By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Candidates declare intent for spring 2012 election
Placeholder Image
MONROE - Neal Hunter won't be running for Monroe city council again this spring - the alderman for Ward 1 has filed non-candidacy papers for the city's 2012 spring election.

Friday, Dec. 23 was the last day for sitting aldermen to submit non-candidacy papers.

Hunter has served as alderman for Ward 1, located in the far northeast corner of Monroe, for 15 years. He was first appointed to the position in April 1996, when no one in the ward ran for the seat.

Tom Miller has registered his campaign to run for alderman in Ward 1, but as of Thursday afternoon had not submitted nomination papers.

Candidates have until 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 3, to file their nomination papers with the required number of signatures and sign a declaration of candidacy with the city clerk to qualify for a spot on the ballot this spring.

Ward 7 in downtown Monroe will see at least four candidates vying for its seat on the Common Council. Incumbent Thurston Hanson, Louis Armstrong, Robert McCarthy, and Tony Gratz have submitted their nomination papers and signed a declaration of candidacy.

This will be Armstrong's second attempt to oust Hanson, who has held the seat for three terms. Armstrong ran against Hanson in 2010.

Incumbent Charles Koch has submitted nomination papers and signed a declaration of candidacy to run for re-election in Ward 5, on the southwest side of the city.

Alderman Tyler Schultz, elected in Ward 10 in 2011, has registered to run for the Ward 5 position also. His nomination papers have not been submitted yet.

Ward 10 is scheduled to dissolve in 2013, due to redistricting changes. If Schultz wins the Ward 5 election next spring, the ward will dissolve upon his taking the seat. If he doesn't win, Schultz can continue to serve out his term in the Ward 10 council seat.

Scott Golackson is also registered to run in Ward 5, but had not submitted nomination papers as of Friday morning.

Because of the number of candidates in Wards 5 and 7, the Common Council can call for run-off elections in February in those wards .

The city could bear the full costs for its February primaries; no primaries at the county or state level are expected, according to City Clerk Carol Stamm.

Stamm estimated a primary election for one ward would cost about $2,000. An additional ward primary would add about $1,000.

Incumbent Michael Boyce is registered to run for re-election to his council seat in Ward 3, in the city's southeast side, as well as for mayor of Monroe. His nomination papers have not been submitted. If Boyce wins both elections, he must choose only one position in which to serve.

Mayor Bill Ross has submitted nomination papers for re-election and signed a declaration of candidacy. His nominations papers were pending verification Thursday.

Charles Schuringa has registered to run in Ward 9, on the city's far west side. He has not yet submitted nomination papers. Schuringa was alderman for Ward 10, until beaten out by Schultz in 2011. Redistricting now places him in Ward 9.

Chris Beer, current Ward 9 alderman was elected in 2011 to fulfill the remainder of a two-year term, but is unable to run for re-election now, because redistricting places her within Ward 6, which has a council seat filled by Alderman Jan Lefevre.