Getting involved with ones community is a quick way to gain valuable experience in leadership, Alderman Luis Puentes has surely demonstrated that. Luis has been a city Alderman since 2003 and is now on the February 24th ballot hoping to earn enough votes to become the next Mayor of East Moline.
For 21 years, Luis called 1543 9th Avenue in Downtown East Moline his home. His father Florencio Puentes immigrated to the United States from Santa Barbara, Chihuahua Mexico and his mother Beatriz (Sandoval) Puentes was born and raised on Hero Street in Silvis. With his parents, 6 siblings, and numerous friends and cousins, Alderman Puentes was raised in a typical Mexican American fashion. After high school he knew he wanted to try a career in a health field but was not sure in what. In 1979 Alderman Puentes began to work in an emergency room, he soon realized that the ER was not where he wanted to work. While working at the ER he ran into some Moline Firemen who were bringing patients to the hospital. One of the Fireman told him to consider becoming a paramedic and after gaining some experience he could work his way into the fire department.
Mr. Puentes did exactly that; he became a paramedic, gained experience, and he became the first person of color to become a Moline Firefighter. Prior to Alderman Puentes becoming a fireman, there had been no Latino’s or African Americans in the Moline Fire Department. He has been going strong for 18 years and loves every minute of it. “I love what I do, I love helping people, going out on calls, and assisting the injured” said Alderman Puentes. “Often I get calls from all over the city to help people who speak only Spanish and I serve as a translator. What I find most rewarding about being a fireman is that I am helping people in real emergencies and I am making a positive effect on someone’s health whether it’s helping in a heart attack or assisting in the birth of a child. I love going on calls.”
Prior to running a successful Alderman campaign Mr. Puentes was extremely involved with coaching youth sports. For 15 years Mr. Puentes coached multiple Junior Panther Football teams, as well as several basketball, baseball, and softball teams that his children participated in. Besides coaching, Luis Puentes started the first chartered Silvis/East Moline Lions Club, served as a council member of the St. Mary’s Parish Council and as a past President of the council as well. Through the Moline Fire Department Luis Puentes helped with educational outreaches that put Mr. Puentes in local junior highs, high schools, and community colleges speaking about what it takes to become a fireman and the roles a fireman must take in emergencies. He also served as President of local 581 Fireman’s Union as well as Ship Steward for the same Union. He currently is a part of The Illinois State Color Guard, a group of fireman that participates in funerals of fallen firefighters. As if Alderman Puentes was not busy enough he served as Vice President of Viva Quad Cities for 3 years, president for another 3 years and currently sits on the board of directors of Viva. He also managed to squeeze some time in for The East Moline Human Relations Committee.
Luis Puentes first looked into politics when he noticed that a lot of his family was starting to move out of the area because of job opportunities that they wanted to pursue. Mr. Puentes wanted to do something about making the city better so he could help create new opportunities for his children and family so that they would not have to move away. In 2003 Mr. Puentes ran and won an Alderman seat on East Moline’s City Council .
Since he has been elected to office Mr. Puentes says he has seen new businesses come to the area like Tempo Marine, El Monarcha Mexican Grocery Store, FedEx, Lift Systems, and the possibility of a Triumph Food’s plant. When asked what he hopes to achieve as mayor of East Moline, Alderman Puentes said he has 3 priorities. “We must first retain and help the businesses we already have. I want to help the core businesses in the city expand and create new jobs. I also plan on working hard to develop land we have annexed and focus on the old Case IH plant. I want good communication with the land owners to discuss how we can develop that land into something that will work well for the area.” Mr. Puentes also mentioned that he wants to bring some focus to Kennedy Drive and Ave of the Cities because of the new Hope Creek Facility that will bring 250 new residents to East Moline.
Mr. Puentes second priority will be maintaining and improving city services. “We have some of the best city services in the area especially when you look at our street cleaning, street plowing, and fire and police departments. I want to maintain that, and make sure that our city employees are happy.” The third priority will be making sure taxes stay down. “I feel that fiscal responsibility with the tax payers money and new businesses developing we can assure that tax dollars are spent responsibly and business revenues can continue to help support the city.”
Luis Puentes faces incumbent Mayor John Thodos who is seeking his second term as Mayor of East Moline. East Moline City elections will take place on February 24th.
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