Bryan Whitaker, 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: Bryan Whitaker
Political party (if applicable): Independent
Age as of April 6, 2021: 37
Campaign website or social media page: https://www.facebook.com/Bryan-Whitaker-for-Belleville-Alderman-Ward-1-370700760154688
Office seeking: Ward 1 Alderman - City of Belleville
Are you an incumbent? No
Previous offices sought: 2019 Ward 1 Alderman
Occupation: St. Clair County assistant director of 911 and Emergency Management
Education: MBA in risk management
Please list highlights of your civic involvement: Southwest IL Development Agency Board member, IL Association of Public Safety Communication Officials Executive Board member
Who are your top three campaign contributors? Friends and Families for Belleville
Why are you running? I have recognized a need for a public voice on the City Council and I will be that person who will listens and provides feedback to the residents. We must focus on three key items that are in need of immediate attention and those are public safety, infrastructure and economic development.
What is the top issue in your race, and how would you address it? We need to work to restore our public safety agencies to the appropriate staffing levels. Our police department is severely understaffed and remains well below previous contractual levels. We must wisely invest in the department and appropriate allocate the resources.
Why should people vote for you? I have an extensive background in public safety along with much experience in budgeting and contract negotiations. I feel I would be a vital asset in moving the city forward and would approach all issues with an open mind and be willing to review all opinions to determine what is best for Belleville.
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? It would require a full evaluation of all things currently covered by TIF 3 and determination if those expenses would need to continue and what method of revenue would be used to replace TIF 3.
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? There should be ongoing public communication from the city regarding the impact and response of the city departments. Additionally, the businesses should feel comfortable approaching the administration with concepts and plans as to how to improve the impacts and work in a collaborative manner to restore any downfall.
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? The police department works well within the community with the manpower they have available. They are often responding call to call with minimal officers on the street and that causes great concern. We need to increase the staffing of our officers and ensure they are being assigned appropriately to the needs of the city. There would be a thorough review of all expenses to determine if there is any unnecessary or wasteful spending to make these modification.
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? The city needs a full-time Economic Development director who will focus solely on that topic. Tax incentives are useful tools to attract business, however, they must have reasonable requirements for the business and economic milestones that must be achieved to ensure there is equity in the investment.