The campaign is over; now the real work begins. Chuck Weaver and Beth Akeson take on the challenging task of finding innovative solutions to tax hikes, economic development snafus and Peoria’s $11 million deficit.
Long-standing structural problems and fiscal irresponsibility looming over the city may cut the celebrations short for city council-at large newcomers, Chuck Weaver and Beth Akeson. Although $30 million spending chunks have been sliced the past two years, that success stands in the shadow of upcoming budget deliberations for 2012. And while taxpayers have poured millions into economic development projects-turned-failures, the angst of city residents has grown with Peoria’s debt.
Stepping Up
Five out of the ten candidates running in the at-Large election this year will step up to the challenge of polishing Peoria’s image. Chuck Weaver, 54, co-owner of Peoria’s Builders and a lawyer known for his community service on the Youth Farm Board, the Dunlap Community School Board and Peoria’s Zoning Board of Appeals, captured the most votes in the at-Large City Council race on April 5 winning 14,785, or 25 percent of votes. Former Heart of Peoria commissioner Beth Akeson finished fifth with 6,040 votes or 10.2 percent. In second place was Heartland Partnership Vice President of Development Ryan Spain, 28, with 10,072 votes, or 17 percent. Gary Sandburg, 64, finished third with 8,390 votes, or 14.2 percent, and retired Caterpillar Marketing Manager Eric Turner, 64, finished fourth with 6,911 or 11.7 percent.
Eric Turner will be serving his fifth term on the council and says the reason why all three incumbents are coming back to the horseshoe is that the public has faith in them during tough economic circumstances. Spain says he was pleased that all incumbents finished strong after giving a great effort during the campaign. Council members will take their seats in early May.
Confronting the Issues
Weaver, who celebrated at Lariat Steakhouse, said he was “incredibly happy” and “honored” to have the large band of supporters and volunteers helping him and attributed his success to running a clean campaign. Weaver ran on the platform of bringing young families to Peoria by highlighting the city’s well-grounded school system, safety and appealing property values. He also promised to create a reputation for Peoria as a “business-friendly city,” decreasing investment risks for local taxpayers. Neighborhood revitalization is also a top priority for Weaver, citing the Main Street corridor as a site that needs attention.
After a close but disappointing loss to Timothy Riggenbach for the District 3 seat in the City Council election two years ago (Akeson lost by a mere 12 votes), she is elated at having captured an at-Large seat. Her platform included land-use issues and how planning can have a positive impact on Peoria’s budget and on bringing families into Peoria. An advocate for seeking input from the public, engaging in transparent processes and decreasing the budget deficit, Akeson’s approval falls short of invoking tax increases (she would only do so as a last option and would avoid those increases that tax low-income citizens hardest).
Akeson captured her seat, winning over former councilman Chuck Grayeb by 481 votes, a difference of just 1 percent. Grayeb garnered 5,559 votes, or 9.4 percent, having been endorsed by all three Peoria unions. Behind Grayeb were Jim Stowell, a District 150 Board member who placed seventh with 2,403 votes or 4.1 percent; Andre Williams with 2,261 votes, or 3.8 percent; C.J. Summers, 40, placed ninth with 1,812 votes, or 3.1 percent; and George Azouri, 20, placed 10th with 1,011 votes or 1.7 percent.
In all, only 17.5 percent of voters cast a ballot compared with 22.6 percent four years ago during the last at-Large council election.