MONROE - Residents in Ward 7 will have to make a decision in the April election between next-door neighbors.
Louis Armstrong, 1016 19th Ave., has taken out nomination papers, challenging his neighbor, incumbent Thurston Hanson, 1012 19th Ave., for the position.
Armstrong said he has no complaints about Hanson's past performance as alderman; Hanson just happens to live next door
"I wanted to find a way to get involved in the community, and this is the avenue I chose," he said, Wednesday from his home.
Armstrong said he was born and raised in Monroe, but jobs have kept him away since 1999. He moved back in 2007, and now works at Minhas Brewery as a product scheduler.
"I wanted to move back, because I like Monroe," he said.
Armstrong has not run for office before, and said he hasn't considered which committees he'd like to be on.
Hanson's wife told him Armstrong was running.
"God bless anyone who runs against any of us," Hanson said Wednesday.
He has consistently voted against increases in government spending and regulation, Hanson said.
"If the public decides they don't want an anti-tax, anti-government spending, anti-government intrusion and pro-business alderman, then they aren't going to vote for me. I'm confident most people want those things," he said.
Hanson currently serves on the Board of Health, Board of Public Works, Board of Review, Visitors and Promotion Board; is chairman of the Insurance Committee and the License Committee, and is an alternate member of the Finance and Taxation Committee.
Armstrong and Hanson have until Jan. 5 to return their nomination papers with 20 signatures. Armstrong said he is having no trouble collecting the necessary names.
Louis Armstrong, 1016 19th Ave., has taken out nomination papers, challenging his neighbor, incumbent Thurston Hanson, 1012 19th Ave., for the position.
Armstrong said he has no complaints about Hanson's past performance as alderman; Hanson just happens to live next door
"I wanted to find a way to get involved in the community, and this is the avenue I chose," he said, Wednesday from his home.
Armstrong said he was born and raised in Monroe, but jobs have kept him away since 1999. He moved back in 2007, and now works at Minhas Brewery as a product scheduler.
"I wanted to move back, because I like Monroe," he said.
Armstrong has not run for office before, and said he hasn't considered which committees he'd like to be on.
Hanson's wife told him Armstrong was running.
"God bless anyone who runs against any of us," Hanson said Wednesday.
He has consistently voted against increases in government spending and regulation, Hanson said.
"If the public decides they don't want an anti-tax, anti-government spending, anti-government intrusion and pro-business alderman, then they aren't going to vote for me. I'm confident most people want those things," he said.
Hanson currently serves on the Board of Health, Board of Public Works, Board of Review, Visitors and Promotion Board; is chairman of the Insurance Committee and the License Committee, and is an alternate member of the Finance and Taxation Committee.
Armstrong and Hanson have until Jan. 5 to return their nomination papers with 20 signatures. Armstrong said he is having no trouble collecting the necessary names.