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NAME: John Prigge
POSITION FOR WHICH YOU ARE A CANDIDATE:
Elgin City Council
1. Why are you seeking this position?
I believe in Elgin and the citizens who live here. I also believe those citizens want a better, prouder and more affordable city to live in while being lead honestly with authentic service. I want to continue my work in showing citizens they have an advocate that works hard to make those three desires happen. To continue on that mission I am seeking to be re-contracted for another term as councilman.
2. What experience and background do you have which qualifies you for this position?
I have a wealth of municipal experience with my two terms on the city council, which has greatly enhanced my ability to understand the process and get things done for Elgin citizens. In addition, being a self-employed, small business owner, I face many of the same challenges that others do. I am acutely aware of how important it is to get our local economy moving forward again, then to help keep it moving in the right direction. It’s this thinking that is at the foundation of my call for making economic development a core service, our fourth core service, along with police, public works and fire. I’m extremely proud of the work ethic I’ve brought to my eight years on the Elgin City Council as I spend 32 hours weekly serving my citizens.
3. What will be your greatest challenge if elected?
Trying to change the current council’s frustrating reliance on raising taxes first, asking questions second. Elgin homeowners bear the heaviest burden of this disheartening way of running our city. They are forced to struggle on an uneven playing field. The potential cuts and reductions I’ve proposed are not an unabridged solution to all of our local financial issues, but a step toward mitigating the council’s dependence on always taking the most convenient route to passing an annual budget. In the same spirit, I have posted my Agenda 2017 list on various social media sites. This agenda is intended to start a dialogue with our citizens, increasing participation with them and fulfilling our obligation to open the process of government.
Release for publication? YES
I will attend the forum? YES
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