According to his campaign website, www.johnreyfordekalb.com, mayoral candidate John Rey was a founding member of the DeKalb County Education Foundation, is the current secretary and past president of the Kiwanis Club of DeKalb and is currently serving as secretary on the Re:New DeKalb Board of Directors. Rey attained his bachelor’s of science degree in industrial economics from Purdue University and his master’s degree in business administration from NIU.

Rey said citizen engagement and the council’s decision-making process are key to success in the city of DeKalb.

“As leader of the City Council, I see getting the group into a compatible team setting where they are supportive of each other in moving through the decision making process,” Rey said. “We have 19 commissions and committees of the city which involve 140 citizens volunteering, and I would anticipate, in the first 30 days as mayor, reviewing the commissions and retaining those which are the most beneficial, making sure we have the right people in the right places.”

Rey said he intends to continue holding budget review workshops should he be elected mayor.

“In the budget review process for the last few years, the entire budget is reviewed by line item,” Rey said. “I would see consistency in maintaining those budget review workshops.”

Rey said his overall goal as mayor would be greater community engagement.

“I’d like to see more engagement of the community in smarter use of our budget and improving safety in the community and improving the image of DeKalb as being a safe community, a rich, rural community, and a university town,” Rey said. “I want to strengthen our ties with Northern and others in the region.”

Rey said leadership skills and community experience are unique to him in the mayoral race.

“My proven leadership skills set me apart,” Rey said. “I have lived in DeKalb my entire adult life. My community involvement and experience in DeKalb are significant assets. My passions distinguish me, and they are family, education, community service, and compassion for others.”