Reminder Publishing submitted photo
Reminder Publishing submitted photo
SPRINGFIELD — Reminder Publishing is continuing its coverage of the general election with another round of questionnaires.
Ward 6 incumbent Victor Davila and challenger Mary Johnson will face off on Nov. 4 after winning the preliminary election in September.
They both answered the same three questions in late August. Reminder Publishing published their answers below.
Readers can find some of their other comments regarding the race in prior coverage on thereminder.com.
Their names are listed in alphabetical order.
Reminder Publishing: What are some top priorities/issues you’d like to address as in Springfield?
Davila: I am working on reducing cost of living in Springfield, crime and litter.
Johnson: We deserve neighborhoods that are clean, safe, and affordable. Past efforts to clean up trash and litter have yielded few results and it’s time for new ideas. I plan on taking our litter issues to multiple city departments to find out what they are doing to clean up our sidewalks and streets and what they are going to do next. By collaborating with multiple city departments I know we can come up with long-term solutions that regularly clean up our city without having to overburden residents with the responsibility of calling in every day to report trash.
Another top priority of my campaign is to make housing and rentals more affordable by keeping property taxes reasonable for all residents. Since the city depends on taxes as revenue, the most important way to address this is to focus on the City’s budget and on increasing revenue from other sources over time. One way to do this is to increase the PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) agreements the city has with non-profits such as colleges and hospitals. Exploring whether some of our most important institutions would be willing to engage in reasonable PILOT agreements to support our residents is long overdue.
Lastly, and no less important, is public safety in Ward 6, specifically addressing substance use and mental health challenges. Springfield receives funding to support these root causes of public safety problems, and we need advocates who will ensure that addiction services and mental health supports remain a top priority.
RP: What are one or two things you think voters should know about you?
Davila: I am leading the efforts to have nonprofits in the city pay their fair share of payments in lieu of taxes. nonprofits use city services and they should pay their fair share. This effort is getting traction. The end result is to increase revenue to the City so that we can lower your property taxes and continue to provide city services.
Johnson: I am a public interest lawyer, representing people in both civil and criminal law. From getting veterans the benefits they are entitled to, to representing immigrants as they seek legal pathways to citizenship, I put people at the center of everything I do. I am a proud mother, and my husband and I are raising our children in the beautiful Forest Park area of Springfield.
RP: In your eyes, how has the campaign been going?
Davila: I am grateful to my supporters, volunteers for their support and for believing in me. The campaign is going well and with the voters’ blessing. I hope to be re-elected to the Springfield City Council Ward 6.
Johnson: The campaign is going very well! Residents are excited to hear about new ideas and the new ways that we are going to address some of our Ward’s most intractable issues like litter and public safety. I am out knocking doors every week, and I love speaking with Ward 6 residents. Unfortunately, some people feel left out. One woman told me no one ever comes to her neighborhood to talk about Springfield and elections. When we finished talking she proudly placed a lawn sign in her yard. I’m campaigning to increase civic engagement in our communities and in our city. I hear from so many people who want to get involved but feel like government is too complicated or too political. I’m proud to say that me and my volunteers are knocking on doors in every neighborhood and expanding civic engagement one door at a time! If you want to get involved in our movement to bring new ideas and your voice to City Hall, I invite you to go to votemaryjohnson.com/get-involved/ Let’s do this together!
