The nation's mayors send their ideas for Obama

Downers Grove, IL
Pop. 48,724
Ron Sandack, mayor
Thank you for the opportunity to offer some modest suggestions for our 44th President. Because he is a member of the United States Senate from the Great State of Illinois and has personally been to Downers Grove, Illinois, President-Elect Obama knows the needs of our state and region very well. Nonetheless, I offer two modest suggestions:
1. Public Infrastructure. The public infrastructure in the Village of Downers Grove (and the west suburban region) is in need of significant re-investment. Downers Grove would benefit from additional federal funding that could be invested directly into local streets, storm sewers, water mains and other public infrastructure.
2. Community Development Block Grant. Downers Grove could benefit from additional funding in the Community Development Block Grant program, similar to other communities.

East Moline, IL
Pop. 20,333
John Thodos, mayor
1. Federal Capital Improvement Projects. Specific situation: Mississippi River levee upgrade and repair project. Project has been engineered and approved by the Corps of Engineers, lacks funding. Cost $2,500,000.
National Health Insurance Program. Currently the City of East Moline spends annually $2,500,000 for employee coverage for 180 employees.

Harwood Heights, IL
Pop. 8,297
Margaret 'Peggy' Fuller, village president
1. Media distortion. Too often in my small village, what happens at our board meetings is in stark contrast to what is published in local newspaper. Perhaps local papers would like to attract subscribers by making egregious errors of omission, but it is now commonplace for a one-sided view of local governing actions to exist for our village. As an insulting, scary side effect, politicians are trying to take office based on the poor media coverage. Obama must confront education for our average citizen.
2. Local political corruption. President-elect Obama can set up a group to examine the local chaos that is brewing in small-town America. We must make politicians accountable, and keep Fitzgerald as U.S. Attorney. As a first inner ring suburb of the city of Chicago, many politicians, both state and countywide, invade our town for more control. How can any small town mayor combat outside political corruption?

Highland Park, IL
Pop. 31,365
Michael D. Belsky, mayor
1. Provide cities with grants and flexible tax-exempt financing for sustainability efforts. For example public building retrofitting, fleet replacement, etc.
2. Focus on inner-city crime and poverty. Young African American males need a productive outlet other than gangs, guns and drugs.

Northbrook, IL
Pop. 33,435
Gene Marks, village president
1. The price of oil has decreased significantly, and in parts of the nation the cost of gasoline is around $2.00, this is starting to really help the economy by helping workers, transportation, thus reducing manufacturing costs, etc., having a snowball affect. How do you plan to help keep these prices low that affect our economy so drastically?
2. In terms of our infrastructure, many of our roads and bridges are outdated and the nation is in dire need of a high-speed rail system. What are your plans to advance this?

Oswego, IL
Pop. 13,326
Brian LeClercq, village president
As village president of Oswego, it is my job to make sure our community is a great place to live, work, and play! With the unprecedented growth, we are lacking when it comes to infrastucture. This is our single greatest need.

Palos Hills, IL
Pop. 17,665
Gerald R. Bennett, mayor
1. Homeland security funding: Under the current program, allocation of monies must go to the state rathern than the counties. Local government cannot apply. We need a change in the program that would be a direct federal to local government grant program. As chairman of Southwest Central Dispatch Police and Fire Agency, we have been trying for the last 5 years for funding to expand and upgrade our faculty in Palos Heights, Ill., where 16 police and fire department are members. We need help.
2. Federal highway funding: Under this existing program, which is about to put together its next 4-year funding cycle, we need to expand the program to include not only highways, but new transit, bridge and other public infrastructure improvements badly needed by local government. Our city has multiple public road, sewer, water and building projects that could be assisted by a new federal/city partnership.

Rolling Meadows, IL
Pop. 24,604
Ken Nelson, mayor
1. Move quickly to stabilize the economy and create a sense of confidence in the public. Don't promote a program then let it take weeks or months before anyone sees any effect for it. People are fearful. Strong and immediate action must be taken to end the fear.
2. Be bipartisan in key appointments. Mr. Obama promised to reach out across the aisle, and now has a perfect opportunity to do so. Bipartisan cabinet selections would increase his credibility and, quite frankly, indicate his desire to find the best person for a particular job without a party label.

Wilmette, IL
Pop. 27,651
Chris Canning, mayor
1. Village revenues are dependant on property taxes, sales tax and real estate transfer taxes revenues. This year alone, real estate transfer taxes are down more than 25% due to the lack of home sales. So as not to continue burdening our residents with increased real estate taxes, what will President Obama do to shore up consumer confidence so that municipal revenues will rebound?
2. Due to the economy, many municipalities are cutting budgets by reducing capital improvements. Knowing that many communities have aging infrastructures, what will President Obama propose to allow municipalities or the federal government to make the necessary investments to improve infrastructure such as roads, bridges and storm water management?

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