CHAMPAIGN – The April 7 election will result in at least three and as many as five new faces on the nine-member Champaign city council.

– For District 1 in northeast Champaign, Freddie Gordon, 43, and William Kyles, 26, are competing for the seat being vacated after one term by Gina Jackson. The district is bounded generally from the city limits on the east to Prospect Avenue and from the north city limits south to University Avenue or Daniel Street.

Gordon was the only one of five write-in candidates to campaign in the February primary. He finished with 124 votes to 78 for Kyles, the only candidate listed on the ballot.

Gordon said his priorities would be to work for economic growth and fair housing. Some residents have expressed concern about discrimination for Section 8 low-income subsidized rent vouchers.

Gordon, a behavioral intervention specialist at the Pavilion Foundation School in Champaign, said with both Champaign Central High School and Edison Middle School in District 1, residents also want to see more "positive activities for kids." He said he hopes Champaign could work with the schools and park district in northeast Champaign as happened last year in the Garden Hills neighborhood in northwest Champaign. The lifelong resident of the district said the city needs to follow up to see that the cleanup of the old AmerenIP coal gasification plant at Fifth and Hill streets is done properly.

Kyles, a part-time outreach coordinator for U.S. Rep. Tim Johnson, R-Urbana, and a quality control employee at Kraft, said economic development, prompt constituent service and improving police-community relations are his priorities.

He said he also wants to help all disadvantaged and disabled citizens. He broadly includes those people without jobs or other "difficult circumstances," such as felons, "to become productive members of society."

"We can definitely tap into the resources already available," he said.

Kyles wants to help bring jobs to Champaign and create a database with job vacancies and list of people looking for work. The city could collaborate with the state unemployment office, Parkland College and University of Illinois Career Center, he said.

– In District 2, which includes much of the University of Illinois campus area down to Windsor Road, Karen Rasmussen, 61, is challenging long-time incumbent Michael La Due, 53.

Rasmussen, a former grants coordinator for Urbana, has lived with her husband, Glen, in their house at Pine and Healey streets for more than 20 years.

"My opponent has been our council representative for almost that entire time," she said. "I believe it's time for a change."

Rasmussen said she would vote based on a consensus of district residents' comments by phone or e-mail. She also pledged to waive the annual council stipend of $5,000 until the economy improves.

Her priorities would be to reduce city spending so that fee and tax increases could be kept to a minimum. Rasmussen said she would encourage staff to cut back on supplies spending.

Other savings could come by delaying projects.

Rasmussen also wants to work for increased spending through federal grants for human service agencies. Up to 15 percent of the stimulus money coming to cities can be used for "public service," she said.

La Due, first elected in 1985, is the deputy mayor for Champaign. His experience also includes serving as chairman of the board for the state's first municipal Joint Action Agency for Intergovernmental Cooperation to develop a plan for solid waste disposal.

La Due wants the city to take a more critical look at solid waste management and recycling. The city needs to monitor trash hauling, which is licensed by the city, "to see what diversion is actually taking place."

While apartment recycling was rejected earlier by city officials, La Due thinks there now is more demand and support for recycling and it may be time for the city to expand recycling to apartments.

Another priority for La Due would be to fully fund the phased development along the Boneyard Creek. La Due said a surface drainage problem exists on John Street in both west and central Champaign. The street was built over a former stream bed and the street reverts to drainage in heavy rains.

– In District 4 in central Champaign, Matthew Peek, 38, is challenging Marci Dodds, 49. The district runs generally from Bradley Avenue south to Windsor Road or Broadmoor Drive and between Mattis and Prospect avenues.

Peek, a Spanish language translator who has lived in Champaign 11 years, said his priorities are to not raise taxes, not raise fees above a competitive rate and "making sure city infrastructures work for local businesses." Peek said he would like to see the city develop a police substation west of Interstate 57. The amount of crime reported there is low, he said, but the distance is so far that responses to calls for service take longer.

"Barring any hot-button item issues, I see the job of councilman as exactly that: taking care of the people in my district," Peek said.

Peek said Dodds has been a "fantastic representative," but she just happens to be in the seat for his district and he wanted to run now, rather than wait two years for an at-large council campaign.

"If I had one criticism, it would be that perhaps it would be better to have a full-time representative," Peek said. "Marci has to jump through hoops and abstain from anything that could possibly be construed as a conflict of interest with her husband's developments so that effectively, she's only a part-time representative."

Dodds was appointed in 2005 to replace Jim Green, who had resigned. She ran ran unopposed in 2007.

Her priority, she said, is to see that the city helps as much as it can in recruiting businesses and employees. That includes seeing that there are choices for housing, both urban and suburban, and seeing that the downtown remains vital and well-maintained. It also includes encouraging arts, sports and things like the children's museum, a good bus system and good schools, she said.

For the coming fiscal year, starting July 1, Dodds said the proposed spending cuts and revenue increases proposed by the staff were generally good, but she has concerns about staff cuts in police and an intern with neighborhood services.

Dodds said she would prefer that the income from a proposed vehicle impound fee be used to retain one or two police officer jobs. She also wants to keep the neighborhood services position, which takes complaints about housing for inspections.

"It's important to prevent blight," Dodds said.

Champaign needs to keep a balanced budget, avoid deficit spending and "come out of this economy ready to say, 'We can do this.'"

Uncontested candidates are Kyle Harrison, who is running for the District 3 seat in northwest Champaign seat being vacated by Vic McIntosh, and Dave Johnson, running for the seat being vacated by Ken Pirok in District 5 in southwest Champaign.

Meet the candidates

FREDDIE GORDON

Age: 43

Address: 109 E. Church St.

Occupation: Behavioral intervention specialist at Pavilion Foundation School, Champaign

Political/government experience: Ran in 2007 as at-large city council candidate and finished last out of nine candidates; ran as a write-in for the February primary and had the most votes

Five issues

Do you support any or all of the $1 million in fee increases suggested by city staff in order to help balance the city budget that you will be voting on this spring?

"I support holding off on roads until they get the economy balanced out, but as far as fees, have to study that some more."

What should the city do to help address the estimated $45 million to $70 million funding backlog for work on arterial roads?

"As things progress, we can work on a time schedule to make improvements."

Does the city need to be more aggressive in undertaking rental housing inspections? If so, why? If not, why not?

"I think the city should have some input, make sure landlords provide safe housing for the residents. But that's going to involve increased costs."

Does the city need to require impact fees or land dedication (for schools, parks, etc.) for developers building subdivisions?

"I feel an area for parks should be set aside. Families that have kids need to have a place to go. The park doesn't have to be really big, just something to accommodate the new development."

What should the city council do about complaints about downtown parking meter rates and parking limitations?

"I think reducing (the meter rate) back to 50 cents is a good start. I would like to see the citizens meet again with the council to talk about the issues."

WILLIAM KYLES

Age: 26

Address: 408 Taylor Thomas Lane

Occupation: Outreach assistant for U.S. Rep. Tim Johnson; quality control at Kraft

Political/government experience: Three years with Johnson; staff sergeant with U.S. Army Reserves

Five issues

Do you support any or all of the $1 million in fee increases suggested by city staff in order to help balance the city budget that you will be voting on this spring?

"Some of the ideas, such as the vehicle impoundment fee to save a police officer job, sound good, but I need to look at it more closely."

What should the city do to help address the estimated $45 million to $70 million funding backlog for work on arterial roads?

"That also needs more study. We have to look at the situation for what it is. Roads are important to the citizens, but we have to address the needs in the midst of an economic crisis."

Does the city need to be more aggressive in undertaking rental housing inspections? If so, why? If not, why not?

"When talking about the safety of citizens, we need to make sure we are taking the necessary steps. I need to get with both the tenants and landlords and see if this is a step we should take."

Does the city need to require impact fees or land dedication (for schools, parks, etc.) for developers building subdivisions?

"All of these are issues that have to be studied by the role players. If we say yes, it will mean higher costs for the landowners and tenants."

What should the city council do about complaints about downtown parking meter rates and parking limitations?

"It's an issue where people have a legitimate complaint, but one thing I have learned is that, depending on where you park, the parking meters could be cheaper or more expensive. We need to start educating the people on their options."

MICHAEL LA DUE

Age: 53

Address: 1005 S. Sixth St.

Occupation: Retail manager at Jon's Pipe Shop

Political/government experience: Deputy mayor; first elected to the council in 1985; chairman of the board for the state's first municipal Joint Action Agency for Intergovernmental Cooperation

Five issues

Do you support any or all of the $1 million in fee increases suggested by city staff in order to help balance the city budget that you will be voting on this spring?

"I could support the liquor license fees, but do not support a property tax (increase). I can't support them all, but will be looking at the staff-proposed fee increases."

What should the city do to help address the estimated $45 million to $70 million funding backlog for work on arterial roads?

"Infrastructure is the primary concern that has a domino effect on the local economy. I'm not interested in cutting the police. The city has grown 25 percent."

Does the city need to be more aggressive in undertaking rental housing inspections? If so, why? If not, why not?

"I don't want to create a shock. We need to approach inspections incrementally. Meanwhile, we should continue complaint-based inspections for living quarters and continue inspections of common areas. I do support looking at inspections of balconies, but, generally, the approach should be 'do no harm.'"

Does the city need to require impact fees or land dedication (for schools, parks, etc.) for developers building subdivisions?

"Developer dedications should be explored, even in an economic downturn, and the city has begun to discuss those issues."

What should the city council do about complaints about downtown parking meter rates and parking limitations?

"I addressed that by getting signatures from enough council members to re-look at the issue at the March meeting. I will urge reducing the meter rate back to 50 cents per hour as recognition that the higher rates may generate a misperception that the downtown is not a welcoming environment. I should consider extending the bond repayment schedule, if the alternative is driving away business."

KAREN RASMUSSEN

Age: 61

Address: 802 W. Healey St.

Occupation: Program director at Greater Community AIDS Project/GCAP

Political/government experience: Former grants manager for city of Urbana; organized, developed and chaired the Urbana-Champaign Continuum of Care for the homeless; former chair of Council of Service Providers to the Homeless

Five issues

Do you support any or all of the $1 million in fee increases suggested by city staff in order to help balance the city budget that you will be voting on this spring?

"I would like to study more closely the particular fees being suggested. I am concerned about increasing fees that will immediately be redirected to the consumer and I'm not in favor of increasing costs to citizens who are not in a position to sustain all the shortfalls by all the government entities, the corporations, the banks, etc."

What should the city do to help address the estimated $45 million to $70 million funding backlog for work on arterial roads?

"Hopefully, these projects are shovel-ready and can make use of the stimulus money being funneled to the states."

Does the city need to be more aggressive in undertaking rental housing inspections? If so, why? If not, why not?

"For the time being, I would like to see the current procedures maintained. I don't believe the city is in the position to hire staff to expand such an inspection process. I would like to see more educational information given to citizens and students so they know they contact the city with any concerns or violations ... . Also, the C-U Tenant Union is a good resource for problems and the city could strengthen its communication with that agency."

Does the city need to require impact fees or land dedication (for schools, parks, etc.) for developers building subdivisions?

"Yes."

What should the city council do about complaints about downtown parking meter rates and parking limitations?

"I would reduce the amount for the parking meters to keep it consistent throughout the city and in line with Urbana's fees. I would ... also keep (parking lot rates) in line with current demands and procedures. One neighborhood is interested in limiting parking to one side of their street and I will be working with the neighbors and Public Works Department on this."

MARCI DODDS

Age: 49

Address: 1005 W. University Ave.

Occupation: Music journalist

Political/government experience: Appointed in 2005 to replace Jim Green, who resigned; ran unopposed in 2007

Five issues

Do you support any or all of the $1 million in fee increases suggested by city staff in order to help balance the city budget that you will be voting on this spring?

"I have questions about some of them. I don't have a problem with the vehicle impound fee, but I am uncomfortable with the cable franchise fee (hike). I still have questions about the ambulance fee."

What should the city do to help address the estimated $45 million to $70 million funding backlog for work on arterial roads?

"The city is doing everything in its power (to maintain the streets), but in this economy, it's not going to be able to make inroads in the backlogs. We will cut street maintenance and repair last. The cuts for now are primarily in new construction."

Does the city need to be more aggressive in undertaking rental housing inspections? If so, why? If not, why not?

"Champaign is in its third year of housing inspections. Poorly managed rental housing causes blight, depresses property values. At the end of the day, it's just plain rude. We need to continue to inspect properties and stay on property owners. It affects the entire community in the short and long term."

Does the city need to require impact fees or land dedication (for schools, parks, etc.) for developers building subdivisions?

"Impact fees should be used for roads. That's how you keep from increasing the backlog. As far as land for parks, the developer often says property near a park can sell for a higher price, but they don't often dedicate (the land) to the parks. I much prefer a free market, but if they don't (dedicate the land to parks), we will be under-parked."

What should the city council do about complaints about downtown parking meter rates and parking limitations?

Dodds abstains on any vote or comments about city parking issues, because her husband, Cody Sokolski, is involved in the One Main development, which is tied, financially, to the new parking garage. But as a citizen, she is "no more wild about the rates going to 9 p.m. than anyone else in town."

MATTHEW PEEK

Age: 38

Address: 1739 Westhaven Drive

Occupation: Spanish language translator

Political/government experience: 11 years in the Air Force and a phone bank volunteer in campaigns

Five issues

Do you support any or all of the $1 million in fee increases suggested by city staff in order to help balance the city budget that you will be voting on this spring?

"I have questions about some, including proposed vacant property inspection fees. The city already has tools to demolish hazardous housing. The best idea is to require liability insurance. I'm also concerned about the vehicle impound fee because it presupposes a suspicion of crime and the owner may not be the driver of the car at the time."

What should the city do to help address the estimated $45 million to $70 million funding backlog for work on arterial roads?

"On my street, the slurry seal repairs are two years behind, so I think it's important, but where does the money come from? Where you get stuck is the economy. Somehow, the city's got to raise revenues, but when the economy is down, it's not a good time to go after consumers and businesses for more fees and taxes."

Does the city need to be more aggressive in undertaking rental inspections? If so, why? If not, why not?

"There is a tenants union to file grievances. Nobody can argue that there is not a glut of available housing. It's a buyer's market for rental properties. The landlords have to remain competitive and it's not in their interest to not maintain their property."

Does the city need to require impact fees or land dedication (for schools, parks, etc.) for developers building subdivisions?

"They are essential for building the kind of community we want to live in. The trick is finding a sharing point where the city isn't absorbing all the costs and neither is the developer."

What should the city council do about complaints about downtown parking meter rates and parking limitations?

"The city shouldn't do anything about the downtown meter rates. It's critical for the success of the parking deck and servicing the associated bonds. Perhaps we could lengthen the time limit beyond two hours. There is plenty of inexpensive parking within easy walking distance."