La Salle businessman Gary Hammers shares his plans in bid for mayor

Hammers wants to put business first

Newcomer Gary Hammers is running for La Salle City Council first ward alderman in the election Tuesday, April 4, 2023.

La Salle businessman Gary Hammers said he has a vision for the city; growth, prosperity and a city everyone can be proud of as he bids for mayor in the 2025 election.

“As I look to the future of La Salle, one thing is crystal clear,” he said. “We must put aside the envy, jealousy and outdated systems that have held us back for too long. I will not allow these negative forces to dictate the direction of our City Council. It’s time for change — a change that prioritizes our businesses, our entrepreneurs and our collective prosperity.”

Hammers will challenge incumbent Jeff Grove for the mayor’s seat in the April 2025 election. Hammers and Grove will be joined by candidates Jamie Hicks and Tyler Thompson on the ballot. An announcement article was published Nov. 18 for Hicks. Articles about Grove and Thompson will be published in upcoming editions.

Hammers said he wants to put businesses first as La Salle is built on hard work and innovation of local entrepreneurs. However, he said too often those businesses see “red tape, city ordinances and regulations” that hold them back rather than help them grow.

“As your representative,” he said. “I will work to create an environment where businesses can thrive. I am committed to cutting through the bureaucracy and ensuring that La Salle becomes a place where entrepreneurs are celebrated, not stifled.”

Hammers said he intends to bring revenue through smart development by attracting new businesses to La Salle that will benefit the entire community.

“We will open hotels and car dealerships that will generate sales tax revenue,” he said. “This revenue can then be used to fund vital infrastructure repairs, such as fixing our sidewalks and curbs without raising the burden on our residents through increasing real estate taxes.”

Hammers said by using sales tax to fund these improvements, the city will be able to keep property taxes lower while still making important upgrades that will enhance the look and feel of the city.

“We won’t let our buildings lie dormant and empty, missing out on the potential revenue that can help us invest in La Salle’s future,” he said.

Hammers said it’s important, however, to protect La Salle’s future while encouraging its growth by not sacrificing the safety of the environment.

“I will meet with companies to encourage growth, but we will not allow dangerous chemicals to pollute our water, soil or air,” he said. “Our residents deserve to live in a community where their health and safety are top priorities.”

He said he will work with the state to build access roads to connect interstates 39 and 80, to maximize the city’s potential and encourage more business to take root.

Hammers said he would like to beautify La Salle from the inside out by focusing on the entrances to create a welcoming atmosphere for residents and visitors.

“La Salle deserves to be a city we can all take pride in,” he said. “We’ll also encourage a culture of pride by rewarding our citizens for maintaining beautiful yards — no more unnecessary tickets from city police for minor issues like grass length.”

Hammers said he will focus on making the city a place people want to live, raise families and invest because it’s thriving and full of opportunity.

“My vision for La Salle is clear and precise,” he said. “I believe in setting measurable goals and delivering results within a specific timeframe.”

Hammers said he will not need more than four years to implement his plans as he will be working full-time and will do so for free.

“This is my serving the community, not advancing my career,” he said.

Hammers said he will build a city that isn’t just a place to live, but also a place to be proud of.

“The future of La Salle is in our hands,” he said. “By putting businesses first, embracing new ideas, we will build a city that thrives for generations to come. This is our chance to make a lasting impact and show our neighbors what true leadership looks like.

“The time for change is now. Let’s finish what we’ve started and create a city that we can all be proud of. Together we will make La Salle the envy of our community.”

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