Less traffic today, so it's off to the races

With the SIU students out of town...

there's less traffic today on the streets of Carbondale than on the Shawnee Network website at 2 a.m., which means faster navigation and less chance of an accident. About the only traffic in Carbondale were the 21 people who drove to City Hall to file petitions to be put on the ballot for the upcoming City Council elections...and there's a surprise entry for the Mayoral contest.

It's a bit more complicated than that, as Southern Illinoisan reporter Linda Rush explains: Sixteen are seeking four-year terms and 12 have filed for two-year terms, and 7 filed for both a four-year and a two-year terms. City Clerk Janet Vaught has given the seven bethedgers until Monday, Dec. 23, to decide whether they are 2-year or 4 year candidates.

There are 4 council seats up for grabs--but only one mayor's job. And suddenly there are 3 candidates! Indeed the next mayor may be Tim Barrett of 203 E. College St., Apt. 1. Who is this dark-horse? A student? His address suggests yes.

So two months from now there will be a prelimary vote on Feb. 25. And the 18 council candidates will be winnowed down, and current council members Maggie "Margaret" Flanagan of 1111 W. Hill Ave. and Brad "Brad" Cole of 205 S. Hewitt St. will go up against Tim "Nickname Pending" Barrett to be on the real election in April.

You want more details? Filing for both council terms are Michael G. Neill of 512 Deer Lake Drive East, Chris Wissmann of 1111 W. Walkup, Lance D. Jack of 1026 N. Bridge St., Andy White of 910 S. Taylor Drive, Joel Fritzler of 305 S. Dixon, Priscilla R. Pimentel, 600 W. Pecan St. and Sigrid Putnam, 500 W. Walnut.

Other candidates for the four-year term include:

Sheila Simon of 404 N. Springer, Dan David of 305 Orchard Drive, Matt Woods of 217 S. Hunt Road, Earl Czajkowski of 516 S. Rawlings, Apt. 204A, Patrick Richey of 606 W. Mill St., Steven N. Haynes of 605 E. Burke St., M Stalls of 407 N. Robert A. Stalls Ave., Robert T. Gallegly of 807 N. Almond and James Rooney of 209 W. Walnut.

Other candidates for the two-year term are

Pat Kelly of 500 W. Oak St., David G. McAuley of 917 W. Sycamore St., Jim Syler of 2461 S. Illinois Ave. #92, John Alan Taylor of 606 E. Park St., Apt. T, and Jeff Bissing of 1103 N. Carico St.

Maggie May or May Not Be Mayor in May

I sent an email message to Maggie Flanagan over the weekend directing her to the links to the coverage I'd given to her and her opponent in the election for Mayor. Maggie drew the top spot on the ballot in a lottery so she still has the luck of the Irish going for her. But even though though my mother's name was Margaret, I must ask...

Would Brad be bad?

The other candidate for Mayor of Carbondale, Brad Cole, has a promising platform packet, which open-minded voters should read. Or see the ad for Brad. I've asked Maggie for more information about her accomplishments and campaign.

Council Candidates Debate Update

When this idea was conceived, only five or six candidates were in the running, but 18 would pose sizable logistical and format difficulties.

Perhaps three "Round Robin" debates of 6 per panel, answering questions from a panel of three citizens: 1 student, 1 businessman, 1 government employee. The citizens panel could also rotate or remain the same. The debates would be videotaped and made available at City Hall and at the Public Library for viewing--or the debates could be available as a digital movie file.

The venue will also have to change, or that too could rotate. The few candidates to whom I've spoken so far are up for it, before so many others made their intentions known.

As to the dates it will be held, I'll try to keep you posted,
Also who'll participate, and where it will be hosted.

Gentlemen and ladies . . . start your engines.