning for the Zion of the future, we should take advantage of every tool that is available to us, and CMAP could be very useful to us.   

 

In Conclusion

 

“Even small governments make big decisions”. It’s a concept that merits repetition. Government exists to provide services that we cannot accomplish as individuals.  The decisions that our public servants make today will have a real impact on our quality of life tomorrow, and for years to come.

The proposals I have laid out in this platform are starting points at best, perhaps they are the beginnings of an agenda to move Zion into the future.  I don’t claim to have the answer to every problem, but I do have an idea that bringing a fresh perspective to the City Council will put us on the path to finding those answers.   If you agree, I hope that you will support me with your vote on April 9^th.  

The Candidate Forum - A Brief Comment

Yesterday, I participated in the Candidate Forum for Zion City and Township offices that are up for election on April 9th.  The forum was hosted by the Zion and Winthrop Harbor Chambers of Commerce and the Zion Benton Public Library. Democracy relies upon an informed electorate, so a big thanks to them for putting this event together.

This was my first time ever participating in a Q & A event like this, so I admit that I was a bit nervous. The reviews from people in the audience afterward was that I did pretty well, I hope that the video of the event will confirm that.  The sponsors will be posting that video at www.zbguide.com , and I encourage everyone to take a look and let me know how I did, and if there are questions you would like to ask me,  just put them in the comments section here on the blog.

Now it's the next day, and I'm sitting here with a cup of coffee, checking my usual online news sources, and reflecting on the forum and how it went.

One thing stands out, one thing that really troubles me; neither of the incumbent Commissioners participated in the forum.

Lloyd DeTienne and Shantal Taylor both declined to attend, citing prior commitments.

 I received my invitation from Nann Blaine Hilyard, the Library Director on February 5th. ( I should mention that Nann did a great job as the moderator yesterday.)  Mr. DeTienne and Ms. Taylor must lead very busy lives indeed, if there is something on their calendars more important than explaining why people should vote to keep them in office.

Speaking of presenting yourself, I have accepted invitations to two upcoming events, the first, a meet and greet with voters hosted by the Zion Democratic Precinct Committeemen will be on March 22,  at 6:30 pm, at the Zion Park District on Dowie Memorial Drive. 

The second is the regular meeting of the Zion Township Republican Committee, at the Zion Benton Public Library, on April 1st at 7:00 pm. This event is just for the members and their guests. I am looking forward to meeting them and answering their questions.

Old School Advertising

Before I get to the topic: Reminder, the Candidate Forum will be this coming Saturday at the Zion Benton Public Library. The event starts at 1:30 pm.  Attend if you can, and bring a question. I look forward to seeing and speaking with you.

 

Now that there is less than 30 days to election day and early voting even closer, it's time to use some traditional media. So I've purchased some ad space...

Sneak Peek

Keep an eye on upcoming issues of the Zion Benton News, my campaign ads will be published in the March 21st and April 4th issues. Also coming soon in the ZB News will be my responses to their Candidate Questionnaire.

And using my own skills and a bit of sweat-equity, I put together a big sign to supplement my stock of yard signs. (Before anyone asks, I made sure that it meets the limits set by the sign ordinance.)

Showing off my work.

I did reposition it to better spot, after this picture was taken, if you drive past the corner of 173 and Ezekiel you can't miss it.

Speaking of yard signs, I have a lot to give out yet.  If you want to spread the news of the campaign, let me know and I will bring the sign to you.  Also, I have plenty of fliers in door hanger bags, ready to go for anyone ambitious to distribute them.

1000 Door hangers and 200 Signs

Update: The signs have arrived! Everyone who has requested one, I will get in touch with and drop them off with you this weekend.

Ready to Go

Door hangers

As of this morning we are just 38 days away from the election, and if you have read my previous posts you know that I will be attending various campaign events in March.  The one that I hope many of you will attend is the Candidate Forum at the Zion-Benton Public Library on March 16th, at 1:30 pm.

If you have been curious about what I have been doing the past week or so, aside from shoveling snow, just look at the image above.  I have been printing, cutting, and bagging 1000 campaign fliers for distribution.  The goal is to deliver these to homes across as broad a section of the city as possible in the next couple of weeks.

I haven't made a point of this before, but this really is a grassroots effort to raise awareness of the campaign, and the importance of the election.  I have not solicited any campaign donations, all the costs have been out of pocket, with the exception of those of you who have printed fliers at home using the DIY documents I posted on the web (and if you have been printing your own, Thank You!).

This distribution is distinct from the Door-to-Door Voter Outreach, as I am not looking to actually knock on doors, but focus on getting these out to homes, and hopefully get more people talking, supporting, and voting.

To really make this work, I am asking that anyone who can take some of these fliers and hang them on doors in their neighborhood to contact me at fischerforzion@gmail.com .  Whether you can take a hundred or a handful, it would be a great help.

 

Signs

The other project that I undertook this past week was to order yard signs, a requirement for any campaign.

Coming Soon!
They're Here!

 

The shipment of 200 signs should arrive in the next couple of days.  Anyone who wants to place a sign in their yard, email me so I can start a list and get them out to you. 

Fliers and signs are just tools, what I believe will really help in the end, is that everyone who reads these fliers, sees the signs, or looks up the website, will care enough about the city and it's future to talk about it with others.  If enough people start talking, then we can get them to act, and get them to vote!

I look forward to hearing from you.

Christopher Fischer