A Strong Council

Eight years ago, I was sworn in as a council member for the first time, having successfully run for an open seat.

The origin of a council member often correlates to the strength and independence of a council member. One of the strongest council members I know, Michael Plunkett, had to remove a well entrenched incumbent to get his seat. The weakest council member I know, Chris Davis, had to resign because he committed forgery, and he was appointed to fill a vacancy on the council. The harder it is to get on the council, the stronger the council member.

On my first council, only one council member (Plunkett) had attained his seat by removing an incumbent. Three other council members (Earling, Petso, and Orvis) attained their seats by winning open seat elections. One council member (White) won an uncontested open seat election (he would later plead guilty to money laundering), and two others (Miller and Davis) were appointed.

(To be fair, I need to say former Police Chief Miller is an upstanding citizen, who needed to resign to meet his work obligations. He was a dynamic and positive force for the council).

This new council is much different. Every council member is elected: no appointees, no uncontested races. Every council member attained their seat in a contested election, and a majority of council members removed incumbents to get their seat.

Council members Plunkett, Olson, Wambolt, and Bernheim removed incumbents to get their seat. Council members Orvis, Dawson, and Wilson all won open seat elections.

If my theory is correct, this will be the strongest council I have ever been on.

I am looking forward to serving on it.