Teresa Hessel, candidate for City Council Ward 1 in Belleville, IL
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More on the election for Belleville City Council Ward 1
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Name: Teresa Hessel
Political party (if applicable): Running as an independent
Age as of April 6, 2021: 52
Campaign website or social media page: Teresa Hessel Ward 1 (facebook)
Office seeking: Ward 1 Alderman
Are you an incumbent? No
Previous offices sought: I ran for Ward 1 alderman several years ago.
Occupation: ISA certified arborist
Education: High school and some college
Please list highlights of your civic involvement: - I was on the Belleville 200 planning committee for the activities that took place in 2014, of which I was the chairperson for the Weekend Celebration that took place downtown. - I volunteer every year at the Daddy Daughter Dance- I am on the board of Parks and Recreation - I was a volunteer at the YMCA teaching swimming lessons- I am on on the Gingerbread Committee. We plan the Gingerbread Contest and the Cookie Walk. - Volunteered for Paint the Town- Girl Scout leader- President (past) of the PTO at Jefferson Elementary- Chairperson for the Belleville East Marching Lancers Invitational
Who are your top three campaign contributors? Mike Heisler, Ken Kinsella, Maurice Hessel
Why are you running? Ken Kinsella, who has been Ward 1 Alderman for years, is not seeking reelection. I am running to fill his position and carry on his commitment to serve the constituents of Ward 1. I believe strongly in serving my community and being civically involved. When you know your town, you are better able help your neighbors and strengthen your community. I want to be the point person for my neighbors, to help them answer their questions and solve their problems. I want to strengthen Belleville by supporting policies that make our town safer, inclusive for all, and a community where people want to raise their families.
What is the top issue in your race, and how would you address it? I have been speaking to my neighbors in Ward 1 and safety and crime are their number one concerns. To help constituents address these issues I will help to establish and strengthen existing Neighborhood Watch Groups and work with the City to ensure regular patrol by BPD. I will also work to correct code violations in neighborhoods and eliminate derelict properties.
Why should people vote for you? I am committed to working hard for the residents of Ward 1. I do not profess to have all of the answers but I will work with residents and the City to find solutions to issues.
Belleville Tax Increment Finance District 3, or TIF 3, is expiring this year. Do you agree with the proposal to extend the expiration date for another 12 years? Why/why not? Given the current status of our community and world for that matter, where we are all struggling with the repercussions of COVID, be it personal or professional, I think extending the TIF is prudent. We need to keep programs in place that will allow us to continue improving our community while we recover from the impact COVID has had on our homes and businesses. TIF #3 provides the revenue necessary for infrastructure improvements and redevelopment projects.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating effect on parts of Belleville’s economy. How would you grade the city’s response and, if you are elected, what would you do to help businesses and residents? COVID has been hard. There is no sugarcoating that. Belleville’s response has been great and in line with the recommendations of the State and County Health Departments. Citizens have really stepped up to the plate in following guidelines while still doing their part to support restaurants and other businesses in our town. The proof of that is in the opening of new businesses and expanding businesses in the midst of the pandemic. My part, as an elected official, will be to listen. Listen to the residents of Ward 1 and the businesses of Ward 1, hear what it is that they need. Then take those needs to the City and find ways to help. Coming together as a community is what makes us stronger. As an alderman of Ward 1, along with Joe Hazel, that is our job. We will work as a team with our constituents and the City to strengthen our City and Ward, fostering recovery from the COVID pandemic.
What is your opinion of how the Belleville Police Department handles public safety in the city? Do you think the city needs more or fewer police officers? If you want additional officers, how would you fund that cost? Belleville’s Police Department does a fantastic job. The officers are professional and attentive. I believe they do a difficult and stressful job, day in and day out, with integrity. Could Belleville use more officers? Of course that answer is yes. What municipality couldn’t use more officers? At this point, I’m not sure how more officers could be funded. But, as an Alderman for Ward 1, I would explore means of funding (with my fellow Aldermen), and if plausible, bring that to City Council.
Belleville has offered various tax incentives to support businesses in recent years. What are your plans to increase economic development in the city and how would you use tax incentives? I do not believe there is a blanket answer to this question. Each opportunity needs to be looked at individually to determine which incentive is best used. Be it sales or property tax abatements, public improvements via TIF districts, or financial inducements to private enterprise via tax increment financing. Study and research needs to occur to determine if the opportunity presented is worthy of the tax incentive that Belleville can offer. It is possible, after due diligence, the determination be that no incentives are offered. The necessity of taking each opportunity individually will help to ensure that when incentives are offered, the business or other improvement will be set up for optimal success. The last thing we need to do is be flippant with incentives and end up with vacant properties or folding businesses. That said, economic development is necessary for the forward movement of the City. We should be in a constant state of seeking new opportunities and inviting commerce into Belleville.
This story was originally published February 24, 2021 at 6:15 PM.