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On economic development . . . Of the three mayoral debates held so far this
campaign season, two of them — one co-sponsored by Downtown
Springfield Inc., another by the Greater Springfield Area Chamber of
Commerce — focused heavily on business issues in the capital city.
Although insiders say Ald. Bruce Strom may have struck out with a chunk of
the business community for pushing the citywide smoking ban, Mayor Tim
Davlin has been criticized at times for devoting too much of his time to
economic development.
Tim Davlin
• The buck stops
where? — During Davlin’s
first term, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum opened, the
boundaries of the medical district were established, construction began on
the city’s $500 million power plant, and several companies announced
major expansions. How much credit does Davlin get? And what about the
declining number of state employees and cuts at the 183rd Fighter Wing? • Easy for him to say — The mayor accuses Strom, a Republican, of being
unkind to business, pointing to Strom’s opposition to the part of the
Springfield Clinic’s expansion plan that included erecting an office
building over Sixth Street. But the mayor, who frequently abstains from
voting (except in the case of a tie) opted not to cast a vote for the
clinic expansion, although he has voted yes on several controversial zoning
issues, including a proposed strip mall at Iles Avenue and Koke Mill Road
earlier this year.
Bruce Strom
• This is why
he’s hot — Strom counters
Davlin by enumerating the developments he’s supported over the years,
including Southwest Plaza, Prairie Crossing, and Park South. Nevertheless,
despite having sided with homeowners in the fight against allowing Wal-Mart
to move to Wabash Avenue, Strom’s west-side ward is the most rapidly
expanding one in the city, prompting an effort by a fellow alderman, Frank
Kunz of Ward 3, to propose establishing a western border. • Dangerously close
to not having Dippin’ Dots —
While he was serving as president of a neighborhood association in the
1970s, Strom says, members of the group were concerned about a little
problem about to start up, known as White Oaks Mall. This, he says,
launched his career in politics. “If White Oaks Mall hadn’t
been built, I wouldn’t be an alderman,” Strom says.
Citizens decide elections. For this reason, from now
until Election Day, we will let candidates explain in their own words where
they stand on issues that matter to you. Let us know your issues. Contact
R.L. Nave at rnave@illinoistimes.com.
This article appears in Mar 29 – Apr 4, 2007.
