A second challenger to Antioch mayor surfaces
The filing period for next spring's municipal elections is still months away, but already three Antioch residents say they will run for mayor.
Village Trustee Jay Jozwiak joins Ray Willis as challengers to incumbent Larry Hanson, who will seek a third term.
Jozwiak, who is in the middle of his second 4-year term as trustee, last week announced his intention to run with "Building a Better Antioch" as a campaign slogan. He said he's been considering the move for about a year and considers Hanson a friend.
"I believe in term limits just because things get stagnant and you need fresh ideas," he said. Should he lose, Jozwiak would finish the remainder of his trustee term.
Jozwiak said he thinks the village needs stronger leadership in the mayor's office and would focus on a comprehensive approach to keep and attract business and create jobs.
"We need some economic development. I have some different ideas," Jozwiak said.
Hanson served 14 years as trustee before being elected mayor in 2009 and 2013. Willis is a 22-year resident who said he felt a civic duty to serve the community.
Hanson said the village isn't struggling but is rebuilding, a process that takes time. He cited the pending revival of the long-stalled Clublands neighborhood and continued expansion at the Antioch Corporate Center as examples.
"We've been working hard the past few years to get ourselves in position," Hanson said. "We're starting to see a lot more positives than negatives. You can't fix it overnight."
An ongoing study has given village leaders a better idea of the market and the type of businesses to pursue, he added.
Jozwiak said his run was "nothing personal" toward Hanson, but he's offering a different perspective.
"We've had studies for nine years. I'd like to see some movement," he said.
Willis, whose slogan is "A Different Approach," said cited job creation and infrastructure maintenance as issues.
As mayor, he said, he would return 90 percent of his salary to be split between the police and fire departments. The mayor's position pays $12,000 per year.
"My vision is to have an open-door policy to all the people to be able to communicate any concerns or ideas with me at any time," Willis said. "There are several facets that human beings need to utilize to function in this great town, and we can achieve this together in unity."
Hanson has faced challenges in the past and said he stands with residents, not above them.
"It's not owed to me. I have to earn it," he said.