Des Plaines mayoral hopefuls rank concerns

Four candidates vying for Des Plaines Mayor Tony Arredia's job on April 7 said city finances and flooding are the foremost concerns during a Wednesday candidate forum.

Arredia and four aldermen are being forced out by term limits backed by voters through a referendum. Their successors will inherit a host of problems, including vacancies at Metropolitan Square and special taxing districts that are bleeding money.

Yet, the bigger dilemma is ensuring the city can continue providing police, fire, public works and other services to residents.

All four candidates agree the city needs to cut costs and spend wisely.

"We have to keep our city in a sound financial position," said Dick Sayad, who served as 4th Ward alderman for eight years before leaving in 2007 because of term limits.

Sayad, 65, who owns a computer firm, said he would go over the city's financial books to figure out just how much money is in the bank, how much debt is owed, and how much revenue is projected.

"There's going to be deficits," he said. "We have to make up for those."

Sayad said he would exhaust all avenues of cost-cutting and gaining additional revenue before considering raising taxes. Solving flooding problems, he said, is second on his list.

Ward 2 Alderman Martin Moylan, 58, said he would use future casino revenues, projected to be roughly $9 million, to pay down the city's debt and to help reduce tax increases. He said he would like to eliminate ambulance fees and the city's vehicle sticker program.

Moylan added, flood prevention will be among his top priorities, if elected.

"Flooding is an issue that affects the entire city not just areas along the river," Moylan said. "I will dedicate new casino revenues to improve our infrastructure capacity."

Candidates Mark Thompson and Michael Lake also support infrastructure improvements, such as eliminating combined sewers and enlarging pipes, to alleviate flooding.

Thompson, 53, an attorney and former Maine Township supervisor, said the city should try to get federal stimulus funds to help with those infrastructure projects.

"I think the fiscal situation is going to be a priority because if you don't handle that, you won't be able to do anything else," he said.

But Thompson said tax cuts are probably unlikely.

"I think it's going to be rough going for a while," he said. "We've got to expand our tax base and that will help the homeowner/taxpayer in this town."

Lake, 61, a retired precision machinist who ran unsuccessfully for 2nd Ward alderman in 2003 and again in 2007, said lessening the tax burden on residents is a complicated issue.

"If any politician tells you they are going to lower taxes, they are going to sell you a bridge, too," Lake said.

While Lake said he would consider eliminating the telecommunications tax, he said a better way to reduce homeowners' property tax bills is to encourage new businesses to bring in more sales tax revenue.