With local elections 11 days away, candidates running for school board, city council and park district positions met at the Hopkins Community Center on Thursday night to discuss their opinions and campaign strategies regarding vital issues within the city.

Each group was provided 45 minutes to summarize its history, plans and reactions to questions posed by citizens present at the meeting. All three groups will determine its new and/or returning candidates at the April 1 election.

City Council (1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th wards)

Running in the 1st Ward is current Alderman Andy Small and NIU pre-sociology major Karega Harris. Harris was not in attendance, while Small presented two main points: the Greek Row Revitalization Plan, which he spearheaded, and the Growth Summit.

Small said growth is an important issue in any ward, and a Growth Summit is essential to maintaining a reasonable level of growth. He said the revitalization plan is important in his ward because its main objective is to clean up, make safer and improve the quality of the Greek Row area that comprises a good percentage of his ward.

In the 3rd Ward, incumbent Steve Kapitan and write-in Jim Schneider fielded questions from citizens, while candidate Christine Vesta was absent.

Schneider summed up his motivation to run for the 3rd Ward by saying, “If you want a job done right, you’ve got to do it yourself.”

Kapitan cited the impact of growth on the taxpayer and the overall way of life in DeKalb as two of his primary concerns if he were re-elected as 3rd Ward Alderman.

Despite being the lone candidate in the 5th Ward, Alderman Patrick Conboy still was in attendance. Being the only alderman on the Growth Summit, he stressed the need for controlled, balanced growth and a summit to determine what kind of growth is essential and if it will balance.

Conboy added what he deemed as a different approach by calling for “the maintenance of an independent city council where there is full debate and input from the community [which] is absolutely vital to good local government.”

The 7th Ward boasts two NIU students running head-to-head for the position current Alderman Joseph Sosnowski is stepping down from. Graduate student James Barr highlighted increased safety along Annie Glidden Road and a strengthened relationship between NIU and the city within the years to come.

Political science major Matthew Kapustianyk said his priorities include increased safety through better lighting and an increased police presence. He also touched on growth by saying it’s essential for the city. He cited the revitalization of the downtown district in order to bring in new businesses as another important aspect to his campaign.

The candidates all discussed various topics presented by citizens that included impact fees, incentives, the referendum, the Greek Row Revitalization Plan, Savannah Green and Garden Road parking.

DeKalb School Board (4 seats)

With four open spots on the school board, nine candidates made their cases as to why they are the most qualified.

Tia Robinson described herself as an advocate for not only her own children, but also all children within District 428.

Derek Harkema said it’s important to have the input of everyone within the district to decide one way or another how to approach the district’s financial distress.

Holly Wallace said she is a frequent audience member at school board meetings and has district committee experience among other school-related programs/ organizations; she is as qualified as anyone in doing a good job as school board member.

Bobby E. Wilkerson said he knows the needs of children because he has years of coaching kid’s soccer and basketball. He also stressed the importance of DeKalb’s Hispanic population on the district.

Tom Teresinski said his main goal is to deliver quality education to district students through a successful referendum.

James W. Mitchell said that although he’s not a politician and just a businessman, he has a desire to simply see everything done right in the community.

Finally, Daniel R. Milroy said he’d like to see the referendum succeed, redistricting and some corporate sponsorship as a way for schools to receive more revenue.

Candidates Richard Derix and Patricia Williams did not attend the forum.

Park District Board (2 seats)

The DeKalb Park District is looking to fill two new spots with four candidates running.

Current members Arthur “Larry” Lundgren and candidates Matt Volk and Mike Teboda spoke on various issues, such as keeping taxes low, affordable program fees and accommodating DeKalb’s growth by enhancing parks.

Current member Carol Chesler did not attend, but echoed similar needs for the park district in a video presented to the audience.