Metro East Sun

Jeremy Plank announced last week his run for Wood River City Council and said new leadership is needed in the city to put it on the "right track."

Plank said problems that have plagued Wood River provided his motivation to run.

"After years of tax increases, the city’s demolition of the Aquatic Center and a lack of transparency, Wood River cannot wait for new leadership," Plank told the Metro East Sun.

Plank said if he wins a seat on the city council for the community north of St. Louis, his top priorities will be to develop the economy and revitalize downtown.

"I will use my professional experience to put our city on the right track to develop our economy, revitalize downtown, increase transparency, and fix neighborhood flooding," Plank said. "I will insist on making city council meetings more transparent and meet frequently with Wood River residents to ensure their priorities are represented in the city’s budget."

Plank is a certified public accountant and a certified fraud examiner. He says he has "extensive experience with government budgets and audits."

"As the chair of the Madison County Flood Prevention District, I am well-positioned to control the flooding issue that city residents and businesses continue to endure," Plank said.

Plank said he also saw an issue in 2019 when advocacy signs were placed on city-owned property, which he fought against.

"During the 1% sales tax election of 2019 I saw 'Vote Yes' signs going up on city-owned property, including one in front of the city clerk’s window inside City Hall," Plank said. "I took action to stop these illegal and unethical acts and won a restraining order against the city through Election Day."

Plank said he stepped forward again last year when Wood River planned on demolishing a historic landmark.

"In 2020 I led a grassroots effort to stop the city from demolishing the historic Roundhouse by getting nearly 900 signatures to place an advisory referendum on the November 2020 ballot," he said. "Residents overwhelmingly voted to both stop the demolition of the historic Roundhouse and to suspend capital spending for a new recreation center."

Plank's Facebook page has begun to garner more likes in the past week, and his website is asking for people to volunteer and contribute to his campaign.

"City officials must start listening to taxpayers, and as city councilman, I’ll ensure their voices are heard," Plank said.