Video: Earlville mayoral race: Candidates split on law enforcement goals

The two men seeking to be Earlville’s next mayor both applaud the city’s police department – but they also diverge on what challenges lay ahead for law enforcement.

Mayor Michael Hall and his challenger, Alderman Mark Actis, sat for a Thursday virtual forum and spelled out their objectives if they prevail April 6. They revealed much common ground. Both agree economic development is a top priority, want to see vacant or blighted structures rehabilitated or razed and both want to improve communications between constituents and city hall using better technology.

But the topic of how to deal with criminal interlopers using U.S. 34 drew disparate responses. Both praised the city’s police department, but Hall shied away from the suggestion that increased interdiction is needed.

“We’re not a speed trap community,” Hall said, adding later. “I don’t think we’re trying to highlight stopping people, but we will do what we need to do.”

That stood in contrast to Actis’ view that U.S. 34 has become a “superhighway” for drugs flowing out of Aurora. Actis said Earlville police are using existing resources well, “but I think they need a few more tools to get over that hump” and he called for more interdiction.

“We need to spend more on police. We need to up patrols,” Actis said, adding later, “We need to send a message, “Hey, we don’t want this stuff here.’ It needs to go.”

Hall is a retired social studies teacher and 50-year resident of Earlville who served as alderman and then mayor. He decided to run again after his wife’s passing and hopes to fulfill some standing objectives such as increasing the technology available to city staff and to residents, facilitating communication between both.

“I’ve dealt with people my whole life and I listen,” Hall said, noting he’s the best choice for mayor because he’s proven to be accessible and open to constituents. “I think I’m doing a good job and I think the city is progressing despite all the problems the world is having because of the pandemic.”

Improving technology is a shared objective with Actis, a union electrician and 13-year resident of Earlville who has served as alderman for the past five years. He pledged to bring a fresh set of ideas as mayor and to entertain ways to improve the city.

“I listen to people explain what they do like and don’t like about the city and what needs to be changed,” Actis said. “I’d like to make that change for a brighter future.”

Despite their personal differences and views on law enforcement, they share many common goals. Both want to lure entrepreneurs into the business district – Hall said a grocery store is forthcoming – and want to find takers for some of the vacant structures, agreeing that others will have to be razed.

Both seek to build a new water tower and continue sewer improvements and both downplayed the need for a comprehensive plan, believing the short-term goals have been identified and are well-understood.

Both said they would oppose a property tax increase and would seek alternative sources of revenue such as a sales tax increase to take pressure off Earlville homeowners.

“I have enjoyed being the mayor and I hope to continue being the mayor,” Hall said in closing.

“I look to create a better, brighter future of Earlville,” Actis said. “I think Mike Hall has done a good job. I think I can do a better job.”