Cities 92.9 reached out to all candidates for Normal Town Council to discuss the biggest issue the world faced over the past four years, Covid-19. We asked them questions regarding the town’s response. Only two candidates responded, challenger Karl Sila and incumbent Karyn Smith, We appreciate their willingness to join us in this conversation and trust you will appreciate their candid responses.
Sila is disappointed with how the Town of Normal handled Covid saying, “Most of the last 30+ months has actually been Covid Hysteria. During that time frame, the council did great at letting the Mayor and Manager show local businesses and townspeople who’s boss … when the police were sent to shut down Maggie Miley’s when it was operating within all applicable health standards, when the town’s liquor license authority was abused to fine Joe’s Station House for operating within all Health Department guidelines, when the Mayor commissioned a professionally-made banner to mock townspeople who were protesting to get their jobs and lives back …”
Smith is more positive telling us, “I think we did well in distributing Small Business Relief Program dollars totaling $450,000 to small businesses. Notices were sent out late November 2020. Grants were distributed in late January 2021. 67 businesses applied and the requests exceeded the available funds but ultimately, 67 businesses receive grants averaging $9,000. While Town staff did the majority of the work in promoting this program, responding to inquiries, assisting with applications, and processing the requests, 5 of the 6 council members personally distributed notices to businesses in Normal to help ensure that these businesses were aware of the program and could seek this additional financial support.”
Kasper Files 414 Page Motion to Dismiss in Shoraga et al. v. Normal and Hounker
Smith was “disheartened at the divisiveness that existed in town in response to the mitigation measures implemented by the Council.” She said, “I wish we had succeeded in connecting with everyone about the health concerns driving these measures rather than see it devolve into a political football. I am aware of many disabled individuals who have challenging health issues and recognize the need to safeguard their well-being every day. COVID added an enormous challenge to see that these citizens were protected along with everyone in our community who might never had recognized their vulnerability to a new, highly contagious virus.”
Smith continued, “It was difficult to know what was best to do in the early days of the pandemic and then keep up as our understanding of COVID evolved along with increasing tools to combat it. I am thankful that the U.S. succeeded in generating effective vaccines and treatments in the first year of the pandemic. That truly is a marvel.”
Sila believes the town of Normal could have done much better telling us, “The council could have supported the people rather than the politics. … When the people clearly were tired of unneeded ‘protections’ and the science supported their position, town government turned a deaf ear. The Town has no interest in listening to the concerns, troubles, or ideas of the people of Normal unless they are part of the Mayor’s circle.”
Voting begins on February 23rd.
