Jeremy Plank, candidate for city council in Wood River, IL
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More on the election for Wood River City Council
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Name: Jeremy Plank
Political party: Not applicable
Age: 44
Website: www.jeremyplank.com and www.facebook.com/PlankWoodRiver
Office seeking: Wood River City Council
Are you an incumbent? No
Previous offices sought: Madison County Auditor - 2012, Wood River Township Clerk - 2009
Occupation: CPA & Certified Fraud Examiner
Education: Bachelors in Science - Accountancy, Masters in Business Administration - Both from SIUE, Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Studies - North Central University, Minneapolis MN
Please list highlights of your civic involvement.
Chairman, Madison County Flood Prevention District; Chairman, Madison County Republican Party; Coach, Junior Bible Quiz; Church volunteer; Alton warming center volunteer; Former Board Member at Thrive
Why are you running?
As a CPA and Certified Fraud Examiner, Wood River’s finances alarm me. City officials approve budgets with deficit spending while raising taxes and fees, without providing better service for residents. In the last 6 months alone, the city council outsourced our water billing, resulting in incorrect bills that are as much as 130% higher; raised taxes on residents by expanding the business tax district; and raised property taxes by 4.99%. This is the wrong way to govern. At a time when the state continues to pick our pockets for every dime possible, we have to rely on city government to tighten its belt and help grow our local economy. That’s not happening in Wood River, and it’s time for change. In addition to improving its financial position, Wood River must increase its level of transparency and fix neighborhood flooding. I am the only candidate with a transparency plan, “A Transparent Wood River,” available for viewing on my website, jeremyplank.com. As Chairman of the Madison County Flood Prevention District, I am uniquely positioned to fix the neighborhood flooding issue that lowers our property values.
What is the top issue in your race, and how would you address it?
Wood River city officials do not listen to the people they represent. When the current mayor and city council made secret plans to tear down the historic Roundhouse, I led the effort to put the issue on the ballot to ensure voters had a voice. While city officials continue to ignore questions at city council meetings and refuse to post information online, I released a transparency blueprint to make Wood River government more responsive and accountable. I will use my experience as a CPA and Certified Fraud Examiner to correct the financial problems of Wood River, and always ensure our city’s priorities reflect the will of the people we represent.
Why should people vote for you?
As a CPA and Certified Fraud Examiner, I know city governments can avoid financial problems by active citizens scrutinizing the city’s financial records. I am well-positioned to ask the right questions of city officials and to bring transparent accountability to city council decisions.
This story was originally published February 25, 2021 at 10:14 AM.