Candidates for Elgin City Council 2013
3 March 2013
Elgin Illinois
27 Comments
Graveyard (Photo by The Elginite).
All candidate profiles have now been published. These are the people running for Elgin City Council in the year 2013. The election will be held on April 9th.
Candidates for 2-year city council seats:
Candidates for 4-year city council seats:
- John Prigge
- Rosemarie Kahn
- Richard Dunne
- Mitchell Esterino
- Terry Gavin
- Robert Gilliam
- Tom Armstrong
- Cody Holt
- Carol Rauschenberger
A large number of candidates were eliminated in the primary election on February 26th. Other candidates that do not appear on this list did not complete a survey and may have dropped out of the race.
Voters will choose one candidate to fill a two-year term and four candidates to fill four-year terms. A total of five seats–a council majority–is up for grabs.
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Dee Beaubien, wife of the late Republican Illinois Rep. Mark Beaubien comments on Craig Dresang:
“I’ve worked with Craig and know him personally. He would be an excellent councilman for Elgin because he would work to represent ALL the residents of Elgin. From my experience, he’s the kind of person you want in public service . . . someone who applies common sense and works hard to get results.” Mark Beaubien was a longtime Republican lawmaker known for being nonpartisan and called a ‘consummate gentleman.’
Dee is a board member of JourneyCare, and advisory board member of Mano a Mano Family Resource Center, Barrington Area Council on Aging, and Barrington Youth and Family Services.
A man of low integrity - uses an endorsement from a non-Elginite liberal widow of a dead non-Elginite obscure republican!
The Elgin Association of Firefighters 439 has endorsed Craig Dresang for ELGIN City Council.
A union representing employees of city of Elgin government endorses the candidate who was quoted by the Daily Herald as saying ‘it is a misnomer to say property taxes are too high’.
What a shocker. Property taxes can NEVER be to high when it comes to paying off taxpayer funded union employees. Just ask councilman Dunne who retired last year on his 51st birthday with an annual Elgin taxpayer paid pension of $57K.
A person of integrity might recognize the inherent conflict of interest in accepting an endorsement from a union representing taxpayer paid government employees. Are you representing “ALL the residents” or just the taxpayer paid employee residents!
My vote is going to Toby Shaw for the two year council position.
Toby is a family man with four children and a lovely wife. I believe he understands the pressure that the taxpayer’s budget is under these days and will work in the interest of the taxpayers of Elgin.
With Toby having served on the 2011 Budget Task Force and attending many city council meetings Toby has the intelligence, work ethic, and values needed to serve all the taxpayers.
Web: http://www.votetobyshaw.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/votetobyshaw
Twitter: https://twitter.com/votetobyshaw
E-mail: votetobyshaw@gmail.com
Phone: 224.325.5217
Wow, Dee Bueabien is the angry lady that wasted a million dollars on dishonest negative ads against David McSweeney last fall. Craig, I wouldn’t be so proud of that endorsement.
Congratulations Craig. Since most Elgin residents are likely unfamiliar with Dee Beaubien, I encourage everyone to learn more her at http://deeliberal.com/
Thanks Drew! I certainly would not want an endorsement from Dee Beaubien.
The Daily Herald Editors Board for the 4-year seat endorsements are in - enjoy.
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20130308/discuss/703089934/?interstitial=1
My vote is going to Toby Shaw for the two year council position.
Toby is a family man with four children and a lovely wife. I believe he understands the pressure that the taxpayer’s budget is under these days and will work in the interest of the taxpayers of Elgin.
Having served on the 2011 Budget Task Force and attending many city council meetings Toby has the work ethic needed to serve us taxpayers.
In closing, I feel Toby shares my taxpayer and family values and perspective, has a good grasp of the issues at hand, and will work diligently for the down trodden Elgin taxpayers.
Toby Shaw for 2 year council position.
SUPERSIZING YOUR FOUR YEAR VOTES.
Because this is an “election at large” the top vote getters are the ones that win. This makes it extremely difficult for a challenger to get elected because many challengers will have voters that are passionate about getting the challenger elected BUT do not realize that when they use their other votes to vote for others usually they will vote for a popular incumbent. Since there are so many challengers who have voters that will vote for the many different challengers along with a popular incumbent the incumbent is naturally inclined to be one of the top vote getters.
YOU CAN SUPERSIZE YOUR VOTE AND NEGATE THIS “ELECTION AT LARGE” ADVANTAGE. Just vote for the challengers and possibly the one other incumbent that is a friend of the tax payer.
I want a more pro tax payer council majority so I definitely have to vote to return incumbent COUNCILMAN JOHN PRIGGE to office.
I feel challengers TERRY GAVIN and CODY HOLT would vote along the lines of COUNCILMAN PRIGGE so there go two more votes.
I am not sure of another challenger to vote for and because of the “election at large” effect I can’t vote for another popular incumbent as that would lesson the chances of TERRY GAVIN AND CODY HOLT to be elected because of the “election at large” effect.
So for what it is worth, I would suggest the taxpayers of Elgin consider voting for COUNCILMAN JOHN PRIGGE, CHALLENGERS TERRY GAVIN AND CODY HOLT for a better tax payer voice on the council.
SUPERSIZING YOUR VOTES WILL HELP THE CHALLENGERS GET ELECTED.
For the two year vote TOBY SHAW IS THAT VOICE.
Thank you for reading and your consideration of this voting tactic.
Clarence please help me better understand this “supersizing” strategy you are touting.
If I vote for Prigge, Gavin and Holt and they win along with Shaw that will give the council four members whose views are more aligned with those who feel the current council has made mistakes. But four still won’t be a majority.
There needs to be a fourth candidate we can vote for. Based on mailings it has to be either Rosemarie Kahn or Andrew Cuming. Or am I wrong?
SIE,
You are correct and I don’t know the other two well enough to endorse anyone else. Please go with whoever of the challengers you think fits the proper profile.
Also, if we don’t get a full tax payer friendly majority this election hopefully we will build on what we get and in two years get the majority.
One of the biggest points to my strategy is to avoid voting for a challenger and then give a vote to an incumbent other than Councilman Prigge (who we need to anchor a new majority). If every challenger’s voters do that the incumbents we don’t want to win will all get the most votes.
Thanks for pointing that out!
Elgin Spirit’s Live Tweeting of the City Council Candidate forum begins at 2pm, follow #Elgin2013 via twitter to join in the conversation or join us in person at Zion Lutheran Church! There is a Spaghetti dinner post forum that is open to all!
http://elginspirit.com/2013/03/live-tweet-march-9th-city-council-candidate-forum-swangpa/
I would just like to state that I, Andrew Cuming, am still in the running for City Council for a four year term. Due to a family issue I was not able to return the survey in the short time offered and the instructions stated to not turn it in if late. Since then, I have contacted the Elginite to ask them to correct that I have not dropped out of the race, and have not heard back from them. Please go to my website http://www.Andrew4Elgin.com and see my positions. I believe in increased businesses in Elgin and lower taxes. We need to make Elgin easier to work with and more transparent. Please contact me with any comments or questions, I am happy talk any time.
-Andrew R. Cuming
Toby Shaw for sure.
Prigge
Gavin
Somebody convince me where to cast my third vote. A friend sent me a Cody Holt endorsement e-mail. Maybe.
One vote I would appreciate a vote from you. Let me know what I can do to help you decide whether or not you would like to vote for me. I can always stop by and talk to you before the election. Or you could even email me at elginitesforholt2013@gmail.com! I hope to talk to you soon.
If you support Shaw, Prigge, and Gavin, you should be voting for Cody Holt. He has shined a bright light on the sustainability plans of City Hall. Unlike other candidates who say they will be financially responsible, Cody Holt takes the next step in his platform and tells you how he will be responsible, which makes his campaign promise much less likely to be an empty promise. Holt, Prigge, Gavin, and Shaw are clear choices (am I undecided on the fourth candidate for a four year term).
Well certainly don’t vote for Rich Dunne. Did you see his campaign letter which came within the last week? Now mind you, here is a guy who 4 years ago pitched himself as a conservative. He is a Republican, and a couple of years ago it was rumored he was going to run for GOP State Rep. Now, in his campaign letter, he is pictured with Jessie Jackson and Tammy Duckworth! I know a couple of conservative people with his signs in their yards. I wonder if they know he isn’t the man they think they elected 4 years ago……
His campaign letter also says “Lowers property taxes”….. And of course he doesn’t tell you that he voted in December 2011 to create $10million in new taxes and fees. Yes Rich, you helped lower property taxes by $1million, but why not fess up to raising taxes and fees a NET of $9million? Or maybe in his foggy political speak is it possible that his line “Builds fiscal responsibility” means, hey chumps, I raised your taxes and fees by a net of $9million, but I won’t tell you directly, because you may still be mad about the trash tax on your MONTHLY water bill, along with your leaf rake out fee, your natural gas tax, your electrical tax, your increased sales tax, liquor tax…..
Of course we can also thank Bob Gilliam for all those new taxes too, so don’t vote for him either (or Anna, Tish or Steffen 2 years from now).
Chuck
The Daily Herald is reporting the campaign donations of Gilliam and Dunne. Both are union-heavy. No surprise there.
I’m sure the union money is to show their support for Dunne being a “fiscal conservative.” NOT!!
Now why would the Plumbers and Pipefitters union be donating to Dunne?
Because when Dunne gets the residential home sprinkler requirement passed oh how the plumbers will greatly monetarily benefit!
One might think, in the interest of honesty, integrity, and decency that Dunne would abstain from proposing discussing or voting on his NOW conflicted interest. But reality is the exact opposite - Dunne will propose, advocate, and vote for it.
But then on the other hand with Herb Weyers already threatening to sue the taxpayers in the event his house burns down because the city didn’t buy a Huey helicopter do douse his house, maybe we do need retro-fitted residential sprinklers systems - at least for Herb’s house!
A nice combination of the 2 worst elements of our body politic - crony capitalism buying politicians and taxpayers on the hook for every possible liability event happening to every single individual!
First of all, Paul who? Secondly, what’s the deal with a Huey helicopter? All I’m looking for is a vehicle that will reach the bulk of the properties in our city. I hope this beauty will reach your home as it sure won’t reach mine- or any of my neighbors. Maybe we’re depending on South Elgin and West Dundee’s 100′ units to cover our tails? Good Luck!
First of all, Herb Weyers who? Evidently fire fighting equipment expert extraordinaire Herb Weyers!
Secondly, what’s with threatening to sue to the Elgin taxpayers in the event your house burns down because, incredibly, it would be the EFD’s fault!!!! Seriously, WTF is up with that?
Thirdly, why query Prigge about EFD when councilman Dunne just retired from the EFD, assuming Dunne has any nads whatsoever and would have spoke up in the event the council was giving the OKAY for inappropriate EFD equipment?
Fourthly, do you suppose the EFD had any input whatsoever into the purchasing of EFD equipment or did the city council buy the equipment willy nilly?
Fifthly, assuming the EFD must have had some input, are they complete idiots at the EFD that they would allow completely inappropriate equipment purchases?
I’m as cynical as anyone when it comes to government but come on! At least direct your OCD to the retired EFD councilman.
Just make sure my Huey has a bell on it and plenty of gold leaf.
@Clarence I know I wouldn’t vote for an incumbent I felt hasn’t represent the citizens well, but obviously I can’t speak for other voters.
And as for getting a majority in two years I’m afraid if a majority that better understands the citizens isn’t elected now a lot of damage will be done in two years, the Rain Tax included. And as was eloquently stated in the Elgin Octave’s mailing, once a tax is put in place it usually never is removed.
One more thing Clarence. You say you don’t know the other candidates well enough, one look here should give you a pretty good idea of who else you should vote for to try to get that majority now. It’s a long shot, I doubt it will happen, but you never know.
http://www.stoptheraintax.org/
I would like to thank the Elginite for making me a more informed voter. I don’t give equal weight to all of the comments here, especially when I believe that the person deliberately tried to distort the views of another.
I appreciate that we have so many candidates running for office. These positions are not well paid, so it usually takes a special person to run for office. As such, I would prefer we be less eager to criticize candidates so freely - especially on a personal level. At the same time, it is appropriate to challenge people when we disagree with them.
Maybe it is just me, but I am not a fan of liberal v conservative labels - especially for local elections. I would prefer to live in a city with lower taxes, but I also believe that government spending (when done right) can sometimes improve the quality of our lives. There is a reason that people are moving out of rural areas and into the cities. As I see it, the trick is to be judicious in how we spend our tax dollars. As such, I am less likely to vote for people who I consider either extreme liberals or extreme conservatives. Fortunately, Elgin has fewer extremists than other places where I lived.