Two men, each with different visions, want to lead Vermilion

Candidates will choose between incumbent Jim Forthofer and longtime local businessman Jerry Kyle in the nonpartisan race to lead the city. Jim Forthofer Age: 69 Education: St. Edward High School, Syracuse University, Northwestern University Family: fiancée, Sue Cieslak; daughters Emily and Gwen; stepdaughters Jenny and Lauren Job history: mayor of Vermilion 2017-present; two terms as City Council 3rd Ward representative; eight years on boards and commissions, including the parks board and the historic design and review board and chairman of the streets, buildings and grounds committee; retired 35 years group publisher of six national industrial trade publications Website: forthofer4mayor.com Jerry Kyle Age: 60 Education: Degrees in accounting, personnel management/human resources, social sciences, marketing and business; bachelor's degree in business administration, Northwood University; Vermilion High School Family: Wife of 30 years, Phyllis; daughters Alexandria and Samantha Job history: Currently with Pat O'Brien Vermilion; former owner/president of Kyle Buick-Pontiac Vermilion Website: JerryKyleForMayor.com, facebook.com/JerryKyleForMayor What makes you the best candidate for the position? Forthofer: Voters have seen that I love this town and the job of mayor that they've given me. They have seen what I actually do … not just promise to do. We've given new life to our Liberty Business Corridor, turned red ink into solid black, filled downtown merchant space 100 percent, and built a $4 million fire station with no new taxes. We are on the cusp of a possible game-changing new development. Together, we lit a fire under economic development in the east and a more beautiful downtown in the west. We are rolling. There is exciting work to be done. Kyle: Born and raised here, I am a Vermilion businessman (40 years of real-world Vermilion experience). I graduated Vermilion Schools and have a BBA. I am a Vermilion property owner. I understand how to fairly manage people, negotiate contracts and be a positive ambassador for Vermilion. I am receptive to the public. I understand history here in Vermilion. I have been active in the community and worked with the Vermilion citizens. I know many of the people of Vermilion. I understand these things are not a prerequisite for a mayor, but in reality I have spent a lifetime preparing for this position. What is the biggest challenge facing the city and how would you address it? Forthofer: We don't have enough money to fix our infrastructure. We won $4.5 million in grants. But the city doesn't generate enough income to make Vermilion the town the residents deserve. We fix this by expanding the tax base through economic development. We love our downtown seasonal merchants. But growth that will change our quality of life will come from developing our east side. We need good, clean, people-employing, tax-paying businesses like distribution centers. We need about a hundred Defense Soaps. And we'll get them the same way we got that company; by the mayor being out from behind his desk using his business experience to sell our beautiful Vermilion. Kyle: We have challenges with our streets, water/sewer issues, and growing our tax revenue by bringing in new and helping our existing businesses grow. I will address this. However, our first challenge is healing the division between our mayor and the Council and our mayor (and) other city entities. Division like this is not only unhealthy but not constructive as we move into the next four years. This will only get worse. I am a team player. That's how things get done. I will heal this divide, get our city's government united and lead us forward to solve Vermilion's problems. — Rini Jeffers Read more election guide coverage