DeKALB | The final list of candidates for the Sycamore alderman elections are in.

Monday was the last day to file petitions with the city clerk for candidacy in the April 17 Sycamore alderman elections. Positions on all four wards are fair game this year, and current aldermen from Wards 1, 2 and 4 plan to run for re-election.

Rich Neubauer will run against incumbent Cheryl Maness for the 1st Ward spot.

“I feel that although we have a very strong council, in some ways it doesn’t always go along with the desires of the people,” Neubauer said.

Three things he expressed concerned about are school funding, tax relief and smart growth.

“Right now, DeKalb’s school impact fees are 86 percent higher than Sycamore’s,” Neubauer said. “By setting impact fees so low, we’re setting ourselves up for an increase in taxes that would not only affect our school children, but also seniors and people with fixed incomes. I’d like to fight for an increase in impact fees.”

Willie Murphy, Joyce Smith and Greg Taylor will all be running for the 3rd Ward seat.

“The people I’ve talked to are interested in the growth, education and quality of life in Sycamore,” Murphy said. “I want to get involved. My focus would be to manage the growth and try to expand the industrial base.”

Smith shares Murphy’s concern with Sycamore’s current growth rate.

“It’s time for a change in the city council members,” Smith said. “Most people in town feel we’re growing too fast. We need to slow it down and give the infrastructure time to catch up with the growth. We need to concentrate on residential growth, work impact fees and school problems, along with getting more commercial entities.”

Greg Taylor, also campaigning for the 3rd Ward, said while he believes in managing controlled growth within the city, he said he doesn’t want to send out the message that Sycamore is closed.

“I have very strong views about what should be done on council,” Taylor said. “It’s much, much more than just growth. It’s growth, budget, insurance, pension packets and where the money is going. The budget is going to be the road map for this fiscal year.”

Terry Kessler, incumbent 4th Ward alderwoman, will run for another term and is the only one on the ballot for her ward.

“You have to be a good listener, and you have to be able to hear what the people have to say,” Kessler said. “I’m excited for the things that are coming up, and I’m excited to be representing the people of the 4th Ward again. It’s an honor.”

Chuck Stowe, incumbent 2nd Ward alderman, is also unopposed in his district.