The Sun spoke recently with each of the four men running to be Naperville’s next mayor when voters go to the polls on April 7. This is the last of four reports stemming from those talks.
Question: The mayor’s job brings long hours and low pay, and it’s often thankless. Why do you want it?
Steve Chirico, 54
“I think we have a lot of challenges, and I think that we’re going to need to have a plan that’s more than just allowing things to happen naturally,” he said. “I have a vision, because of my business background, that we can, by employing sensible policies, promote a very robust local economy, and this is what we’re going to need to have to continue to fund our schools and our safe neighborhoods. We will not be able to do it with property taxes alone.”
Real estate bills are high enough now, Chirico said, and with growth-related revenue having all but disappeared, and the city’s cash reserves declining, economic growth is “the only path” to fiscal stability that won’t burden the taxpayer.
Information about Chirico and his campaign can be found at http://www.chiricoformayor.com.
Jim Haselhorst, 55
“I believe, first off, in giving back to the community,” Haselhorst said. “I like being productive.”
A recent retiree from the U.S. Navy Reserve, Haselhorst said he’ll give the mayor’s duties as much time as his current part-time job allows if he wins the election.
He said he has discussed the position with outgoing Mayor A. George Pradel, who has been very supportive. He said he will, as Pradel has done, approach the position as a destination, rather than a post that leads to higher elected office.
“That’s not the kind of thing anybody’s done with the mayor’s office before,” said Haselhorst, who asserts that not all of his opponents share that position.
Information about Haselhorst and his campaign can be found at napervillecandidate.com.
Doug Krause, 67
“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, and I enjoy helping people,” said Krause, citing his 26-year council tenure and participation on assorted local and regional boards and commissions among his qualifications. “I bring a wealth of experience that I think is going to be important for the mayor’s race, and being able to listen to both sides of a story to be able to make an (informed) decision.”
With at least four new residents taking positions on the City Council, Krause also plans to “help with focus,” tapping his long tenure on the council.
“As much as they think they’re prepared, it’s a learning curve,” he said.
Information about Krause and his campaign can be found at http://www.krauseformayor.com.
Marty Walker, 62
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“I’m a public servant, not a politician,” said Walker, who retired from a 40-year firefighting career to chair Ribfest two years ago and now has extensive volunteer involvements. “If you have any leadership skills at all, and you surround yourself with good people, you can accomplish anything. … A lot of times people say, ‘No good deed goes unpunished,’ but it’s about doing good deeds, and taking the kicks when you get them, and turning them into more positives.”
He lives comfortably on his retiree income, he said, so it’s not about the paycheck. He said after four decades in public safety, he understands the importance of team work.
“The mayor can’t fix any problem. The council has to work together,” he said. “The mayor’s only one vote. He works as a team, with the City Council, and they direct staff as far as fixing the problem.”
Information about Walker and his campaign can be found at http://www.martywalkerformayor.com.
Twitter @scarlman