Suzanne Pusa, candidate for City Council Ward 3 in Belleville, IL
READ MORE
More on the election for Belleville City Council Ward 3
Expand All
Name: Suzanne Pusa
Political party (if applicable): Independent
Age as of April 6, 2021: 49
Campaign website or social media page: https://www.facebook.com/SuzannePusaWard3/
Office seeking: Ward 3 Alderman
Are you an incumbent? No
Previous offices sought: None
Occupation: Sr. business analyst at Washington University
Education: Studied education at SIUE
Please list highlights of your civic involvement: School Board at St. Mary’s School 2006 Dorchester Swim Board member Dorchester Swim Team Board member Active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church
Who are your top three campaign contributors? Still developing, Dave Pusa Sr. Dave Pusa Jr. Self
Why are you running? Service is a tradition in my family. My mother and father have both served as alderman in Belleville in Ward 2 and my Uncle Gabby after retiring from the police force was an alderman in Ward 3. I’ve lived in Ward 3 since 1999, after the birth of my son. My husband, Brian Soehnlin, and I raised our two children here. Ward 3 includes several great businesses and neighborhoods. I would like to see continued infrastructure projects, as we all as the continuing the streetscape project extending along Main Street.
What is the top issue in your race, and how would you address it? Ward 3’s top issue is infill development. We have some great neighborhoods and small businesses, but also need to fill those that have become vacant. I support continuing pilot projects to help revitalize derelict properties in our neighborhoods and redevelop commercial properties that have become unoccupied. I will also work to continue infrastructure improvements, like those we have seen on North 39th and 42nd Streets.
Why should people vote for you? Public service is in my DNA. I know how important it is to serve the people of Ward 3 and make sure their concerns are addressed in a timely fashion. I am a lifetime Belleville resident, and I have spent my last 22 years in Ward 3. I love living here and want to use my professional experience, including nearly 25 years as a business analyst, to make Belleville even better. I believe in Belleville and I would be honored to serve the residents of Ward 3.
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? TIF 3 contributes about $3 Million annually for important infrastructure and economic development projects. Ward 3 has benefitted in the past from projects that have used TIF incentives. Finding a replacement for these funds or finding additional funds during the economic downturn will be difficult. The city needs to keep moving forward, so I would support extending it.
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? The city has offered businesses assistance with COVID-19 relief grants and providing free masks for the residents. Before winter, the city closed streets to allow businesses additional seating. I would like to see a continued accommodation for businesses, as well as support for our community business organizations to promote Belleville businesses. The City should also continue working with the Chamber of Commerce to market Belleville and our community businesses.
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? A strong, community police force is the foundation of any successful community. Belleville is fortunate to have such a force. Like most residents, I appreciate seeing our officers on patrol and staffing downtown festivals and parades. We would all like to hire additional officers, but we also need to work within the City’s budget and act in a fiscally responsible manner when hiring. I think the current number of officers is working well, considering the current economic climate.
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? Economic development comes from creating a community where people want to be. Belleville has done a great job of this by revitalizing the heart of the City downtown. I would like to see these efforts continue West into Ward 3 and beyond. It’s also important that we offer incentives that have a high return on investment or are a strategic catalyst for additional development. Because of the current economic downturn, the city needs to use all the tools available including TIF 3, grant funding, enterprise zones, infrastructure improvements, etc., and continued assistance from the economic development office to support our businesses.
This story was originally published February 24, 2021 at 11:33 PM.