Competition is always good, especially when it comes to running city government. In recent years, competition has been lacking when it comes time to vote for our elected officials. Some examples:
2007 General Election
Lorain City
Lorain City Auditor
Ron Mantini
Precincts reporting: 52 – 100%
Votes: 7,932 – !00%
Lorain City Treasurer
Thomas Urban
Precincts reporting: 52 – 100%
Votes:7,668 – 100%
Lorain City Law Director
Mark Provenza
Precincts reporting: 52 – 100%
Votes 7837 – 100%
Lorain City 3rd Ward Council
Tim Howard
Precincts reporting: 6 – 100%
Votes: 706 – 100%
Lorain City 4th Ward
Bret Schuster
Precincts reporting: 6 – 100%
Votes: 1,218 – 100%
Lorain City 5th Ward
Eddie Edwards
Precincts reporting: 6 – 100%
Votes: 481 – 100%
Lorain City 7th Ward
Myroslaw Silecky
Precincts reporting: 7 – 100%
Votes: 1,031 – 100%
Lorain City 8th Ward
Craig Snodgrass
Precincts reporting: 8 – 100%
Votes: 1,773 – 100%
9 of the 14 elected positions up for grabs had no competition. None.
And some of these incumbents haven’t had competition for years, as noted in the following links……
More examples can be found here, here and here.
Competition is good, at least in Wilmington, N.C. as noted in this article:
Roger Lowery, chair of UNCW’s Department of Public and International Affairs, said he was surprised by the volume of interest, but not by the occupations of the applicants. More than a third of the candidates are directly involved in real estate and development.
“That industry is heavily regulated by local government” and they want to be well-represented, Lowery said.
I have to agree with that assumption, all you real estate people that want to see development in Lorain, step on up.
Small business owners or managers – about half of the candidates – also are often represented on public boards, he said.
All you business owners in Lorain, step on up.
Council members make $10,670 per year, plus a $350-a-month car allowance. They are also eligible for city health benefits.
Very similar to Lorain’s pay and benefits for council members.
And the number of candidates for that one position ~ 36 ~ simply amazing.
What drives so many to want a part-time, temporary position on a city council ? Is it a desire to help a struggling city ? Is it a chance to help move your city forward instead of backwards ?
I think there is a clue in this article as to why so many seek that position .
Note: No (R) or (D) behind any of those individuals seeking that one council seat.
I just hope come the next election cycle, we can have the same diversity in candidates as we enjoy as the “International” city.
A candidate from every ethnic group would be divine.
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