Former Oglesby mayor Don Finley says if he becomes mayor again, he’ll fill vacant buildings on the city’s west end. He says he’ll develop relationships with building owners and connect them to tenants looking for places. Finley says the first impression many people have of Oglesby is on that side of town. He would also work with downtown building owners.
Candidate Jim Cullinan, currently a commissioner, wants to fix the city’s electrical problems. He says the city’s water system needs work too. He wants the fire hydrants to be fully functional. And he’d avoid foolish spending.
Cullinan also wants to use the city’s parks for more events.
Commissioner Jason Curran says Finley had the chance to support the city’s utilities during eight years as mayor and didn’t. Curran says the city’s water and sewer rates should have gone up long ago so they wouldn’t have had to be raised drastically more recently to pay for a new wastewater treatment plant.
And Curran says Cullinan went along with water rate hikes but is saying lately the city didn’t need them.
The three mayoral candidates and five running for commissioner introduced themselves and explained their views during a no-debate candidate forum at the Oglesby library tonight. The entire event can be seen at this link.