Mayor’s Row…..by Ned Mitchell April 10, 2005
First of all, special thanks to all the folks who turned out to vote in last weeks municipal and school board elections. I appreciate the confidence shown in all of us that will allow us to continue serving you for another four years. At city hall, incumbents Ned Mitchell, Mayor, Marilyn Stacey, clerk, Sue Travelstead, Treasurer, Brenda Gobtop, Alderman-Ward I, Keith Kramer, Alderman-Ward II, and Carroll Kelly, Alderman-Ward III, were all returned to office.
The local school board members elected were Jay Kelly, Mike Sulser, Roger Hicks, Donnie Robbins, and Ryan Vercellino. We look forward to working with the school board in the upcoming years to make this a better place.
While we appreciate the confidence shown in each of us don’t make the mistake of thinking that we are always right. We do what we think is best in every situation, however we do make mistakes and are far from perfect. That is where you come in. If you have a thought or an idea or see something that we could have done differently, take the time to point that out to either me or any of the aldermen. We will listen to your thoughts and ideas and see what happens. Sometimes there are things that could be done differently but because we have always done them that way, it clouds our vision. We do want to be good listeners to our friends and neighbors in Sesser.
We also have a new alderman in Ward II. Long time, and I do mean long time, resident Bob Woll has been appointed to serve the remainder of the term of the late Jess Boswell as alderman. We had two people interested in this position, Bob Woll and Jimmy D. Davis. The council took their time on this appointment, conducted interviews, talked to people in town, and then cast a secret ballot vote during the meeting. The vote tally was 3 for Bob Woll and 2 for Jimmy D. Davis so it was a very close vote. We look forward to working with newly appointed alderman Woll in the future. Bob brings a lot of talent to the board and has a unique perspective on how to make things work or to put it another way, it is said he can fix anything, you just can’t get him to do anything. We’ll see how that all works out but I’m sure he will be a real asset to Sesser.
Area Catholics had a special mass last week in remembrance of Pope John Paul II. Although I am not Catholic, I do have an immense amount of respect for Pope John Paul. He traveled more than all the previous Popes combined and spread the message of his church world wide. He was not one to sit in Rome, he got out amongst the people and delivered his message. In this modern era and with all the liberal leanings of a lot of churches, including his own, it was always nice and comforting to see and hear Pope John Paul stay the course, not only say, but live daily his beliefs. He was a conservative voice in matters that count and he was extremely consistent. There was no changing of his conviction simply because the winds of popular opinion blew from a different direction. He was a steady leader that set an example for Catholics and non-Catholics alike. We need more just like him!
School funding, gambling expansion, medical malpractice, rampant crime, Rend Lake Conservancy District, and other major legislation is either being worked on or ignored in Springfield but we are on fast track to pass a law that will allow prostitutes to sue their pimps. This bunch sometimes just astounds me in Springfield. Its like they get in this cocoon and leave their common sense at home. Is a law that will allow prostitutes to sue their pimps really that important in the grand scheme of things? One would think that schools in danger of closing and doctors leaving on a daily basis would command everyone’s attention. We started working on the medical malpractice reform legislation over 14 years ago. Speaker of the House, Mike Madigan, was in Benton, Illinois laying the ground work for vast changes in that area. Fast forward 14 years and here we all are, in worse shape than we were back then, yet prostitutes will be able to sue their pimps. That ought to make all of us sleep better tonight!
Tickets for the Chicago Chamber Orchestra concert are going fast and if you want a seat or two you had better hurry. The concert is June 22 at 7:00 pm and the price is $6.00 for adults, $3.00 for children and seniors. This will feature a world class violinist, cellist, and pianist, the likes that we have never seen or heard in the Opera House. There will also be free children’s concerts that afternoon and area youngsters will have a chance to interact with professional musicians and learn some valuable tips on music. We are expecting a big crowd but want to give Sesser folks the first opportunity to buy these tickets.
We have another busy summer planned at city hall. We have a major water line project on South Elm Street to do, another block of sewer main in the north end, street excavation and sidewalk replacement. We are making plans to get started and as always need your patience. If you need us, you do know where to find us, give us a call!
                                 
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