Edward B. Tousana: 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: BataviaWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Batavia AldermanAge: 72Family: Married, Ruth Three Sons, Dennis, Troy and Thaddeus Nine grandchildren 4 boys and 5 girls four in Batavia High school, three in Elementary, one in Rotola Middle School and one sophmore Columbia CollegeOccupation: Retired; U.S. Postal Service, Logistic and Transportation ManagerEducation: Joliet Township High SchoolJoliet Jr. CollegeCivic involvement: Previuos President and vice president of Batavia United WayHome Assitance Volunteer Effort, INC.Elected offices held: NoneHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NeverCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 The annexation of the Moosehart Property Southeast corner of Randle Road and Main Street, to ensure future development and growth of BataviaKey Issue 2 That the TIF funds be used to its fullest in infrasturcture,jobs, housing, commercial incentives and anything else that Batavia need to act as a catalyst for economic development within the two existing TIF DistrictsKey Issue 3 To apply and enforce City residential codes throughout Batavia.Questions Answers The ward includes several rental units. People complain about drug dealing and other crime in this ward, and blame it on rental housing. Is that an accurate depiction? Why/why not?In part the blame falls on the rental property management in not thoroughly having background checks. Also not inforcing eviction to those tenants that are involved with illegal drugs and the tenants that association with individuals that bring drugs on the premises.Also in part to individuals that live on the premises that do not report drug dealing or other illegal activities.Aldermen recently discussed a rental housing inspection program, including licensing, background checks of tenants and interior inspections of units. Do you support that? Why/why not?Yes I support this on a bases that individual right of privacy should not be violated.There should be licensing of individuals that rent to give the city leverage in enforcing residential housing standards and safety codes.There should be inspection of rental housing for safety issues, and structural and occupancy compliance. These inspection should occur only when proper notification is rendered,like the fire hydrant flushing.These inspections should be limited to safety and code enforcement and not personal and private matters.What do you think of letting people raise a limited amount of hen chickens in their yards?I think that if a person decide to raise chickens that the coop can be no larger than 5 ft by 6 ft. It must be approved by the neighbors within a set radius of the property owner, in the same manner a homeowner build an addition.Chickens can not be raised on rental property by tenants.You can not raise chickens if it violate association covenants or subdivision homeowners agreements. City inspections must be conducted either by Illinois Farm Bureau or licensed poultry inspector for environmental safety.What is your opinion of the downtown area and what are your specific ideas for improvement?I think more should be done with Batavia's riversides to beautify for public use or encourage developers to incorporate the river as part of any future riverside development. A parking garage would be an attraction for business within walking distance of this structure. With a parking garage retail business can be contructed next to sidewalks and court yard shops where the nearly abandoned commercial rental property on Island Ave.. Also consider an auditorium for plays, exibits, concerts and a myraid of civic activities.Are you satisfied with the growth in the Randall Road corridor? If not, what enhancements do you suggest?Presently the Randall Road corridor is saturated with structures, the problem is the amount of vacancies of retail stores and commercial business. Tax incentives should be awarded to business that are established in these vacanct property. The city should target retail chains and franchises that are on an economic rebound. Annexation of the Moosehart property at Main Street and Randle Road would ensure future growth in this corridor.