MARK J. "Aleks" ALEKSANDROWICZ

Hello, my name is Mark Aleksandrowicz. But I'm better known as Mark Aleks, part owner of Aleks Powersports.

My parents are Chet and Nancy Aleksandrowicz. My father is first generation Polish American.

I was born on Erie's northern east side, and raised at 9th and Hess Avenue.

I'm 48 years old and married to Linda. I have three children, two still in school, two step-sons, and one grandson.

I have lived in several neighborhoods throughout the city the last several years, and I currently live on Lighthouse Street, which is now where I'm going to stay.

I work 6 days a week in my own company, having an extensive background in business, management, sales, and technical training, being raised in the family business. It's what I've wanted to do my whole life.

In the past I have owned income property in various neighborhoods throughout the city, and now have a few rental houses on the cities east side.

My own family, like thousands of other families in this city and surrounding areas, has been reduced from a comfortable two income family to a one income family, with only myself now working, as my wife lost her job over two years ago. She is now re-educating herself in the nursing field to try and find employment there. So my family knows first hand what is and has been happening in this city for several years now.

Like almost everyone who lives both inside and outside of this city, I've had it up to HERE with the fighting, childish behavior, and limited thinking and actions of some currently on city council.

That's why I have decided to seek, and with all of your support, obtain the top nomination spot on the democratic ticket for Erie City Council on May 17th.

So at this moment I officially declare my candidacy for Erie City Council with:

New Ideas, Clear Vision, and Dedication!

So looking back over the past several years,......what went wrong? What happened? Erie is not the same city my grandfather came to, from Poland, in the early 1900's. Nor should we expect it to be, but something seriously went wrong.

Unemployment. Can't find a decent job. Bankruptcies at an all time high. Reposessions and forclosures are everywhere you look.

Long standing businesses, big and small, which have called Erie their home since the beginning, are gone! They've either left the area, or simply been squeezed out of business.

Houses for sale that can't be sold due to high taxes and eroding neighborhoods. Rental properties vacant. People leaving by the thousands.

Most don't want to leave the places where they were born, leave their parents and childhood friends, but they have no choice...... due to lack of jobs, high taxes, and limited opportunities. A city now on the verge of financial collapse, giving this whole region two black eyes with a one-two punch.

What went wrong here?

I'll tell you what went wrong!

"Change"

1.Industry and manufacturing as Erie once knew it are gone, and won't come back.

2.Tourism, health care, financial services, retail, and others are arriving and growing, replacing what used to be.

"The world changed"

1.The dropping of trade barriers all across the globe.

2.The current explosion of industry in China and Asia, contributing to job losses here.

3.Communications possible anywhere on this planet, instantly.

Changes everywhere! Changes in everything! I refer to it as the whole world in evolution.

Everything in the world changed, except this city! Signs that this was coming were noticed, but went unheeded.

Numerous studies and reports from 3 to 15 years ago, foretelling what would or could happen, left somewhat ignored, or not acted upon quickly enough.

Elected government officials, willing to keep the status quo, have hurt our city. Elected officials not willing to raise their voices in unity, but only to argue, have caused irrepairable damage.

Leaders un-willing to take a stand. Un-willing to make those difficult choices we needed long ago have put us where we are today.

Elected leaders willing only to keep their friends and political allies comfortable and happy. Our elected leaders have led us, they've led us alright....... to only one thing ..... "a city government in crisis".

This cities changed alright, but it's changed for the worse!

The days of professional politicians, shaking hands, patting backs, handing out cigars, and giving each other "winks" and promising "I'll take care of you"........those days are over!

My name is Mark Aleksandrowicz

I have New Ideas, Clear Vision, and Dedication for Erie's future.

1.I have a clear vision of repairing and reforming this cities finances. To control spending and save those precious limited dollars. A vision of this city surviving and making do with the revenue it has, without "looking for more".
     And remember, you heard this from me publicly, first. We don't need to look for more revenue, we need to better control and spend only what revenue is available. Each and every family must, and is doing this at home in their own household finances. And I do this every day in my business, and its the only way to survive and be profitable.

2.I have a clear vision of the reduction of the size of city government. The current level is totally unacceptable, employing 1 person for every 100 of the cities population, which in proportion is way too high.

3.I have a clear vision of unity, cooperation, and leadership. I envision all elected officials from the city, county, and neighboring townships getting together regularly for open discussions. I have no personal agenda, seek no personal gain, have no personal axe to grind. I seek only to be a part of the team this city so desperately needs now, to make things right and get us back on track. We must do this, for our parents, for ourselves, for our children, and our grandchildren.

4.I have new ideas on how to protect and keep the businesses here that are already in Erie. I know what it takes to earn a dollar. I know what it takes to handle four million dollars a year, and be profitable, and still be personally responsible and accountable to myself, my partners, and my employees. Profit is not a bad word. It is what fuels more growth, investment, and jobs.

5.I have new ideas on how to make this city user friendly for all citizens. Ideas on how to eliminate waste and duplication. Ideas on how to better satisfy taxpayers with the value they expect and deserve. Ideas on how to completely move into the computer and internet era.

6.I have new ideas on how to begin the revitalization of the oldest city neighborhoods. This will take an aggressive team effort from the city, re-development and housing authorities, along with state and federal money. I believe this will result in more space for new building and home additions, which will lessen the desire of people to leave the inner city neighborhoods.

7.I have new ideas on how to assist the erie senior citizens, who own houses but don't have the health or money to maintain them properly. These are the people who have paid their dues over the past 50 to 80 years, and have stuck it out longer than the rest of us. We owe them something in return now.

8.I have a clear vision of removing those invisible barriers to Erie's minority citizens being employed in city government. Currently the Erie minority population is 18%, but only 7% of the cities work force is comprised of those same minority groups.

9.I have several new ideas on how to promote tourism into the downtown and bayfront areas. The current downtown re-vitalization needs to be continued and accelerated. This city has the best lake front property on lake Erie located between Cleveland and Niagara Falls. Let's do something with it now to create additional revenue, instead of raising fees and taxes on the local taxpayers.

10.And I have a crystal clear vision of what it takes to bring opportunity, jobs, and development back to this community.

I'm 100% dedicated to

"Build it... and they will come." And I'm not talking about physical buildings.

A. This is about building a financially sound government, which starts at city hall and flows outward while setting a good example for all to see.

B. By setting standards for basic, and continuing education, so as to better prepare our children, and future generations, to meet and exceed the challenges they will face in the future.

C.By building a city government which is responsible, fair, and accountable to it's citizens.

D.By re-structuring this city's economic enviroment so it's more cost effective for people to live IN the city, rather than OUT of it.

E. By proving to neighboring municipalities that this city isn't dead yet, that it is possible to be financially viable, and that its elected officials can again be looked up to and respected, knowing they are dedicated to doing their best for everyone.

F. By showing the existing businesses and employers that government cares about their health and stability and competitivness, rather than reaching only into their pockets for more money.

I'm dedicated to building this... "And they will come... with opportunities, development, and jobs".

What I wish to accomplish while on city council, in addition to the previous, is this:

I wish to challenge everyone and everything. Challenge to think. To try something different. To map a course to the future, and then act immediately on it!

I don't want to change things only for the sake of change. But I understand that whatever DOESN'T change, will become extinct.

I love and respect old things. But they have their place, and should remain in our memories and hearts, not in city hall. Old ways should not dominate our lives, but remain only to give us a sense of nostalgia.

Erie voters, through the next election in front of us, need to choose candidates who understand what the difference is between "good" change and "no" change. I want only to see "changed" what will enable this city to survive and grow. I want only to see changed what will make this city and its citizens highly competitive in this shrinking world. I want only to see change that results in improvements in our quality of life.

But, I warn you now! There are dark times ahead! This next election won't solve every problem the following day. Make no mistake about this! It won't get better overnight!

The next few years will be a painful recovery from what has been allowed to stagnate and deteriorate over the last 10-15 years. But like after every storm, a rainbow will appear, and bring a smile to your face. Remember when you were little, and looked outside after the storm,...... the rainbow could be found, it was somewhere out there.

I will challenge this community to "raise the bar" for everything done here.

I will challenge city government to be much much more efficient and responsive to making changes, whenever they are necessary, before problems are out of control.

I will challenge businesses to stay and grow rather than leave. To stay ahead of the technology curve, and be prosperous.

I will challenge this entire community to embrace evolution, understanding that its a fact of life and nature, while always looking for ways to be better and faster. To constantly improve without stopping, because pausing to rest is the same as going backward.

I will challenge this entire region to look hard at, consider, and move forward into a metro type of government. It's been done elsewhere. It's been successful, and those communities are thriving. Lets not be the last to do this, lets be towards the front of the pack. Please got to my website markforcouncil.com go to the links sections, and find metro Louisville. You'll learn a lot. And I understand that officials were here from louisville to tell our communities how to make this work, and almost no-one showed.

I will challenge this entire region to adopt the mind set, and mentality, of being exporters of goods, services, and products, while being importers of money and better opportunities.

In closing:

I am not your normal "run of the mill" politician. I have no political debts to repay, or friends to hire. I had thought about running for city council 15 years ago, then became more immersed in my own business and renovating income properties. When I first told my parents and a lot of others about running for Erie office, they said "you're crazy to run for office, especially in this city. You have nothing to prove, you don't need to be part of that mess downtown." And after a while, those same people were telling me that with my ideas and positive attitude, that I am the person who can be the catalist to make all this begin.

Desperate times call for drastic measures. I can see what needs done, and done now. There will be difficult times ahead, but things must be done that are long overdue.

I'm ready, willing, and able to do what's needed without hesitation. I've always been very creative and observant, and creating ideas is one of my best traits.

The time is now to put them to good use, for the benefit of everyone! And I'm dedicated to do the right thing!

I don't have a crystal ball to see the future. If you know someone who does have one, let me know. But being in business for over 20 years, plus doing other things, has helped me sharpen that 6th sense. That gut feeling deep inside that tells you the way things are going, and what's going to happen next. I've learned to recognize little problems, see them when the're still far away, and solve them before they grow large and get near. And I not only deal with today and tomorrow, but next year and beyond. If I happen to miss something, or make a mistake, I make damn sure that it doesn't happen again. That's why this city needs someone like me. To offer new ideas weekly. To try different things, to not be afraid, to always move forward, learn from mistakes, and then move very quickly forward again. This city is at a crossroads, and has delayed the inevitable far too long. And now the price everyone is having to pay for the past mistakes made is almost unbearable. So I ask all of you to let go of the past, as it's the only way to improve and move on. Sometimes it's a little uncomfortable at first, but really good things will happen later. Just like finding that rainbow after the storm has passed.

Go to my website markforcouncil.com. Stop in where I work at Aleks Powersports, I'll be glad to talk with you. Again, check my website weekly. You'll find the links section highly enjoyable. Information about myself and my campaign will be updated weekly. You can contact me thru the website, by email, you can even volunteer to help my campaign there.

There's a lot at stake, we have everything to lose, and if we're to be truly successful as a city and community, there's no turning back!

This election you'll finally have a choice! Not the same old names over and over again, signifying the stagnated situation this city is in. It's the first time someone successful from business, with a strong and reputable background, wants to get involved.

My name is Mark Aleksandrowicz, also known as Mark Aleks.

I'm running for Erie City Council.

And I have:

"New Ideas, Clear Vision, and Dedication" for the future generations of this city. But it's going to take a team effort like never before.

Yours! Mine! And everyone's!

Thank you for your time.

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© January 17, 2005