Kent Randle, candidate for City Council Ward 3 in Belleville, IL
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More on the election for Belleville City Council Ward 3
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Name: Kent Randle
Political party (if applicable): Independent
Age as of April 6, 2021: 66
Campaign website or social media page: Facebook - Vote Kent Randle Ward 3
Office seeking: Alderman Ward 3
Are you an incumbent? Yes
Previous offices sought: Alderman Ward 3
Occupation: Business consultant for large financial institution
Education: B.S. political science, Illinois State University
Please list highlights of your civic involvement: City Council member, working across four different committees as well as with department heads to represent the interests of Ward 3 residents. Former coach Belleville Boys Football Club, Volunteer at Belleville Oktoberfest and Belleville Chili Cook-Off
Who are your top three campaign contributors? I am self-funded.
Why are you running? I’m committed to Belleville and Ward 3. The revitalization and preservation of our neighborhoods is and has always been my goal. We have a so many streets in need of repair and as a member of the Streets and Grades Committee I’ve worked hard to secure as much funding as we can get to address the issues we deal with daily.I’ve been able to get several streets resurfaced, flooding issues resolved (South 29th Street), and I’ve submitted so many others to receive attention. I’m encouraged by the prospect of a number of improvements this next fiscal year with Ward 3 included in the City’s Region 2 Road Map, the focus for 2021/2022. I think folks will agree, Ward 3 is due!I want you to be able to stand at your front door, look out and know I cared enough to work on your behalf to improve the character of your neighborhood. That’s the commitment I made and continue to work towards.
What is the top issue in your race, and how would you address it? Remaining as an independent voice on the City Council is vitally important. As a business consultant and analyst, I bring a different skill set to the table. I see my role as more than just giving a nod of approval, it’s about learning as much as possible on issues where taxpayer dollars are being spent. My analytical approach directs me to look for information and how other factors might affect a situation before making a decision. Sometimes my research and concerns warrant my opposition as I don’t believe it is in the best interest of taxpayers.
Why should people vote for you? Personal responsibility is a commitment to honesty and integrity. I operate by a core set of values that define what I believe and who I am. You can trust I will always be honest with you. You may not always like the answer you get, but you’ll know you got an honest answer.When you contact me or leave a message, you will get a response. If you leave a voice mail, send an email or someone else contacts me on your behalf, I respond.
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? The short answer is yes. The fact is the City is between a rock and a hard place. Extending TIF 3 staves off a possibly significant increase in our tax levy that would have to cover the absence of TIF 3. In the current environment, with so many people suffering both the physical and economic hardship inflicted by the COVID-19 pandemic, I do not see a substantial increase in our tax levy as a viable alternative.TIF 3 has been around for almost two generations. For 35 years it has been an instrument for both good as well as some questionable means. I have spoken out against what I believe were transgressions against its purpose. For 16 plus years, roughly half of TIF 3s existence, Mayor Eckert has made use of TIF 3 according to his wishes. What has been woefully shortcoming is an economic plan for weaning this City off its addiction to Tax Increment Financing and moving us in the direction of a self-sustaining economy.
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? Without question, Belleville’s hospitality industry and other small businesses have been brutalized by the COVID-19 pandemic. As someone who previously worked in the bar and restaurant business and with family members that continue to work in the venue, I am acutely aware of the negative impacts of COVID-19.I believe the City’s response has been measured given we were made part of a larger approach by Governor Pritzker and his staff who seemed unresponsive to requests by municipal as well as county leaders to alter course in the face of competing evidence.One of the things my family and I have done is to stay local. We’ve supported our local businesses in Ward 3 by ordering take out. Supporting businesses like Geo’s Wings, Spike’s Pub and Grub, Mi Casa and of others around town is just one small way of letting these business owners know we stand with them. I’ve also been an active participant in the local food pantry drives held by McIlravy’s Irish Pub. That said, I do wonder what else the City might be able to offer residents from its General Assistance Fund?
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? Public Safety is the first priority for any administration. The officers representing the Belleville Police Department do the best they can to ensure the safety of this City. First and foremost, the police deserve our respect and thanks for the job they do each and every day.Keep in mind, our department reacts to calls, responds to the situation and address reports repeatedly each shift. It’s constant and never ending.Of course, we need more officers. We are not operating at the level we should be and we need to get fully staffed. This has to be addressed through the budgetary process. People want to feel safe about leaving their house at night whether to get gas or groceries.If we can make a commitment to policies that increase public safety throughout the City, we can rebuild a community where good people want to live and raise their families. Visibility is key and greater numbers will help increase visibility.
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 is key to a thriving community. A growth component is paramount to our success.Part of our approach must be to secure our foundation. That requires us sitting down with our existing business partners to identify their concerns, their needs and ideas for growth. We need to aggressively pursue new business interests by marketing and selling the advantages Belleville has to offer. We need to do a much better job of outlining our current strategies for growing in an organized fashion versus what we’ve been demonstrating.If we are truly going to attract a healthier economic landscape, we must provide new residential opportunity. The resources are available to deliver attractive developments within a stones throw of downtown St. Louis, as well as downtown Belleville. New rooftops will bring in sorely needed enterprise to support skilled labor and venues people want to spend their discretionary dollars.Increasing our median income equates to increased revenues to the City, allowing us to do more to improve our core neighborhoods and strengthen Public Safety. Better Decisions Drive Better Results.
This story was originally published February 24, 2021 at 11:32 PM.