Leadership, image and maintenance of downtown businesses were the top three improvements recommended at Thursday's Downtown DeKalb Planning Meeting.

About 40 merchants, property owners, city officials and customers who attended the meeting were divided into seven groups to prioritize problems identified at the last meeting. All seven groups said a full-time manager is needed to lead the downtown revitalization.

Tom Wilson, executive director of the Galesburg Downtown Council, said the job of bringing customers to downtown DeKalb would be "ten-fold" more difficult without someone to manage downtown. Wilson managed a revitalization of downtown Galesburg.

An outside manager is not necessary, Wilson said, adding a manager for DeKalb is probably "right here in this room."

oger Hopkins, director of the department of community development, said downtown DeKalb has been slipping in recent years in terms of its market share and property tax receipts. The major issues for the commission's next two meetings will be funding and leadership for a revitalization plan.

Wilson said he visited some of DeKalb's downtown merchants. He said while improvements in maintenance are needed, "you're (DeKalb downtown) not falling apart. You have a lot going for you."

NIU is an important asset for improving business downtown, Wilson said. A promotional discount for Knox College students in Galesburg was very successful, he said. Businesses need to "invite" students into their stores, but the attitude of the salespeople will determine if students return, he said.

Wilson said about 80 percent of Galesburg's downtown businesses participate in its downtown council. All of the property owners participate through a 1 percent special service property tax used to fund a full-time maintenance crew, he said.

Thursday's meeting is a step in the right direction, Wilson said. Both the public and private sector contributed to the meeting. Cooperation among both sectors is important to a revitalization, he said.

Three local political officials have agreed to serve as coordinators for Sen. Paul Simon's presidential campaign.

DeKalb Mayor Greg Sparrow, DeKalb County Clerk and Recorder Terrence Desmond and Kane County Coroner Mary Lou Kearns have all accepted positions as 14th Congressional District coordinators for Simon's campaign.

Eric Adelstein, assistant political director for Simon's campaign, said each of the three officials received letters from Simon thanking them for their willingness to help with campaign efforts. More coordinators might be selected he said, adding there is not one coordinator but "a series of them."

Desmond, who worked on Simon's 1984 senatorial campaign, said "(Simon) is the finest person I know in government at any level. His quality would bring a positive dramatic change specifically with education, human rights and fiscal management."

In the next few weeks, volunteers will be enlisted to help with Simon's campaign efforts, Desmond said. He said there will be a student organization formed to support Simon.

Sparrow said he accepted a position as a coordinator as well. He said, "My major concern is that he (Simon) get elected." He said he has supported Simon since he won the democratic nomination for senator.

Kearns said she is "happy" to coordinate campaign efforts with the other officials. She said she is a personal friend of Simon. "I'm looking forward to seeing him run this country as president."

Tim McArnarney, special assistant to Simon supporter Alan Dixon, D-Ill., said he is a friend of Simon and has been working on his campaign in some of the districts including the 14th. He said the initial efforts for Simon's campaign will be focused on Iowa and New Hampshire.

"We're just starting to move into this (DeKalb) area," McArnarney said, adding that he is "comfortable" with the three coordinators selected so far. He said the three will be working to coordinate campaign efforts in the 14th District.

Desmond said most of the efforts would be geared toward the Illinois March 15 primary election. He said local campaign efforts will have to deal with NIU's spring break, March 12-22, because students will not be on campus to vote. Students will be encouraged to vote at home or with an absentee ballot before they leave.

Anyone interested in volunteering to work on Simon's campaign should contact one of the coordinators, Desmond said.