Dear Morrison 3rd Ward Voters:
My name is Curt Bender, and I am honored to be running for your representative on the Morrison City Council. I am running as 3rd Ward Alderman, because I think I can bring a different perspective to the council.
I have been employed with Willett, Hofmann & Associates, Inc. Consulting Engineers in Dixon, IL, for almost 30 years. I started my career as a survey crew rod man, a career path that I learned as an artillery surveyor in the U. S. Army, and worked my way up to a professional land surveyor. I am currently Vice President and Survey Department Manager for Willett, Hofmann, and Associates (WHA.)
During my career at WHA, I have worked extensively with municipalities and governmental agencies on surveying and engineering projects. I believe these experiences gie me insight into the planning, design, construction, and costs of infrastructure construction projects that the City of Morrison is currently in and will be faced with.
I currently serve on the Board of Directors of WHA and the Morrison Planning and Zoning Board. I was the former President of the Winnebago Chapter of the Illinois Professional Land Surveyor’s Association and served on the City of Morrison Leaf Burning Ad-Hoc Committee. These positions have taught me how to analyze information and to make informed decisions that take into account numerous perspectives.
I have been married to my wife Corinne for 26 years, and, back in 1995, we selected Morrison as a great place to settle down and raise our two daughters. We were attracted to the community because of the amenities that were offered for a town of this size: great schools, recreational opportunities, shopping within town, and its affordability.
During the years I have lived here, it seems that the City has been reactive, instead of proactive. I think it is necessary and long overdue that we revise the City’s Comprehensive Plan, to address where, as a community, we want to be in the future and what our top priorities are. The City has to generate revenue, and as a Council, we need to come up with some creative ways of doing this. The days of major industry locating to Morrison are gone. We need to utilize existing businesses within the community and help them grow and prosper.
More than anything though, I have been moved to run, because I am tired of the negative portrayal of Morrison in the press. This is a good town, and I hope with your vote to move the community in a positive direction that will benefit us, as well as future generations.
Sincerely,
Curt Bender