Carbondale City Council election will take place Tuesday and seven community members are running for three vacant spots on the seven-person board. Here are some of their positions on SIU-related issues.

Anna Durrett

Age: 25

Employment: Little River Research & Design

Plans that may affect SIU students?

“The city needs to encourage and provide resources for students and graduates to develop small businesses.” She said the area needs to improve the number of internships and training programs for students that will help people “find or create the jobs they desire.”

Plans to integrate SIU’s and Carbondale’s plans for the future?

“The creation of a board that focuses on combining the energy of SIU and the city could help strengthen everyone’s objectives.” Durrett said the board could help the city progress and enhance SIU’s learning opportunities. 

Why should a SIU faculty member who lives in Carbondale vote for you?

“I want to help SIU flourish as much as possible, as SIU is essential to Carbondale’s culture, economy and quality of life.” She said she stays informed about campus news and will be receptive of faculty, staff and student concerns.

Additional comments:

“I will advocate for a grace period of a few hours in the morning for metered [parking] spaces around bars to thank people for not driving after drinking.” Durrett said the community should not impose unwelcomed fines and encourage all safe practices possible.

Tom Grant

Age: 56

Employment: Owner of Mulberry Hill Farm in Carbondale

Civil Service: Member of the Carbondale Planning Commission

Plans that may affect SIU students?

“I would like to see the city take over Illinois Avenue as the ‘State Route 51 business connector’ and make it two-way traffic. It would allow us to make sidewalk cafes and other things available to everyone and help expand existing businesses.”

Plans to integrate SIU’s and Carbondale’s plans for the future?

“The city and university must work together as the city provides the basic services of fire protection, water and sewer services to SIU.”

Why should a SIU faculty member who lives in Carbondale vote for you?

“Because I am a loyal SIU alumni who lives in Carbondale also, go Salukis!”

Lance Jack 

Age: 44

Employment: Owner of Fat Patties

Civic Service: Council member whose 4-year term ends this year

Plans that may affect SIU students?

Jack wants to take little steps to attract more artists and businesses students would like. His wants to adjust parking and towing options in favor of students. “The tiny things make the experience better for our customers.”

Plans to integrate SIU’s and Carbondale’s plans for the future?

Jack said he would support formal meetings between university representatives and city officials. He would like to see more student involvement in Carbondale’s city council meetings and elections.

Why should an SIU faculty member who lives in Carbondale vote for you?

He said he is committed to revitalizing downtown and lay a new foundation for life in Carbondale.

Additional comments:

Jack said as a former SIU student, he knows what students want and need from the city.

Navreet Kang

Age: 62

Employment: State Farm insurance agent

Civil Service: Past president of the Jackson County chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving; past chairman of the Finance and Administration Committee of the Carbondale Park District

Plans that may affect SIU students?

“I would like to take the $1 million from SIU, that we give from the city of Carbondale, and divert that into student scholarships so we can increase enrollment.” Kang said he wants to use more lighting and police patrol to make students feel more comfortable and safe.

Plans to integrate SIU’s and Carbondale’s plans for the future?

“I want to see more entertainment offered to students, bring in more concerts and more avenues for students to enjoy themselves after hours.” One of his platforms include making the city more appealing to students and businesses so graduates remain in Carbondale and have high-paying jobs.

Why should an SIU faculty member who lives in Carbondale vote for you?

“As a professor, you need good housing at a reasonable price. We currently have such high property taxes, and I am one of those candidates who does not support any property tax increases at all.”

Additional comments:

Kang said he reviewed the 2015 city budget and found cuts that could be made that would not disrupt essential services.

Angie Kaye

Age: 61

Employment: Full-time associate professor at Morthland College in West Frankfort; part-time teacher in continuing education at John A. Logan College; owns her own accounting business, Kaye Consulting Ltd.

Civil Service: Member of The Rotary Club of Jackson Williamson Sunset; SIU Alumni Association; Friends of WSIU; pastor at Elkville United Methodist Church

Plans that may affect SIU students?

“I would like a festival where we have a parade, a carnival, a cook-off, live bands. Something for the students as well as Carbondale people and people from out of town.” She said she wants more popular music headlining at Shryock Auditorium and to improve off-campus student housing.

Plans to integrate SIU’s and Carbondale’s plans for the future?

Kaye said she would like to have student representation at City Council meetings.

Why should an SIU faculty member who lives in Carbondale vote for you?

Kaye said as an SIU alumna and educator, she understands the concerns of students and faculty. She is also an accountant by trade, which she said will help her manage the city’s budget.

Additional comments:

I’m the only candidate born and raised here and I’m a graduate of SIU, bachelor’s and master’s.”

Adam Loos

Age: 35

Employment: Law clerk at the Jackson County Courthouse and third year law student at SIU.

Civil Service: President of Northwest Carbondale Neighborhood Association; serves on the Planning Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals; served on the Sustainability Commission

Plans that may affect SIU students?

“Housing remains an issue for students. Some of the new housing that has been built has gone vacant because it’s not affordable for students.” Loos said he want to make improvements to all conditions of student housing.

Plans to integrate SIU’s and Carbondale’s plans for the future?

Loos wants to establish a “town-gown commission,” which would include SIU staff, students and residents from the neighborhoods that surround SIU. “Even if it’s not out of altruism or self-interest, SIU and Carbondale need to find a way to work together.”

Why should an SIU faculty member who lives in Carbondale vote for you?

“I’m out there with platforms of these issues that I think Carbondale is facing, and I have proposed some concrete solutions to deal with those problems.” He said his experience working with people and compromising are important because if elected, he has to work with six other people on the council.

Additional comments:

Loos said he has been involved in most democratic processes in Carbondale. He said two other city council candidates have only voted in one of the last three elections for Carbondale leaders and one candidate has never voted in the city.

Rebel Pinkston

Age: 55

Employment: Former owner of Cajun Cowboy Grill in Murphysboro 

Civil Service: Pinkston said the associations he belongs to are not politically active so he does not want to disclose the names.

Plans that may affect SIU students?

Pinkston said rental properties that are primarily used by students should be upgraded. He said separating student living from family housing may make permanent residents happy and make the properties easier to manage.

“You can’t have people move in next to a frat and gripe because they have loud music. All of a sudden the pressure is on the frat to not be a frat.”

Plans to integrate SIU’s and Carbondale’s plans for the future?

He wants to beautify and modernize Carbondale using creative student involvement and professional staff in the art and architecture department.

Why should an SIU faculty member who lives in Carbondale vote for you?

Pinkston said he will not raise property taxes because they are among the highest in the area. He said he wants to improve the city’s aesthetics while controlling the budget, making Carbondale a better place to live.

Additional comments:

Pinkston said he wants to create a colorful, alcohol-friendly, fun atmosphere in Carbondale. “I want something that people go ‘Holy shit, this is a great college town!’ It wouldn’t cost that much money. Sometimes all you need is a coat of paint.”