MONROE - Though two seats remain open in the bid for Monroe Common Council in April, one recently returned citizen has stepped up as a write-in candidate.
Mickey Beam lived in Monroe from 1975 to 1981 but moved to East Peoria, Illinois, for a teaching job. Now retired for more than a year, she's ready to take on a new role to represent the community she has always adored.
"(I) decided to come back to where my heart was," Beam said. "Monroe's been good to my family."
When she heard there was a need for a new city council member, she said her civic-minded personality was easily swayed to register as an official write-in candidate. It happened with little prompting.
"I didn't hesitate when friends approached me and asked if I would consider running as a write-in," Beam said.
Since returning to Monroe in June 2016, Beam said she has been active in work at Behring Senior Center. Her campaign largely focuses on ensuring both the youth and elderly populations are served well. Beam said regular attendance of veterans' breakfasts has allowed her to remain apprised of local issues. She has even planned her own event to become more familiar with people in the community, which is set for 10:30 a.m. March 14 at Behring as an opportunity for the public to meet with and speak to her.
While she said she has not served on a previous board similar to the council, Beam pointed to 15 years in management with Sherwin-Williams required the negotiation of contracts and working with the public as her qualifications for serving as an alderman. She also spent eight years on a homeowner's association board, working to hire contractors for different maintenance services.
Beam acknowledged she was not certain of which issues are the most impactful on Monroe residents but expressed a desire to tackle any problems the community may have when they arise.
City Administrator Phil Rath has been overseeing elections since the departure of former City Clerk Carol Stamm on Jan. 5. Rath confirmed Monday that Beam filed registration papers, noting the documents still needed to be finalized. If candidates wish to campaign as a write-in before the March 30 registration deadline, they must register. However, once the deadline has passed, anyone can campaign without registering.
The two open seats are the result of incumbents Charles Koch and Tom Miller stepping down from the council. Both have announced their intentions to not seek another term. Koch said it was time for him to step away from public service with the city, and Miller said he planned to step down to spend more time with his family and fewer hours at meetings.
Mickey Beam lived in Monroe from 1975 to 1981 but moved to East Peoria, Illinois, for a teaching job. Now retired for more than a year, she's ready to take on a new role to represent the community she has always adored.
"(I) decided to come back to where my heart was," Beam said. "Monroe's been good to my family."
When she heard there was a need for a new city council member, she said her civic-minded personality was easily swayed to register as an official write-in candidate. It happened with little prompting.
"I didn't hesitate when friends approached me and asked if I would consider running as a write-in," Beam said.
Since returning to Monroe in June 2016, Beam said she has been active in work at Behring Senior Center. Her campaign largely focuses on ensuring both the youth and elderly populations are served well. Beam said regular attendance of veterans' breakfasts has allowed her to remain apprised of local issues. She has even planned her own event to become more familiar with people in the community, which is set for 10:30 a.m. March 14 at Behring as an opportunity for the public to meet with and speak to her.
While she said she has not served on a previous board similar to the council, Beam pointed to 15 years in management with Sherwin-Williams required the negotiation of contracts and working with the public as her qualifications for serving as an alderman. She also spent eight years on a homeowner's association board, working to hire contractors for different maintenance services.
Beam acknowledged she was not certain of which issues are the most impactful on Monroe residents but expressed a desire to tackle any problems the community may have when they arise.
City Administrator Phil Rath has been overseeing elections since the departure of former City Clerk Carol Stamm on Jan. 5. Rath confirmed Monday that Beam filed registration papers, noting the documents still needed to be finalized. If candidates wish to campaign as a write-in before the March 30 registration deadline, they must register. However, once the deadline has passed, anyone can campaign without registering.
The two open seats are the result of incumbents Charles Koch and Tom Miller stepping down from the council. Both have announced their intentions to not seek another term. Koch said it was time for him to step away from public service with the city, and Miller said he planned to step down to spend more time with his family and fewer hours at meetings.