No mayoral candidate = no changes for Elgin
December 13th, 2006Four of seven spots on the council are up for grabs in next year’s election, and all four incumbents — Mayor Ed Schock and council members Thomas Sandor, David Kaptain and Brenda Rodgers — are planning to try to hold onto their seats.
In addition, the following people have picked up nominating petitions at city hall: Michael Powers, Lorrie Vargas, Greg Schock, Richard Bennett, Margaret Miller, Christopher Kretschmer, Hidayat Khan, Tricia Dieringer, Shane Nowak, Kyle Scifert, Vicki Hoogervorst and Phyllis Bernstein. Two others who did not want their names released have taken petitions, and more may have downloaded the forms online. Henry Clowers, who previously picked up a petition form, has decided not to run. Attorney John Steffen said he plans to run…
The deadline to file petitions is 5 p.m. Monday.
The election is April 17. There would be a primary Feb. 27 if more than two people run for mayor or more than six people run for the other three seats. So far, no one has filed to run for mayor, leaving Schock the only known contender. (source: Courier 12/13/06)
This is really disappointing. Why doesn’t anybody want to run for mayor? This is the only way things are going to change. If you don’t like the way the city is doing things, Schock must be the first person to go.
Pay attention.
Four of seven spots are up, which means the control of the city council. If the mayoralty is not contested, this means that the direction of the city council itself and the direction of the city is not contested, because only three seats, a minority, will be contested. Furthermore, of the three seats being contested, two are of current members who are already the least willing to vote along with Schock and the present majority.
Despite the large number of people who are expected to run for city council, right now we have only 3 candidates for 4 seats. If nobody runs for mayor, only 3 seats–a powerless minority–will be contested.
Do you understand??
Now go and pick up your petition!!!
You should run for mayor! I’d vote for you.. if I was an elgin resident.
Posted December 21st, 2006 at 2:32 pmI’m disappointed that Ed Shock’s younger brother isn’t running. He seemed to have some common sense, based on the couple statements he made to The Daily Herald.
I was hoping we might see some things change around here. Mostly the vast amount of waste that I see. I’m not talking about this plan or project versus that plan or project, partisan things, I’m just talking about good management of city resources.
T
Posted January 10th, 2007 at 5:01 pmWake up and look around Elgin people.
Mayor Schock is the best thing to happen to Elgin in a long time.
It is attitudes like yours that killed downtown Elgin in the late 80’s.
Posted January 14th, 2007 at 9:41 amHi guys,
Thanks for your comments. Of course I’m not running for mayor, though I appreciate the encouragement.
As for what killed downtown in the 80s, I would guess that had a lot more to do with the opening of Spring Hill Mall in 1980, which precipitated the departure of Sears Roebuck, J.C. Penney, Spiess, etc.
Let’s remember also that previous mayors of Elgin did not have $20M a year in casino money to play with. I would hesitate to give Schock more credit than he deserves.
But let me say that though I don’t agree with many of the things he’s done or is doing, I do admire the energy that he brings to office.
Posted January 14th, 2007 at 6:58 pm