Candidate Q&A: Becky Schabilion

By Times staff | Thursday, October 04, 2007

Office sought: Davenport, 8th ward

What are the most significant challenges facing neighborhoods?

I believe crime is our biggest challenge. It affects property values and the safety/comfort of our citizens. Being a local Realtor and landlord, I know that neighborhood conditions affect value. Property should increase in value, not decrease. How would you address them? By adding more police presence, penalizing properties that promote crime, i.e., drug/gang activity, poorly maintained and vacant buildings. Possibly offer more incentives to revitalize vacant properties.

What’s most important, providing basic services or adding amenities for residents and visitors?

 I would enhance our basic services, our city has plenty of amenities already. Let’s not spend hard-earned tax dollars on new amenities, promote the ones we have. I don’t believe taxpayers want to pay more for basic services, either. What approach would you take? I love the new trash cans, they look a lot nicer, keep animals out and seem to be more sanitary. However, I’m seeing more “dumping” and “stuff” left on the curb since the city limited and assessed the amount of trash one can have. I believe a “clean” neighborhood decreases crime and promotes value. We need to make available, without assessing, the ability to keep our neighborhoods clean. I’d promote incentives for revitalizing vacant properties also. Hiring more police would also make a difference.

What are the city’s most important infrastructure needs? 

The completion of the Northwest Boulevard  project will not only “clean up” this entrance to our city, but businesses would be more likely to move to the commercial/industrial area just north of Interstate 80/Northwest Boulevard bringing more jobs and tax dollars. We need to get more federal and state tax dollars back for major projects such as this and the 65th/67th street crosstown corridor. We also need to take a look at existing intersections that due to new construction and subdivisions have increased traffic and the need for stop signs. Marquette and 57th is one example.

How would you approach economic development?

Economic development is essential to us. Not only does it bring in jobs, increasing home sales and values, it also increases the tax basis bringing in more dollars to up the quality of services we need/want. Bringing in more tax dollars should mean property taxes remain the same or decrease. I’d promote recruiting both businesses that not only offer jobs but offer our city and its people quality, security and growth.

Does the city have enough police officers? What is the council’s role in promoting public safety?

No. Police presence offers security and quality of life by decreasing crime and gang activity, making our streets safer. Are they deployed properly? I believe there’s always room for improvement. We need their input, they’re the ones “out there — on the street.” The council’s role is making sure we have enough police and fire protection, cleaning up declining neighborhoods, offering incentive to make this happen. Listening to the people.

How would you handle situations in which you disagree with another council member or members? 

Respect. Listen and hear the other side. Public degradation is not necessary. As a local Realtor for the past 12 years, I’ve learned to negotiate. Sometimes you just have to agree to disagree. All the bickering does not set a good example, nor does it make the public feel their city is under control or that they are being heard.

Should the Isle of Capri take over the RiverCenter South?

The Isle should stay where they’re at, seems to be doing well, however, if they are insistent on moving and willing to pay the $2 million a year in rent that would benefit our citizens... then let them move. As long as tax dollars are increased, incentives are not being offered and there is no detriment to citizens, let them move.

What is your vision for Davenport? 

Growth! The city has a Vision 2025, which states city leaders will collectively apply our unique talents and resources to make our city the premiere place to live, work, raise a family and retire. We all have to work together to do this. I definitely agree with this attitude, I’ve lived here all my life, worked in the area since I was 14, raised three children and was a foster parent to 35 children. I have no intentions on moving and love Davenport and want to be a part of the process!