Erik Calmeyer, candidate for Seventh Ward Alderman, DeKalb City Council
Background: My name is Erik Calmeyer and I am running for 7th Ward Alderman. I have lived in DeKalb for the past four years. I came to DeKalb to attend Northern Illinois University as the recipient of the NIU Executive Club scholarship in the fall of 2007. I am currently pursuing a degree from the College of Business in Operations and Information Management. I will be pursuing a masters degree upon completion of my bachelors degree in spring of 2012, ensuring that I will be in DeKalb for at least four more years.
I have been actively involved in both DeKalb and NIU politics since moving to DeKalb. Two years ago I, served as the Director of Governmental Affairs for the NIU Student Association, and I currently serve as the student body president. Through these experiences, I have received incredible exposure to DeKalb politics and the needs of the city as a whole. My strong work ethic and business education will be of significant benefit to the City Council.
Why should people vote for you?
If elected, I will not support any tax increases. However, I do understand the importance of exploring ways to increase revenue for the city. The ability of the City Council to find ways to cut spending and while raising income is of critical importance. This can be done by widening our revenue streams, not continuously taxing the existing ones.
The safety of our community will also be a top priority. We must ensure residents of our community are safe and that the city is proactive in preventing crime. I also will create open forums and lines of communication so that the residents of the 7th ward can reach me at any time with any issues they may be having so I can work to resolve them expediently as possible.
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5 Comments
I agree about the property sales Lynn. Get them back on the books and paying taxes. Peach all you want about a depressed market, however most were never offered with any vigor when the market was up and in the mean time they are just maintenance costs and a liability. I would be fascinated to know precisely when the last piece of city owned property was sold. Betcha it’s been a while. And if you want to know how much is out there, do a search on the county site. You’ll be amazed.
I disagree about the dog license. I’m tired of not so clever ways to boost revenue on the backs of overtaxed citizens. If there is to be a dog license fee, I want one on every cat, chicken, sheep, cow, goat, pig, hermit crab and Cockatoo. Farmers should not be exempt so don’t offer the caveat that if you plan to eat it, you get a pass. How about a tax on trees? Every year streets and san has to scoop up all the leaves. We could base it on the type of tree, girth, height…. Get my drift?
Sales of a few parcels of city-owned property could help build a capital fund.
User fees are a popular option nowadays. Also, what happened to the dog licensing ordinance? Why was it suspended?
Erik, will we see you at the Women’s Center on the 21st? I hear Monica will be there.
I would not be in favor of new taxes. However, I believe the council does need to examine opportunities to generate revenue through existing resources. An example of this would be city owned property that currently is not being utilized in any effective capacity. The parking lot across the street from McDonald’s could be leased out and a company could sell parking passes for those spots. If you keep adding up opportunities to gain revenue they can add up fairly quickly.
” The ability of the City Council to find ways to cut spending and while raising income is of critical importance. This can be done by widening our revenue streams, not continuously taxing the existing ones.”
Either he’s talking about NEW TAXES! or he should be flunked out of that business school.
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Erik, why didn’t you come to the League of Women Voters debate on Monday? If you’re missing important opportunities to connect with voters, it doesn’t suggest well on your future in public affairs.