Letter to the Editor: Brink is no-drama kind of person who is much needed in city government

I am writing to voice my full support for Dan Brink for mayor of Quincy. 

I have known Dan for a number of years and served with Dan on the Quincy City Council for his entire eight-year term. When we served on the City Council together, Dan and I did not agree on every issue. However, I always knew Dan would listen to alternative views and that he had done proper research on the issues before the city. 

Dan made decisions based on the facts, what was best for his ward and the city. Dan often proposed and explored innovative ideas and provided thoughtful leadership regarding issues facing the city. His ideas and leadership provided alternatives to the status quo and spurred civil discussion.  Dan worked hard as an alderman to understand all aspects of municipal governance and city finances that will serve the citizens of Quincy well when he is mayor of Quincy. 

Dan displayed a fiscally conservative and common-sense approach to city finances and city operations that, working with the Mayor Kyle Moore administration, city staff and the full City Council, led to important policy changes. Those changes started the city on a path to a more sustainable financial future with structurally balanced budgets, without massive spending increases, without multiple service rate and tax increases or cuts in crucial services. Sadly, many of these policies and the move to structurally balanced budgets have not survived with the current administration at City Hall. 

As a cohesive council and city administration, we met and exceeded our obligations to Quincy citizens and city employees while maintaining the fiscally conservative ideals that I believe work best for all of Quincy and our future. Dan displayed his common-sense, fact-based and team-first approach in all aspects of his service with the City of Quincy, and I am confident he will do so as Mayor. 

Dan is a no-drama kind of person who is much needed in city government leadership. I have no doubt Dan will be a mayor who will build consensus and trust. Dan will work with the City Council and city staff will work with other elected officials and elected bodies and will communicate. Most importantly, Dan will listen to the citizens of Quincy, inspire confidence and be a truly humble servant leader. 

I urge you to join me in voting for Dan Brink for Mayor of Quincy in the Republican primary on February 25. Early voting is currently open at the Adams County Courthouse. 

Paul Havermale
Quincy, Illinois

EDITOR’S NOTE: Any letters regarding the Feb. 25 primary election in Adams County must be received by Muddy River News by 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 21. No letters about the primary will be pushed after Sunday, Feb. 23.