Two treasurers candidates from Peoria make their CVs, ideas for income to the forum

Two of the three candidates of Peoria for the office in Treasurer of the city And they brought CVs Monday night to a candidate forum hosted by the Peoria chapter in Naacp.

Treasurer candidates Asya Washum and Brooke Petty Sommerville have spent most of the forum stressing why they felt that they are more qualified than the other to serve as the next treasurer of Peoria, sometimes trading the subtle on the history or ideas of the other. The candidate Jim Montelongo did not participate because of the disease.

Peoria’s treasurer’s role is currently provisionally held by Chet Tomczyk. He was appointed according to Mayor Rita Ali after the resignation of former treasurer Stephen Morris in May.

Sommerville lost to Morris in the 2021 race for Treasurer with a margin of 7,717 votes at 7,598 votes.

Washum, currently working for the state of Illinois, sparked the first night debate, when he introduced an idea to create a municipal bank in Peoria, which he said would increase the city’s income and help the city better manage – the budget.

Sommerville, who works in the position of deputy chief of the county official Peoria, said that, while the idea for a municipal bank seems good and is “intriguing”, the implementation of one would be a bad idea due to the necessary capital and the regulatory requirements who come with it.

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Sommerville asked if the city has the capital to invest in a municipal bank, why wouldn’t it just put this money to public safety pensions?

Washum fought, defending the idea that the state has reserved programs and finances to help cities create municipal banks and said that the city has a general fund that could be used to help finance the operation.

In several points during the Monday debate, Sommerville seemed to take pictures against Washum’s background, in particular, her short seven -month -old, who works as financial director at The Chief Financial at The Citizens’ Committee Peoria for Economic Opportunities.

Sommerville encouraged the voters on several occasions to “do their research” in the mandate of the position that washum had previously held.

At one point, Sommerville asked him on Washum: “What was more than two or three years?”

Washum fought Sommerville’s argument by saying, no matter how long he held a position, he “always produced results”.

During the seven months of working in PCCEO, Washum said he had identified a fraud of $ 100,000 in the first 90 days at work and managed an organizational budget of $ 23 million.

“If I can do this in seven months, imagine what I can do in four years,” Washum said.

Washum was characterized as the candidate for change, asking the voters if they like the Peoria direction. She said that Peoria does not currently look like in a place where she is comfortable or can support longevity.

On the other hand, Sommerville presented himself as a candidate with great experience in working with the city of Peoria, hitting the fact that he already uses the same systems that the city uses at work with the county.

Instead of presenting himself as a candidate for change, Sommerville said he wants to make sure that Peoria “remains a place that everyone can thrive” in his closing observations.

Each candidate answered questions about diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in Peoria, saying he supports them. Washum and Sommerville, both black, said that I think it is important for people to understand what Dei means, making a point that is not only for the benefit of a group of people, but of many.

A primary choice for the treasurer office will take place on February 25th. The general elections will take place on April 1.

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This article originally appeared on the Journal Star: Two treasurer candidates Peoria resume, ideas for forum revenue