My wife, Becky, and I came to Southern Illinois in the 70’s as students at SIU.  Becky has two degrees from SIU and after undergraduate studies at Eastern Illinois University I completed graduate studies at SIU in wildlife ecology.  I worked for 10 plus years as an assistant scientist in the Department of Botany, working on reforestation reclamation of surface mined land in and around Illinois.  After that I spent 27 years in the Land Reclamation Division of the IDNR as a reclamation specialist and then as a wildlife specialist.   

 

Becky and I have lived near the Smiley Face water tower for 30 years and prior to that we lived for several years on Cedar Creek Road.  Our two children attended Unity Point School and Carbondale High School and continued their education completing degree programs at the college level.

 

I have served on numerous local Boards including:

• Saluki Swim Club for nearly 20 years including several terms as President.

• Epiphany Lutheran Church in Carbondale

• Carbondale Park District’s Aquatics committee since its inception.

• Buncombe Public Water District

• And, for the past 4 years, Trustee on this Makanda Township Board.

 

As a trustee seeking re-election, my part in Expecting Better from Makanda Township government will be to serve all residents and to help ensure that tax dollars are spent wisely and in compliance with applicable regulations.  I will work hard to improve trust and accountability between the Board and the Highway Commissioner.  With input from the public, the Highway Commissioner and the Board, I want to help develop a list of published projects, the estimated costs, and projected completion dates.  Also, with input from the public, I will work to develop a priority list for snow removal, cinder spreading and roadside mowing.

 

Additional objectives to Expect Better from our Makanda Township government:

• Improve the Township’s on-line tools and information page.

• Create a Township office at Fire Station 2 and aggregate Township records at that location.

• Increase visibility and knowledge of our Fire Department.

• Promote awareness of the General Assistance program.

• Explore options for high-speed internet within the Township.

• Help to develop public high-speed internet hot-spot locations.

• Acquire solar panels for both fire stations.

• Develop a donation center contact location to benefit those in need.