John Inyart has been mayor of Charleston since May 2005. His current term expires in May of 2009. Sarah Whitney, News editor of The Daily Eastern News, sat down with Mayor Inyart to talk about being mayor of a college town, keeping the bars open later and the most important issues facing Charleston in the next few years.

Question: Why did you decide to run for mayor?

Answer: I thought, given my background in business and my roots in the community, that I could bring something to the office and give it just a little bit different perspective.

Q: People always say “my vote doesn’t matter.” Why do you think their votes does matter?

A: I’m one of those people that disagree with that statement. Obviously most people in public office would disagree with that statement. People need to vote but more importantly they need to understand whom they’re voting for and what they stand for. One of the things that really surprised me when I was running for mayor was the number of people that didn’t know or heard about it from somebody else. And I think people owe it to themselves and their communities to do their own research and form their own opinions. But as far as a single vote goes there’s many, many races that are decided by only a few votes. (Mine wasn’t one of them, since I was unopposed)

Q: What is the most important issue facing Charleston in the new few years?

A: I would say that the continued focus on economic development would probably be one of our most important issues, and I don’t know if that’s ever changed so I don’t know if its any different than ten years ago. Attracting business to the community is a high priority. Continuing to grow our tax base is right there with it and runs hand in hand with the recruitment of business and industry. But as properties are redeveloped, the taxable value of those properties increases so if we can continue that growth that will help to lessen the burden on the rest of us paying taxes. So I guess those two run together as a means of continuing to keep Charleston healthy financially.

Q: Earlier this month the Daily Eastern News ran an article about the new businesses in town. In there you referenced an expansion plan. What’s the next step in that plan?

A: What’s the next step in the expansion? There’s not a plan set in stone, but as a personal goal I’d hoped to see many of the Lincoln Street properties redeveloped. I think the Jimmy Johns was the first high profile (business to move in). That kind of set the stage for other business to look at Charleston in perhaps a different way than they had been. And as I said in the other article the fact that the Wendy’s property was redeveloped in such a sort time, sends a statement that this is a good place to be in business.

As far as what’s next: there’s still obviously the Walgreens is going to be a highly visible development.

Q: Can you tell us what the other business is yet?

A: I hope they will announce it soon, but you (students) will be pleased. Once that happens, then the liquor store that’s on that side will move to Long John Silver’s and that only leaves us with two or three visible vacant structures.

Q: What are the possibilities of expanding the bar hours and lowering the age limit to get into the bars, like Champaign?

A: I suppose that those two issues can continue to be discussed. I would like to see the state of Illinois address the entry age because for us to allow the students into the bars but not let them be a customer puts a tremendous burden on the bar owner. As far as the hours go, I think the biggest selling (point) that could help that develop would be showing or being able to show the council that that would somehow have a positive affect on the house parties. And in turn have a positive effect on the neighborhoods where there’s a coexistence of students and families.

Q: Charleston is a college town. In what ways does that impact running the city compared to other cities that are not college towns?

A: I think anytime you have half of your population between the ages of 18 and 25 you’re going to have a little more of a challenge with respect to alcohol issues, nightlife in general. Other than those two issues, (I can’t think) that it creates any other problems for the city. The only other one that comes to mind would be high percentage of rental property within the community. Some of which is maintained very well, and some of which is not.

We answer several issues throughout the year with respect to the issue of rental properties some of which are occupied by students and I should add that if a student ever feels like there is a safety hazard within in their rented property that they contact the city and we are more than happy to inspect that property and there is no charge for that. However, we can’t do it unless they ask us to. We have to be invited into the property by law.

INSERT FACT BOX: To report a safety hazard in a rental property to the city call the city planner at 217-345-8460.

Q: How is the Ethanol plant coming?

A: We toured an ethanol plan last Thursday in Palestine, Ill. That was a very interesting tour. We found the community has embraced the plant in Palestine. There are folks living on all sides of that plant, and we found through our conversations with the mayor and some residents that they seem to be very good neighbors. There is one proposed for the north end of Charleston and we are currently working with the developers of that project to answer some of the questions residents have with respect to water usage, any environmental concerns. (I should note) We didn’t tour plant, we visited the area. We were unable to tour the plan due to insurance reasons. We did meet with the plant manager at city hall, down there.

Q: What’s one thing you’ve accomplished so far as mayor that you’re proud of?

A: Since taking office I have noticed that most of the issues that I have gotten involved in, involve either customer service or communication just like my business. I think one thing we’ve done so far is we’ve had a very positive effect on both customer service and communication issues between city hall and our residents. We have implemented image changes including nametags and city logos on virtually all of our employees that come in contact with the residents. This allows the resident who I refer to as the customer to identify the person that they’re dealing with and to be sure that, that person is in fact a city employee. And I think that tends to put the customer a little more at ease when they know who they are dealing with and in addition the name tag also has a title so they know that this is the right person I’m talking to.

The other thing that we’ve done is continued a focus on customer service and accessibility. I have my own city mayor email address, which until I took office, there wasn’t a computer in the city office. I prefer to directly answer my emails and questions and having the city mayor e-mail address allows me to do that quicker.

INSTERT FACT BOX: To contact the mayor e-mail him at [email protected]

Q: When you not being mayor, what do you do for fun?

A: Between the mayor’s job and my Midas responsibilities, I don’t find mself with a lot of free time. I do play the occasional round of golf and I do spend some time maintaining some rural property which I own – mowing and cutting wood, which a lot of people think that’s work, but I actually enjoy that. Those end up being some of my recreation. I would say that when I do get a chance I do like to spend time with my family, including my grandsons. But as a general rule, I have trouble relaxing. I’d just as soon be doing something.

Q: What advice would you give to students who want to get into public life?

A: Be prepared to put other people’s problems ahead of some of your own from time to time. And understand that you will be representing everyone not just the folks that you know. And be prepared to get to know lots of other folks. And you should probably be open to criticism because you’ll never make everyone happy, but if you treat people the way you’d want to be treated in any given situation it shouldn’t be difficult to do a good job.