Mickey Beam
Position sought: Alderperson
Age: 79 and holding….
City/town of residence: Monroe
Family: Grown and Gone
Education: B.A. dual majors Zoology and Ed Miami U – Ohio, ’58-‘62; Business, Accounting & Management- Tulsa Jr. College, ’84-’86 and IL Central College ’92-‘94; Bradley U-Peoria, IL “Osher Learning Institute” 2012-2014
Occupation: High School Science and Special Ed Teacher- OH, NJ, MN, WI and IL-30 years; Sales, Marketing and Management-Sherwin-Williams Co.-MN, WI and IL-12 years; Market Research-MPSI-OK and CA-6 years
Previous elected positions held: City Council Alderperson, Monroe, write-in candidate in 2018; Washington, IL-HOA Board of Directors 2008-2016
There are five open seats on the April ballot for Monroe Common Council. Incumbents Donna Douglas, Mickey Beam, Michael Boyce, Richard Thoman and Rob Driver are seeking re-election. Former City Administrator Phil Rath also filled out papers to be on the ballot. The top five candidates who receive votes will receive two-year terms on the council.
What are the top issues facing this district/municipality and how would you work to resolve it?
The most pressing issue is having leadership in place that is transparent and responsive to our community needs. Ways that the Council could impact this is by hiring exceptional people and providing further professional development, education and networking opportunities, and by policies to guide the expectations of the elected government officers.
Another issue being a lack of business growth. We need viable plans to attract larger, more viable businesses which would in turn bring more money into Green County/Monroe coffers to help allay high taxes and help lower the costs of living here.
What are other key issues facing the district/municipality, and how would you work to resolve them?
(1) Increasing the supply of affordable housing; (2) Encouraging manufacturing businesses to build here; (3) Reduce property taxes with studious monitoring of a sound and solid budget; (4) Scourge the absentee slum-lord owners list. Clamp down on the scoffers of violation citations and fines; (5) Continue to offer TIF resources to business and noncommercial property owners. It saddens me to see so many of the existing older single and multi-family buildings in Monroe standing in such disrepair and no apparent effort to absolve the problems. The City and the owners need to step up to the plate!!
Why are you the best candidate for this office?
My education and work experiences have enhanced my ability to make appropriate decisions. The recent 2-year tenure as a City Alderperson has given me a good grasp on understanding what time commitment it takes to be prepared for this office. I will continue to advocate for sustainable city practices, improving Senior Center growth, and for a stronger, more active community development plan. I consider myself to be a TEAM player. I will gladly take the coaching lead when qualified, or take a step back and be a great team player when not.
