Meet the Candidates

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Kevin Bateman

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[February 03, 2017]  

  • I was born and raised in Lincoln, and graduated from LCHS in 1982.
     

  • After spending many years at Row Motor Sales, I managed my own Carquest Auto Parts for 5 years. After winning awards for highest-grossing sales and fastest-growing store, my best customer convinced me to run a second location for him, which I did until the Landmark Automotive Group recruited me. I started managing their Ford parts and was promoted to manager of the wholesale division of the Landmark Automotive Group.
     

  • Because of my interest in making our community better, I was appointed to the Logan County Board in 2008 to fill an empty position. I was elected to the position in 2012 and 2016.
     

  • I also was a founder of the highly successful Up in Smoke Barbeque competition and continue to serve on that committee.


 

  • After my homemade barbecue sauce became wildly popular with friends and family, I began to have it produced commercially and have been selling it as Lincoln’s Secret Sauce, a nod to our city’s namesake. The sauce is sold throughout Central Illinois in large grocery stores as well as in Lincoln at IGA, Abe’s and Big R.

I’m running for mayor so I can bring my experience on the Logan County Board to the city of Lincoln. As a member of the county board, I have a proven track record of making the tough decisions to improve our community. We at the county board have kept and created good jobs and controlled spending - while raising the pay for employees and adding new services (such as the Veterans Commission) without raising taxes.

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What strengths would you bring to the office?

  • I’m an experienced, effective leader

  • I get things done

  • I operate with transparency and integrity

  • I bring together those with different points of view and develop collaborations

How would you work with the department heads and the city administrator to address current city needs and future planning? Although I would be a strong mayor, I would also work closely with department heads to achieve their goals in addressing city needs - while being fiscally responsible. In planning for the future, I would strive to be a catalyst in having the city work with Tourism and Economic Development to find new ways to capitalize on our centralized location such as hosting more sports tournaments.

What would be the focus of your administration?

  1. being very frugal with money to hold taxes in check

  2. working with business owners to create a business-friendly atmosphere to attract and retain jobs

  3. making quality repairs to local streets and other improvements throughout the city

  4. welcoming input from local residents through an open-door policy and town hall meetings

  5. working closely with city department heads and the city council

Kevin Bateman

[Text from file received]

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