In an effort to help the public make informed decisions in the upcoming Consolidated Election April 4th, we at WROY/WRUL News asked candidates in the contested races for the City of Carmi to fill out a short questionnaire.
Brian Allen
Carmi City Clerk
- Tell us a little about yourself.
I am currently serving as your City Clerk for the City of Carmi for the past four years. I am the son of Cathy (Boeger) Ricketts and Daniel Allen and the grandson of the late Vivian (Downen) Boeger and Edward Boeger and Lucille (Peerman) Allen and the late Darrell Allen. I have been married to Schotzy (Johnson) Allen the daughter of Connie (Grey) Johnson and Bob Johnson for the past 24 years. Schotzy and I have one son Eli who is currently a senior at SIU Carbondale and will graduate in December of this year with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Psychology. We are overjoyed to say that on May 26, 2018 will be adding a daughter to our family when Eli marries his sweetheart Sydney Clark the daughter of Beth and Greg Clark. The other addition to our family is Chevy our four year old chocolate lab. I have three brothers Jason of Roswell, Georgia, Josh of Carmi and Justin of Carbondale and a sister Sarah of New Port Richey, Florida. Schotzy and I both are members of Crossroads Bible Church and are very active in the church community within our hometown of Carmi. My hobbies are serving others, family, friends, shooting, hunting, fishing, military history, St. Louis Cardinals baseball and Carmi White County football which I am a member of the statistics team.
- Why do you want to serve?
Ever since I was a kid growing up in Carmi I always had an interest in local government. I love being a vital part of the heartbeat of the community and being able to serve my fellow citizens in our hometown. I want to use my experience to better the office of City Clerk and the City of Carmi.
- What are the biggest issues you see facing your desired position? How do you plan to address these issues?
The economy in Carmi has continued to downsize and we have to do more with less finances. I will continue to work diligently to watch areas of the budget that the City Clerk is responsible for such as health insurance, retirement and risk management insurance. With my experience over the past four years I have been able to save the city over $1.5 million in these areas that was previously being spent. At the state level there are more and more changes being made every year to impact local governments with a demand on paperwork and filing deadlines. I will continue to be self-educated and stay an active member of the Municipal Clerks of Illinois to be current on all new laws and changes that the state mandates to local government.
- What sets you apart from the other candidates? Why should voters choose you on April 4th?
I have held a Life and Health Insurance license since 1995 and have the experience to help the city save money in those areas. I have been proactive in taking on task that is not required of the City Clerk’s office to save the city money wherever I see the need. I have a proven track record over the past four years of being able to handle the office of City Clerk while still dealing with whatever life throws at me and my family. If re-elected on April 4th, 2017 I will continue to work hard for you the citizens and for the City of Carmi.
