Ottawa commissioner candidate Marla Rodriguez

Name: Marla Rodriguez

Age: 47

Years of residency in district: 41

Occupation: Sales manager, Jeff Perry Buick GMC

Previously elected positions: N/A

Contact information for voters: maples6722@msn.com, 815-326-0320

Why have you decided to run for commissioner and what major goals do you plan to work towards?

This is the time for me to give back to the community. I have never been prouder to live in Ottawa. The beautification the past administrations have done to the city is the reason our downtown is successful. I want to help our city thrive with continuing to build our downtown and market bigger businesses to relocate here to create jobs and more tax dollars.

What sets you apart from your opponents?

The obvious answer is a female perspective. The more than 11 years working at Jeff Perry, I started in sales, which gives me experience in marketing. After becoming Sales Manager and back up to finance manager, I learned the importance of troubleshooting, dealing with customer service issues and employee relations.  I can objectively listen to both sides and make an informed and sometimes hard and fair decisions.

Do you feel there is a fair balance of focus between attracting visitors to Ottawa and maintaining a solid, quality life for residents? If not, which way should the scale tip? 

I think these are both important. As a resident that lived across the street to a blighted property, I can not tell you how important the blighted reduction program is to our city.  Unfortunately, a lot of residents are building and buying houses outside the city limits. We need to continue to clean up our neighborhoods so people want to stay here in Ottawa. If we can help in the refurbishing of these properties or rebuilding on these properties, that is more tax dollar income. We need to continue to make Ottawa a place where people want to visit, as well as a place where families want to stay for life.

On a scale of A to F, how would you rate the current city council’s handling of the budget? If low, where do you feel the city could do a better job of cutting expenditures or finding new revenue? 

I would give the currents city council a B. As any family/business budget there are surprises that come up that make it harder to stay within budget. Proper planning of any expenditure is key. We should pursue grants for any beautification and infrastructure as possible, however, with the financial condition the State of Illinois is in, we can’t always count on grants. Marketing for our commercial and industrial sites and creating more jobs and income is key. Along with marketing our downtown area shops and restaurants.

What are your current thoughts on the city’s proposed waterfront development plan? How important will forward momentum on that project be during your term?

I believe the opportunities are endless with this project. Additional beautification with development will not only bring in tourism money but it will also bring in revenue from our local community. A recreation center for all ages, shopping, dining, hotel and condos. At the workshop in February, it was mentioned that clean up on the property should be starting soon. I believe this is a project we need to get behind. I am excited about the proposed plans.

Are you supportive of Jackson Street being turned into a plaza? If not, what are your reservations? If so, what do you hope to see at the site? 

The concept plans for a plaza presented look amazing. However, because this is a “concept” at this time, there are no real answers on how much the City of Ottawa will need to contribute. I believe we owe it to our citizens to be responsible with any actions we take and decisions we make before starting another project. I am open minded to further discussions of this project.

What are your thoughts on the ongoing Illinois & Michigan Canal rewatering?

I believe we started this project without having a plan of action or knowing how we were going to pay for it or maintain it. I do believe we need to rectify the situation and figure out how we are going to finish this project.

Would you support a 1 percent downtown sales tax to support future development and maintenance downtown? Why or why not?

I would not. I feel we need to protect our downtown businesses. I spoke to many downtown owners and they fear the extra one percent would only be a burden to their overall profit. It is not fair to only raise taxes in a “business district’ when there are shops/businesses just outside the said “business district” with the same product. ​

Of the topics discussed at the city’s “Top 10” town meeting in October, which one or two are you strongly in support of and what do you plan to do to help achieve their success?

I am going to lump the first two together because I believe downtown revitalization and the riverfront along with the Recreation center are important.  Also, as I stated earlier, decreasing the number of blighted homes and buildings is very important

How many city council meetings or town meetings (i.e. Jackson Street Plaza discussion, top 10 Ottawa goals meeting, etc.) have you attended recently?

I have attended one workshop at City Hall and a town meeting. I do watch the council meetings online and stay on top of the operations of the City of Ottawa.​

What are your thoughts on the city’s current lineup of events? Should more be added, if so what kind? Should others be canceled?

The city does a great job of lining up events in the summer. Over the last few years, we have seen the length of our Riverfest shortened as attendance has gone down. I think that was the right direction. Unfortunately, it doesn’t make sense to continue a festival that does not support the cost it takes to organize it. I would like to see more participation in our parade as we had years before with Drum and Bugle Corps competitions or including neighboring towns high school bands to participate. Also, more family-friendly events such as movie nights in the park would be great.

How do you expect the discussion regarding pensions to affect Ottawa in the near future?

It would be premature for me to answer this question. Knowing that some of our union members benefits are allocated by state and not municipalities I at this time would rather wait until I am more informed on their pensions before I answer this question. With my experience in sales and finance, I believe I am very capable of learning more about our pension funds and managing them accordingly.

Other than for family or health reasons, why would you leave your position mid-term?

There would be no other reason I would leave my position. I take this opportunity very seriously and look forward to serving the citizens of Ottawa.