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Mayor still mulling run for a third term
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MONROE - Mayor Ron Marsh said Tuesday he has not made a decision on seeking a third term.

"I have to give it some thought - think about it and see where I want to go," he said.

Marsh is the only elected city official so far who has a challenger. Former mayor Bill Ross announced his intention to run for the office Monday.

Marsh isn't alone in contemplating his next political move. Aldermen Neal Hunter (Ward 1), Mark Coplien (Ward 3), Charles Koch (Ward 5), and Kent Kallembach (Ward 9) all said they have not made a decision yet.

Thurston Hanson announced Tuesday night his intention to run for a third term as alderman of Ward 7, which includes the downtown Square.

Incumbents are required to submit non-candidacy papers by Dec. 28, if they do not intend to run for re-election.

City Clerk Carol Stamm said the normal cut-off date is the last Friday in December. However, because the day falls on a holiday, the deadline is extended to the following Monday.

Challengers of incumbents have until Jan. 5 to submit their paperwork.

Hanson made his announcement to a Times reporter at about 7:45 p.m. Tuesday, just as council members were about to move into closed session to continue their discussion on the new city administrator position.

"I made an executive decision; I'm running again," he said. "I enjoy this."

Less than 30 minutes earlier, Hanson had not made a decision, saying he would know Dec. 27.

Hanson said he and his wife have been discussing his running again, but had not come to a decision.

After four years on Council, Hanson said he often feels like he's "running on a treadmill," not accomplishing what he set out to do, such as lowering taxes and decreasing government spending.

Coplien said "we" have not made a decision, referring to his family.

"My family is ultimate, and my business," he said, "but I love what I do."

Koch indicated he would wait until the "first of the year" to make his decision.

However, he said he didn't know if he wanted to "put in the time commitment."

Hunter and Kallembach both said they had not made their decisions yet.

"I picked up my papers ... and I laid them over there," Hunter said, with a laugh.

Candidacy papers were placed at the aldermen's council chamber desks Tuesday. Simply picking up candidacy papers at the city clerk's office does not indicate the person will run for office. Each candidate must collect 20 signatures and submit them by the filing deadline to run.