3rd Ward alderman Republican primary: Three challengers hoping to unseat incumbent

QUINCY — Three men with little or no political experience hope to unseat incumbent Ken Hultz to win the Republican primary for 3rd Ward alderman and earn a seat on the Quincy City Council.

The primary election is set for Feb. 25. With no Democrats filing to run in the 3rd Ward, the Feb. 25 winner will run unopposed in the April 1 general election.

Hultz was appointed to the seat on Jan. 3, 2024, replacing Brianna Rivera, who resigned to become the executive director for The District. Hultz was recommended by a vote of the Adams County Republican Central Committee. 

The candidates

Mike Adkins
Age: 58
Occupation: Work for the State of Illinois. I also own an outfitting business. 
Political Experience: Serving second term as precinct committeeman for the 12th precinct. I vote in every primary and election.
Education: Have an associate’s degree in computer science. Spent six years in the military in military intelligence.
Family: My wife and I have been married for 21 years. We have five children together and 10 grandchildren. Her family is all from Quincy. Mine is all from Pike County and the Payson area. 

Robert Eyler
Age: 75
Occupation: Retired businessman (broker). I can dedicate myself to helping the residents in my ward, visiting with them, talking to them and seeing what their needs and wants are.
Political Experience: none.
Education: Degree in business management. Attended John Wood Community College, Quincy Technical School, Marine Corps Institute in Washington, D.C. (served in Vietnam War) and Century 21 School of Real Estate.
Family: Todd Eyler, Adams County State’s Attorney; Andrew Eyler, parole officer in Hancock County; Tracy Spoonmore, CPA; Brenda Vahle, nurse.

Kenny Hultz
Age: 75
Occupation: Been a businessman for 45 years in auto repair and truck rental.
Political Experience: City Council alderman 1 year.
Education: Graduated from Quincy High School in 1968. Attended SIU-Carbondale for two years. Made it on the basketball team as a walk-on.
Family: Married for 38 years. Three children — two boys and one girl. Ex-wife passed away three years ago. Five granddaughters.

Tim Lohmeyer
Age: 61
Occupation: Self-employed, Tim Lohmeyer Home Inspections
Political Experience: none listed.
Education: Quincy High School Class of 1982, Kaplan Institute, St. Louis University
Family: Wife of 40 years, Angie Lohmeyer. Two children, Morgan Wert and Scott Lohmeyer. Four grandchildren.

Why are you running for alderman? 

Adkins: Because I think I can make a difference. This job should be a voice of the people, the people who elect you in your ward. I got tired of phone calls not being returned or emails being returned on problems, so I decided to do something about it. 

Eyler: To be a voice for the people in our ward and work for the betterment of our ward. Repair our streets, sidewalks and curbs and to improve the appearance of our ward to improve our property values. Represent the people who live here in our ward. This is what an alderman is supposed to do. Listen to the people in our ward and let their voice be heard, not just what the mayor wants. Control taxes and use the money allotted to our ward to be used in our ward.

Hultz: I love the city of Quincy. Want to see it as its best. Knowing what is going on helps me to understand what I feel I should vote on.

Lohmeyer: Because I am passionate about keeping the community we live in alive and vibrant. There is a need for change at City Hall that promotes growth and transparency. I was raised in the 3rd Ward, and my wife and I are proud to have raised our family in the same ward. I am committed to keeping Quincy a desirable place to live and raise your family, as I have my own. By becoming your alderperson, I pledge to be available for all of your questions, comments and concerns and to be your friend at City Hall.

If the city received a $5 million grant to be used any way it wanted, what would you like to see it spent on? 

Lohmeyer: Tackling the repair of our streets and infrastructure would take top priority. I would partner with the city to re-evaluate their current methods to fix, repair and pay for roads throughout the city and ensure that repairs happen in a timely manner while remaining cost-effective.

Adkins: Streets. Our streets are in bad shape in some places. People are tired of our streets. If elected, that’s what you do — what your constituents want. 

Eyler: That grant should be used to upgrade sewer and water lines and the necessities of the city’s overall needs. Don’t just keep raising taxes and water bills to pay for these improvements. I would also like to see a clothing store come to town. We lost Penney’s, Sears, Bergner’s and Shopko. The residents don’t really have much choice where to buy clothing.

Hultz: Any real serious infrastructure, then streets. 

Would you alter the city’s current method to fix, repair and pay for roads throughout the city? 

Hultz: Yearly road inspections. Rate the worst. Coordinate with lead water lines at the same time. 

Lohmeyer: There are many concerns that I will tackle as your alderperson, but a growing nuisance is the numerous streets and infrastructure that are in need of repair. To address this concern, a city-wide capital plan that prioritizes our major streets and infrastructure is needed. 

Adkins: My complaint is like 90 percent of Quincy. We pay our taxes, and roads don’t get fixed. I can’t stress enough how we need to fix our problems. Quincy does not have an income problem. They have a spending problem. Mike Farha (4^th Ward alderman) touched on that two weeks ago, and he is correct. We need our roads fixed, not the potholes filled.

Eyler: I don’t really believe the city has much of a plan for streets. They have failed to take care of the ones we have and depend on everyone to call if there are potholes that they still neglect. This needs to change. Set up a system to go over sections of the town. Continue through the city to many city employees riding around in new vehicles. Two or more just riding around. There needs to be some time management goals set out and meet those goals.

How would you, if elected, help fulfill the city’s obligation to ensure safe housing? 

Eyler: They need to hold both the tenants and the landlords responsible. Too many good landlords are getting ripped off over and over. Pass some ordinance that holds the tenants responsible and can be enforced by law. Give the good landlords some breaks wherever they can to promote better landlords and control the tenants.

Hultz: Help to put the referendum on the ballot. We need specific rules and penalties for both tenants and landlords.

Lohmeyer: I would do my part to support the city’s obligation to ensure safe housing by being an advocate for my ward. When concerning properties are reported, I will make certain the property is checked by the city inspector and action is taken.

Adkins: The government should not get involved in housing as far as building housing. There are other ways to entice landlords to go into the program. 

What do you believe should be the city’s plan to fix long-term budgetary issues? 

Adkins: We just need to spend more wisely instead of spending money where it doesn’t need to be spent. Use it like it’s your checkbook. 

Eyler: Learn to live within its means. This city has more elderly residents who are on fixed budgets, and they can not keep up with all the increases in utilities, taxes, insurance and keeping their property in good repairs. We need to work for the people and not the corporations.”

Hultz: Extremely hard to plan. I would want revenues as certain as we could be and expenses about 10 to 15 percent less. No way to second guess a major problem like a flood or tornado.

Lohmeyer: I believe the city should continue to generate revenue through the food and beverage tax while also implementing a tax on hotels. I am a strong supporter of our library, police and fire departments. We need a police and fire commission free of political influence. I will fight to hold the line on property taxes while limiting any increase in water and sewer bills.