While the holiday season is officially in full swing, we're about to enter another traditional time that's not as often celebrated: The political season for municipal, county and school positions
Beginning today, candidates for county nonpartisan offices, municipal offices and school district offices can begin circulating nominating papers. Candidates have until Jan. 5 to file nominating papers, a declaration of candidacy and campaign registration statements. Incumbents who are not seeking re-election must file notice by Dec. 28.
Next year is a mayoral election year in Monroe. The campaign got its first infusion of energy Monday when former Mayor Bill Ross told the Times he intends to seek his old office. Whether two-term Mayor Ron Marsh will run again remains to be seen, as does the question of whether there will be any other, new candidates.
Assuming both Ross and Marsh run, the April 6, 2010, mayoral election will present an interesting contrast for voters that goes beyond choosing between "former" and "current." Ross was a part-time mayor. Marsh essentially is a full-time mayor, though the job remains "part-time." Their styles are very different, so much so that Marsh actually has officially been designated the "go-to" person at City Hall.
But more than the personalities of the current and former mayors, or of anyone else who runs for the office, the next Monroe mayoral election could be a referendum on how the people want their city to be run, and what their expectations of a mayor are.
Do they want the mayor to lead, or "run," City Hall? Or do they want the mayor to be more of an ambassador and figurehead than a day-to-day manager? Or would they prefer something somewhere in between? Would they prefer the city to be lead by a professional manager or administrator rather than an elected mayor?
These all are questions that should have prominence during the campaign next year. Ideally, there will be enough candidates in the mix to force a primary - as there was when Marsh first was elected in 2006 - and a healthy mix of options to debate and choose from.
Beginning today, candidates for county nonpartisan offices, municipal offices and school district offices can begin circulating nominating papers. Candidates have until Jan. 5 to file nominating papers, a declaration of candidacy and campaign registration statements. Incumbents who are not seeking re-election must file notice by Dec. 28.
Next year is a mayoral election year in Monroe. The campaign got its first infusion of energy Monday when former Mayor Bill Ross told the Times he intends to seek his old office. Whether two-term Mayor Ron Marsh will run again remains to be seen, as does the question of whether there will be any other, new candidates.
Assuming both Ross and Marsh run, the April 6, 2010, mayoral election will present an interesting contrast for voters that goes beyond choosing between "former" and "current." Ross was a part-time mayor. Marsh essentially is a full-time mayor, though the job remains "part-time." Their styles are very different, so much so that Marsh actually has officially been designated the "go-to" person at City Hall.
But more than the personalities of the current and former mayors, or of anyone else who runs for the office, the next Monroe mayoral election could be a referendum on how the people want their city to be run, and what their expectations of a mayor are.
Do they want the mayor to lead, or "run," City Hall? Or do they want the mayor to be more of an ambassador and figurehead than a day-to-day manager? Or would they prefer something somewhere in between? Would they prefer the city to be lead by a professional manager or administrator rather than an elected mayor?
These all are questions that should have prominence during the campaign next year. Ideally, there will be enough candidates in the mix to force a primary - as there was when Marsh first was elected in 2006 - and a healthy mix of options to debate and choose from.
