Election 2021: Village of Frankfort Mayor
Pictured are the candidates running for the Frankfort mayoral position in the April 2021 municipal election, John Clavio (left) and Keith Ogle. PHOTOS SUBMITTED
By Jon DePaolis
FRANKFORT, Ill. — Election Day is Tuesday, April 6. To help voters learn a little more about the candidates running for the Village of Frankfort mayoral position, Richard Free Press sent out candidate profiles to those running. The profiles have been edited slightly for spelling and grammar.
With current Mayor Jim Holland announcing his retirement from government after his term ends in early May, the winner of the April municipal election will be a newcomer to the position.
The candidates are trustees John C. Clavio and Keith Ogle.
Biographies
John C. Clavio
Age: 51
Previous Political Experience: Frankfort Library District trustee (2009-2015); Village of Frankfort trustee (2017-present)
Occupation: Attorney
Endorsements: Frankfort Firefighters Local 4338; Village Clerk Brian Feehery; former Village trustees Cindy Heath, Douglas Walker and Todd Morgan
Keith Ogle
Age: 58
Previous Political Experience: Flagstone Homeowners Association president (2008-2009); Frankfort parade committee (2009-2012); Business Exposition chairman (2010); Chamber of Commerce president (2012); Frankfort Fall Festival chairman (2014); Frankfort Operations Committee (2007-2015); Frankfort Library District trustee (2009-2015); Village of Frankfort clerk (2013-2015); and Village of Frankfort trustee (2015-present)
Occupation: Owner, commercial audio/visual company
Endorsements: Former Will County Sheriff Paul Kaupas; Safe Suburbs USA
Question 1: In your mind, what are some of the biggest challenges facing Frankfort in the near future and how do you plan to address them?
Clavio: We need to continue our investment in the community. This investment starts with identifying the roads and other infrastructure that needs servicing or replacement. Then, we must look to the future to see how we collectively grow. As Mayor, I will ensure that suitable resources are allocated to maintain and replace our roads and other infrastructure in a timely manner. I will also move forward with planned maintenance schedules and updates, so that the community is aware of a four-year plan. Regarding the future, we need to assess areas that may be ripe for appropriate new development. Also, remembering that we may have some existing areas that redevelopment is appropriate. With over 25 years of experience in commercial and residential development, I am well qualified to lead a dynamic and successful team to complete these goals.
Ogle: I think our community faces a few challenges in the areas of water quality, infrastructure and public safety. I have a very detailed plan to address infrastructure and public safety included in my platform, which is listed below in another question. As to water quality, our Village has to invest more in our water infrastructure and water quality. I would continue supporting the inspection of our water mains with cameras to identify potential problems, so we can address them before they become bigger problems. I have also met with our engineering firm and, if elected, we will conduct a study on how to implement a capital improvement plan that will keep our water system current on repairs year after year to avoid a large investment at one time that would put a tax burden on homeowners and businesses. We need to have proper planning with respect to all our infrastructure needs. Another infrastructure challenge has to do with road resurfacing. I believe we need to accelerate the resurfacing efforts, as we may be falling behind the maintenance curve, and the roads may need to be rebuilt instead, which is estimated at four times the cost.
Question 2: COVID-19 has changed everyday life for residents and businesses. How do you plan to navigate the Village forward after vaccinations lead to life returning to a new normal?
Clavio: As a Village, the first step is to maintain open and increased lines of communication. The
pandemic has caused losses to so many residences and businesses in many different ways. With open and increased communication, we can identify the true losses and suffering. We can then identify exactly what the “new normal” is and collectively work together to navigate the new normal.
Ogle: Much of that will be determined by the governor and how he and the legislature will allow local municipalities to govern. As for businesses, I have been meeting with businesses throughout the Village to find out what we as a municipality can do to help them recover from this pandemic. I think one important thing I can do as mayor is to hire a professional economic development director. That will help keep and retain businesses in Frankfort. Further, I want to create an advisory Economic and Downtown Development Council. This council will combine residents and businesses with a goal of working together to tackle important issues in our downtown area. Finally, developing more homes and shops along Central Route 30 corridor will keep our tax revenue going up to provide tax relief to residents and businesses by creating new revenues and tax dollars. As for residents returning to normal, I will do all I can to encourage our residents to shop locally to support our Village when they feel comfortable doing so. I think that is all we can ask of our residents.
Question 3: One of the effects of the pandemic has been the growth of online consumerism and the decline in need for physical office space. How will that impact Frankfort businesses and how do you plan to address these issues to attract new commercial opportunities?
Clavio: The Village recently hired a professional economic development director and is in the process of hiring a second Village planner. This increase to our development department emphasized the commitment to growth in our community and will allow for: maintaining our quality of living and residential standards; partnering with our existing businesses and residents to keep them in Frankfort; working to revitalize and market our businesses; and actively marketing and recruiting new business.
Ogle: Having an economic development director to bring businesses into Frankfort would be a step in the right direction. The advisory council working with the Village will also help.
Question 4: What is your vision for Frankfort in the next four years, and how do you plan to achieve that if elected mayor this April?
Clavio: My vision is to maintain public safety and quality services in place while increasing sales tax opportunities to provide for the future of Frankfort. As mayor, we need to make sure to allocate sufficient funds to maintain our police force, roads and infrastructure – and constantly reevaluate.
Ogle: Shortly after I announced for mayor, I put together a comprehensive platform to give residents and voters a chance to learn more about my vision for the Village. The items are part of my initial platform and the sentences following those bullets are a result of my interacting with voters and doing more research on the topics.
Public Safety: completion of hiring additional police officers; continuing to improve community-based policing strategies; increasing communication/outreach between Police personnel and residents
In addition, after speaking with other law enforcement officials in the Village and surrounding communities, I am also going to expand a relatively new technology for visually identifying vehicles and persons involved in criminal activity. The Flock Camera System can record 15,000 vehicles per day per camera to allow police to quickly track vehicles and catch suspects when a crime is committed. Finally, I also intend to expand the police department investigations division to target cybercrime and senior citizens scams, which often involve electronic funds transfers that need to be tracked and reversed immediately.
Infrastructure: continue pursuing grant funding for Village projects; implement aggressive street resurfacing program; replacing and improving water mains in neighborhoods.
Economic development: hiring professional economic development director; creating advisory Economic and Downtown Development Council; developing homes and shops along Central Route 30 corridor.
Social and Cultural Vibrancy: expand Village programs and events to year-round; supporting growth of amenities promoting healthy lifestyles and quality-of-life in Frankfort; increasing connectivity of the trail network, including links to regional trails, to support the comfort of both recreational and destination-based bicycle and pedestrian trips.
Question 5: What will be your first priority upon taking office?
Clavio: My first step is to clearly communicate my goals and objectives with the residents and staff of Frankfort, as we need to be certain to move forward together. This includes meeting with our residents and having open forums and open discussions within the community and our members.
Ogle: That will depend on what is going in the Village at that time, but I would expect if all remained the same, I would begin to implement my platform and work with Village staff and the board to prioritize what items we want to address first. I want to be a mayor that works with my board to move Frankfort in the right direction.
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