Mission Statement:
Goals And Solutions
Goal 1
A new image that represents all of Granite City and turning the page on the current national perspective of Granite City. Granite City has struggled for a long time with this goal but have been continually let down by elected leaders in doing so.
Solutions 1
Electing new leadership that are not career politicians, have not been involved in creating and allowing the ongoing problems to persist and who will represent We the people.
Goal 2
Accountability in all areas of government.
Solutions 2
Transparency with the people in all areas.
- Live stream and record all city council meetings so that everyone can know what the city is doing. The Granite City School District records their meetings in a gym and posts the recordings online. There is no valid reason why Granite City can not do the same. The Mill is a 2.2 million dollar music venue right across the street and could easily accommodate city council meetings and allow them to be recorded and posted online.
- Welcome constructive criticism. The current administration views any criticism to be negative, even logical criticism. But without it this city will never change for the better and will never be accountable to the people.
Goal 3
Removing special interests and putting the resident’s needs first.
Solutions 3
- Opening the financial books and reviewing every expenditure to end wasteful, unnecessary spending, expenses and removing unnecessary jobs. There are two positions created during the current administration that are redundant and cost the city over $260,000 in four years.
- Ending nepotism. For the city to grow we need the most qualified candidates for every department. There are too many important positions being filled with people whose only qualification is being a friend or family member. This has only hindered the city’s growth and alienated the population.
Goal 4
Ending government involvement in forcing residents to use utility services that make them pay for higher prices.
Solutions 4
- Ending the electrical aggregate program that actually costs people more money then saves them money.
- Allowing residents to decide their own waste services. Not renewing the Republic trash services contract when it ends.
Goal 5
Restoring civic pride. It is essential to bring pride back into being a resident of Granite City. We are all seeing how low civic pride has resulted in high crime, drug use, illegal dumping, loss of population and businesses.
Solution 5
Have the government start representing the people and their needs. Stop prioritizing the downtown. Granite City cannot afford to keep focusing on downtown and turning it into an arts district. This has been a priority for over a decade and the entire city has suffered as a result. How can the city have a prospering downtown without a thriving population to support it? Only by solving the people’s needs and representing them first can Granite City have a resurgence in its downtown.
- Stop expanding liquor licenses and video gaming terminals in the city. Their expansion has been a detriment to the population, putting profits over people. From August 2020 to August 2024 the population of Granite City lost $25,536,150.27 to video gaming terminals, which is nearly the entire general revenue for the city in one year.
- Better outlets for teenagers and young kids. There are few outlets in Granite City for teens. There are no bowling alleys or roller rinks in Granite City anymore. The YMCA used to fill that role. We need kids off of the streets and better alternatives than what is currently available. At least one community center in town would help greatly.
- Transform The Mill into what it should have been, a Community Center. Invite charities at a deep discount to hold their events there. Incorporate the public schools to hold events there and allow the band, drama, choir and cheerleaders to use the space.
- Fix the infrastructure in the city. We need to fix our roads and sidewalks so people can drive around without fear of damaging their vehicles and walk around safely without injuries.
Goal 6
Take the necessary steps to allow charities, organizations and federal aid to Granite City that have been absent from the city and will be instrumental in helping the people.
Solutions 6
- No longer enforcing the Crime Free Ordinance and taking the necessary steps to remove it completely. There are many organizations that have come out publicly against Crime Free Ordinances and many more whose mission statements prevent them being in Granite City.
- Resolving the two complaints against the Granite City Housing Authority that are pending and under investigation since 2015 and 2016 by the Illinois Department of Human Rights. These complaints not only jeopardize Granite City’s current federal aid but make it more difficult to gain more. It is essential to gain federal aid for more than just tourism, the Neon Sign Park, but also grants that will help invest in our people, their needs and our communities.
- Allow for a homeless veterans shelter in the city. There have been several opportunities but the city has refused. The least our city can do is aid those who defended our freedoms and way of life.