Mayor’s Row……by Ned Mitchell

          Sesser made history again, and this is one for the books!  We voted almost 70% of the voters in a city wide election that saw, me, incumbent Mayor Ned Mitchell defeating challenger Gary Szczeblewski by a vote of 563 to 404 or 58.22% to 41.78%, but that is not the history I am talking about.

          History is often made without those making it realizing or understanding what they have done until it is over.  As some of us were dismantling the voting booths in one of the precincts I realized that things were different.  Taking the voting booths down involves taking off the curtains, removing the lights, folding up the metal frames and storing them in a closet.

          What was different this time as I went about my routine along with others was the fact that Goode Township Supervisor Bill Crocker was not there to help.  I have been involved in this ritual since 1977.  Bill Crocker became the Goode Township Supervisor in 1981.  Bill has been in charge of setting up the voting booths and taking them down for 28 years.  As I started working with others I realized that Bill was not there and it became clear that it was different.  I have analyzed elections for 35 years with Bill Crocker and now he lays seriously ill in a Benton care facility, fighting for his life.  My wife, Aisha, helped dismantle the voting booths for the first time and that was a good feeling for me.  You see, even though Bill was not able to be there, others pitched in.  Township Clerk Ron Roberson and Road Commissioner Gene Loucks joined in with others and the work was done.  While Bill was in the hospital bed, others, including my wife joined together and silently the torch was passed to a new generation.  Bill Crocker is my friend and has helped thousands of people over the years.  He needs our prayers!

          Back to the election, my 90 year old dad, Amos has followed me in my electoral activities along with my 90 year old mother.  They have often questioned my keen interest in running for political office and as we finish up another election and look to the future, I sometimes catch myself asking those same questions.  My dad has always advised me that after the votes are counted to be either a humble winner or a gracious loser.  I have been on “both sides of the fence” in that respect and have followed his advice.

          With that being said I am humbled that the voters of Sesser believed in me and decided that we were on the right path and wanted to keep me as their Mayor for another 4 years.    Sesser has a bright future and I am happy to be able to work with old supporters and new friends made in the campaign to continue making Sesser the great city that it is.

          Trust me, there is a lot that can be said about the path this campaign took and that will be discussed later, now is not the time to go down that road.  Elections are like ball games, there will be winners and losers, some folks show up to games with the wrong jersey on.  Be glad you had the privilege and opportunity to take part in democracy but don’t ever forget that freedom is not free; someone paid a price for you and I to exercise our right to vote!

          Sesser-Valier school board members that were elected include incumbents Donnie Robbins and Roger Hicks as well as newcomers Tina Bauman and Jon Jones.  Incumbent Mike Sulser did not make the cut as 5 people were running for 4 seats. 

          Franklin County did not do so well on the Rend Lake College Board as incumbent member Randall Crocker of Sesser and new candidate William Dill of Benton both went down in defeat.  As this loss soaks in; Franklin County residents will figure out that we are now down to one board member, that being Benton attorney Brian Drew.  I’m not quite sure how that happened but if my friend and mentor Bill Crocker were able he would have that all figured out by now.

          Sesser is making ready for a visit by our new Governor Pat Quinn that will take place on April 25th at the historic Sesser Opera House.  The public is invited to this town meeting and it will give us a good chance to put our best foot forward.  The town meeting in the theatre is free and we need to have a big crowd on hand.  Sesser has not welcomed a Governor in a long time and I look forward to promoting Sesser to Governor Pat Quinn.  You will like him!

          Sesser also has some great events coming up at the Opera House.  On the 17th and 18th our high school thespians present the musical “Grease”.  On April 25th at 7:00 pm the Southern Illinois Chamber Society presents a string ensemble concert and on April 30th our local high school jazz band joins up with Murphysboro to present a dinner with jazz concert.

          Sesser resident Mae Merkel has taken a fall and broke her wrist and hip.  She is in Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon and needs our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.  Drop her a card or pay her a visit.  It will make her day better and will give you a good feeling in that you thought about a neighbor in a good way.