John Prigge: 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: ElginWebsite: http://www.johnprigge.comOffice sought: Elgin City Council (4-year Terms)Age: 54Family: Divorced, one daughter.Occupation: Auctioneer, appraiser and sports public address announcer.Education: Elgin High School, 1976 Auctioneer, World Wide College of Auctioneering, 1990 Appraiser, Certified Appraisers Guild of America, 1995 Certified Estate Specialist, National Auctioneers Association, 2005.Civic involvement: Candidate did not respond.Elected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: No.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Reversing the devastating effects the last two city budgets have had on Elgin taxpayers.Key Issue 2 Attempt to restore some faith and trust between our taxpayers and the city council by showing empathy and looking at tax and fee creations as a last, not first, option.Key Issue 3 Strengthen our high level of core services affordably.Questions Answers Should the city continue its opposition to allowing video gambling outside the grand Victoria?No. I asked that this issue be brought back for discussion on January 23rd. I fully support video gaming after seeing how our liquor-pouring establishments and service clubs have been put at a disadvantage by other towns that currently have video gaming.What is your position on the city's plans to to implement a stormwater utility fee in 2014?I am the only councilmember who has opposed everything to do with this pending 2014 fee including the three related votes already cast as a precursor to its implementation. I will not support any fee or tax on rain or a plan that punishes property owners for having patios, large roofs or parking lots.Do you support the city funding the $900,000 overhaul of the Eastside Recreation Center? What do you think of closing Eastside and consolidating operations with The Centre of Elgin?I did not support this project when it was going to initially cost Elgin taxpayers $643,000 and strongly objected to its rapid escalation to the current rate of $900,000. It's important to note the entire project will cost approximately $4,000,000. Elgin taxpayers will pay all of the $900,000 and part of the remaining $3,000,000 balance as it is a State grant. In 2011, both rec centers combined for nearly one million dollars in losses. I would certainly consider a consolidation.What is your view on the city's recent property tax levying history and imposition of other charges, such as the refuse fee?I have publicly stated that moving anything from property tax bills to another required service bill is wrong and takes income tax deductions out of our taxpayer's wallets. I supported lowering our tax levy. However, I do not support making up for that reduction by increasing water bills.The Elgin Symphony Orchestra wants the city to resume its yearly disbursement of Riverboat funds to the ESO. Do you support this? Why or why not?I will not make a decision on this until meeting with ESO officials about my January 23rd suggestion of leasing the Hemmens Cultural Center to the ESO in exchange for building improvements.