Meet the Jerseyville Mayoral Candidates 2023
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The Tuesday, April 4, consolidated election is around the corner, with early voting underway now.
There are several contested races on the ballot, with one being Jerseyville Mayor. Mayor William Russel is not seeking re-election and there are three candidates vying for the position: Clifford Coats, Kevin Stork, and Lawrence E. Welsh. Each of the candidates were sent a four-question survey and the following responses are in their own words.
For more election and voting information, visit Jersey County’s website at jerseycountyclerk-il.gov.
Clifford Coats
1. Why are you running?
Simple: History… TRUTH & TRANSPARENCY, for the last 2 years there has been a global pandemic that has taken place, in those 2 previous years the public has been set aside and business has been conducted behind closed doors. Agreements and Grants, are those agreements in the best interest of the city and are the grants we are receiving (which are our tax dollars) binding us to a larger private entity? Are the tax dollars of the people of this city being allocated appropriately? Growing our local businesses while inflating our own economy. Separating the public and private side of government. And Equality!
2. How are you qualified to help lead?
I am a 30 plus year local business owner. Partnering with the correct organizations and utilizing local resources while accomplishing final projects. Overstanding the goal, terms and conditions of the agreement.
Innerstanding the foundational principles of the Constitution of the United States of America and that business is run under the Commerce Clause of Article 1 and the Legislative branch, not the Executive or Judicial branches of government, is the authority of Commerce. I am and will be available to the public through an open-door policy. I will represent and protect the best interests of the people and businesses of this community.
3. In your opinion, what is the biggest issue facing Jerseyville and how would you address it if elected?
Three objectives here:
• Our water facility, bringing the water facility and company back under the control of the city and not a private/foreign entity. We are OUR best interests!
• The gas tax that was implemented years ago to bring a fund back into the positive by adding this surcharge has now been in place nearly a decade and it’s time to go. The fund I’m quite sure is in the positive by now.
• The Ordinances that were adopted by the city, that are run under an international jurisdiction. The current Code administration adopted these ordinances not knowing how to enforce them or how to offer remedy and recourse for the people. I’m quite positive it’s not the responsibility of an international jurisdiction to have authority to enforce ordinances for the people of the City of Jerseyville and how we run our businesses in the City of Jerseyville. Maybe it’s time for a reset!
4. If you received a $1 million dollar grant to use for the city, any way you wanted, what would you do with the funds and why?
Four buckets– $250,000 each, using local investors here, all while earning a return:
• Considering grants are tax-payer dollars, I would create a trust and invest $250,000 and create a program for those under a hardship or less fortunate to apply for funds to offset utility bills.
• Take $250,000 to create a trust to give local businesses the opportunity to apply for funds for marketing purposes to grow their business and our local economy.
• I would create a fund with a board of peers with $250,000 for new entrepreneurial opportunities for new business ideas and start-ups.
• Create a trust with $250,000, to market for family functions, keep children’s sports programs and our Dolan City Park constructively growing.
Kevin Stork
1. Why are you running?
The reason I am running for mayor of Jerseyville is rooted in how I was raised in this community. Growing up in a large Catholic family I gained a strong sense of community and desire to give back. Many of the jobs I’ve held in this community have all centered around serving Jerseyville, ranging from paperboy to working as an Occupational Therapist. I would like to continue that service to Jerseyville as mayor. As Jerseyville is positioned for inevitable growth, I will manage Jerseyville’s growth in a way that maintains our small town feel while attracting residents, visitors, and businesses.
2. How are you qualified to help lead?
I have 16+ years of management experience as Director of Therapy for a group of nursing and assisted living facilities. In that position I have developed effective organizational and communication skills. I think it’s essential to evenly listen to all sides and to make informed decision(s). In addition to my private career, I have 8 years as Commissioner of Accounts and Finance where I have gained knowledge of City revenue and funding opportunities. The Commissionership has also allowed me to run the bi-monthly meetings, negotiate contracts and gain operational knowledge of all the city departments essential to being mayor.
3. In your opinion, what is the biggest issue facing Jerseyville and how would you address it if elected?
Jerseyville’s biggest issue is navigating the ever changing and unknown financial landscape. The city is in a good financial position with no debt and money invested as well. That said, we are facing the challenge of rising costs of wages, insurance, and materials to name a few. With the majority of the city’s funding coming from sales tax, I understand the value of the city’s relationship with business and recognize that their success is our success. We need to ensure future decisions maintain the core investment while progressing in a positive way and improving the city’s infrastructure, parks, and especially the business districts.
4. If you received a $1 million grant to use for the city, any way you wanted, what would you do with the funds and why?
The choice would be something for all of our residents from young to old. I would split the funding between a Park and Rec project like turfing the fields for potential multi-use of baseball and soccer. This would create the possibility of holding tournaments to improve Park and Rec funding. Another option would be a safety function of adding additional sidewalks to make as much of Jerseyville walkable such as connecting the Jersey County Health Department to the rest of Jerseyville. In any decision I would seek and listen to fellow council members and Jerseyville residents.
Lawrence E. Welsh
1. Why are you running?
My reason for seeking the Mayor of Jerseyville position is to represent and be the voice for every citizen, taxpayer, business owner/worker and visitor to our city, regardless of social, economic, or private interests. Everyone should be treated with dignity, respect and fairness in all aspects of interaction and business with the employees and elected officials of the City of Jerseyville at all times without regard for personal opinion. I hope to be elected in order to make a positive impact serving my community by representing the City of Jerseyville.
2. How are you qualified to help lead?
My qualifications to lead as Mayor include a 24-year public service career based in Jerseyville, which includes speaking and listening to the people of the community. My Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communications with a Business minor from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville is an asset in written and spoken interactions with community members and associates. My agriculture upbringing has helped to form decision making, accounting and negotiation skills. My knowledge of the community would be a positive influence in helping to unite people together on issues for the betterment of all.
3. In your opinion, what is the biggest issue facing Jerseyville and how would you address it if elected?
The biggest issue facing the City of Jerseyville is uninformed citizens. People need to become concerned, aware, and cognizant of where public funds are being spent and who is spending those funds. Whether it is a tax, grant or private donation money, these are city funds. Transparency and accountability should be present and the public should be informed if a conflict of interest arises. The community needs to be actively involved in the decisions that help shape the vision for future generations. The correct and ethical way to address this issue is to be open, honest, and professional in public administration by informing the community with interviews, press releases and conversations, not just with those who have a seat at the table.
4. If you received a $1 million grant to use for the city, any way you wanted, what would you do with the funds and why?
If a $1 million dollar grant was awarded for city use, to distribute in any way, it would not be my choice to spend it, but the choice of the community to allocate. I would assign a task force of social, economic and educational levels from various occupational backgrounds to research and form ideas that would best benefit the community. This would ensure a cross representation of people who have different wants and needs for a safe, secure and inviting community. This is the exact reason to vote for individuals that have the best interest of Jerseyville to the City Council.
Lawrence E. Welsh
1. Why are you running?
My reason for seeking the Mayor of Jerseyville position is to represent and be the voice for every citizen, taxpayer, business owner/worker and visitor to our city, regardless of social, economic, or private interests. Everyone should be treated with dignity, respect and fairness in all aspects of interaction and business with the employees and elected officials of the City of Jerseyville at all times without regard for personal opinion. I hope to be elected in order to make a positive impact serving my community by representing the City of Jerseyville.
2. How are you qualified to help lead?
My qualifications to lead as Mayor include a 24-year public service career based in Jerseyville, which includes speaking and listening to the people of the community. My Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communications with a Business minor from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville is an asset in written and spoken interactions with community members and associates. My agriculture upbringing has helped to form decision making, accounting and negotiation skills. My knowledge of the community would be a positive influence in helping to unite people together on issues for the betterment of all.
3. In your opinion, what is the biggest issue facing Jerseyville and how would you address it if elected?
The biggest issue facing the City of Jerseyville is uninformed citizens. People need to become concerned, aware, and cognizant of where public funds are being spent and who is spending those funds. Whether it is a tax, grant or private donation money, these are city funds. Transparency and accountability should be present and the public should be informed if a conflict of interest arises. The community needs to be actively involved in the decisions that help shape the vision for future generations. The correct and ethical way to address this issue is to be open, honest, and professional in public administration by informing the community with interviews, press releases and conversations, not just with those who have a seat at the table.
4. If you received a $1 million grant to use for the city, any way you wanted, what would you do with the funds and why?
If a $1 million dollar grant was awarded for city use, to distribute in any way, it would not be my choice to spend it, but the choice of the community to allocate. I would assign a task force of social, economic and educational levels from various occupational backgrounds to research and form ideas that would best benefit the community. This would ensure a cross representation of people who have different wants and needs for a safe, secure and inviting community. This is the exact reason to vote for individuals that have the best interest of Jerseyville to the City Council.
