Candidate Profiles
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Nancy?Crossland
Ward 1 - 4 Year Term
What qualifies you for the position? I have held the post of Alderman Ward 1 for the past four years. The extensive experience gained while serving the city, combined with he fact that I am a lifelong resident qualifies me for the position.
Do you have any political background? I didn't have any political background prior to running for alderman, but I have since become politically educated as a result of my election.
What are your goals as councilman? I would like to continue to work as a consistent flow of communication between the council, city employees and the citizens of Chester. I want to provide effective responsible leadership for the city.
What would you like to see accomplished for the better of the city? I would like to see us aggressively work to attract new businesses. More business opportunities could translate into increased job opportunities which in turn may convince some of our youth to stay home instead of leaving to pursue jobs outside of Chester. I would also like to see us work on developing a 'community spirit or pride' that would be seen by properly maintaining our properties and showing support of our local businesses and city programs. Together we can make it better.
Why should voters vote for you? A vote for me would indicate that the voters approve of the job I have been doing as their representative. They should bote for me because of my hard working, honest up-front approach to city government. I truly care about Chester and its future. I believe my actions have proved that I am a sincere supporter of the city and that I have the city's best interest in mind as I go about my daily responsibilities.
What would you like voters to know? I would like the voters to know that even though I'm running unopposed, I still want and appreciate their vote.
Have you been involved with the city previously? Prior to the last four years as alderman, I served as a Chester Policeman and I have volunteered for many city sports activities.
Have you actively attended city council meetings? Yes, I have actively attended city council meetings. The council meets bi-monthly and I have missed only three meetings in the last four years.
Current job: My current job is serving the citizens of Chester, sometimes attending 4-6 meetings a week, in addition to ongoing committee work and answering phone calls daily
Steve Wallace
Chester City Council Ward 1 - 2 year term
What qualifies you for the position? I have four years experience as a council member which provides me with being able to start working right away after the election for my constituents.
Prior to working at the Dept. of Corrections I was a construction project manager for State of Il. Capital Development Board. There I managed construction projects my duties were from requesting funding, negotiating contracts, overseeing project design and construction, and approving pay request for assigned architect/engineering firms and contractors. This experience I feel would be valuable with the many construction projects that the city provides.
My current job as Chief Engineer at Menard Correctional Center provides the experience needed in maintaining a budget and managing people.
Do you have any political background? My previous term as ward 1 alderman and I guess my current term as Chester Library Board member is my only political experience.
What are your goals as councilman? 1. Stress and pursue additional employment opportunities and maintain existing employment in Chester.
2. Request funding from State for repairs to damaged sections of state highways that run through Chester.
3. Provide additional recreational opportunities for citizens like new pool/aquatic center, bike/hiking trails, and continue with Cohen Complex improvements.
What would you like to see accomplished for the better of the city?
1. Continue City infrastructure improvement/replacements projects like water, sewer, and natural gas lines, streets and sidewalk repairs/replacements.
2. Continue with new pool/aquatic center project that was started during my previous term and seek construction funding.
Why should voters vote for you? I have the experience, both city council and fiscal/personnel management experience. I would be a active and aggressive alderman and I would be a good steward of the citizens tax dollars by personal oversight and questioning of city expenditures.
What would you like voters to know? I decided to run for alderman again because I enjoyed my time in office and being a part of the Chester city council. I took the job as alderman seriously and would do so again . I would strive to be an active voice for ward 1.
Have you been involved with the city previously? 4 years as ward 1 alderman and currently been on Chester Library Board for 2 years.
Have you actively attended city council meetings? I have attended a few council meetings since the previous elections. I also have been active on the Chester Library Board where is was an instrumental member in saving library funding with securing a different elevator maintenance contract and saving grant funding during library interior renovations.
Current job: Chief Engineer at Menard Correctional Center
Kenny Dillmam
Ward 1 -2 Year Term
What qualifies you for the position? I want to be there to bring new ideas to the council, and I belive working in a management position for the state will help me in making serious decisions.
Do you have any political background? No not really. I ran for councilman last election and was defeated by Mr. Colvis. I ran for precinct committeeman and got that position.
What are your goals as councilman? I would like to see the tif district expanded thru down town all the way to the court house, and more businesses brought in to down town. I also would like to see the parade route with new sidewalks and then branch out from there to different streets as we get the money.
What would you like to see accomplished for the better of the city? I believe we are doing that now cleaning up the different areas of town. That will help us hopefully show that we care about our city and will hopefully bring in new businesses. I would also like to see the city workers cross trained in different departments so the critical areas like gas, water, and sewer departments can be responded to quickly, and taken care of.
Why should voters vote for you? I have choose this city to bring up my family and along with my wife Sara have put our business here in this city. We have good christian values and believe we need to start using those values in our everyday decisions.
What would you like voters to know? I will do my best to make sound decisions for the betterment of this city and it's people.
Have you been involved with the city previously? NO
Have you actively attended city council meetings? NO ! I have on occasions attended city council meetings. Since I was appointed to this position by Mayor Eggemeyer I have attended all council meeting except one, and that had to do with my little girls health, and we were at childrens hospital with her.
Current job: Retired State worker! So I have the time to work on council issues.
James Maes
Ward 2 -4 Year Term
What qualifies you for the position?
I had considered running for City Council several years earlier when Butch Jungewaelter retired from our Ward. After deliberation, I didn't feel that I would had been able to dedicate the time and resources needed to truly server our Ward, and our City, in the same way that Butch had been able to.
Luckily, my current positions as Director of Technology and Product Development for a St Louis Software Development Company, as well as a small business owner, gives me the flexibility and resources to dedicate myself to the needs of our City and the experience and outlook to work towards forging the path forward for Chester.
Do you have any political background? Politics, as defined by a group of people working together to make collective decisions, is what I do for a living. Be it in the boardroom of a corporation or at the table of local community organizations, the ability to rise above the personalities and to work towards the common good is something that I pride myself on and have built a career out of.
What are your goals as councilman? Chester has a strong history of striking the balance between progress, civic values, and financial stability. My goal is to continue and enhance that path and to ensure that we are able to maintain our identity while embracing the changes needed to ensure our city remains on a solid foundation.
What would you like to see accomplished for the better of the city? I am excited to work with the entire group of interested parties, the other elected officials, city employees, community leaders and the concerned citizens, to find our common ground and goals.
The void left by Carolyn Schwent's retirement from the council will prove exceptionally tough to replace. Her twelve years of service and hard work for the city and the community sets a great example for all of us, and I look forward to doing my best to fill and expand upon her role.
Why should voters vote for you? My interests are with the policies of the city, not the politics. It's time to remove the agendas and focus on the people and the community. We need to have the vision to be able to look past the issue of the day and focus on the long-term growth and stability of our community.
What would you like voters to know? After living in St Louis for several years and then moving back to town in 2002, I developed a keen appreciation of the advantages of living in Chester. We have a very strong and unique local sense of community, civic pride, and of family. When you find such a special place, a place where you can raise your family and belong to a community, you should do everything possible to contribute back and to support that.
I'm not running for alderman to advance a particular agenda or to push any platform or grievance. I'm running for alderman because I have chosen to make Chester my home and I want to do everything possible to support it. I can bring a unique perspective to the council and our town; a vision of progress built upon a solid and stable financial foundation with an eye towards not just the present, but more importantly, the future.
Current Job? I am the Director of Technology and Product Development for a St Louis based 3PL company, Materialogic, with operations across the US. In addition, I am also a founding partner of MMLT Holdings, a small business that specializes in emerging markets support and custom development needs for the retail and social marketing industries.
Donnie Clark
Ward 2 -4 Year Term
What qualifies you for the position? I am a lifelong resident of Chester and have raised my family here. As a long time supporter of Chester, I have been involved with the community since my children were young including; coaching Chester Khoury League and consistently supporting the youth of Chester. My commitment continues to the growth and improvement of our community and to take an active role in the city council meetings. I have held supervisory positions during my years of employment at the Dept. of Corrections. I also served on the Executive Board of AFSCME Local 1175.
What are your goals as councilman? I think over the past two years our community has made great progress. I am interested in the infrastructure and maintenance on our community streets and sidewalks. I would also like to help promote more businesses and employment opportunities for our citizens. I want to be an advocate for the residents that live in Ward 2.
Why should voters vote for you? I have lived in Ward 2 for the past 20 years it is my desire to work with the citizens of Ward 2, to listen to their ideas and needs. I have been employed by the Department of Corrections for the past 27 years. I feel that I will be ready to take on the task of Alderman since I will be retiring within the next year. After retirement I feel I can devote even more of my time and energy to the issues that matter to the citizens of Ward2. If elected for Alderman I would look forward to working with the council, being the voice for Ward 2 and continuing to make a difference in Chester.
Have you been involved with the city previously? I served as Zoning Administrator for four years under Mayor Joe Eggemeyer and attended city council meetings.
Current Job: I am employed with the Dept of Corrections for the past 27 years and am currently working in the maintenance dept.
Ray Allison
Chester City Council Ward 4 - 4 year term
What qualifies you for the position? Working 37 years in construction for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has given me the experience working in many phases of construction and dealing with all different types of people. I have worked closely with my supervisors, my fellow workers and the contractors in accomplishing our goal, to complete the project on time, within budget, giving our customers a good quality product, and keeping the project safe.
Do you have any political background? No
What are your goals as councilman? My goal is to do the best job that I can to represent the people in Ward 4. To make myself available to them and to listen and understand their wants and needs. And of course make good decisions in the best interest for the City of Chester.
What would you like to see accomplished for the better of the city? To continue with the improvements of the infrastructure in the city. I would like to see more businesses , more revenue come into our community . But in doing this, we all need to work together in making this possible. Also I would like to see more activities and opportunities for our youth. Continue to have a safe and comfortable place to live for all of our citizens.
Why should voters vote for you? I feel that my experience that I gained in working in construction, the leadership that I shown in the past and the ability to deal with people will enable me to be an effective alderman for the people in Chester.
What would you like voters to know? I am the youngest son of Ruby and the late Reuel Allison. I was born and raised in Chester. I attended St. Mary's Grade School and graduated from Chester High School in 1970. I also attended 1 year at Belleville Area College. I have been married to my wife Ilene for 30 years, we have 3 beautiful daughters and 5 grandchildren. Ilene and I have been living here for the past 6 years and we enjoy living here very much. I have been an active member of the Knights of Columbus for 40 years, during that time I have been a Grand Knight for 2 K of C Councils. I am also a member of the Eagles Club. After my retirement I plan to be more active in our city.
Have you been involved with the city previously? Yes. I worked for the City Street Department from 1971 - 1973. Also I served on the Chester Building Committee for 3 years.
Have you actively attended city council meetings? Yes. Since I announced my candidacy for alderman I have been attending the council meetings from time to time.
Current job: At the present time, I am the Senior Construction Representative with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers stationed at Scott Air Force Base.
Russ Rader
Chester City Council Ward 3 - 4 year term
What qualifies you for the position? A lifelong resident of Chester.
Do you have any political background? 4 years experience on the city council.
What are your goals as councilman? To work with the water and sewer departments and to keep the city budget under control.
What would you like to see accomplished for the better of the city? Beautify the city Get a permit from the EPA to put backwash water into the river instead of the sewer plant.
Why should voters vote for you? I'm a lifelong resident of Chester. I enjoy working on the city council and I enjoy working with people.
What would you like voters to know? I have lived in Chester for 63 years. I served in the Marine Corps. I worked for the city for 28 years.
Have you been involved with the city previously? Yes, I worked at the water department for 28 years and Chester City Councilman for 4 years.
Have you actively attended city council meetings? Yes, as water superintendent of 10 years, I attended a council meeting every month.
Current job: Retired from the city of Chester.
Bob Decker
Chester City Council Ward 3 - 4 year term
What qualifies you for the position? 20 years with the City of Chetser
Do you have any political background? No
What are your goals as councilman? Better maintaining of city property.
What would you like to see accomplished for the better of the city? I would like the city and state to work together for better road conditions through town.
Why should voters vote for you? My experience with the city
What would you like voters to know? I will do my best to get things accomplished for the city.
Have you been involved with the city previously? 20 years work experience. Volunteer at the Stone Cottage. Involved 15 years with the Cohen House. Mowed state right-of-way and city property for 30 years. Was on the committee for the Welcome Center.
Have you actively attended city council meetings? Yes, as water superintendent of 10 years, I attended a council meeting every month.
Current job: Retired.