Wednesday, December 16, 2009

"Our View: Help wanted:
3rd Ward 
alderman"

http://www.daily-chronicle.com/articles/2009/12/15/18672920/index.xml

Created: Tuesday, December 15, 2009 11:10 p.m. CST

Our View: Help wanted:
3rd Ward 
alderman

Victor Wogen closed the book on his tenure as DeKalb 3rd Ward alderman on Monday.

Wogen, who is going through a divorce and faces two domestic battery charges, cited personal reasons – and not the controversy surrounding city contracts awarded to his now-defunct masonry business – for his resignation.

His departure is good news for 3rd Ward residents, who had been without representation since Oct. 26, the last time Wogen showed up for a City Council meeting. Now it’s time for those residents to move on.

DeKalb Mayor Kris Povlsen will appoint someone to fill Wogen’s vacancy, since there are less than 18 months remaining in the term. After that, the seat will be up for election in April 2011.

We encourage 3rd Ward residents to get involved. If you ever envisioned serving your community or thought you could make a difference, now’s the time to make yourself heard.

Politics and government aren’t for everybody. It takes thick-skinned individuals able to absorb criticism to succeed. You must be willing to objectively look at each situation and make an assessment based on what you believe is the right thing to do. Sometimes, the right thing to do requires an unpopular choice. The best public-office holders are able to make unpopular decisions, knowing that they are for the ultimate good.

Public officials are held to a higher standard, both on the job and in their personal life. Half the battle is understanding this concept and applying it to personal and political decisions.

If this sounds like you, then you might be able to serve the 3rd Ward and its residents.

Mayor Povlsen hopes to have the seat filled and the new alderman sworn in by the end of January. If you’re interested, you should call the mayor at 815-748-2099 or e-mail him at kris.povlsen@cityofdekalb.com.

Copyright © 2009 Daily Chronicle. All rights reserved.

1 comment:

Brien Martin said...

The big question is ... who? Obviously, the folks with the vested interests will put forward a name or two or three ... but who else will step forward? I'd hope it would be someone like Kay Shelton (who did run in 2007) or Mac McIntyre (who "took over" the ward a couple weeks ago in a bloodless, but not beerless, coup). Folks with a track record of involvement.