Mark E. Walsten: 2023 candidate for Des Plaines City Council, Ward 6
Bio
Town: Des Plaines
Age on Election Day: 65
Occupation: Owner, Accurate Home Inspections NW Corp.
Employer: Self
Previous offices held: 6th Ward alderman, 2007-2015; acting mayor, Des Plaines 2015.
Q&A
Q: What is the most serious issue your community will face in the coming years and how should the city council or village board respond to it?
A: Crime in Des Plaines would be my top priority, I would support the city council to increase the police safety budget to reduce crime in Des Plaines.
Q: How would you describe the state of your community's finances?
A: Des Plaines financial debt has significantly decreased over the last 11 years. When I was alderman, we reduced city debt by 55 million dollars, I voted for the casino that has brought around 10 million a year for upgrading infrastructure projects and I voted for using another water source instead of Chicago that saved the city around 4 million dollars per year.
Q: What should be the three top priorities for spending in your community during the next four years?
A: 1.) Increasing police budget to reduce crime. 2.) Continuing upgrading aging city infrastructure. 3.) Increase efforts to revitalize downtown Des Plaines.
Q: What do you think is the right way to revitalize Metropolitan Square? Should it be funded privately or publicly or not at all?
A: My first priority would be to seek privately funded initiatives. I would be open to private/ public collaborations
Q: Are there areas of spending that need to be curtailed? If so, what are they?
A: I would need further scrutiny of the city budget to determine what spending, if any needs to be cut.
Q: Is city hall doing enough to retain businesses in town and lure new ones? If not, what should be done?
A: The city has a build-out fund that can match up to $70,000 for new businesses. I would also explore advanced marketing initiatives such as print and radio advertising.
Q: What do you see as the most important infrastructure project the community must address? Why and how should it be paid for? Conversely, during these uncertain economic times, what project(s) can be put on the back burner?
A: Continued improvement of aging infrastructure and paying for it through casino revenue. I would have to take a hard look at the Algonquin over/under pass (costing multimillions) project being discussed by the city. It may not be necessary.
Q: Describe your experience working in a group setting to determine policy. What is your style in such a setting to reach agreement and manage local government? Explain how you think that will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions with your village board or city council.
A: As past chairman of many committees of Des Plaines council, I have worked hand in hand with all alderman to produce positive results to improve the quality of life for all of Des Plaines.
Q: What makes you the best candidate for the job?
A: Experience as a past alderman and acting mayor along with owning a small in Des Plaines for the past 34 years, I believe makes me the best candidate for 6th ward alderman of Des Plaines.
Q: What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?
A: I've been exploring bringing community solar to Des Plaines to reduce the residents' Com Ed bills.