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To create this candidate's website, we
interviewed Scott Eisenhauer about why he entered the race for
office, his thoughts on some of the key issues in this year’s
election, and what he hopes to accomplish if elected:
Following is a transcription of our
question and his answers:
WEBMASTER: Let’s start with the
obvious question…..why are you running for Mayor?
EISENHAUER: It’s no secret that I have always wanted to
serve the city as its Mayor. Since I was a Junior in high school
and spent a day with Mayor Palmer in preparation for my summer at
Illinois Boys State, I have wanted to serve Danville in a leadership
position. I served as Alderman representing Ward 3 for five years
and truly enjoyed the opportunity to make a difference. Now I am
ready to take the next step and serve this city as its top elected
official.
WEBMASTER: So
this truly is a childhood dream. But why now?
EISENHAUER:
When Mayor Jones decided he would not run for re-election, I took a
long look at what the community needs now and whether my aggressive
philosophy could get the job done. I believe that the next four
years are extremely important to the future success of Danville, and
that an aggressive, proactive philosophy is exactly what is
needed. That’s how I knew now was the perfect time for my
candidacy.
WEBMASTER: So you have an
aggressive, proactive philosophy? Explain that.
EISENHAUER: I am a strong believer in planning. One of
the boldest steps this city took was to create the Strategic Plan,
and I am very happy to be an active part of that process. But it is
not just enough to write the plan…..you have to actively pursue the
goals and objectives outlined in that plan. We have done a good job
with that, but we can’t rest on our laurels. We also need to expand
the strategic planning process from just city-wide, to each
department individually. Every department must have a five-year and
ten-year plan for capital improvements, personnel, projects, and
budgets. These plans will keep us focused on the long range success
and not get caught up in the short term solutions. By planning
ahead, we are forecasting the problems now and solving them
mentally, physically, and financially before they become a major
dilemma. We also have to realistically look at what problems face
us now, or what problems may face us in the near future and
aggressively attack them before they attack us. My administration
will be proactive in defining the concerns and problems of tomorrow
and facing them today. That’s how you eliminate the snowball effect
that often plagues some businesses.
WEBMASTER: You mentioned you were
on the Strategic Planning Committee. What other city committees
have you served on?
EISENHAUER: Well, I served on the Danville City Council
from 1993 to 1998 before accepting a job with the Vermilion County
Emergency Management Agency and had to resign. While on the Council
I served as the Vice-Chairman of the Public Service Committee. I
also chaired several sub-committees during my five years including
the Summer-time Park Patrol Program which put police officers,
either on foot or on bicycles, in our parks during the summer
months. I have also served on the Strategic Planning Committee
since its beginning, and recently co-chaired the Public Health and
Safety Committee studying the health and safety concerns facing the
residents of Danville and future needs of the Danville Police and
Fire Departments.
WEBMASTER: Didn’t that committee
study the issue of banning leaf burning?
EISENHAUER: I knew it wouldn’t take too long to get to
that issue. (he laughs) That committee discusses very briefly some
alternatives to leaf burning, but the time schedule for the
strategic plan did not allow for a long term study of the issue.
Therefore, we suggested in the Strategic Plan that the issue be
studied at length by a City Council Committee.
WEBMASTER: So how do you feel
about the recent controversy regarding the placement of the
referendum on the ballot?
EISENHAUER: It’s unfortunate. I really applaud the efforts
by Mr. Ron Candido to see the Council’s wishes through and get the
referendum placed on a ballot. However, I must admit, from the
beginning, I was not in favor of putting this question on a ballot
for public input. Don’t get me wrong…..I think public input is
extremely important, but that is what the Aldermanic form of
government is all about. When the Voting Rights Act suit was filed,
one of the key elements was representation for all citizens through
the election of Alderman to represent the different areas of our
community. If any “polling” is to be done, it should be by the
Alderman contacting their constituents and casting a vote based on
their input. When I was an alderman I called different people in
my ward all the time to ask them for their input on certain
controversial issues, and they were always willing to give it. That
line of communication between the Alderman and their constituents is
the back-bone of this form of government and we can’t lose it. I
think when we place controversial issues on a non-binding advisory
referendum we start losing faith in the system, and I like the
strong aldermanic form of government.
WEBMASTER: Did you enjoy being an
Alderman?
EISENHAUER: I loved being an Alderman. And I think having
spent five years as an Alderman makes me appreciate the role they
play. Under my administration, I hope the Council Members will also
take a proactive role in the decisions we make for the city. I want
them to speak out, to offer suggestions, to disagree with me at
times and propose a different solution to the problem. Sometimes
Alderman don’t appreciate the fact that they pass the
resolutions and ordinances that govern this city……the Mayor merely
presents them, and votes only if there is a tie. Having a good,
active, progressive council is extremely important.
WEBMASTER: Why did you leave the City
Council?
EISENHAUER: I
accepted a position with the Emergency Management Agency. Since
the Council sometimes votes on resolutions that could affect the EMS
it was considered a conflict of interest, and I had to leave the
council.
WEBMASTER: What do you feel is the
most important issue facing the city right now?
EISENHAUER: I don’t know that you can say any one issues
is the most important, but I truly believe that neighborhood
revitalization is an extremely important issue right now. The
recent passage of the Telecommunications Tax was an extremely
important step towards the future of this community. We need to
earmark that money and make long range plans towards revitalizing
this city and its’ neighborhoods. And revitalization is more than
just tearing down dilapidated homes. We need to look at different
areas of town, or look at blocks in neighborhoods, and make
improvements before they become dilapidated and run down. Again,
this is where the proactive planning is essential. And
revitalization will have a domino effect. It will help it
continuing to build pride in this community. It will help in the
continuing efforts to build neighborhood organizations. And,
believe it or not, it will help in the efforts to bring retail,
industry, and businesses to Danville.
WEBMASTER: I hear you also have
some plans to involve the youth in the decision making process.
EISENHAUER: I was really surprised when I declared my
intent to run for Mayor, the number of people that were interested
in my idea of the Mayor’s Youth Council. But I have long been a
believer in the youth of our community, and think they have some
great input that we need to hear. My idea of a youth council is to
select 2 representatives for each ward from the three high schools
in Danville and have them meet periodically to discuss issues the
Council is considering and to bring up their own concerns and
suggestions. I think this will be a great learning experience for
both them, and us.
WEBMASTER: Do you have anything
else planned for the youth?
EISENHAUER: Actually, I would like to see the days of
Summer Youth Programs in the Parks return. One of the things I
enjoyed most were some of the summer activities we had in our
parks. We would play softball against the other parks, play
basketball, and even went on field trips. I would at least like to
try it to see if we can get the kids back in the neighborhood
parks.
WEBMASTER: Some are concerned that
you are not yet ready to be Mayor because of your age. How do you
respond to those people.
EISENHAUER: Well..in the first place some people think
thirty-nine is not very young....(laughs). Personally I look at my
age as an advantage, not a disadvantage. My age allows me a strong
work ethic and the energy to fulfill it. Besides, I think age is
truly irrelevant. If you look at the make up of City Hall now, many
of the department heads are my age or younger. If you look at the
political scene, elected officials from Congressman to Governors are
getting younger. Chief Executive Officers of major companies are
also getting younger and they are highly successful. I understand
when people say “with age comes wisdom”, but I also believe with age
comes some preconceived notions which I would not take to the
office. Experience is more important than age, and I think I have
enough experience to serve as Mayor. Also, because of my age I have
a different outlook on this city and have grown up in it through a
different era. The history of this community is fascinating to
study and we over the last twenty years have gone through some
significant changes. Because of that, our generation was the first
not to grow up in a significantly blue collar community, but now see
Danville split between blue and white collar workers. The economic
structure in Danville has changed, the goals and objectives of the
community have changed, and therefore the strategy has changed.
WEBMASTER:
Some also question your lack of administrative experience.
EISENHAUER: And those are people who do not understand my
background or my current position. I have heard people say that I
have never worked with a budget this big before, and yet I remind
them that as an Alderman I had considerable input on the city budget
for five years. Also, with my current position, I work with three
different budgets. Granted, they are not $30 million budgets, but
every budget regardless of size has similar issues—can you
realistically create it and can you stay within it. I can safely
answer yes to both of those issues. Also, I plan on utilizing the
“team concept”. No one person has extensive knowledge in every
aspect of city government, and the only way to be successful is to
surround yourself with a qualified team that shares your goals and
objectives. My strength will come in the ability to “captain” that
team and keep us focused…..the knowledge and expertise I will gather
from my teammates.
WEBMASTER: One of the
real issues and threats to Americans everywhere, and in our area
too, is the threat of Terrorism. What can you do for our city?
EISENHAUER:
Again pre-planning and coordination of all City, County, and State
Police, Fire and Emergency Agencies are essential. It is important
to monitor and improve our responses to any emergency on a
continuing basis. My prior experience as a Fire Fighter, and an
active role in an Emergency Management Agency, gives me a good
understanding of ongoing threats and proper actions in
emergencies....and a city's Mayor must step forward in leading
responses to any large scale emergency. In addition to my past
experience.,.... I recently became one of the first nine in the
State of Illinois to receive a Professional Emergency Managers
Certification having completed over 240 hours of training.
WEBMASTER: I wanted to conclude
by asking you about a statement made in your declaration……your
“philosophy” statement.
EISENHAUER: I was looking for something to hang on my
wall…..something that would remind me daily what my philosophy for
my campaign and administration would be and my boss reminded me of a
statement that I thought was perfect. It truly is the
statement that sums up how I feel and what I believe.
“Some people
see this city as it is and ask why……I see this city as it should be
and ask why not.”
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