Ed Bessner: Candidate Profile

Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: St CharlesWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: St. Charles AldermanAge: 46Family: Married to Sue Bessner Three Children: Eddie (16), Eleanor (12) and Ethan (9)Occupation: Key Account Manager for Southern Wine and Spirits of IllinoisEducation: BS Management Degree Northeastern Illinois University (Chicago)Lane Technical High School (Chicago)Civic involvement: 2.5 Years Boardmember (Treasurer and President) Traditions at Harvest Hills Homeowners Association.2.5 Years St Charles Plan Commission as a member and Vice Chairman.4 Years as Current 5th Ward Alderman with the City of St Charles.Elected offices held: City Council, St Charles, IL 2007-2011Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Continued Responsible and Balanced Growth.Key Issue 2 Maintaining the most optimum level of services that the residents of St Charles expect and deserve and carefully balancing this with the overall economic instability that we face locally and nationally.Key Issue 3 Candidate did not respond.Questions Answers Explain whether you or do you not support the construction of the Red Gate Bridge project and the funding mechanism the city has established for its construction?The Red Gate Bridge project is in the engineering phase. There will be future action needed by the St Charles City Council regarding the actual construction of this bridge. At this point in the project, I see no reason to cease the engineering phase. The Red Gate Bridge will not only reduce traffic congestion, but it will also change the logistics of movement from both sides of the Fox River for the Fire Dept, Police Dept, St Charles School Dist 303 Buses and residents in general.How should the old St. Charles Mall property be redeveloped, if at all?The St Charles Mall property needs to be developed with projects that are less dense, that can provide needed sale's tax revenue and addresses resident's input in regards to maintaining the character of the surrounding residential area.Do you support the current vision new ownership has for Charlestowne Mall? What should the city do to help the vitality of the mall and the attractiveness of the Oliver-Hoffman property?Candidate did not respond.The city is projected to finish the fiscal year with a small budget deficit. What, specifically, must the city do in the next fiscal year to avoid a deficit? Would you support the creation of new taxes to shore up the budget?Candidate did not respond.Explain your reasons for whether you do or do not support the creation of a stormwater management fee or tax in St. Charles to create funds to address flooding problems?Candidate did not respond.