Ronald Silkaitis: 2021 candidate for St. Charles City Council 1st Ward Alderman

In the April 6 consolidated election, incumbent Ronald Silkaitis and newcomer Richard Balla Jr. are vying for a four-year term as St. Charles 1st Ward Alderman.

The Daily Herald asked the candidates several questions about issues facing the city.

Below are Silkaitis' responses.

In-person early voting begins March 10 only at the Kane County Clerk's Office, 719 S. Batavia Ave., Bldg. B, in Geneva and the Aurora satellite office, 5 E. Downer Place, Suite F. In-person early voting at locations throughout the county begins March 22. Learn more at www.kanecountyclerk.org/Elections.

Bio

Town: St. Charles

Age: 64

Occupation: Retired Ford automotive technician, Zimmerman Ford, Hawk Ford, in St. Charles

Civic involvement: St. Charles 1st Ward Alderman since 2013 and 1997-2009; chairman of the St. Charles Government Services Committee; member of the St. Charles 708 Mental Health Board; member of Tri-Com Central Dispatch Board; past member of St. Charles Liquor Control Commission; past member and president of St. Patrick School Education Commission

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: Aldermen are elected to represent their constituents and to work to ensure their health, safety, and economic security. In facing a pandemic like COVID-19, we must remember this and act to secure the future of our constituents. This means relying on evidence-backed health and safety measures, and evidence-backed economic measures, to ensure our city is ready to continue on its path to a vibrant, progressive, and growing population. We follow county, state and federal guidelines. COVID-19 has brought many different opinions and beliefs about the role of government into our daily conversations. As always, I will listen and respect everyone I meet and speak with. I will also, however, remember that my duty is toward all constituents. I will always provide leadership that best serves them, even if unpopular and even if some constituents disagree.

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: The City of St. Charles acted to best maintain all essential city services while reducing the chance of possible transmission of COVID-19. The city was able to do this by having some administrative employees work remotely, and by providing masks, sanitizers, and social distancing guidelines for all in-person services that could not be replaced. However, I believe COVID-19 has also given the city the opportunity to envision a more efficient administration, even post-COVID.

For example, having Zoom meetings in place of in-person meetings when necessary. Paying utility bills online was already an option before the pandemic and was helpful. I believe bringing about more digital changes will not only support the citizens of St. Charles during COVID-19 and any future pandemic, but will improve city services overall.

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: The City of St. Charles has an Emergency Operation Plan in place for natural disasters, such as tornadoes. This plan sets into place a chain of command, with contingencies for food, water, and electricity supply. I believe we need to expand this plan to include public health crises, as well. We have always worked closely with the Kane County Health Department on all health matters, and I would continue this relationship to the update of our EOP.

I believe we should establish clear guidelines and plans to address case monitoring in the city (not only by doctor and hospital tests, but new techniques such as sewage monitoring), testing sites and access, vaccine sites and access, and restaurant and retail occupancy, for example. By setting up a plan, we can better protect our residents and our businesses in case of future pandemics.

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

A: St. Charles, like municipalities across the country, is facing a challenging recovery with reduced income from taxes and a population that may be struggling financially. As alderman, I supported the city's actions to stop charging late fees on utility bills for both residents and businesses, and to halt the disconnections of utilities for nonpayment.

I also supported efforts to reduce the burden on businesses by reducing annual fees for liquor licenses and by adopting modified zoning to allow restaurants to utilize public property for outdoor dining. As long as the pandemic is affecting our city and its residents, I will continue to support these measures. I will also continue to speak with and listen to residents and businesses to find out how to best address their needs.

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: I believe the most important infrastructure project right now is the repair and upkeep of city streets. Residents expect well maintained streets. Over the years, we have struggled to approve more money for street repairs and improvements. I would like to see more funds invested here.

I would try to accomplish this by prioritizing the repair of streets. To do this we will need more revenue. This is always challenging, especially while trying to decrease the tax burden, but I believe that working together we can come up with a solution. We already issue bonds for road repairs but we could issue additional bonds to complete necessary road repairs. As far as delaying some projects, some of our infrastructure projects are state or federally mandated, therefore they cannot be delayed. The city has had to postpone some nonessential maintenance and upgrades to our city facilities.

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: The St. Charles City Council and the planning commission held several meetings about permitting recreational marijuana dispensaries in the city. I listened and gathered information. I received many emails and phone calls about the proposal of allowing marijuana dispensaries in the city. The majority of callers were against the proposal. After much consideration, I decided that marijuana sales was not something that I could vote to approve. I still stand by my vote. The city council approved the ordinance that allows the sale of recreational marijuana.

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

A: I would like to propose that the City of St. Charles convert our fleet vehicles to all electric vehicles. This would take some time, and our initial cost would be high but our total cost over the years would be less than conventional vehicles. I have seen in the automotive service industry that hybrid vehicles require less maintenance and need fewer repairs than conventional vehicles. Electric vehicles should have less operating expenses. Not all vehicles at this time could be electric, but I believe that as prices come down and technology improves, this would be a wise and environmentally responsible project that the city could implement.