Carl Dinwiddie: Candidate Profile

Back to Batavia City Council Ward 1

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:BioQA Bio City: BataviaWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Batavia City Council Ward 1 Age: Candidate did not respond.Family: Married, three ChildrenBatavia Resident 30 yearsOccupation: Retired after 50 years of working with 45 years of those years in Public service.Education: B.A. Economics Roosevelt UniversityU.S. Navy Jet Flight Training- designated Naval AviatorNorthwest Airlines Flight Engineer School "â#128;œ FAA Flight Engineer CertificateNavy Aircraft Accident Investigation School "â#128;œ Certified President Board of InquiriesFAA Air Traffic Controller's School "â#128;œ FAA Certified Air Traffic ControlNational Transportation Safety Board Aircraft Accident Investigation School "â#128;œ Federal Investigator in Charge (IIC) for 33 yearsCivic involvement: Illinois Representative Sudden Infant Death Alliance - 6 yearsDeacon in churchBoard Member - Batavia VFW20 Years - Annual Loyalty Day ParadePADS "â#128;œ Volunteer (overnight shelters for homeless families)Thanksgiving Day Volunteer at Church and VFWDistrict Representative Combined Federal Campaign for local charities over 10 timesI have attended and spoken at City Council Meetings, School Board Meetings, and Park Board Meetings for more than 25 years. I have had issues placed on the ballot encouraging community involvement.Elected offices held: Chief, Central Region National Transportation Safety Board, 25 years, (22 Midwest states)Member, Chicago Federal Executive Board, 25 yearsOfficer in Charge Air Traffic Control Center "â#128;œ 3 yearsQuestions Answers What should the city's financial role be in development, if any? In particular, are the incentives the city provided for projects such as the proposed One North Washington Place, and the Walgreen development, and possibly a deal for the Blue Goose Supermarket: Too much, too little or just right? Is it justified for the city to borrow money or pledge property taxes to fund such incentives, until increased taxes come in from TIF districts?As the lawyers say "It Depends" - every situation is unique and complicated. First, with Walgreens there were issues with underwater drainage under the City owned parking lot. The issue I had was, in my opinion, that Walgreens consumed too much of Council time in discussion for two years to the neglect of other important issues.Blue Goose was discussed in a recent COW meeting and Councilwoman Susan Stark said it best, and I am paraphrasing, that anybody can come in the old Walgreens who has the money to operate a business and the City doesn't need to get involved other than they meet City codes. If they come to the city for economic incentives that would be evaluated at that time.As reporters from the Herald know I have characterized the One North Washington plan as a runaway freight train that nobody seems to be able to harness. The process has been backwards from the start with a lot of cart before the horse decisions being made. In the last Council meeting I presented some calculations, that in my opinion, showed that the project wouldn't produce enough incremental revenue at the end of 23 years to even pay off the 7.5 million dollar debt service let alone 15 million dollars of principal. I have had no City employee or Councilman to date, since I spoke at the Council meeting, informing me my calculations were wrong or provide any other numbers or calculations.Should the city do something to increase the amount of affordable housing in Geneva, as the Chicago Metropolitan Agency on Planning study calls for? If so, what?This was discussed during last Committee of the Whole in Batavia under the heading of inclusion. The COW voted unanimously to table for 6 months. Councilman Callahan stated Batavia is meeting all goals and in fact improving.Is 40 years too long in office? Why or why not?2 terms is enoughAmerica would be better off to stop the trend of life long politicians. Everyone can think of examples of career politicians who are obstructing progress in favor of power and politics "â#128;œ for example Mike Madigan.In Batavia, we need more citizens to step up to the plate in leadership roles. In this election 6 out of seven of the council seats are running unopposed. This doesn't create competition and better vetting of the candidates and their views on the issues "â#128;œ nor does it give a true voice to the people.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?For over six months I have been insisting that more funds be found to solve the flooding problem in Ward one. I have done this both verbally and in emails to City decision makers. I also have been directly critical of the repaving work that was done on Woodland Hills road. In the budget that was passed in December about one million dollars was added to the budget to pay for public works projects to start alleviating the First Ward flooding problems. I have also been assured that what happened on Woodland Hills road will never happen in Batavia again.Also storm water separation should be done without a new Storm Water Utility. To alleviate flooding all over town, we need to take care of the city first, not developers.What is one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?One idea I have:A complete overhaul of the City's Economic Development Department and Incentives. We need to create standards that are codified so everyone knows what they are. I mean any and all incentives from loans, to grants, to facades, to TIF districts.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?That council members get involved earlier in the process for major issues that are coming up rather than a briefing memo shortly before a vote is necessary and deadlines have already been set by the City "â#128;œ this format creates time pressures and bad decisions. I think Prairie State and One North Washington are perfect examples of what happens when time pressures drive bad decisions. The Council has one black eye from Prairie State and if One Washington goes through it will turn out to be a terrible deal both financially and aesthetically for the Batavia skyline and historic appearance. And just like Prairie state it will be a disaster that the citizens will have to live with forever with no way to fix the wrong that has been done.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Numerous names came to mind and they were all from Batavia. I couldn't single one out since they are terrific leaders who have shaped Batavia.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Respect for all humanity, integrity, and moral courage.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I've had a great life, great wife, great kids, good neighbors, good jobs. If I changed one thing I might have done harm not good.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?All math and science which helped me become a good Navy Pilot, Advanced Jet Tactics Instructor, commercial pilot, and a Federal Investigator for 33 years.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Excel and learn more each day - continuous learning, improvement, and involvement throughout their entire life. Be kind, generous, and live life to its fullest.