Steve is running for the St. Joseph Village Board.
What is the best thing about St. Joseph?
I have been in love with this community for as long as I can remember. I was born here, raised here, brought my wife here, and am now raising my family here. Saint Joseph represents the perfect combination of a small, close-knit community, with the close-by amenities offered by Champaign Urbana. While there are so many things I love about this community, my favorite part is watching our children thrive in the incredible school district and how there are so many opportunities for them to be immersed in the community as well. We feel incredibly grateful to be a part of this town and I want to be a part of its continued responsible growth.
What do you think is an immediate need for the village?
Making sure to support our current local businesses while also bringing new service line small businesses to our community. Growing our economy will provide more resources for our community members and schools. Responsible growth is key. While I would not want to see rapid growth causing unnecessary crowding, however, a community needs to grow to prevent stagnation. Growth is good—if done correctly. As leaders of the village, it is our responsibility to do advanced planning to see that our growth is both positive and organized.
Where would you like to see the village in ten years?
Ten years seems so far away—but I recognize that it is just around the corner in the lifespan of a community. A common theme in all my answers would be growth and development. To get more specific I would like to see more unique businesses come to the village.
As a village board we can ensure our village is a business-friendly environment. Fortunately, our process in place for permits and zoning seems simplified and streamlined. However, if constituents feel differently, this is a process we could take a deeper look at.
The village also should continue to provide a positive environment for businesses by promoting local businesses, encouraging local spending, and supporting local events.
The village should also continue to invest in infrastructure. Priorities would be investing in improved parking access and creating a vibrant aesthetic downtown.
Having children growing up in this community, I would like to see more resources available for families and children, which will draw young families to our community. I would like to see increased opportunities in residential development.
The first step that is underway is the wastewater treatment upgrade. We need to expand opportunities for people looking to purchase homes in our community as well as provide opportunities for building homes.
As mentioned earlier, this must be positive and organized. I would also like to see success in the proposal of Corey Swanson’s project to develop the land near the middle school for senior living. This is a twofold success. 1. This will allow current village residents the opportunity to downsize with less homeowner responsibilities and remain in the wonderful small town close-knit community. 2. If current village residents choose to move to the proposed senior living, this will allow new families to move to our great community to start a family and raise their children here as well.
If you could change one thing about St. Joseph, what would it be?
Increased opportunities for positive and organized community growth and development.
Why should people vote for you?
I have loved this community my whole life and my intentions are only to serve our village in a meaningful capacity.
To prosper we need to encourage continued growth and bring additional resources as it is important for our children and our future. My hope is that all our children love this community, and our future generations want to raise their families here as well. This election could come down to a few votes, so I want to encourage everyone to take time to make sure his or her voice is heard. My background brings over 20 years of service to the community as a member of the fire department as well as leadership experience as a lieutenant.
I have enjoyed learning about village projects, development, and direction as a member on the Planning and Zoning committee.
How will you make sure you are in tune with the public and are accessible to your constituents? Honestly, this one comes naturally for me. My wife jokes that I am “a man about town.” Not really the dictionary’s meaning of the phrase but more so that I love being a member of this community. I am all in. I enjoy being the person called when help is needed. I am used to “answering the call” of the fire pager—and being a board member, I would not see differently. It is important to be engaged and available, out in the community. Most mornings I enjoy the camaraderie of coffee at Casey’s, Wednesday nights at Roch’s supporting the Saint Joseph Recreation Foundation Queen of Hearts fundraiser. On warm evenings we typically walk our dog or take our kids to a local park, and soon—attending youth sporting events. I am out and about; I prioritize being available when needed and I plan to keep my two feet on the ground as a member of this community.
What is your opinion on the proposed TIF?
I will be the first to admit that I have things to learn with this position. A very pertinent item is the TIF and the inner workings of the TIF. From my understanding, this is being pursued by the current village leadership with final ordinance approval prior to the new board members being sworn in. I believe a TIF district brings both value and heartache. There are surrounding communities that have had success with a TIF district. But what we must recognize is that does not mean it will work in all communities—or more specifically our community. There must be deep consideration for all factors. As a village board, we need to make sure we are taking care of our own residents and taxing bodies while also balancing the appropriate use for the funds. A positive for the TIF district is this will allow our village to be more attractive to developers and future residents. A downside for the TIF district is that taxing bodies lose out on funding. My job as a village trustee would be to have complete transparency with the taxing bodies throughout the life of the TIF. My hope is that we, as the village board, can work together to help lessen the heartaches created and assist with ideas and solutions to keep taxing bodies thriving during this period of change.
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