Mayor Butler Replies and Clarifies…
Some of the candidates running for the offices of mayor and city council are uninformed, or intentionally misleading with regard to the city’s bonded indebtedness. The Standard and Poor, a national credit rating firm, has given Marion a high credit rate of AA -. This firm reports that Marion has strong financial management and, furthermore, reports that long-term financial planning assures the major portion of the city debt will be retired within five years.
The greater part of the funds raised by the issue of bonds paid for the construction of major projects. Among those projects are: The Marion Cultural and Civic Center, The Hub, Recreation Center, The Pavilion, the library expansion, The Industrial Park, and Morgan Avenue I 57 improvements, to name a few. In addition, 9 million dollars of debt was incurred because the EPA ordered the city to build a new sewer plant. If we had not done so, people would have WPA toilets instead of a sewer system. Let those critics of the city who never have bought a house on credit or financed a car, cast the first stone.
Under Home Rule, the city’s limit for debt is determined by the market. The city can issue bonds but if bond buyers do not buy them, they amount to nothing. The city issued 10 million dollars in bonds last year. The bonds were bought almost before the ink was dry. This is testament to the recognition of the strong financial condition of Marion.
With respect to the transparency of the Marion City Government, it should be noted the city council meetings comply with State law. Furthermore, all official actions of the council are taken in open meetings to which anyone may attend. Personal observation is an effective way of learning how city government works. Neither of my opponents for mayor rarely, if ever, have attended personally a city council meeting.
In addition, the door to the mayor’s office is open to anyone and everyone. I promptly answer and return my own telephone calls and e-mails. I actively am involved in what is going on in our town. I work in close cooperation with the Marion Chamber of Commerce and the business community. I always have reached out to other communities in our area. Currently, I am a Board Member of the Southern Illinois Mayor Association, The Greater Egypt Planning and Development Commission, Southern Illinois Metropolitan Planning Organization and serve as a Vice President of the Illinois Municipal League.
The position of mayor is a leadership position. I consistently have led advancement and improvement in Marion. No one person can accomplish everything on his or her own. The city council is instrumental in providing leadership. There must be a unified team effort for good things to happen. I have been responsible in facilitating the unification of individuals and differing factors with the ultimate result of Marion being the leading city in Southern Illinois.
I have been criticized for my longevity in office but this longevity is proving to be beneficial to our city and its people. I propose to uphold my integrity by continuing to provide sound, positive, forward moving and progressive leadership.
Maintain the momentum. Your vote for me will count on Tuesday, April 7.
Respectfully yours,
Robert L. Butler, Mayor
City of Marion