There will be three council seats up for election this year, and only three candidate names will appear on the ballot: Doug Greenlee, John Simmers and Wendell Terrell. This is unfortunate since these individuals will automatically be elected unless there is strong support for one or more write-in candidates.
The two other council seats will not be up for election until 2011. Therefore, unless there are successful write-in candidates, the new council, starting Jan 1, will consist of Dwight Lobberecht, Jim Durst, Doug Greenlee, John Simmers, and Wendell Terrell. In my opinion, this council will be a continuation of the ‘ole boy back-room politics and status quo. There is no diversity among this group, and there is a real need for some “new faces” and “young blood”. Instead of all old-men, it would be great to see women and some young people on the council. Everyone on the likely 2010 council is in their sixties with the exception of Greenlee; and the Mayor is well into his seventies.
Dwight Lobberecht and Jim Durst have been on the council for a number of years. Lobberecht has been the de-facto leader of the council (and I would even include the Mayor as a follower). Durst always votes the same as Lobberecht on any issue. Two of the candidates, Doug Greenlee and John Simmers work for Lobberecht at Tri-County, Inc. There again, no real diversity – three of the five members of the council work for Tri-County and the other two council members are retired.
At least, there is a contest for the Mayoral position. John E. Johnston, the present Mayor is being challenged by Randy Deevers. The citizens of Eddyville will have a clear choice between the old way of running city government and a new way; between closed-door government and open-door government; between the ‘ole boy system and an open public-input system. The council sets policies, but the Mayor is the chief executive officer of the city. In other words, the Mayor enforces the policies and ordinances and oversees the city clerk and other city employees. (There is no question in my mind that we need a Mayor who is willing to enforce all city ordinances and provide city services without favoritism). There are major differences between these two candidates, and the citizens of Eddyville will have a real choice in this election. It would be beneficial to have a public debate between the Mayoral candidates; and, hopefully, some organization in town will be willing to sponsor such a debate. More coming in future blogs - stay tuned.