Question from Anonymous
Mr. Mayor, I have been told that you are out soliciting people to run against your current council members? If that is true, how would a feller get there? Any of them in particular that you are targeting?
Thanks for answering.
Steve Connelly answered:
I beleive that Berea currently has one of the best council in its history. (You can see a list of everyone who ever served on the Berea City council and their terms in office under council at the city's web site located at cityofberea.com.)
I also believe that contested elections are good for our democracy. Any time a citizen expresses an interest in running for mayor or council, I encourage him or her to do so. Contested elections bring out new ideas and challenge encumbants to think in new ways. They also challenge challengers to think in practical ways about solving problems and addressing issues. In the past, it would not be uncommon for Berea to have between 15 and 22 candidates for council election. And every mayor had routine, though periodic, competition.
If you ask me if you should run for city council, my answer is yes. If you ask me if you should run for mayor, my answer is you should run in 2010.
I also believe that contested elections are good for our democracy. Any time a citizen expresses an interest in running for mayor or council, I encourage him or her to do so. Contested elections bring out new ideas and challenge encumbants to think in new ways. They also challenge challengers to think in practical ways about solving problems and addressing issues. In the past, it would not be uncommon for Berea to have between 15 and 22 candidates for council election. And every mayor had routine, though periodic, competition.
If you ask me if you should run for city council, my answer is yes. If you ask me if you should run for mayor, my answer is you should run in 2010.