According to his campaign website, www.jacobsonfordekalb.com, mayoral candidate David Jacobson has served as first ward alderman in DeKalb for the past two years and has owned and managed properties in the first, second, and sixth wards. Jacobson attained his bachelor’s of arts degree in political science from NIU.

Jacobson said he thinks the city of DeKalb needs major changes made to the way it runs day-to-day operations.

“DeKalb needs to work towards a complete overhaul in the way they think and do business,” Jacobson said in an email. “Our haphazard way of approaching issues and out-of-control spending have made the tough times we are in worse.”

Jacobson said he thinks the vision the city has for increasing safety should be continued.

“I personally feel that the new focus and vision of our Police Department, along with a strengthening partnership between the city PD and NIU PD, will make a noticeable impact over the coming months,” Jacobson said in an email.

The city needs to be more aware of residents of DeKalb, Jacobson said.

“The city needs to admit and understand the consequences of its poor decision making and how it has negatively impacted our residents,” Jacobson said in an email. “Only then can we commit to moving forward in a different, more well planned direction.”

Jacobson also said he thinks people want more from their elected officials than what they’re getting.

“I am tired of unfulfilled campaign promises, prepared responses and polished ‘campaign talk,’” Jacobson said in an email. “I, like most voters, want someone that understands people (all of the people, not just certain segments) and their issues … We know what issues we need to focus on: safety, spending, accountability, transparency, leadership.”