Elgin mayor candidates disagree on leadership, development

The two candidates running for mayor in Elgin have different views on pretty much everything, from how to lead the city council to economic development and the arts.

Mayor David Kaptain, who's seeking a second term, and challenger Joseph Galvan will face off in the April 7 election.

Kaptain, 67, served on the council for six years in addition to several local committees and commissions over the years. Galvan, 58, who has not served locally, is on the board of Lutheran Social Services of Illinois and is a past regional director for the Midwest region of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Galvan criticized the mayor's leadership style, saying Kaptain doesn't communicate effectively with city council members, among whom he fails to build consensus.

“The problem is with leadership at the head of the table, which there is not,” Galvan said. “At meetings it's always one side versus the other.”

But Kaptain said his style is all about promoting public — not behind-the-scenes — discussion and giving a chance to all council members to air their views. “I encourage them to debate and have a conversation,” he said. “I don't lobby them about issues, but if they need more information, I'm always there to provide it for them. Some council members come to see me and others don't. I leave it up to them.”

Time to reassess?

Kaptain says he's satisfied with the city's approach to economic development, while Galvan says the city needs to reassess its strategy.

Elgin has a $275,000 yearly contract with the Elgin Development Group, a division of the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce, and a $135,000 contract with the Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin. Kaptain said he and city staff members also contribute to the effort.

“Together we work pretty well. We cover a lot of ground,” he said.

Director of Communications Kristine Rogowski, who was hired in January, will work on implementing a consistent marketing approach among the three entities, he said.

Galvan criticized that idea. “Communications is about communications. Economic development is about economic development,” he said.

Instead, Elgin should consider hiring an in-house economic development professional, said Galvan, who touted his own economic development experience in the late 1980s and early '90s in Franklin Park.

“But we don't need to hire people just to hire them. Looking at the budget and expenses always comes first,” he said.

Galvan also said Elgin should focus on attracting international businesses. “That should be a mantra,” he said.

The city needs to work alongside the real estate community to make Elgin more palatable, Galvan said, pointing to declining property values on the far west side, where he lives. Elgin recently was named No. 3 among family-friendly cities in Illinois by apartmentlist.com, Kaptain pointed out. He also said he's pushing city staff members to routinely review impact fees, which should be based on current land values. That should entice developers, he said.

Promoting the arts

The candidates also disagree on how much focus should be placed on promoting the arts, which Kaptain views as an economic engine for Elgin, especially downtown.

He pointed to a few arts-related businesses that cropped up after Elgin Artspace Lofts opened in late 2012.

Galvan said the arts should be only one portion of the city's vision for downtown. He downplayed Artspace, saying its residents don't have much disposable income to spend.

The $15.2 million project was funded by about $11 million in low-income housing tax credits, plus philanthropic donations. The city of Elgin contributed about $1 million and donated land.