Mike Tsichlis for Crestwood Board of Aldermen

Mike Tsichlis, Age 51, 9094 Doercrest Drive

Occupation: Writer, Editor, Institutional Advancement Professional

Education: Ph.D. Public Policy Studies, Saint Louis University

Family: Married 16 years to Vasilika Terss Tsichlis; one son who is in fifth grade at Long Elementary School

Years lived in the City of Crestwood:  16 years

Please provide a brief summary of your background, highlighting community involvement:I’ve been extensively engaged as community volunteer over the years, serving as chair of the Crestwood Sign Commission for six years and as a member of the Civil Service Board since last year. I have also served as a volunteer on committees in the Lindbergh School District and as well as a volunteer parent and scout leader at my son’s school

Please provide a brief summary of your reasons for running: I chose to run in order to address the fiscal challenges the city currently faces as well as to help chart a careful, well thought out approach to city commercial development, particularly but not exclusively as it relates to the proposed development of Crestwood Court and the use of  TIFs and other tax tools.

What do you currently see as the biggest issue facing the City of Crestwood? After visiting numerous homes across the fourth ward and speaking with residents in-depth about their concerns, the status of the Crestwood Court property and related negotiations with the developer looms large as the most important issue facing the city.

In what area does the city need to improve? Are you satisfied with the way the city has been operating? The city urgently needs to undergo a complete and careful reassessment of its operational budget. I look forward to working with the new city administrator and receiving a report on the matter not long after the new board is seated. 

What are your thoughts on the progress of redevelopment at Crestwood Court? We must carefully look at the risks involved when considering providing the developers with substantial tax incentives when proposals thus far have not included any firm tenants. By an overwhelming margin residents I’ve spoken with across Ward 4 have expressed the desire to move cautiously on Crestwood Court until an appropriate, long-term sustainable plan that they can buy into both literally and figuratively can be brought forward.

Assume you win the election. What single thing do you want to accomplish during your time on the board? Move toward a resolution of Crestwood’s fiscal challenges.