2015 - chambermastercloud.chambermaster.com/userfiles/userfiles/... · a pre-2008 economy. the...

2015

VOTING GUIDE FOR

LOCAL ELECTIONS

C A N D I D A T E F O R S C H O O L B O AR D

Name: Jane Soehlke Biographical Information:

Married to Jerry Soehlke for 44 years

2 children (Stacey Soehlke Lauenstein) and Sara Soehlke; 4 grandchildren.

Retired teacher from Grant/Illini District #110 and substituted in Collinsville Unit #10 from 2005-2010.

Member of SS Peter and Paul Parish, Collinsville Jr. Service

Present Unit 10 School Board Member. Top Three Issues of Candidacy:

1. Facilities - Continuing to look at long term and short term needs of our facilities in Unit 10.

2. Student Achievement- Continuing to make sure our curriculum is up to date and aligned with standards.

3. Technology-Continuing to make sure we have the technology that students need to succeed. Also overseeing the 1 to 1 initiative that was started at the middle school this year.


Name: Wayne White Biographical Information:

8 Years Collinsville School Board (Current Board Secretary) 18 Year Police Officer Glen Carbon Police Department Rank of

Lieutenant 1990 Graduate Collinsville High School 1994 Graduate Illinois State University Happily married to wife Renee White 20 Years 3 Children (Daughter Brooklynn Sophomore at MIZZOU) ( Twin

Sons Braden and Chance Freshman at CHS) Very passionate about the success and welfare Collinsville Unit 10

School District Top Three Issues of Candidacy:

1. Make every effort to improve the safety and security of all students and staff in the school district

2. Work with the central administration to formulate short term and long term strategic plan to improve academic success of all students

3. Work with entire Collinsville School District Community to improve all facilities within the district (including buildings, sports fields, grounds, and classrooms), while continuing to be fiscally responsible.


Name: Gary Clark Biographical Information:

Address: 12 Grandbrook Collinsville, Illinois 62234 Age: 63 Birthplace: Fairfield, Illinois Family Status: Married for 41 years to Shirley Clark Number of Children: 3 Grandchildren: 6 Education: BA from McKendree College (1973) and a MS from SIUE

(1987) Occupation: Retired Teacher Political Party: Independent Office Sought: Seat on the Collinsville CUSD 10 School Board Honors: Founder and Founding President of the Friends of The

Collinsville Memorial Library; Past President of the Illinois Directors of Student Activities, Co-hosted the 2005 National Student Council Convention in Collinsville; Past President of the National Association of Student Council Executive Directors, Executive Director for the Illinois Association of Student Council; received the Key to the City of Collinsville and was named Collinsville Teacher of the year in 2005

Top Three Issues of Candidacy:

1. Continue my push to create a Strategic Plan for every school in the district to ensure we are planning wisely for the future needs of our students and community.

2. Continue to spend taxpayer dollars wisely to ensure our kids get the best education possible.

3. Continue to push the district to provide a quality education for all of our students including those with special needs and those who need additional enrichment to excel.


Name: Dennis Craft Biographical Information:

Lifelong resident of Collinsville Married for 39 years to wife Jean 2 children Jeff and Laura, 4 grandchildren Graduate of Collinsville High School Vietnam Veteran – 4 years in United States Air Force B.S. and M.S. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Ed.D.- Educational Leadership- St. Louis University Educator 37 years-Collinsville Unit 10- teacher, principal, assistant

superintendent and district superintendent Top Three Issues of Candidacy:

1. Support staff to help improve curriculum and student achievement 2. Maintaining and improving neighborhood, community and school

district facilities 3. Fiscal responsibility


Name: Rob Hails Biographical Information:

1985 Graduate of Chatham Glenwood High School 1989 Graduate of Southern Illinois University Carbondale Lived in Collinsville since 1991 Happily married to Toni Hails 24 years 4 Children – twin boys, Austin and Brady (2011 CHS grads), daughter

Shelby (CHS Senior), son Tanner (CHS Junior) Top Three Issues of Candidacy:

1. Work with the Collinsville Community to improve all facilities within the school district. This will improve the community itself.

2. Work with the Collinsville School District administration to ensure that all teachers have what they need to challenge each and every student so they can be successful in future endeavors.

3. To ensure that all students have a safe, structured environment to improve their educational experience.


Name: Scott Penny, Jr. Biographical Information:

3 years Fairmont City Police officer 2007 graduate of Granite City High School 2012 Graduate Northern Illinois University, B. S. in Education Awarded Division 1 College wrestling scholarship Volunteer wrestling coach and official Part time faculty member, Southwestern Illinois College, Administration

of Justice Program Illinois Police Training Board and Illinois Department of Professional

Regulation Certified Instructor Certified police juvenile officer Lifelong metro east resident


1. Maintaining and improving the district curriculum to meet state requirements and improve student educational performance.

2. Making sure students and staff have a safe and inviting classroom environment.

3. To make efficient use of taxpayer funds in district operations.

C A N D I D A T E F O R M A Y O R

Name: John V. Miller Biographical Information:

Age - 67 Lived in Collinsville 44 years. Married to Diane for 46 years. Two daughters, 7 grandchildren U.S. Air Force and Vietnam Veteran; member of American Legion Post

365; Life Member VFW Post 5691 Retired Collinsville firefighter (31 years). Retired as Captain/Paramedic 10 years City Council experience with 7-1/2 years as mayor Serve on STARRS (St. Louis Area Regional response System) Board of

Directors, Past President, Director Emeritus; east West Gateway Council of Governments, Board of Directors; Southwestern Illinois council of Mayors, President.

Attend First Baptist Church Collinsville. Top Three Issues of Candidacy:

1. Continue to keep the City moving in a positive direction by completing the ongoing projects that are currently underway. (Collins House Park, Streetscape program, Water Plant replacement, infrastructure improvements, beneficial economic development) Maintain the current level of staffing in our public safety departments (both fire and police)

2. Continue a working relationship between the City and Unit 10; Continue to work on regional issues with State and Federal legislators.

3. Work toward citizen satisfaction concerning the municipal government.

C A N D I D A T E F O R M A Y O R

Name: Michael “Mike” Tognarelli Biographical Information:

Age: 61 Lifetime Collinsville resident Married to Lora 25 years Member of St. Peter and Paul Parish 4 children, 8 grandchildren Graduated from CHS in 1971 Eagle Scout in 1967 Started with Collinsville Street Dept. in 1973; Promoted to Working

Foreman in 1987; promoted to Director in 1993. Retired from Street Dept. 2010 Elected to Collinsville City Council in 2011


1. The impact that decisions of the State of Illinois could have on the City of Collinsville’s Budget is my biggest concern. Currently the State is considering reducing the City’s share of the “Local Government Distributive Fund”, which is the City’s Share of State Income Tax. This reduction could impact our general fund revenue by 13% or approximately $2.5 million dollars per year. The City has to have strong leadership, with an active voice, pointed at Springfield and our State representatives to avoid such changes.

2. The lack of Economic Development in the City of Collinsville is an issue. We have sustained some Commercial growth, but I fear that without Residential growth soon, the Commercial development will stagnate even more. This is achievable with strong council support and careful long term planning.

3. A long term infrastructure plan for the aging neighborhoods within the city is needed. We cannot let them deteriorate. Streets, bridges, sidewalks, drainage and curbs, needs more than the $350,000 per year the Utility tax generates. I would like to see all revenue generated from Gaming Machines be dedicated to infrastructure.

C A N D I D A T E F O R C I T Y C O U N C I L

Name: Cheryl Brombolich Biographical Information:

52 years old Lifelong resident of Collinsville Attended SS Peter & Paul School Graduated from Collinsville High School in 1980 Married with 2 daughters and 1 grandson Co-President of Lady Kahok Basketball Booster Club Worked for the City of Collinsville for 31 years. Started my career as a

front counter clerk accepting water bill payments and rose to Director of Operations/City Clerk, the position I held when I retired in September of 2014.


1. Transparency: continue and expand the programs I put in place to provide information to the residents through the City website, social media and other means. Improve communication between the City and its residents.

2. Financial Stewardship: provide services at the lowest cost possible without detriment to the quality of those services.

3. Continuous Improvement: reinstate improvement programs and create a Strategic Plan that ensures the City is progressing in a positive direction in residential and commercial growth.


Name: Karen Woolard Biographical Information:

Karen Woolard was raised in Fairview Heights and has been an Illinois resident all of her life.

She has lived in Collinsville since 2004. For the last 15 years Karen has worked for small businesses in

Collinsville. The last 7 years she has been employed as the Office Manager at Beltline

Chiropractic. Karen has had significant leadership experience throughout her life.


1. Responsible Spending of the Taxpayers’ Money - Those governing in the city must keep in mind that the funds they spend belong to the people.

2. Planning for Stability in an Uncertain Future - We are no longer living in a pre-2008 economy. The ever-increasing debt of our nation, our state and at the local level is proof that things must change. We have to look at the future and exercise great wisdom in planning if we are going to avoid the mistakes that will harm our community.

3. Focus on the Basics – I believe the responsibilities and limitations of the government were clearly outlined by our forefathers. Therefore, we must establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity. This founding philosophy must be at the core of our governing, especially at the local level for it is here in our community that we the people live our lives and where elected officials can be held accountable face to face.


Name: Rob Dorman Biographical Information:

Rob Dorman lives with his wife and 7 year old son on Davis Woods, is a CHS graduate and has lived in Collinsville the majority of his life.

Prior to this Collinsville City Council race Rob served as an Election Judge and Precinct Committeeman, and is currently a member of the Illinois State Board of Education Gifted Advisory Council.

Rob earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communications from SIUE and a MBA from Lindenwood University.

Rob works as an Information and Technology Manager. Top Three Issues of Candidacy:

1. Municipal responsibility -- I believe the function of city is to provide an infrastructure and maintain it for the resident taxpayers and provide for public safety at an affordable cost. From my experience the reason most people move to a community is because of good schools, low taxes and a decent infrastructure. The population has increased 27 people per year from 2000 to 2013, we need to address why and fix it.

2. TIF Districts -- I believe TIF districting has been abused in Collinsville. TIF should only be used as a last resort for truly blighted areas, should have a robust business plan, and be short term. TIF’s generally take money away from schools which increase school taxes.

3. Collins House—I do not think a city should be responsible for rehabbing or maintaining any property regardless of historical significance since there are private groups much better positioned to raise funds and manage costs associated with the restoration and maintenance without affecting taxpayers.


Name: Richard “Jeff” Stehman Biographical Information:

Employed by City of O’Fallon Community Development Dept., 1995-Present Building and Zoning Supervisor

Private Business Owner in Collinsville, 1974-2011 Collinsville Police Officer, 1972-1975 Veteran, U.S. Air Force Reserves, 1968-1974 Ranken Technical College Graduate, 1968 Collinsville High School Class of 1966 Third Generation Lifelong Collinsville Resident Long Time Community Service Volunteer President of Illinois Council of Code Administrators, 2012-Present President of Code Enforcement Officials of Southern Illinois, 2004-2006 Served on Collinsville Planning Commission, 1992-2007 (Served Three

Years as Chairman) Chair Citizens for Council-Manager Government, Collinsville, 1990 Co-Chair of Collinsville Government Study Committee appointed by City

Council, 1987-1989 Top Three Issues of Candidacy:

1. Continued emphasize on Economic Development, to remain competitive in our region; Create a climate in which people have “Confidence to Invest” which spurs residential and business development

2. Our City must continue to provide the highest level of public safety services possible; We must be fiscally responsible in providing services, but not penny wise and pound foolish

3. Increase our City’s attractiveness, especially at our gateways

A D D I T I O N A L I N F O R M A T I O N

Thank you for taking the time to read our Voting Guide, and thank you to all of the candidates for providing responses for our Voting Guide. We hope that this will prove to be an objective and fair way of getting information out to Collinsville residents. To meet the candidates and hear where they stand on some of the most important issues, please join us at our Local Candidates Forum at the Collinsville Library on Tuesday, March 10th at 6pm. Get out and vote on April 7th!

2015 - chambermastercloud.chambermaster.com/userfiles/userfiles/... · a pre-2008 economy. the...

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