2017 Election: Mark Tendam, Evanston Mayor

Name: Mark Tendam

Age: 62

Town of residence: Evanston

Position sought: Mayor

Family: Husband, Neal Moglin

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?: No

Education: University of Cincinnati (1973-1978), Bachelor of Science Degree, Graphic Design

Occupation: Alderman, 6th Ward (2009 - Present), Business owner, Tendam Design (1989 to 2009),(Clients include Brach’s Candy, Chicago-Kent College of Law, Cohn & Wolfe, First Chicago, William M. Mercer), Graphic Designer at large and small design firms (1978 to 1989), including Hill+Knowlton and Burson-Marsteller

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Position: Alderman, 6th Ward (2009 - Present)

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The best, long-term solution to homelessness, food insecurity, the affordable housing gap, and community violence is to create more and better job opportunities for our unemployed and under-employed residents. People want to work, and we as a City should be doing everything we can to ensure that they find meaningful employment.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

The skills needed to develop and sustain a healthy economic environment for a City are different from the skills needed to grow a financially successful business. The ultimate goal of a business is to generate profits for its owners. The ultimate goal of a City, by contrast, is to create healthy, safe and positive environments for everyone who lives, works, studies, plays and visits. Cities need to generate revenue, but how and where that is done has far-reaching impacts on people’s lives. Knowing which projects to support and which to discourage, which innovations to embrace and which to be wary of, and how to do the most good for the most people with the least possibility of impacting others negatively all takes experience. That is true when the economy is strong, but it is particularly true when the future is less clear.

I have spent the past eight years working to build our economy in ways that have benefited all of Evanston, not just a privileged few. My opponent may have a lot of business experience, but that isn't what's needed to be successful as mayor.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

I am committed to bringing more affordable housing to Evanston and improving the housing we have, to raising awareness about and treating substance abuse and mental illness, and to promoting positive dialogue between different groups of people. I will help build trust between our citizens and our police, continue to support and expand our interfaith dialogues and initiatives, and ensure that the voice of every Evanstonian is heard.

If you gain this position, what accomplishment would define your term in office as a success?

If I had to list a single accomplishment, I would say that job increase rates would be the best measure of my success, because along with better jobs in our community, we would see reduced violence on our streets, better treatment of substance abuse and mental illness, more affordable housing, and a bright future for all who live and work here.

Please share with voters a story about wisdom gained from a mistake you made in your life or career.

The first time I ran for Alderman of the 6th Ward, I lost. Of course this wasn't the result I had wanted, but it gave me a very good chance to stop, look over what I could have done differently, and begin laying the groundwork for my next campaign. I used the next four years to get more deeply involved in my community and to build connections that not only helped me win on my second attempt, but ensured that I was truly prepared for the position when I assumed it.

Why should voters trust you?

Having served on the Council for two full terms now, I've been well-vetted. I know people within our community, I've made myself accessible to my constituents and to the residents of Evanston both as an elected official and a political candidate, and I will continue to follow my open-door policies as mayor.

Share a quote that defines your philosophy:

"Practice what you preach" and "if you talk the talk, walk the walk."

What questions should be asked of current government employees accountable to your board?

One of the first questions we should ask is "How can we best serve you?" Elected officials should be approachable and follow an open-door policy with all their constituents, including their employees. It isn't fair to expect them to do their best work if we aren't holding up our end of the bargain.

On the flip side, we need to ensure that they are responsive and knowledgeable about their areas of expertise. On the Council we rely on City employees to do their due diligence so that we can make informed and balanced decisions.

Explain your attitudes toward fiscal policy, government spending and how taxpayer dollars should be handled by your office (or board)?

Simply put, I believe that our Mayor needs to know how to do the most good for the most people with the least amount of money. This means knowing which programs to support, which innovations to embrace, and which approaches work and which ones don't.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

During my time as 6th Ward Alderman, I have led successful efforts in:

- making housing in Evanston more accessible to all by amending the Affordable Housing Ordinance;

- reorganizing the Evanston Animal Shelter with expanded adoption and fostering programs;

- transitioning the Evanston Public Library to a self-directed fund model removed from other city politics;

- focusing city and private efforts on a Performing Arts Center that will maintain Evanston's reputation as the cultural epicenter of the North Shore.

All these efforts took months of hard work and required a careful building of consensus between people of different viewpoints and experiences. I know how this city runs, and I know how to bring people together. I can handle working with the Council-- I've been doing it for eight years.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

....to be comfortable with yourself and your ideas before you expect others to follow them.

More via Mark Tendam's campaign website.

Photo submitted by Mark Tendam