Maureen Lewis: 2021 candidate for St. Charles mayor

Bio

City: St. Charles

Age: 72

Occupation: Alderman

Civic involvement: 10 years as a city council member; chairman of the Government Operations Committee; vice chairman of Government Services; four-year member of the Liquor Control Commission; council liaison to the Norris Cultural Arts Center, The St. Charles History Museum, and the former Downtown Partnership, now the St. Charles Business Alliance; co-chair of the St. Charles America In Bloom Committee; St. Patrick church, served for three years on parish council; former downtown St. Charles business owner, Art's Cool.

Q&A

Q. How do you view your role in confronting the pandemic: provide leadership even if unpopular, give a voice to constituents - even ones with whom you disagree, or defer to state and federal authorities?

A. My role will be to facilitate public health directives that are issued by the county and state health officials and to neutralize, as much as possible, any burdensome impact to our residents and businesses. I can accomplish this by creating a volunteer St. Charles Public Health Commission, who would act in an advisory position. This commission would consist of health professionals such as doctors, nurses, mental health experts, along with teachers and citizens concerned with the health, safety and well-being of St. Charles residents and businesses.

Q. Did your town continue to adequately serve its constituents during the disruptions caused by the pandemic? If so, please cite an example of how it successfully adjusted to providing services. If not, please cite a specific example of what could have been done better.

A. I feel that we did our best to serve the residents and business owners of St. Charles. There are several examples. One of the first things we did was to discontinue charging a late fee on utility bills. We realized that with people out of work and businesses closed down residents might be struggling to pay bills on time. There was no need for the City to compound the problem and charge a late fee. Another example is the relaxing of outdoor dining policies to restaurants and bars so they could try to recoup some of their losses. We closed First Street and opened up the public plaza area for restaurant use. We allowed tents in all parts of St. Charles for outdoor dining. These are just a few examples of how we as a City tried to ease the burden that the pandemic put upon us.

Q. In light of our experiences with COVID-19, what safeguards/guidelines should you put in place to address any future public health crises?

A. One of the first things we can do is to improve resiliency and redundancy in the delivery of services to our residents and businesses. For instance, things like developing PPE inventories, and improving technology for remote meetings and work. It will be very important to make sure that intergovernmental relationships and partnerships are able to share resources, ideas, and information. Putting together an emergency advisory coalition of businesses would also be beneficial.

Q. What cuts can local government make to reduce the burden of the pandemic on taxpayers?

A. This question goes hand in hand with the previous question. Being more efficient and not duplicating services will reduce the burden to our taxpayers. At this time when the City is experiencing a shortfall in revenue it makes sense to absorb the natural attrition of employees to reduce personnel expense. I would not support a forced reduction in personnel but I am confident that for a period of time as people leave the employment of the City their work can be assigned to others.

Q. What do you see as the most important infrastructure project you must address? Why and how should it be paid for? Conversely, during these uncertain economic times, what infrastructure project can be put on the back burner?

A. Some might say finishing First Street or redeveloping the old Police Department. For the record, I am opposed to including the Municipal Building as part of that private use redevelopment. A thoughtful approach is warranted. The 7th Avenue Creek project has been an ongoing project for several years and I believe it is first in line to be completed. It will absolutely help the residents, and with the new infrastructure that is being implemented, it will quickly become an area where families will want to live because of the enhanced walkability to downtown, schools, churches, the library and many other businesses. In addition, there is a another flooding issue on the west side of town that will also need to be addressed. And the Lexington property (old Applied Composites site) on the northwest side of town has been sitting vacant, an ugly eyesore that the residents have endured for over 12 years. I believe in finishing what you start.

Q. Do you agree or disagree with the stance your board/council has taken on permitting recreational marijuana sales in the community? What would you change about that stance, if you could?

A. I disagreed with the decision to allow recreational marijuana sales in the community of St. Charles, but once it became legal, we needed to make sure it was done right. I disagreed with the decision to allow the sale of retail marijuana in a location 90 feet from a large school of dance, whose clients were young and teenage girls and boys. This decision has created an abundance of problems, not only for the businesses that existed prior, but for Zen Leaf also. We were not "business friendly" to any of the neighboring businesses. It continues to cause a great deal of pain and suffering for all. In my opinion, the Mayor and Council rushed to a decision that should have been more carefully thought out.

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

A. Now don't laugh! One idea I have to better the community is a public bathroom, accessible to the First Street Plaza area of downtown. Currently there are no facilities other than private businesses. If we are anticipating closing First Street to provide for a range of activities on the Plaza, we must consider all the needs of the people who will be socializing downtown. Now is the time to consider how we might make this happen, before any construction starts.

Q. What makes you the best candidate for the job?

A. During my 10 years on the City Council, I have immersed myself in all aspects of local government. I've done the work. That means networking with community and business leaders, serving on boards, responding to residents, meeting with developers, representing St. Charles locally and nationally. I promise to always strive for that delicate balance between healthy economic growth and staying true to the traditions and values we hold dear. I grew up in St. Charles. I love my hometown! My grandchildren are the 5th generation to live here. I was a cheerleader when I went to St. Charles High School and will be that same cheerleader once again for our community. My knowledge of the history of St. Charles, my deep roots and my collected experiences have prepared me to be the best equipped candidate to lead this city we love.