Other Common Council races
- Alderman Neal Hunter (Ward 1, northeast Monroe) filed his completed nomination papers and registered at about 3 p.m. Monday.
- Thurston Hanson (Ward 7, downtown Monroe) and Charles Koch (Ward 5, south central Monroe) have announced their intent to run for another term. Hanson is being challenged by Louis Armstrong.
- Kent Kallembach (Ward 9, west side) had not registered his non-candidacy papers by 4 p.m. Monday, and he has not picked up nomination papers yet.
The last day for incumbents to announce their intent not to run for another term was Monday.
Nomination papers must be returned by Jan. 5.
MONROE - Except for failing to get a new administrator hired in 2009, the city is headed in the right direction, according to Alderman Mark Coplien from Ward 3.
Coplien, whose ward encompasses southeast Monroe, picked up his nomination papers Dec. 18. to run for a third term, wanting to keep the city headed in a positive direction, he said Monday.
Filing the office of city administrator is the "utmost priority" for the council now, while making sure the city stays on a "constant positive note," he said.
"Besides losing our last administrator (Mark Vahlsing), the only huge disappointment, the biggest mistake, was letting the attorney-administrator (position) go," Coplien said. "We had six months to try it out and we could have walked away; we had an out clause. The best thing we could have done was attempt it."
Coplien, chairman of the Salary and Personnel Committee, said the council will perhaps start looking at the administrator position again as early as the end of January, when the audit is due to be finished.
The way council members and department heads work together has really come to light, he said.
"We had just a few major problems, but I have never seen 11 people (council members and the mayor) pull together so tight to work together. It's a neat camaraderie," he said.
Coplien is concentrating on a few issues in Ward 3 - keeping taxes low, a sewer and water upgrade and a lift station.
"I also want to take a look at the sidewalk issue. There's a lot I don't agree with," he said.
As for city maintenance, Coplien said he hasn't heard much from his constituents, except regarding holiday trash pickup and spring clean-up. Providing residents with more information has helped clear up those issues, he added.
No opponents yet have filed nominations papers to run against Coplien in the April election.
"I'd welcome it. If someone could add more than what I have done, I'd accept that," he said.
Coplien said he made a few agreements with his family to get them on board with his run for another term.
"People have to understand. You have to be committed or the city will not benefit at all," he said.
Coplien, whose ward encompasses southeast Monroe, picked up his nomination papers Dec. 18. to run for a third term, wanting to keep the city headed in a positive direction, he said Monday.
Filing the office of city administrator is the "utmost priority" for the council now, while making sure the city stays on a "constant positive note," he said.
"Besides losing our last administrator (Mark Vahlsing), the only huge disappointment, the biggest mistake, was letting the attorney-administrator (position) go," Coplien said. "We had six months to try it out and we could have walked away; we had an out clause. The best thing we could have done was attempt it."
Coplien, chairman of the Salary and Personnel Committee, said the council will perhaps start looking at the administrator position again as early as the end of January, when the audit is due to be finished.
The way council members and department heads work together has really come to light, he said.
"We had just a few major problems, but I have never seen 11 people (council members and the mayor) pull together so tight to work together. It's a neat camaraderie," he said.
Coplien is concentrating on a few issues in Ward 3 - keeping taxes low, a sewer and water upgrade and a lift station.
"I also want to take a look at the sidewalk issue. There's a lot I don't agree with," he said.
As for city maintenance, Coplien said he hasn't heard much from his constituents, except regarding holiday trash pickup and spring clean-up. Providing residents with more information has helped clear up those issues, he added.
No opponents yet have filed nominations papers to run against Coplien in the April election.
"I'd welcome it. If someone could add more than what I have done, I'd accept that," he said.
Coplien said he made a few agreements with his family to get them on board with his run for another term.
"People have to understand. You have to be committed or the city will not benefit at all," he said.