Election 2011 Candidate Profile: Jim Martin for 4th Ward Alderman

Name: James (Jim) E. Martin

Position sought: Alderman, 4th Ward, St. Charles

Campaign contact information

• Website: jimmartincampaign.com
• Email address: jmartin@jknet.com
• Phone: 630-584-8378
• Address: 609 S. 6th Ave., St. Charles

Age: 77

Family: Wife Rita, son Steve, age 57; son Dan, age 55; son Phil, age 50; three granddaughters, three grandsons; one great-granddaughter, three great-grandsons.

Education: Diploma, St. Charles High School, 1951

Occupation: Retired as owner of municipal water treatment and chemical supply company for 30 years.

Political party: Republican

Previous elected office: St. Charles Alderman: 1979, 1983, 1987, 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003 and 2007

Applicable experience qualifying you for the position:

I have had five years on the St. Charles Zoning Board and 32 years with perfect attendance on the St. Charles City Council, where I have chaired every standing committee. I spent 12 years as Mayor Pro-tem and was the past president of the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce. I also spent 25 years as president of the St. Charles Visitors Bureau.  I co-founded the Friends of Downtown St. Charles (Downtown Partnership), and am a current board member. I also acted as the Charter Secretary for the Greater St. Charles Education Foundation. In 2000 I was the recipient of the Charlemagne Award. 

• What is the primary reason you are running for this office?

St. Charles is the hometown of myself and my wife; I love St. Charles. I was educated in the St. Charles School system where I began my service and dedication to St. Charles as a Boy Scout, attaining the rank of Eagle Scout. The principles of the Scout Oath and Law, along with 30 years as a small business owner in municipal water treatment, gave me the experience needed to serve my city as Alderman. 

• What will be your single most important priority if you get elected?

My priority is to continue to listen and serve my constituents in the 4th Ward, while attempt to successfully resolve their problems and requests. Community issues come and go, but the residents in the 4th Ward deserve my utmost attention to their needs. 

• What sets you apart from the other candidates?

I have the experience and dedication of many years service to the residents of the 4th Ward, and the City of St. Charles. My knowledge of the pulse of St. Charles is greater than any other candidate.

• How long have you lived in St. Charles?

I was 6 months old when my parents moved to St. Charles; just two blocks from the home my wife, Rita, who was born in St. Charles, and I have lived in for 54 years.

• What's your favorite thing about St. Charles?

St. Charles is our hometown. Here is where we grew up, married, and raised our family.We love St. Charles for what it is: our home.

• What is the biggest problem in St. Charles?

As resident surveys indicate, traffic is our biggest problem. We are blessed with the Fox River flowing through our downtown, but with the river and three state highways criss-crossing through the area, movement of 50,000 plus vehicles creates a real challenge twice every day.