Natalie Ferguson Marquez supports Seth Goodman

There are four mayoral signs in my front yard, but I've been asked on more than one occasion as to which candidate I officially endorse.  With the election being right around the corner, and with today being President’s Day, the time has come to express my thoughts on my choice for mayor.

First, I am a single mother of two children, both of tender years and one with Down syndrome.  I'm also an attorney who owns and manages a law firm downtown, Gehlbach Marquez PC.  I have also founded an organization promoting the value of those with special needs, Down Syndrome Advocacy Group of Central Illinois.  I also own two buildings downtown and have several commercial tenants.  I was born and raised in Lincoln and have returned to the area after having lived much of my life in Champaign-Urbana and then Chicago.  I am obviously vested in the City of Lincoln.  The future of this community is very important to me. 

Second, since my return to Lincoln I've had some difficulty integrating back into the community for some reason.  It's been tough, but why?  Was it because I'm a woman business owner?  Was it because I was viewed as a competitor...someone that might stir the pot as it has existed for decades?  Even after protest, why do I continue to pay collectively over $20,000.00/year in real estate taxes on my buildings downtown while the other building owners around me are only paying $4,000 - $5,000/year per building?  What has been the problem?  I’ve yet to figure it out, but something must change.  It’s time for an evolution – a time to welcome a new approach to longstanding problems facing this community.  A fresh and unbiased perspective is necessary, and the time is now.   As we saw with the Presidential race, no matter what side the voters were choosing, Democrat or Republican, both sides did agree on one thing…the current way of doing things in America had to change.  The only disagreement, really, was on which candidate could effectuate that change. 

Lincoln and Logan County need to attract new talent, especially from the generations that have come and gone.  And, for those that have stayed or that have returned and are trying to stay…. our community should welcome them, encourage their success, and make them NOT want to move.   The concerns of those currently living, working, and establishing businesses here are real.  Meaningful and consistent collaboration with them – all of them, not just a select few – should be just one of the commitments of the next mayor.  A solution to the unequal levy of local real estate taxes should be reviewed and addressed in a meaningful way.  A return to the local rules/regulations/laws that were put into place before all of us which govern this community and its leaders should be reviewed and either abided by or changed via the correct due process. 

This community cannot afford to lose any more businesses and/or local talent.  A change to the current way of doing political business in Lincoln and Logan County is necessary and without it, I believe, things will falter.  And although this is not a presidential race, the mayoral race is the heart of what will ultimately determine whether change will be effectuated right here in Lincoln and Logan County.  A mayoral race is just as important and should not be underestimated.  The outcome of this election serves to mold the community in which we live.   We’ll see the impact of our choice in this election right away.  The local standards and ways of doing business that are put into place will determine our future way of life. 

And so, a return to the question that I get all the time...who will I be voting for on February 28, 2017 given all the many signs in my yard?  Who, in my opinion, is the best equipped candidate to offer a fresh perspective and the endurance to see new policies and programs through to fruition?

Who do I think not just can, but WILL, bring about real change in this community moving into 2017 and beyond?  Let’s end the confusion.

Seth Goodman for Mayor.  That’s who I’ll be voting for on February 28, 2017.

Natalie Ferguson Marquez, Esq.