David Jacobson: Candidate for DeKalb 1st Ward Alderman (Challenger)

Education: Bachelor’s degree in political science-politics from NIU

Experience: Jacobson said he has been a resident of DeKalb for nine years, starting when he was enrolled as a student at NIU. According to Jacobson’s campaign website, he was a member of the NIU chapter of the Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity. Jacobson said he has lived in several different wards over the years and is a former tenant turned property owner. Jacobson has also been a Special Olympics coach and volunteer for the past 11 years. He has had experience in sales, marketing and brand promotion and has been involved in the Michigan real estate market.

Why he is running: “The 1st Ward is largely a student ward and students are under-represented,” Jacobson said. According to his platform, Jacobson feels that DeKalb needs to head in a more progressive direction and feels that there is too much talk and not enough action within the city council.

Role of an alderman: “I feel the alderman’s role is as a voice for his constituency,” Jacobson said.

Jacobson said he believes the alderman should always vote with the constituents, regardless of his own personal feelings.

Biggest issue: “The ward has a lot of safety issues,” Jacobson said. “It is perceived as the most dangerous ward in the city.”

For Jacobson, the biggest issue facing the city is the budget. The city needs to bring in more revenue and cut more waste, he said.

Bertrand Simpson: Candidate for DeKalb 1st Ward Alderman (Incumbent)

Education: Bachelor’s degree in psychology from Marquette University, master’s degree in political science from NIU, Juris Doctorate in Law from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Experience: “I have held the position for one term,” Simpson said. “About three-and-a-half years.”

Now retired, Simpson said he taught government and constitutional law at NIU for 25 years, was the faculty adviser to the NIU Student Association and has been a resident of DeKalb since 1987.

Why he is running: Simpson said he believes that his experiences would be useful to the council, and is running on his record. He firmly believes that he can be of service to the community in the capacity of 1st Ward alderman, he said.

Role of an alderman: Simpson said he feels the role of city alderman is to make policies, set goals and resolve issues.

Biggest Issue: “There is a natural tension between providing services and the cost [of those services],” Simpson said. “We need to consider revenue sources.”

Simpson said part of the problem is DeKalb’s city manager style of government, in which the elected officials are part-time.

“We must have a government that is intended to put as much time in as city employees,” Simpson said.

Simpson said he also believes that government should be participatory between officials and constituents.

“Citizens must be educated on what they have to do to keep us on our toes,” Simpson said. “Participation must be everywhere and all the time.”