David Moore, Candidate for 17th Ward Alderman

Candidate Full Name: David Moore

Office: 17th Ward Alderman

Email Address: Vision_values_voice@yahoo.com

Web Site: www.citizensformoore.com

Campaign Name: Citizens for Moore

Campaign Office Mailing Address: P.O. Box 16965, Chicago, IL 60616-0965

Phone: 773-846-0289

Survey Questions (Character limit of 2,000 per response)

1. What is the most important issue that you will address in your ward?

Governance. The 17th Ward has long been neglected--from severe unemployment and school closings, foreclosed homes and abandoned buildings, to street and sidewalk improvements and tree trimming. I will establish an aldermanic office that is accessible, responsive, transparent, and accountable to constituents. We will collectively develop a strategic plan to determine priorities and goals for improving the ward's health at every level.

2. What are your plans for helping fight crime in your ward?

Numerous studies have documented the correlation between crime and dearth of opportunities for meaningful employment, competitive education/training or positive extracurricular activities, particularly for youth. My plan addresses all those areas, with emphasis on developing a self-sufficient economy based on locally owned businesses and enabling young people equal access to attend a quality public school.

Additionally, I will fight for maintaining beat-oriented CAPS and allocation of police resources where needed most. This must be coupled with collaboration between the community and police to improve relations with each other and increase resident vigilance regarding safety/security issues.

3. What, if any, city assets would you consider privatizing to raise money?

I am not inclined to support any privatization, even with safeguards like the Privatization Transparency and Accountability Ordinance. Also, the City should not enter into long-term leases beyond 10 - 20 years, where there's a reasonable expectation that people will live long enough to correct a mistake. Ninety-nine years means several generations of taxpayers have to live with the ill-conceived mistake of one person. The parking meter deal left $35 million a year on the table, which grows exponentially with each fee increase.

4. Do you support or oppose the vote to increase the minimum wage in several steps to $13 an hour by 2019?

I fully support the City Council vote to increase the minimum wage, though it should have been immediate and not pushed to 2019. I supported the $15 proposal. However, I believe wages should be tied to inflation. People need a living wage. Research has long indicated that increasing the minimum wage to at least $13 would be the fastest way to reduce poverty and its tremendous impact on costs related to crime, social services, healthcare, education achievement, potential tax revenues and overall economic growth. Also, studies show that increasing the minimum wage increases consumer spending, which in turn generates sales taxes, which help the bottom lines of businesses and local governing bodies.

5. Are you in favor of Chicago's Red Light Camera program?

No. In fact, I recently signed a pledge that I would advocate and vote for legislation abolishing the program. It has not reduced accidents, has been implemented in primarily black and brown communities, is fraught with mistakes and manipulation, and unfairly burdens working people with fines.

David Moore