Adam D. Downs, Candidate For Moraine Valley Community College Board

OAK LAWN, IL — Adam D. Downs is running for the Moraine Valley Community College Board of Trustees. There are 10 candidates running for two open seats in this race. Both terms are for six years.

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The consolidated election is April 4.

Read Downs' answers to the Patch candidate questionnaire.

Your name: Adam D. Downs

Age (as of election day): 42

Town/city of residence: Oak Lawn

School district: Moraine Valley Community College

Family: N/A

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? If yes, please explain. No

Education: N/A

Occupation: Retired Military

Campaign website or Facebook or other social media: Vote Adam D. Downs For Moraine Valley Community College Board Facebook

Previous or current elected or appointed office: None

The most pressing issues facing our (board, district, etc.), and this is what I intend to do about them.

The cost of tuition for students and financial strain on taxpayers is concerning to me. I’d like to see the district implement programs to generate revenue by offering services and programs to other municipalities in an effort to reduce the financial hardship on students and reduce the burden on taxpayers.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I am focused on ensuring that we maintain fiscal discipline. Additionally, I would have taken a different approach on COVID-19 compared to the person seeking re-election. Moreover, I want to ensure that we maintain local control over our community whereas many of my opponents do not.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community or district?

The current board failed our community during the pandemic. They should have remained open. Additionally, if you look at your property tax bill it is the highest levy on it. This needs to change and we need to be more fiscally responsible.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

I want to see students have the ability to leave MVCC after two years with the skills to start a career, but also have the knowledge and study habits to continue their education towards a four-year degree.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I have spent my adult life leading men through dangerous situations in hostile environments. I feel that my attention to detail and work ethic would be applicable in any job, to include this one.

Why should voters trust you?

I have always maintained a reputation of honesty, integrity and accountability in every job or position I have held.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office a success?

To see students leave my school equipped with the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to obtain good paying jobs in a career field that is rewarding to them, not only financially, but psychologically and emotionally.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the handling of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?

We need to be realistic about the current state of the world. Money is harder to come by, and it doesn’t go nearly as far as it did even a couple of years ago. The tax dollars entrusted to the board must be handled in a way that benefits the members, and future members of our community.

What are your views on critical race theory and whether it should be taught in the college?

I feel CRT is highly politicized and probably the most divisive element of any education system. It promotes a victim mentality and attempts to divide us by race which is unacceptable.

How would you enhance the physical safety of students, faculty, staff and visitors?

I feel threats to students, faculty and staff are constantly changing and countermeasures constantly need to adjust accordingly. More attention needs to be given to the mental health of our students. Coming off of this pandemic, students are dealing with issues that are completely new to all of us and we need to work together to ensure the safety and success of everyone.

Do you think the current board has done enough to support racial equality, and if not, what specifically should be done to do so? Yes.

What are your thoughts on how the college handled the COVID-19 pandemic?

Illinois as a whole handled the pandemic very poorly and the college failed to put our students and residents first and instead gave into threats from the governor’s office. This was wrong at the time and in hindsight.

How can the college enhance or improve curriculum that supports job growth in burgeoning industries, such as cybersecurity, green energy and artificial intelligence?

They could create and/or improve programs in those fields. I would work to create bridge programs with high schools in order to give students a more streamlined, efficient education which will give them the skills necessary to get out into the workforce in a timelier manner.

With inflation and the rising cost of post-secondary education, what ideas do you propose to avoid raising tuition costs to keep MVCC affordable?

Create more opportunities for revenue outside of student tuition such as training to law enforcement agencies, fire and EMS and other first responders.

When it comes to student achievement, what is the college doing well and what needs to be improved? How can those improvements be made?

I think that MVCC is a good college and I want to ensure it remains that way while being fiscally responsible to the taxpayer and improving the educational opportunities for vocations other than those that require a 4-year degree.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family? No

The best advice ever shared with me was: Lt. General Eric Wesley told me that our guns will jam, our trucks will break, and we won’t always get air support. The time will come when all we have to rely on is us, so we need to take care of each other. I feel this advice is applicable in nearly all facets of life, and especially in this position. We, not only as a community but a country as a whole, will constantly have obstacles to overcome. Whether it be a pandemic, a natural disaster, or an economic crisis, our country requires men and women who are ready and able to lead us out of harm’s way. The only way to ensure we have those people tomorrow is to build them today.