Election 2017
While most of us are focusing on the general election this November, some individuals are already looking ahead to next spring, when a consolidated election is held for municipalities, school boards and park districts.
In fact, anyone interested in running for those positions need to be thinking about them now, since the period for picking up nominating petitions.
The filing period for those petitions is Dec. 12-19, meaning that individuals who are considering running for those public offices have until then to decide whether they actually want to get on the April 4, 2017, election ballot.
For the city of Vandalia election next spring, many of the incumbents whose terms expire next year have already picked up petitions. So have a few other people.
Incumbents who have picked up petitions include Rick Gottman, who is completing his fourth term as Vandalia’s mayor, and Peggy Bowen, who would be running for a sixth term as city clerk.
In addition to electing those two city officials, Vandalia residents will be electing five aldermen in the city’s four wards.
In Ward I, those interested in a four-year term include Steve Barker, Joseph Crawford and Charles Schilling.
The current Ward I alderman whose term expires next spring, Jerry Swarm, is not running for re-election. He said at last week’s city council meeting, “I will not, under any circumstance, run again.”
In two of the three other wards where a four-year term will be on the ballot, incumbents Dorothy Crawford in Ward II and Andy Lester in Ward IV, are the only ones who have picked up petitions as of Tuesday. The other incumbent, Mike Hobler in Ward III, had not picked up a petition as of Tuesday.
Also up for election next spring is a two-year seat in Ward III. Joel Rebbe was appointed to that Ward III seat in February of last year, and he has picked up a petition for the April election.
On Monday, Gottman said that has enjoyed serving as the mayor and wants to continue to working for the residents of Vandalia.
“There are several things going on that I would like to continue working on,” Gottman said.
“Those include some bridge projects, including the one at Fifth and Randolph streets that gets under way this week, and the one on Thrill Hill Road,” he said.
“Also, we are continuing to work on economic development, and those efforts will increase once we again have a city administrator.
“We have gone through a lot of tough times, but I think it’s time that we bring somebody on board,” Gottman said. “I’ve said that that’s my top priority should I be elected again.”
And, the mayor said, once a city administrator is on staff, he will be free to work on special projects.
“One of those is the beautification committee, which has gotten off to a good start, and I want to see that work continue,” Gottman said.
The mayor also noted that with the hiring of a new code enforcement official (Zac Kopp), “we are now proactive in that area, instead of solely reacting to complaints.
“We also have a building official (Dan Barenfanger) on board, and we look for good things from that position,” he said.
The mayor said that after a tough period, the city’s general fund is in good shape. “I’m proud of the fact that we are not in the red, like a lot of cities,” Gottman said.
He said that being elected to another term as mayor would allow him to continue serving on the Illinois Municipal League Board of Directors.
“It’s always good for a community’s mayor to be in the IML Board, and if someone else were mayor of Vandalia, we would lose our seat on that board,” Gottman said.
“The IML, which helps bring new laws and ordinances throughout the state, does a lot of good for Illinois communities, and it’s good to have a representative on that board,” he said.
“I have a lot of experience in working with state government, know the workings of state government, and I see that as a great benefit to our community,” Gottman said.
“Just in general, I feel that with my years of experience, creating relationships, exhibiting dedication and having a love of God, country and family, I can continue to do a good job for this community.
“I love and am proud to live in such a great community,” he said. “I enjoying serving the people, and want to continue working to see our city grow and thrive.”