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Name: Donald Sinclair
Age: 77
Years of residency in the district: 17
Occupation: Retired fire lieutenant, 26 years with the Chicago Fire Department.
Previously elected positions: Eight years on the Catalina Village Council in Arizona, eight years with the Golder Ranch Fire District boards as a vice chairman, and two years as a Pima County committeeman.
Q. Why have you decided to run for mayor/commissioner and what major goals do you plan on working towards?
A. I've always thought about running for office, but my wife became ill. My family always comes first. My wife passed away on December 29th, 2017.
Q. What sets you apart from your opponents?
A. Honesty, transparency and self-determination to get things accomplished.
Q. The city's handling of Freedom Fest generated compliments and criticisms last year. What are your thoughts on the event and what, if any, changes would you work towards?
A. I am the Commander of the American Legion. Freedom Run is to honor our fallen heroes, wounded warriors and veterans. The legion holds a Gold Star Family dinner on Saturday. This should not turn into a gala or fest. I would support a fest on Sunday.
Q. How would you grade the City Council's handling of the budget on a scale of A to F? If low, where do you feel the city could do a better job of cutting expenditures or finding new revenue?
A. I would grade the City Council's handling of the budget a solid "F." The city could cut expenditures by critiquing their spending.
Q. How would you grade the City Council's transparency and accessibility to the public on a scale of A to F? If high, what specifically have you admired or what have you done to increase transparency? If low, where specifically have they lapsed and what could be done better?
A. I would grade the City Council's transparency and accessibility to the public a "C." I have not had many discrepancies with the City Council.
Q. How many city council meetings have you attended recently?
A. I have attended a few meetings.
Q. What are your thoughts regarding the City Council's current projects (i.e. working toward creating a boat launch, dispersing home repairs grant money, etc.)? Is there a particular project you want to see the City Council tackle in the near future?
A. I am not familiar with any current projects, I know that they have completed some recently. I would like to pursue the demolition of the Nabisco building and create a river walk. I would like to see a field house for the residents, where they would have a place to go during the winter months. I would also like to move the city north, toward the highway. We could accomplish this by passing a bond issue.
Q. Do you support the city's withdrawal from the Illinois River Area Chamber of Commerce? Why or why not?
A. No, I do not support the city's withdrawal from the Illinois River Area Chamber of Commerce. I believe that we should work with all city groups, regardless of our differences.
Q. Other than for family or health reasons, why would you leave your position mid-term?
A. Not applicable...I have no plans to leave.
Q. What headline do you hope to read The Times at some point during your term?
A. "Marseilles develops to the north" or "Mayor Sinclair successfully opens river walk."