This week’s Chambana Dad to Know is Don Gerard, a long-time resident of Champaign-Urbana who has thrown his hat into the ring in the race for mayor of Champaign.
Gerard’s family moved to Champaign in 1968, and he has spent most of his life here, attending local schools and becoming part of the fabric of our community, from coaching Little League baseball to being a key player in the local music scene.
Gerard, a single dad, oversees the Facilities & Operations unit serving the teaching and research facilities for the Schools of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Integrative Biology at the University of Illinois — when he isn’t campaigning for mayor.
See why Don Gerard is this week’s Chambana Dad to Know!
Q: What do your kids think of you running for mayor?
They tell me they think it is great. When we first started this I think Will was a little bit concerned about the ramifications of it all, however, while canvassing for petition signatures a few nice folks actually made the effort to address the kids and say things, like, “You should be very proud of your Dad.” I would like to think they are…and they are a major inspiration for me wanting to do something to give back to the community. Chloe actually set up our participation in the Parade of Lights pretty much by herself and helped design one of our T-shirts. She is amazingly adept at this campaigning thing. Will is a natural at mingling and talking politics. I really am blessed to have such wonderful children.
Q: How has your experience becoming a single parent influenced this decision?
This community supported me during some of my most trying times and my children, while we didn’t have much money, enjoyed a pretty idyllic childhood nonetheless. I would like anyone who chooses to do so – whether single or married or whatever – to know they have the opportunity to follow that same path. There are good people and programs here and it is a fantastic place to raise a family.
Q: You are a political neophyte. Why run for mayor right out of the gate?
Well, I have no other political aspirations, so I decided I may as well take a shot at the position in which I feel I can make the greatest impact right out of the gate. Plus, I simply love this city and feel as though I am a pretty good candidate to represent it on the local, state, national and global level. Not to mention no one has challenged the current Mayor yet in this millennium. Kind of hard to believe Champaign has not had a choice in 12 years. Democracy is not served if there is only one candidate.
Q: As mayor, how do you think you could improve the quality of life for families in Champaign?
Economic development is the key to a thriving community, however, I also think it is just as important to be a bit of a cheerleader or carnival barker for Park District programs, film and music festivals, local artists, museums and the like. I also would really like to offer the community the opportunity to be in touch with me both via social networks and media as well as in person. I like to say Champaign is a growing and dynamic community rooted in small-town values and I hope I can exhibit leadership which reflects the notion of looking to the future, acknowledging the past and keeping in the moment as not to lose perspective.
Q: you have a long history in the local music scene. If you’re mayor will all city council meetings open with a live performance?
No. (laughs)
Q: April 5 is just around the corner. How will be you be getting your message out to the community?
I am a firm believer local elections are won on doorsteps, so I will definitely continue to knock on doors and get out in the community every chance I get. We’re doing a lot of online stuff – I think I will have Chloe instigate some sort of YouTube campaign commercial contest for “fans” – however, we do plan to run some higher-provile TV, radio and print ads. Currently we have about five or six fundraisers in the works and a few families have invited me into their homes for meet-and-greets with their friends and neighbors.