It’s sometimes hard to believe that I have now completed my second four-year term on the Carbondale City Council; one term as a Council Member and one term as Mayor.  When I was first elected in 1999, at the youthful age of 27, things seemed so much different than they do today.  The work on the City Council is much the same, but the way we do things is different and, in my opinion, has improved.  After experience and a few years, I suppose perspective might change some, too.

Just like when I first joined the City Council, we continue to focus on economic development, public infrastructure improvements, sound budgeting and we try to keep an eye to what may be ahead or around the corner.  Our goals have changed some and our pace is faster in attempting to accomplish those goals, which has led to many successes being noted in a shorter period of time.  Among the many long range plans that still stand before us, we are aggressively working on funding for a new police station and we have great expectations for building an even-stronger relationship with Southern Illinois University.  The interconnection between the City and SIU is perhaps the best it has been in decades, and both organizations are committed to making it better yet.  The same is true for our partnerships with the local elementary and high school districts.

While we can look back at what has been done over the last four or eight years, we actually would rather look ahead and prefer to do so in both the short-term and extended terms.  Our short-term goals are easy to see when they are completed.  Our extended-term goals will take some hope and maybe a little faith on the part of the community, but they will get done and they will produce equally positive results in time.

And the best part of all of this is that we do everything with the utmost concern for citizen input and participation.  If you see something you like that is happening, please let us know.  If you know of something that isn’t happening or could be done better, we want that feedback, as well.  Together, we’re making Carbondale the Capital of Southern Illinois.