 Background and Qualifications
I have the background and am most qualified because I am
accessible, committed, and experienced. It is
important for my constituents to have someone who is approachable;
that is, someone who will listen and obtain answers and get results.
I follow up on calls, emails, and visits. When the citizens in Ward
4 voice their opinions, it is my responsibility to vote based on
their desires although it may not be the most popular vote. My work
life provides a tremendous advantage to the residents in Lincoln
because my work schedule provides flexibility in being able to work
with constituents and city hall any time of the day. I am here for
the citizens of Lincoln and not my own endeavors.
In the many years spent in Lincoln, I have been devoted to the
elevation of its people. During the numerous years at Lincoln
Community High School, I exemplified my desire to assist each and
every student with whom I had the privilege of educating. Some of
these students are now employees and employers in Lincoln. People
are our most valuable resource and I feel an obligation to continue
grassroots efforts to provide a better life for them in our
community. My commitment extends to various civic and social
organizations where collectively we engaged in the improvement of
the people. My leadership roles concentrate on making Lincoln a
place where people want to live, work, and retire.
When I retired, I was already on-the-job in another occupation
with the intent to expand beyond Lincoln Community High School and
become more involved within the larger community. While at LCHS, I
was not just a classroom teacher, I sponsored the Railette Pom Pon
Squad and choreographed and directed musicals; as well as various
clubs; such as Data Processing Club, Natural Helpers, and SOAR
(Setting Our Actions Responsibly - a part of Colin Powell's "Little
Red Wagon" endeavors). Within the community, I served various
leadership roles in American Business Women's Association, Kiwanis
Club of Lincoln and the Chamber of Commerce. As chairman of the
Chamber's Government Education Committee, I was (and still am)
provided the opportunity to make connections with people in
different areas of commitment to the City of Lincoln and Logan
County. My education is significant with a comprehensive
undergraduate degree in Business Education and Business
Administration and advanced certification in Educational
Administration. My master's degree is in Human Development
Counseling with extensive experience in Career and Employment
Education. This is where I gained the tools to listen, ask
questions, analyze perceptions, and help others work toward fixing
concerns and problems.
Advanced education is important but I also learned that
"Experience is the best teacher." As a Vocational Education Teacher,
I became endeared to those who may only achieve a high school
diploma and taught them to strive to "be the best that one can be."
We have great resources in Lincoln and I know a lot of them.
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 Goals and ideas for accomplishment
I would like to see a focus on economic development,
city enhancement, and attracting visitors. Economic
development is the key to our quality of life. It is essential to be
"proactive" in improving our job and income opportunities and in the
utilization of local resources to help build a sustainable economy.
I believe forums provide an ideal way to address the various aspects
of economic development. Economic development is not just looking at
finances; it is looking at possible resources and alternative
revenue streams. To gain ownership in our endeavors, I believe we
have many people in Lincoln who could and would provide assistance
toward community improvement. There are many communities who have
been involved with Business Improvement Districts (BID's), Tax
Increment Financing Districts (TIF's), and grants for infrastructure
and other improvements by being Certified Local Governments. We need
forums to learn how these would work in Lincoln, IL. We need to know
what the advantages and the disadvantages are. To me, moving forward
means looking at other forms of income for our city. It also means
working with current employees to see if there are viable ways to
reduce expenses and increase revenues. We can increase revenues in
certain departments through more appropriate fees and fines.
First impressions cause lasting impressions. Enhancement
of our city's appearance is a significant need. We have to focus on
how we encourage, assist and sustain the appearance of our city. We,
as a community, must take a hard look at the visual message we are
sending to our residents and our visitors. Providing incentives as
well as imposing fines could provide some checks and balances for
our property owners. Volunteer programs that provide community
service awards to those who adopt projects to help clean up areas
can be instituted.
It is well known that 50% of our visitors and shoppers come from
out of town. We like to think that they all come here to shop but we
know that many visitors are attracted because of our connection to
Abraham Lincoln and they come here to visit our different historic
sites. Our significant heritage needs to be capitalized on as a
distinctive community. We want people to come, visit, shop, stay,
live, and work here. There are agencies and organizations in place
to promote and attract visitors, businesses, and residents to
Lincoln. Utilizing and supporting those resources to our advantage
adds to our city's credibility.
Whatever our status in life, we learn we cannot do it alone. My
incumbent position, has taught me that 10 people on a city council
cannot identify and accomplish everything that needs to be done to
improve our community. It takes the whole community to raise our
expectations and to work together to achieve our desired results. I
want to be a part of accomplishing those results and I have the
skills to (do) that. My accessibility, commitment and experience
serve as qualifications to get the job done. I would appreciate your
vote on February 24, 2009.
[Text copied from
file received from Wanda Lee Rohlfs] |
