I am very proud to list the businesses that I have used for my mayoral campaign. I have used union representatives at Bruce Meyer Printing in downtown Belleville as well as another union printer, Minton Signs (formerly Sikorski Signs). I have used Printmaster Printing and although it is not union, it is a Belleville business.

All my expenses (other than Internet related) have been in Belleville. How could anyone running for mayor of Belleville do business in a another community? "Buy Belleville First" is our community's battle cry, right?

Believe it or not, both of my opponents have chosen to take their business outside of Belleville. The Good Government Party has chosen to use a business in Collinsville as observed on its most recent marketing piece. The United Coalition Party

has taken its business to Freeburg as reported on their recent filing with state election board.

I find this simply unconscionable. How can either party try to say it is pro-Belleville and then take its money down the road just to be "thrifty"?

Every penny I spend in my campaign will be spent in "Belleville First" when possible. The business community deserves the respect and support of their elected officials. To do otherwise is a blatant disregard or the hard work, energy and commitment of Belleville's business owners and their employees. "Buy Belleville First" isn't just a slogan.

Phil Elmore

Alderman, Ward 7

Candidate for mayor

Belleville