In their words: What kind of expertise and experience will you bring to Peoria City Council?
In our series of articles leading up to the April 4 election, the Journal Star asked candidates for Peoria City Council: What kind of expertise and experience would they bring to the table if elected? Their answers are below.
Anu Uddavolu
As an attorney, I have conducted research, drafted numerous legal memorandum pertaining to policies and procedures, litigated cases before civil court judges and jury. As a supply chain contract administrator, I manage, negotiate, and administer contracts for products and services, and capital equipment. I exhibited leadership, collaboration and facilitation skills by serving on community boards. I am recipient of the Peoria 40 Leaders Under 40 Award in 2020, and Outstanding New Leader Award in 2022 from Women in Leadership of Central Illinois. As a result of my professional experience and community leadership, I have developed the skills that are required for an efficient and effective City Councilwoman.
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Benjamin Nicks Jr.
I have earned a Masters in Public Administration which will help guide me in making financial and business decisions for the city. My role as a pastor has allowed me to listen to people and voice their concerns.
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Bernice Gordon-Young
I have a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision with a specialization in Forensic Mental Health and Crisis and Trauma. My dual career in public safety and mental health spans 28 years. I was employed by the City of Peoria as a 911 dispatcher for 18 years. I understand the systems involved with keeping our city safe, our infrastructure strong, and our development ongoing. I currently serve as the lead mental health professional at the Peoria County Jail, so I am very much aware of the challenges that lead to criminal activity and recidivism. My work in mental health includes working with children and their families, substance use disorders, counseling formerly and currently incarcerated populations, Veterans, unhoused and older populations. Serving on the Illinois Opioid Remediation Advisory Board, I understand the significance in preventive and interventive methodology to combat the opioid crisis. As the CEO of It Takes a Village of Peoria, my work is geared toward by providing free, basic needs to combat poverty and mental health challenges.
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Demario Boone
I bring 18 years of law enforcement experience as a Peoria police officer and Peoria Public Schools officer. I have been in the trenches helping children and families. This passion for my work in service has helped me to see the issues on the ground floor: poverty, crime, mental health and our business economy. I see daily the needs and address them proactively. My proactive approach to service helped our team at Peoria Public Schools win a national K-12 award from Campus Safety Magazine for Director of the Year, become a top 500 security team in the nation with Security Magazine and to become one of Peoria's 40 Leaders Under 40. This was due to not only an exceptional team, but proactive out-of-the-box thinking and leadership. This work and leadership experience along with being a lifelong Peorian 41 years is an extreme benefit.
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John Kelly
I spent 40 years in the financial services industry and gained considerable insight into financial matters. I have also been in leadership positions in many volunteer organizations, such as Family House, Boy Scouts, the Peoria Cursilllo, on both the Peoria Diocese's Education Commission and Seminarian Support Group. I've been a participant with the Downtown Redevelopment Commission, District 150 Horizon Clubs, Downtown Rotary, the Rotary Reader program, and the Peoria Diocese's Catholic Committee on Scouting. I have also authored a book, "The Other Law of Moses." Furthermore, I was active in Peoria's public policy initiatives and discussions for 40 years before I was elected to the Council in 2019.
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Kiran Velpula
My goal as a councilman for Peoria is to rebrand our city and create a collective vision. I believe we can rename Peoria as a healthcare destination and biotech corridor, attracting businesses and talent to our community. As a strong supporter of small to medium businesses, I was able to convince Pringle Robotics to establish their company in Peoria. I am also proud to have secured $250,000 for biotech start-ups and excited to have received interest from five start-ups. Additionally, I advocate for talent acquisition and retention, bringing together premier educational institutions to create a prototype program for students pursuing a career in medicine. I believe investing in talent is key, and I want to make Peoria one of the workforce capitals of the Midwest.
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Lawrence Maushard
I'm a 63-year-old writer, journalist and human rights activist who owns and lives in my 1924 home on East Arcadia (behind East Bluff Heartland Health plaza) with my partner and fellow activist Kristen Meierkord and our 10-year-old daughter Harlow-Noelle. Born and raised in Peoria, I'm a proud graduate of Academy of Our Lady/Spalding Institute class of 1978 & Illinois State University, 1982. I began my career as reporter-photographer for downstate Pana News and then staff reporter for Pekin Daily Times. I've worked in occupied Palestine, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Sandinista Nicaragua, East bloc Hungary, Mubarek’s Egypt, Boston, Portland, Chicago, Peoria and more. Returning recently to Peoria, I immediately became active in local human rights, like Black Lives Matter. Some of my accomplishments since returning include: 1. Residential streets safety speed bumps. 2. Free sidewalk replacement program. 3. Surveyed dangerous homes for city action. 4. Sharply increased utility assistance via City Council resolution. 5. Ensured extra time for tenants facing mass evictions. 6. Personally surveyed and listed dark areas for residential street lights upgrade.
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Mike Vespa
I have been practicing law in Peoria for 13 years, including six years as a former Peoria County assistant public defender. I have experience working with and forging deals with prosecutors and conducting tough jury trials. My work as a public defender has given me hands-on experience with Peorians struggling with addiction and mental health and helped them turn their lives around. I'm also a former traffic commissioner who will prioritize road repair and press for safe and efficient street conversions such as roundabouts.
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Zach Oyler
During my time as your councilman I have protected your pocketbook, and if re-elected this will remain a top priority. I’ve voted against increases on taxes, successfully ran a campaign to eliminate the Parcel Pension Fee, and pushed back on wasteful spending that is not a good investment for the families and businesses of Peoria. I’ve also dedicated time to preserving the quality of our neighborhoods. From helping start neighborhood associations to renovating homes and helping resolve resident issues, I am actively engaged in improving Peoria. As a realtor, I have a front line understanding of the variety of reasons that Peorian's are moving to other communities. As your councilman I have advanced policies stemming the tide of outmigration and attracting new businesses and families to call Peoria home.
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Editor's note: Clara Underwood-Forman did not respond to the questionnaire.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Peoria City Council candidates have diverse expertise and experiences
