There are two new commissioners on the Streator City Council. David “Moose” Conner and David Reed were sworn in at the city’s committee of the whole meeting Tuesday afternoon. Conner says his father was a commissioner on the city council years ago, so working for the city has been a part of his life. He himself has worked for the city in other areas for thirty years.
Streator Commissioner David “Moose” Conner.
One of his goals is to get more money so the city can fully staff the police department. He says the department is so understaffed and overworked that more officers will leave before new one’s come in. He says the city needs a bigger police presence.
This isn’t the first time David Reed has been on the council. He was an elected commissioner from 1997-2001. Reed says he wanted to run because there has been a lack of experience on the council recently and residents were asking him to be on the council again. He wants to get the city’s population back up because they are losing money from people moving away. He also wants to educate people about annexation.
Streator Commissioner David Reed.
Mayor Tara Bedei was also sworn in, but this time after being elected to be the city’s mayor. She was appointed in 2022 after former Mayor Jimmy Lansford resigned for health reasons. She says she some of her goals include continuing to work on economic development and working on some city parks.
Mayor Tara Bedei being sworn in by City Clerk Patty Henderson.
Incumbent Commissioner Tim Geary was also sworn in for another term on the council. Commissioner Matt McMullen’s seat was not up for reelection this time.
Commissioner Tim Geary.