LP_031419

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10 | March 14, 2019 | the lockport legend Election 2019
lockportlegend.com
City of Lockport Third Ward Alderman (2 for 1 four-year term)
Name: Mark
Lobes
Age: 40
Occupation:
High
school teacher
and coach
Prior elected political
experience: City of Lockport
Third Ward Alderman
2018-present, Homer
Township Fire District
Trustee 2008-2017
Why are you running
for third ward alderman?
I am running for a full
four-year term as alderman
because I would like
to continue the success
our current City Council
and Mayor Streit have
provided Lockport, from
Lockport Square to the
revitalization of our historic
downtown as a destination,
we are on the
right path. The third ward
will see the next wave
of smart growth and responsible
development.
I would like to continue
representing them on the
City Council during this
period.
NEW YEAR.
NEW SUCCESS.
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What makes you the
best candidate for this
position?
As current third ward
alderman and longtime
Lockport resident, I
have developed positive
relationships with
key stakeholders that
represent the third ward
and our city. The current
City Council, Mayor and
City Staff have a superb
working relationship
that has lead to developers
and business taking
notice of our city. I want
to continue in the role as
third ward alderman in
order to best represent
the residents of our ward
during this great time for
our city. My prior experience
on the HTFPD
board of trustees and as
president of my homeowners
association has
allowed experience in
several different areas
that I can use in my responsibility
as third ward
alderman.
What are the Top 3 issues
you see facing the
City, and what would
you do to solve them?
Property taxes, needed
commercial development,
and a destination downtown
for the residents. The
mayor and city council
have taken the necessary
steps to ease the property
tax burden on our residents
by enacting smart
growth and responsible
development policies that
are attracting commercial
property growth, from
Marcus Cinemas and a
new Holiday Inn Express
hotel, to a Chrysler/Jeep/
Dodge dealership, we are
creating 159th and Interstate
355 as our commercial
hub, while budgeting
wisely and conservatively.
We also continue with
the redevelopment of our
historic downtown to
make it a destination for
our residents and those
from other areas with several
new restaurants, businesses
and historic restorations.
I also promise to
work with the Council to
put a long-term moratorium
on warehouse developments.
The Lockport Legend
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Name: Joseph Krier
Age: 39
Occupation: Insurance
Prior elected political experience:
N/A
Why are you running for
third ward alderman?
Three main goals have driven me to
run for third ward alderman. Firstly, I
want to make a positive difference in my
ward with improved transparency. I look
forward to applying my diverse knowledge,
background, and negotiation skills
to help lead Lockport forward for years
to come. Secondly, I want to establish
better communication with elected officials
at the local, state, and federal levels
to ensure their support for Lockport’s future
growth and financial needs. Finally,
I love helping others. I will listen to those
in my ward, work on their behalves, and
ensure their voices are heard.
What makes you the best candidate
for this position?
As third ward alderman, I will apply
the same level-headed thinking, decision
making, and problem-solving skills that
have made me successful in the insurance
field. Being self-employed, my interactions
with others, attention to detail,
and ability to earn and maintain a high
level of trust with my clients have been
crucial to my success. Residents who
I’ve had the pleasure of meeting from
throughout the state count on my expertise
to provide them with direction and
honest, accurate results when they find
themselves in the stressful and vulnerable
position of being involved with an
insurance loss. I’m a board member for
Cedar Ridge of Lockport Homeowners
Association and recently negotiated a
settlement for damages to our monument
for 92 percent higher than the original
amount offered. My ability to produce
results, control costs, and maintain trust
is what makes me the best candidate for
third ward alderman.
What are the Top 3 issues you see facing
the City, and what would you do to
solve them?
1. An immediate issue the City has
been dealing with is the malfunctioning
railroad crossing at 9th Street just
before the bridge in downtown. The
State of Illinois has summarized railroad
crossing safety into three “E’s”
which are education, enforcement, and
engineering. Within Illinois, the Illinois
Commerce Commission has the statutory
responsibility to improve safety
at public railroad crossings and the authority
to order safety improvements.
I would work closely with the ICC on
capital and safety improvements to repair
the gate failures and ensure public
safety is restored.
2. Funding for our Capital Improvement
Projects is an ongoing process
that is vital to the advancement of new
projects and upkeep of existing infrastructure.
Prioritizing the CIP along with
guaranteeing the service and utility level
needs for future residents and businesses
will ensure the livability of our neighborhoods.
I will look to reduce costs
through timely planning, budgeting, and
contract negotiations while maintaining
an acceptable service level.
3. Taking a new look at old compliance
codes to verify they are still relevant
to current standards and technology
advances since being written. This
will better help existing and incoming
businesses prosper and will demonstrate
Lockport’s pro-business attitude.
Strengthening our community begins
with transparency and ongoing communication
with residents, developers, businesses,
and governmental organizations,
and I feel I have the skills, experience,
and abilities to be a positive asset to our
community.
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