Hello, my name is Dan McDowell,   I am running for reelection as Alderman in the Third Ward. For the last 28 years, I have been an employee of Gateway Regional Medical Center (formerly St. Elizabeth Hospital). I received a BS in Education from Southeast Missouri State University, an elementary certification from SIUE and a certificate in Respiratory Technology from SWIC. I am a member at Third Baptist Church where I serve as a Deacon.  I am a former board member of the American Red Cross, the Granite City Rotary Club and Solid Granite.   I am most proud of my children.  I have two grown daughters, Dani and Allyson and a son Seth, (fifth grader at Niedringhaus).   None of this would have been possible had I not had the good sense to marry a Granite City girl, my lovely wife Rhonda, 39 years ago.  We, my wife, son and Mother-in-Law live at 2543 Cleveland Blvd. Accomplishments: Chairman of the Planning & Zoning Committee-passed a Crime-Free Housing Ordinance which gave the Inspection Department the ability to require landlords to evict tenants who were involved in drugs and other illegal activities and it gave the City the ability to prevent tenants from hopping from one landlord to another.  It is also designed to give landlords some protection from abusive tenants. As a member of the Finance Committee, I supported the funding of the Mayor’s Nuisance Abatement Team or NAT team.  Their initial focus has virtually eliminated vagrancy, littering and the use of drugs or alcohol by pedestrians in the downtown area. As a member of the Downtown Committee I supported the formation of a Planned Unit Development to protect and encourage the revitalization of the Downtown area.  I feel strongly that if we don’t correct the decay at the center of our city it will spread like a cancer to every other area. I appreciate your consideration on April 5th, 2011. Thank you, Dan McDowell, Third Ward Alderman EARLY VOTING: Harold Brown Recreation Center 2165 Amos (Franklin St. Entrance) Open March 21 through March 31, 2011 Hours:  Monday through Friday:    Noon - 6:00 p.m.        Saturday:    10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m