Mark Walsten: Candidate profile

Bio

Name: Mark Walsten

City: Des Plaines

Office sought: 6th ward alderman

Age (on election day): 61

Family: Two adult women

Occupation: Business Owner

Education: University of Iowa, Communication

Civic involvement: Des Plaines Economic Commission, Des Plaines Special Events Commission, Des Plaines Police Block Captains.

Previous elected offices held: 6th Ward alderman, two terms, then term limits.

Incumbent? If yes, when were you first elected?

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Issue questions

What are the most important issues facing your community and how do you intend to address them?

During my time in office, we reduced debt by $55,000,000, I would be committed to reducing this to $0 by cutting costs and increase efficient practices. Keep renovating the theater area to revitalize to down town area.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

The most importation aspect of being an alderman is communication, many residents have contacted me and stated that Malcolm Chester does not return calls or emails. When alderman, I prided myself in communicating with the sixth ward residents.

Describe your leadership style and explain how you think that will be effective in producing actions and decisions with your city council.

My leadership style is to listen to the other person and their concerns before offering mine.

How would you describe the condition of your community's budget, and what are the most important specific actions the town should take to assure providing the level of services people want?

I am troubled by the continued spiking of the budget and would work to keep it a a more moderate level.

What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?

Redevelop the theater and to block down to the sugar bowl.