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PLAN smartly and strategically;
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EMPOWER community organizations,
volunteers, and others to develop our community; and
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GROW by reducing the cost of living and
doing business here and removing obstacles to growth.
We PLAN with a purpose. We PLAN because we
want to bring the future into the present so we can do something
about it now. Our best tomorrows don’t come from sitting back and
simply accepting what happens; we have to create our own future.
As smart and as dedicated as my fellow Council members are (and I
deeply respect each one), the eight of us cannot achieve our future
by ourselves. Organizations that EMPOWER others to achieve an
agreed goal become more adaptive, more resilient, and ultimately
more successful because they have more minds (and hands) working on
each solution.
My family loves the small town benefits of living in Lincoln. We all
know, though, that if something isn’t growing, it’s likely dying. If
Lincoln is to GROW, we need to remove obstacles to that
growth. One of the biggest obstacles in the way for families and
small businesses is property taxes.
 A recent survey found that 88% of Central Illinois communities have
lower collective property tax rates than the taxpayers in Lincoln.
Being at the top of this survey is not good for anybody! As your
alderman I want the City to bring other taxing bodies to the table
to freeze and ultimately bring down property taxes.
The City of Lincoln froze its rate for the 2014 property taxes that
you’ll pay this year. If we can encourage other taxing bodies to do
the same next year, it’ll keep more of your money in your pockets
and make our community more competitive. Let me be your voice to
push this conversation forward.
As I’ve visited with constituents while going door-to-door I’ve
found two things:
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There is strong support for this positive agenda
to advance our community, and
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The people of Ward 3 are not shy about sharing
the issues on their minds.
I have also found that we all share the same heart –
we all want Lincoln to be the best community it can be. We want our
public servants to work together, to all pull in the same direction,
to not get bogged down in petty arguments that distract us from
making Lincoln a better place for our children and grandchildren.
Leadership is a responsibility I take seriously. I firmly believe
the best leaders chase the right things: the future we all want and
need, the vision to see that future, and the solutions to craft that
future. The best leaders also ask the right questions, listen, and
then act in service to others. [to
top of second column] |
 For a flavor of how I approach leadership on the
Council and how I hold myself accountable to my constituents, I
invite you to visit my website:
www.facebook.com/vote4todd. Check there for summaries
after each Council meeting.
I’m learning a great deal as I serve on the Council. Here are just a
few observations.
The current Council members work hard to address the needs of all
City residents. We have a strong working dynamic that fosters good,
open dialogue that, in turn, leads to new and innovative solutions.
We do not always agree, but we’re always free to speak our mind.
I’ve only served with these aldermen for a few months and it’s hard
to believe that anyone can argue they are in any way stifled in
advancing the needs of their constituents.
Lincoln is in a strong financial position. An independent auditor
stated in December that the City’s books were in great shape. I’m
learning all I can about finances and am indebted to the information
provided by our City Treasurer, Chuck Conzo. I noted that the City
ended its most recent fiscal year with a small surplus and asked him
if this was unusual for a municipality. He said that it was.
The City has a five-year infrastructure improvement plan that it
adopted in February 2013. That plan prioritizes infrastructure
projects including streets and sidewalks. Infrastructure costs are
exceedingly high and must be planned for accordingly. Having and
following this five-year plan (as the City has done for two years)
shows both fiscal responsibility and accountability.
The future of Lincoln is bright, for us and for our children, if we
follow Abraham Lincoln’s words, “I shall prepare myself, for one day
my chance will come.” Indeed our city must improve itself and
prepare itself for the rest of the 21st century.
Let me be your voice as we develop our future! I need your vote on
February 24th at the Logan County Courthouse.
Todd Mourning |
