The race for Ward 4 in this year’s Danville city council elections pits a longtime alderwoman against a newcomer, both of whom are local business owners.
Sharon McMahon, who is the longtime owner of Illini Skateland, is facing Tricia Teague, who runs the Trep School, which is a business consulting firm.
McMahon says that her main priority for Ward 4 is public safety.
“I think people should be able to live safely, to be safe in their homes, to know that if they need a police officer, fireman or a medical person that someone’s coming, and they’re going to be able to come in a timely fashion,” she explains.
Teague says that she decided to run for the seat because there are many issues that need to be addressed in Danville and she wants to be a part of the decision-making. She says her main focus is economic development, including the growth of existing businesses.
“We need to grow from the inside-out, and do some things to invest in our local businesses that will help grow our local economy,” she says. “Local people will employ local people, and if we can create jobs organically that way, that will grow our local economy.”
One topic that both candidates shared is neighborhood revitalization. Teague says there are problems in her neighborhood with empty houses. She also says that some residents are dumping trash near alleyways. McMahon notes that the city is slowly making progress on its neighborhoods, pointing to the addition of a neighborhood services coordinator in city government.
You can listen to full interviews with Sharon McMahon and Tricia Teague under the VOTE tab on our website.
