Karl Coleman is running for city council, because he believes our city is in a "pivotal moment" and wants to take advantage of untapped resources. He has a strong focus on "community togetherness" and "business development". Karl talks about the need for growth in both big and small business, entreprenuership, and long term access to good jobs.
He wants to "bring more people into the fold," as far as political activity and non-political community work, noting low turnout in municipal elections. He says "I don't just see this as just my own campaign; I see this as the community's campaign" and says he wants to hear from people in the community to figure out "what we can do together to make the city a better place."
Karl wants to "[make] sure the city is where we need to be financially," saying that "We're not doing too bad right now," noting funding received by the city related to the pandemic. However, he says the city needs to bring in new revenue sources to stave off future funding issues, such as through cannabis dispensaries, incentivizing new businesses to come here, and "a lot of different avenues" that we "don't put [enough] emphasis and energy behind."
He would vote yes for cannabis dispensaries, saying Springfield's cannabis tax revenue is around 2 to 3 million annually, and that such monies could be invested into blighted communities and dilapidated buildings and houses.
He says he's interested in repealing the city ordinance that restricts access to central park, saying it doesn't necessarily accomplish what advocates are hoping for. He says "Obviously we still have a [houseless] population that are dealing with chronic poverty," and says there are some services like shelters and food pantries, but those don't necessarily get people a job. He says this ordinance is "just not the remedy to getting that problem solved."
Coleman also thinks that Central Park should be available to "all citizens at all times" and talks about how the restriction could affect him if he's out at a late dinner and wants to stroll through Central Park.
Note: Karl Coleman is the source for most claims in this article.