John Kozlar, Candidate for 11th Ward Alderman
Candidate Full Name: John Kozlar
Office: 11th Ward Alderman
Email Address: jkkozlar7@gmail.com
Web Site: www.JohnKozlar.com
Survey Questions (Character limit of 2,000 per response)
1. What is the most important issue that you will address in your ward?
There are many issues that we face in our 11th Ward, and I outline solutions on my campaign website at www.JohnKozlar.com. After listening to our residents, there is a consensus that the important issues consist of: economic development, communication, and efficiency in our city services. If you go down our main Halsted Street, be it in Bridgeport (boarded up storefronts), Canaryville (abandoned lots), East Pilsen, University Village & Commons (for lease signs in many buildings), you will see an opportunity to make a change and not let the vast potential within our neighborhoods go to waste or be ignored. I am the only candidate who has specific plans to economically develop our community, to improve communication directly with our residents, and to be more efficient with our city services. A complete list of my plans if elected Alderman can be found on my website at www.JohnKozlar.com. It is important that we start paying attention to the needs of our residents and make the 11th Ward the best ward in the entire City of Chicago.
2. What are your plans for helping fight crime in your ward?
I live in a ward that has great CAPS groups, and the result when the community works directly with our police force is positive. I would support modernizing the gear that our police officers have, so that they too are safe in serving and protecting our neighborhoods. I have had the privilege of being a part of a community organization within the 11th Ward, which is a great place where children are kept off of the streets during the summer months. Currently, we have over 450 boys and girls, many with families residing in Canaryville and Bridgeport. I also directly communicate with our local police, and it is 100 percent evident that when we communicate together and when we invest directly in our neighborhoods, the outcome is clear: safer neighborhoods. Also, we have many assets in our community consisting of organizations and people who care for the well-being of our 11th Ward. Therefore, it is the act of identifying our ward's assets and having everyone work together that will result in the betterment of our public safety.
3. What, if any, city assets would you consider privatizing to raise money?
I think we have all learned a lesson that privatizing our major revenue sources for short-term gains is imprudent. Our elected officials who privatized the parking meters in Chicago shows that they were not concerned with the consequences. Therefore, I will not support any privatization of city assets for mere short term benefits and will be conscientious in making these decisions. The only city assets that should be privatized are those that the city cannot make better, and I do not see any lack of potential for our assets as of yet.
4. Do you support or oppose the vote to increase the minimum wage in several steps to $13 an hour by 2019?
I support the vote to increase the minimum wage, in several steps, to $13 an hour by 2019. It is very difficult to live on the current minimum wage, especially for a family with children. Taking into account business and economic principles, it will be vital to raise the minimum wage. I also support Organized Labor and Pro Union Efforts for Equal Pay.
5. Are you in favor of Chicago's Red Light Camera program?
The idea of the red light program was to improve the safety around our schools and parks. I agreed with this practice. However, it seems that the program is now a way to tax people in every aspect of their driving lives. I think the program has been abused in this manner. There was even evidence of reducing the yellow light duration, just so we can issue more tickets. This was wrong and I would favor going back to the initial purpose of this program: to keep our drivers and pedestrians safe.
John Kozlar
