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Councilor Mike McIntyre urges residents to get involved, cites RV code change and housing needs
Summary
Councilor Mike McIntyre (Ward 4) discussed his path from concerned resident to elected official, recent unanimous city action to allow short-term RV street parking for loading, and priorities including affordable housing and business recruitment. He urged residents to volunteer for committees and contact him via the city website.
Councilor Mike McIntyre, who represents Ward 4 on the Washington city council, said he ran for office after development behind his house created water-runoff problems that pushed his neighborhood to attend council meetings and demand action. "I represent Ward 4, but we are here to support the entire city of Washington," McIntyre said, describing a shift from a narrow neighborhood view to a citywide perspective.
McIntyre, who moved to Washington in 2021, said his civic involvement grew from responding to local development and its impacts. He recounted prior community service in Chillicothe and responding to the 2013 tornado while on the Chillicothe Fire Department. He described family and church as central to his life and said he spends winters snowmobiling in the region.
On local policy, McIntyre highlighted a recent change to the city code affecting recreational vehicles. "We just passed it actually this past week," he said of the ordinance change, which he described as allowing residents at least "24 hours or better" to load or prepare campers on city streets before departure. McIntyre said the council approved the change unanimously.
Economic development was another priority McIntyre raised. He said Washington could benefit from a large sports complex to support youth athletics and from more light industrial businesses to broaden the tax base and help keep property taxes lower. "The more businesses we can get in Washington, the better it's gonna be for the community," he said.
McIntyre also spoke about housing and retaining young adults. Calling Washington "one of the safest communities in Central Illinois," he said the city needs more affordable housing and options for people aged roughly 26 to 36 so young families can establish roots locally.
He encouraged residents to contact him by email or phone (both listed on the city website) and to engage with council work beyond moments of disagreement. "Come get involved and let us know what you wanna see out of your community," McIntyre said, noting the council is seeking new volunteers for committees and public input on goal-setting.
The interview closed with McIntyre emphasizing constituent access and community service as continuing priorities for his term.
