Candidate Survey Results

Here are the results for our 2009 Candidate Survey. Candidates who submitted responses are linked.

Candidates for April 7, 2009 Election:

Mayor

Michael E. Lake (Cook County Clerk Memo)
Martin J. Moylan (website) (Cook County Clerk Memo)
Mark Thompson (website) (Cook County Clerk Memo)
Dick Sayad (website) (Cook County Clerk Memo)

City Clerk
Jennifer Tsalapatanis (website)
Gloria J. Ludwig (website) (Cook County Clerk Memo)
Patrice A. McDonough (website) (Cook County Clerk Memo)
Alderman - First Ward
Patricia Haugeberg
Peter R. Tatera
Michael Bausone (Cook County Clerk Memo)
Eugene Fregetto (Cook County Clerk Memo) (twitter)
Alderman - Third Ward
Michael Kochevar
Matthew Bogusz (Cook County Clerk Memo)
Wayne C. Elstner
Alderman - Fifth Ward
James R. Brookman
Daniel P. Winiecki
Alderman - Seventh Ward
Dan Wilson (Cook County Clerk Memo)
Joseph R. Kozenczak (website) (Cook County Clerk Memo)

Candidate Response: City Clerk, Gloria Ludwig

Click the title to read the full response.

1. Is the corner of Miner and Lee, site of the Choo Choo and Masonic Temple buildings, an appropriate place to build a police station and an appropriate use of TIF funds?

No, I do not believe that the corner of Lee and Miner Streets is the appropriate place to build a police station and an appropriate use of TIF funds. I believe that the Littelfuse property would be the best place for a police station. It would provide a secure section for alleged criminals, plenty of space for offices for the police officers, file cabinets, equipments, etc., and a secure section for the public. Also a sufficient number of parking spaces with storage for a variety of vehicles would be available. (I was graduated from the Citizens Police Academy in December, 2007 which was time well spent.) Apparently the current structure was not built to sufficiently house the Police Department to start with or did not provide room for expansion.

The Choo Choo should be saved. It provides not only a landmark or icon representing a part of the character of Des Plaines history, but provides enjoyment for all, young and old, residents and visitors alike.

What happened to the History Campus that was discussed some time ago?

2. Do you believe the Des Plaines Theater has the potential to act as a catalyst to attract more activity downtown?

Yes, I believe it does have the potential to be a draw for downtown. Perhaps trying another appeal to the public to become involved. I know this has been tried. I would like to see a variety of foreign films (Japanese, Polish, etc.) to make it multi-cultural based on the ethnic backgrounds within our community.

3. How do you think downtown can be made a more appealing and productive place?

I am not sure how to make it more attractive. I need more time to think about this issue. Obviously Metro Square is too well hidden from Miner Street. Making us look like another community is not the answer. We should enhance what is part of our history.

4. Do you support the creation of a Heritage Commission and preservation ordinance to identify, evaluate, and protect Des Plaines’ historic resources?

Yes, I support the creation of a Heritage Commission and preservation ordinance to identify, evaluate, and protect Des Plaines' historical resources. We also need to get our Mayor and Aldermen behind the effort for this would be for the benefit of all residents.

I was a member of the Board of Directors of the Des Plaines Historical Society for two years 2002-2004 and enjoyed doing what I could to help support their mission.

5. Do you support pursuing listings on the National Register of Historic Places for Des Plaines historic properties and districts, making them eligible for Federal tax credit programs?

Yes, I do support pursuing listings on the National Register of Historic Places and whatever processes are required to accomplish this. Making them eligible for Federal tax credit programs would be an excellent result.

I was a member of the Hanover Park-Ontarioville Historical Commission in the mid 1980's. We were able to obtain Block Grants and funding to preserve Ontarioville which dated back to the 1800's.

More information at the Cook County Clerk's Website
Gloria Ludwig's Campaign Site

Candidate Response: First Ward, Peter Tatera

Click the title to read the full response.

1. Is the corner of Miner and Lee, site of the Choo Choo and Masonic Temple buildings, an appropriate place to build a police station and an appropriate use of TIF funds?

No, I am against all TIFs.
Example: We build a mall & parking deck south of the tracks. Then we tear down the parking deck and turn the mall into a parking deck.
Now we build Metro Square with a parking deck and stores, half the stores are empty, and we are back to square one. This complex is another bad decision by the city.

2. Do you believe the Des Plaines Theater has the potential to act as a catalyst to attract more activity downtown?

No. The downtown area has been inactive for so long that people are not attracted to the area anymore.

3. How do you think downtown can be made a more appealing and productive place?

I never did consider this as downtown. It would be easier to convert Oakton to an area similar to Edison Park, where they have all the restaurants. Usually your Chamber of Commerce is in the downtown area.

4. Do you support the creation of a Heritage Commission and preservation ordinance to identify, evaluate, and protect Des Plaines’ historic resources?

Yes if privately funded, no if city funded.

5. Do you support pursuing listings on the National Register of Historic Places for Des Plaines historic properties and districts, making them eligible for Federal tax credit programs?

I have no idea about what historic properties and districts Des Plaines has.
This city has destroyed so much of the city with their TIFs.
Kinder Hardware is now a bank, one of the oldest buildings is now a Walgreens.
I would like to see a list of what you consider historical properties and districts before I make any decisions.

Candidate Response: Mayor, Mike Lake

Click the title to read the full response.

1. Is the corner of Miner and Lee, site of the Choo Choo and Masonic Temple buildings, an appropriate place to build a police station and an appropriate use of TIF funds?

I have always stated that it is inappropriate to have our Police station as the centerpiece of downtown. What message does that send?

2. Do you believe the Des Plaines Theater has the potential to act as a catalyst to attract more activity downtown?

Realistically- no. Not as currently constituted. An in-depth study of surrounding communities, their theaters and their successes or failures needs to be analyzed.

3. How do you think downtown can be made a more appealing and productive place?

When you drive west on the Northwest Hiway are you not impressed with the look of Mount Prospect and Arlington Heights. I am. It appears that those communities had a plan. I intend to communicate with others cities to find out what works and why. Same with what does not work. I plan to have a plan.

4. Do you support the creation of a Heritage Commission and preservation ordinance to identify, evaluate, and protect Des Plaines’ historic resources?

A heritage Commission is a great idea. Any input from knowledgeable citizens can only make our community better. I would explore the possibility of an ordinance for preservation. I am not sure what that would entail.

5. Do you support pursuing listings on the National Register of Historic Places for Des Plaines historic properties and districts, making them eligible for Federal tax credit programs?

Of course. Any assistance we can receive from State or Federal agencies would be desirable.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any further concerns. Thank you for this opportunity.

More information at the Cook County Clerk's Website

The Candidate Survey

Our first action as Revitalize Des Plaines! is a survey of the candidates for the April 7, 2009 election. Early voting has already started at City Hall. You can also register to vote absentee through the Cook County Clerk. VOTE!

Election information from the Cook County Clerk's office
Election information from Des Plaines City Clerk

Here's what we sent to the candidates:

Des Plaines has a rich heritage and is blessed with numerous historic resources; but has long neglected its past. Ongoing downtown revitalization efforts since the 1960’s have focused on specific projects rather than taking a comprehensive approach that includes historic preservation as a community development tool. Local government initiatives have been shown to be most successful in not only protecting historic resources, but in using their rehabilitation to stimulate the local economy and build community pride.

The recent public outcry over the proposals to build a police station on the site of the Choo Choo Restaurant has demonstrated that Des Plaines residents DO care about the past. Revitalize Des Plaines! (formerly the Des Plaines Theater Preservation Society) believes that with our city’s 175th anniversary approaching in 2010, it is imperative that Des Plaines begin work now to preserve its heritage for future generations and present day prosperity.

1. Is the corner of Miner and Lee, site of the Choo Choo and Masonic Temple buildings, an appropriate place to build a police station and an appropriate use of TIF funds?
2. Do you believe the Des Plaines Theater has the potential to act as a catalyst to attract more activity downtown?
3. How do you think downtown can be made a more appealing and productive place?
4. Do you support the creation of a Heritage Commission and preservation ordinance to identify, evaluate, and protect Des Plaines’ historic resources?
5 Do you support pursuing listings on the National Register of Historic Places for Des Plaines historic properties and districts, making them eligible for Federal tax credit programs?

Please submit a reply to this questionnaire by March 27 to RevitalizeDesPlaines@gmail.com. Responses will be submitted to the Des Plaines Journal.