In search of the right answers for Du Quoin
A day after Tuesday's vote, mayor-elect Guy Alongi is intent on carrying forward the best of the Rex Duncan administration while injecting a heightened fiscal discipline.
"We're starting with a new slate," said Alongi as the last of the ballots were being counted Tuesday night.
"We are going to move Du Quoin in the direction of what is in the best interest of the residents, but we will have a more conservative approach," he said.
"I will ask two questions: 1.) Is it good for Du Quoin? and 2.) Can we afford it?" Alongi said.
On many levels, the Duncan administration will be a tough act to follow. Downtown redevelopment. Garnering millions of dollars in grant and loan monies as president of the Champion Communities program. Small business development. And, a huge vision with a foundation that Du Quoin deserves something better. He cares deeply about the city's young people and about the slow decline in population.
"I never did care much for U-turns," said Mayor Duncan Wednesday morning after his loss, trying to sort out whether conservatism equates to stopping the forward progress--even going backwards.
"Rex is a class act. I want to thank him for his service as city clerk, finance commissioner and mayor and hope he will be here for us," he said of Duncan's small business development skills and connectivity. "I know we will be able to count on him."
What Will the Alongi Administration Look Like?
Even before the last four precincts were counted, Alongi was introducing Stephanie Cravens, wife of accounting firm family member Jim Cravens, as the city's new treasurer. It was the first installment of the new look and feel of a professional fiscal conscience. She will replace longtime treasurer Jacqueline Williams at the council table. "I like Jaci Williams," Alongi said.
Alongi will ask city attorney Aaron Atkins to continue his work as the city's legal counsel while hiring outside help for labor issues. He will also ask Du Quoin Economic Development director Jeff Ashauer to continue in that role, Ashauer is treasurer of the Champion Communities program, so that important connectivity will remain intact.Alongi says he has a great respect for what Ashauer accomplishes for the city.
Alongi will largely end the position of city administrator, allowing many of those responsibilities to fall on the shoulders of new council members Mike Ward, Dale Spencer, Chuck Genesio and Gerry Whitley and the department heads.
City administrator Brad Myers' contract runs out April 30.
State statute requires cities the size of Du Quoin to have a city clerk. That work could be shouldered by deputy clerk Tami Burdel, but she lives outside the corporate limits of Du Quoin. She will continue as deputy clerk. Alongi said he may assign the clerk's role to someone as a shared responsibility or a part time position. His entire focus will be on identifying a budget director. He has begun a dialogue with three people and may advertise the position. Changing the makeup of the city's administration will require, at some point, changes in the city's ordinances and he will work with the new council to achieve that.
Alongi said he will meet with the city's auditor, Emling & Hoffman, CPA, in the coming days to "see where we are."
"It will take us two or three months to get everything done," he adds. "I will have a five-member budget committee that will meet quarterly and we will have a four-year budget that looks forward four years into the future and looks back four years into the past," he said.
Alongi said he doubts the city can rescind any of the recent 18 percent water rate increase, but adds that because of the city's work to restore the integrity of the water system that should equate to being able to capture savings in the future and will limit the size and scope of future rate increases.
"I won't micro-manage," he said, instead placing his trust in the historic good works of the city's staff.
Alongi and the new council are expected to be sworn in at the May 11 meeting.