City Council, School Board Candidates Square Off During Forum

The three candidates on the ballot for Batavia’s fourth aldermanic ward and five candidates running for school board seats on March 10 squared off during the League of Women Voters of Central Kane County forum.

Susan Stark, Edward Tousana and Jamie Saam are running for the Ward 4 seat of Tom Schmitz, who decided in October not to run again.

School Board incumbents Kathleen Roberts and Matt Winkle will vie for another term against newcomers Gregg Hodge, Cathy Dremel and Patti Kozlowski.

Board Member Kristen Behmer is not seeking reelection.

Batavia City Council

City Council candidates opened the forum with their views on downtown redevelopment.

Stark said Batavia is on the right path, citing the creation of the Streetscape Committee,which she said will help encourage pedestrian traffic.

“Streetscaping is a great way to revitalize our downtown,” she said. “I think we are working towards the resurgence of the downtown area.”

Saam said attracting businesses to the downtown is key to drawing foot traffic.

“We need to actively seek out businesses to move into the downtown area,” she said.

Tousana would like to see a large retail chain move into Batavia, which he said “would draw other firms into the area.” He also noted the city’s need for additional downtown parking.

Council candidates also shared their views on senior housing. All agreed there needs to be more of it in Batavia that’s both affordable and well located.

“Seniors are definitely a key part of the population that needs to be taken care of,” Saam said.

The second Batavia bridge was also a topic of discussion during the forum.

“I would hope that if and when they decide to build this bridge Batavia will be a future destination for people to consider when bringing their businesses into the downtown,” Saam said.

While Stark said she is glad a location has been decided, she hopes a second bridge will not mean people will no longer travel through Batavia’s downtown.

“I think we have many people who cross the (current) bridge every day,” she said. “Unfortunately we don’t have many people who stop. By improving the downtown it will make them stop. But I’m worried a second bridge will make people avoid the downtown and miss the merchants.”

While Tousana said a second bridge will expedite traffic flow during rush hour.

Council candidates were also asked their views on whether backyard chickens should be allowed in Batavia. All three voiced their support of the proposal, with city regulation.

“Yes, if you have restrictions for how far (a coop) is built from a house and the amount of chickens a person can have,” Tousana said. “I’m in favor of it, providing it’s monitored by city code.”

Batavia School Board

School board candidates said when it comes to the addressing the district’s looming $7.6 million budget deficit, transparency is key.

“This school board does not hide things behind closed doors,” Kozlowski said. “Even though they don’t have to inform the public about some things they make sure they do.”

“Nothing is hidden,” Hodge agreed. “It’s all pretty much common knowledge.”

Winkle said strategies to address the deficit could include attrition, restructuring or staff and program cuts.However, he said the specifics are not yet finalized.

Roberts said the school board will try to make the right decision because it’s right thing to do for all the stakeholders.

“We may not be comfortable but hopefully we make the kinds of decisions to allow education in Batavia as we know it to continue,” she said.

Candidates also tackled the future of technology in the district.          

“We need to be aware of it and respond to it,” Dremel said. “Our kids are already far and away better at technology than we are.”

“I’m really excited about the possibility,” Roberts said. “I only wish we had the money to do it. I would love to see these kids have iPads and Kindles.”
As for the district’s strengths, candidates gave a variety of answers, including a strong academic program, teachers and community support.