1. What is the first thing you will do as Mayor.

The first thing I plan to do as Mayor is to meet with all Dept Heads to establish a budget for each department. We must develop a responsible approach to spending within each department according to needs.

2. Is any candidate considering raising taxes?

I have no intentions of raising property or sales tax at this time. However, certain issues at the state level, such as our Governor’s budget plan for Illinois, may force me to reconsider my options.  Until I am able to review the budget with department heads, the city council and with the possibility of state budget cuts, I will not make any promises that I cannot keep!

3. We’ve had a lot of water main breaks over the past few months. I understand a good deal of Herrin’s water system is nearly a century old. I know it costs a lot of money to replace these systems, but my concern is how to ensure this aging system will continue to provide the town with safe and clean drinking water. In addition, I’m worried about what would happen in the event of a fire with a broken main nearby. Those trucks can only haul so much water. Do any of you, as candidates, have a plan to upgrade the water system? Grants or other possible funding sources?

This is a great question and a very important issue to address. Infrastructure is always a concern, especially water and sewer lines. The water and sewer system is vital to the development and expansion of any community and is a constant concern of the City of Herrin. There has been several major upgrades to the system in the last several years, including the replacement of water and sewer lines below E. Herrin Street before the resurfacing was completed. Recently, a new force main sewer line was replaced below E. Tyler Street, along with new grouting of man holes that had significant water infiltration and currently a new system is being installed on both North and South 17th Street. These are expensive endeavors, but are critical to the growth of the city. Herrin has always taken an aggressive approach with our grant writing and that will not change under my leadership. Many grants require matching funds, so keep in mind that the city must have the revenue to fulfill the match requirement. For example, we have received a $100,000.00 grant from Delta Regional Authority (DRA) for the upgrade of two lift stations on the south end of town. The upgrade to these lift stations is necessary for the expansion of the Route 13 Corridor, but the total cost of the project is $1 Million dollars, leaving the city with a $900,000.00 obligation. As the Mayor of Herrin, the upgrade and replacement of the water and sewer system is an ongoing process that will always be at the top of my list of future projects.

 

4. What education/experience/qualifications do you have that would make you the best mayor for Herrin.

I am a licensed home inspector with the State of Illinois and have owned and operated Advantage Home Inspections for 12 years. I am entering my 7th year as the Building and Codes Administrator for the City of Herrin. During my years as a city employee, I have learned how all aspects of local municipalities work in small city government. I understand the role of the Mayor and the City Council members and the importance of transparency and communication to the citizens of Herrin.

I have been an active commissioner on the Williamson County Public Building Commission (PBC) for 11 years. The PBC is comprised of 5 commissioners and owns and operates the Williamson County Courthouse, Administration Building, Williamson County Jail, Annex Building and supervises the maintenance staff for these public facilities. Responsibilities include:

• Oversaw the construction of the Williamson County Administration Building from initial concept to final completion, an 8 million dollar project.
• Oversee the renovation of the Williamson County Courthouse Building from initial concept to final completion, a 2 million dollar project.
• Negotiate contracts for the Williamson County PBC projects and maintenance staff.
• Manage the budget for the PBC.

I have been an active member of the Greater Egypt Regional Planning and Development Regional Water Quality Coordinating Council (RWQCC) for 5 years.

The RWQCC serves as a public forum that reviews facility plans and domestic wastewater National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits, specifically construction and operating permits of public, private, and industrial facilities. To learn more about this council visit http://greatereqypt.org/regional-water-quality…/

I am a graduate of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic School, Herrin High School, and have completed 2 1/2 years at SIU-C. I am mandated by state law to complete continuing education classes each year for my Home Inspection License.

To see my complete resume and experience along with accomplishments visitwww.MikeCerutti.com

 

5. To the three candidates would you keep the current police and fire chiefs, or would you change them and why?

 

I have no intentions of replacing or changing the police chief or the fire chief.  These positions are to important to the safety and welfare of the city and are needed to keep structure and organization to these departments. 

 

6. What will you do to bring business and jobs to Herrin?

 

My plan includes to better educate our current business owners of the benefits of our TIF District and to futher promote this incentive program to attract potential new businesses.  We must continue to maintain and expand our infrastructure.  This includes water, sewer and road maintenance in order to expand the Rte 13 Corridor. We must continue to seek grants to assit with these endeavors. I will work with current groups such as the downtown revitalization committee to assist them with their efforts in the beautification of Herrin. As the Building and Codes Administrator, I have  recently been in contact with two developers that are very interested in developing properties in Herrin.

 

7. Elected City Officials, on top of receiving salaries, receive Health Insurance paid for, in full, by the City. In the event that the Elected Official declines the insurance, 75% of the cost of the premium, is paid to the Elected Official in the form of an annuity. As a candidate for Mayor, what is your point of view considering this policy, and your justification either way?

 

Currently our city council has an insurance committee that explores the city insurance options. As a city employee, I have not been included in these negotiations.  I believe this happens on an annual basis and our current council has finalized insurance arrangement for this current fiscal year.  As Mayor, I will be very active in the next review of our city insurance plans to be certain that our city employees are treated fairly and we make the best use of our tax payer dollars.