[Peace-discuss] [Discuss] Comments on last evening's Champaign mayoral debate

[Karen Medina]

This is the second mayoral debate I attended. The first was at a union
hall.
I wish we in Champaign had a better choice for Mayor. I don't like any of
them. Deb Feinen is the most like Schweighart, with two exceptions. 1) she
is smart 2) she has absolutely no understanding of life beyond the law
office.

Having said that, my question last night was essentially "Why is there less
and less low income housing in Champaign?" Nobody answered that part. True
to the past Schweighart-like, they all suggested that outside help should
happen (we could have low income housing if it brought in money). The
currently seated Foster, Feinen, and Gerard are all proud of destroying
Bristol Park*

Patsy Petri reminded me that in Champaign, the Mayor is just another vote
on the city council. The City Manager is the real power. But then who hires
the city manager and who appoints people to boards? The mayor does have
more power than the others on the council.

---
* and turning it into a place for stores and higher income "better" people.
But this is not new... Champaign always tears down housing. And fails to
notice the homeless, except to say that charities or the federal government
should do something about it. And that General Assistance money should not
be spent.

On Thu, Mar 19, 2015 at 3:44 PM, Brian Dolinar wrote:

> HI David,
>
> Thanks very much for the wrap up. I've been watching from afar, and not
> watching very closely. I'm not excited about anybody in the running for
> Champaign Mayor. But I just want to remind ourselves that the changes that
> happened in Champaign since Kiwane was killed, changes which CUCPJ has been
> at the fore in pushing, happened with NO HELP from Deb Feinen and Karen
> Foster who were on council before and after Kiwane's murder. I'm not a big
> fan of Girard, but he was a newcomer and did seem to facilitate some of the
> changes. Joe Petry as far as I've heard is a Republican/Champaign Country
> Clubber, who is using the school issue - he's behind "Keep Central Central"
> and previous "Rewind" campaigns - to gain political capital.
>
> Anyone have anything else to add? Thanks again DG.
>
> BD
>
>
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