Kampsville Village President Race candidates
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The 2023 Consolidated Election will take place on Tuesday, April 4, and early voting is currently underway.
There is a contested race for Kampsville Village President, with Angelia Suhling challenging Acting Village President Amanda Johnson. Johnson was appointed by the board when former Kampsville President Wade Gibson resigned last October.
The two candidates were each sent a five-question survey and both Suhling and Johnson responded. These are their answers, in their own words:
Amanda Johnson
Why are you running for Kampsville Village President?
I am running for Kampsville Village President to make a positive impact on our village. My husband and I have made Kampsville our forever home. We are raising our children in a village we love and I want to see it prosper. I want Kampsville to thrive so that it will be a place my children and future generations want to live in and raise their families.
What do you believe to be the most significant duty of the office in which you are running?
The most important duty as mayor is to keep our village thriving financially. If elected, I plan to continue working with the board to generate revenue to make positive improvements to keep Kampsville flourishing, while always respecting the needs and wants of the residents. It is and will continue to be my top priority to maintain financial security for the Village of Kampsville.
What would you hope to accomplish if elected?
I would like to improve the village’s water system and secure grants to help fund this project. As a board member and currently as acting mayor, we have been working on the installation of new meters. I have worked with mayors and board members from surrounding communities to obtain information on what worked for them in securing their funding for similar projects. The board and I have also begun the process of working with an engineering firm to set a plan in place and secure the funding through grants to fix our water system. If elected, I will diligently continue this process for water improvements.
How are you qualified to help lead?
I served as a village trustee for two years and as acting mayor for the last six months. I have also worked on the village committees since 2008. I am working closely with surrounding mayors and board members. I have been working with IDNR and have acquired the funding to continue teardowns from the flood of 2019. I have also secured licenses that have previously lapsed. I have worked with organizations within our community to help residents struggling with the rising cost of living with their utilities.
What do you think is the biggest issue facing Kampsville and how would you address it if elected?
The biggest issue facing Kampsville is our water system. If elected I would continue diligently working with our board of trustees, our water engineer, and Benton & Associates (an engineering firm) to come up with a plan and also secure grants to help fund this project. I also would work with the board and residents to generate revenue using the green space acquired from past flooding. If we could use the green space in a creative way to generate revenue it would be financially beneficial to the village.
Angelia Suhling
Why are you running for Kampsville Village President?
When our mayor, village clerk, treasurer of over 50 years, and one of our most active board members all resigned on the same day, I felt as a citizen we deserved an explanation from the remaining board. I attended a special board meeting and requested on two separate occasions to be placed on the agenda, and to document it in the minutes. It was documented in both sets of minutes, and they were approved by the board. To date, I still have not been allowed on the agenda. This is a violation of the “open meeting act.” As citizens we should always be allowed to approach our government when we ask, especially when we have lost the “brick and mortar” of our Village. I tried several avenues to obtain my rights, but to no avail. I then decided instead of complaining, I would run for mayor to ensure all citizens have their voices heard.
What do you believe to be the most significant duty of the office in which you are running?
The most significant duty of a mayor is to lead by example. You cannot enforce the law if you yourself do not obey it. You are the mayor, liquor commissioner, and chief of police in our village. The citizens you represent need to trust you. Transparency is the key to this. If you are mayor, you need to be approachable, know the ordinances, be willing to resolve issues, and be accountable to the community. You need to answer the phone, talk to citizens, answer emails, take suggestions, and realize you are the name representing the Village of Kampsville.
What would you hope to accomplish if elected?
Transparency within the village. Writing grants that would help our community such as: updating the water and sewer system, installing water meters in a timely manner, monthly water readings, and ensuring safe water for our citizens. I would promote tourism, river festivals, repair streets and sidewalks, host community events, promote business growth, share ideas, allow people to be placed on the agenda, and secure an up to full time village clerk, and maintenance worker.
How are you qualified to help lead?
I have just completed a grant writing course to help our village at my own expense. I was a village clerk in my former years. This has given me the ability to know how the government should work. I have knowledge of ordinances and the different bank accounts the village has and what each one is used for. I know our strengths and, unfortunately, our weaknesses. I can take criticism and still be respectful. I am not easily intimidated.
What do you think is the biggest issue facing Kampsville and how would you address it if elected?
Our water is the biggest problem. We had a boil order from December to February. Some of our residents still were not aware we should not drink the water. It will not happen if I become Mayor. The meters would be installed in a timely manner. They have leak detectors. I would call a company to find and fix our leaks. We have elderly, and disabled individuals in our community who cannot afford to buy water, and if they can, it may be too heavy for them to carry. The village must be committed to its citizens, and their water should be a primary concern. The second thing would be to work on healing our broken government by addressing issues and being transparent with our citizens. If we as the people are not allowed to use our voice, how do we correct the problems? To gain respect, you must accept criticism and use it as a tool to grow, instead of running from. I will be approachable, concerned, and working towards solutions. I have a lot vested in this community. My children, grandchildren, and yours as well are our future. We must nourish it to make it grow and give our community a safe place to live.
