Evanston city elections in April could see fierce competition for some vacant and several long-held seats — about 29 residents so far have picked up election packets.
Two potential candidates for mayor picked up election packets Thursday at the Evanston City Clerk’s Office, City Clerk Mary Morris said.
Evanston Mayor Lorraine H. Morton, in her third term as mayor, said Thursday she is planning to run for reelection on April 5. She said her 30 years serving Evanston put her in a better position than ever to help the city.
But Morton’s possible challengers, Barnaby Dinges and Peter Godwin, said the city needs a change.
Dinges, Medill ’86 and owner of a public relations firm, said he still needs to consider the four-year commitment. But he says Morton is like “the Mayor Daley of Evanston.”
“The way I see it, there are no sacred cows,” said Dinges. “We have to look at what’s best for Evanston.”
Godwin, who said he will probably run, also said he decided to try to become mayor because he wants bring a change to the community.
“I don’t think the city has been managed properly, in the way it should be managed less passively and more professionally,” said Godwin, who serves on the city’s board of ethics.
One of aldermen representing part of campus could be facing some competition as well.
Former Seventh Ward Alderman Cheryl Wollin picked up a packet last week to run in the First Ward, a seat currently held by Ald. Arthur Newman. According to the city clerk’s list Wollin is the only person to pick up an election packet for the First Ward. Newman could not be reached for comment Thursday.
With rumors that Ald. Joseph Kent (5th) will not be seeking reelection, many residents have turned their attention toward west Evanston — eight people have picked up packets for the aldermanic election since they became available Oct. 27. Only two candidates ran for the position in 2001, Morris said.
According to the city clerk’s office list, Kent had not picked up an election packet. Kent could not be reached for comment Thursday.
Charlie Sheridan said he is running because he is dissatisfied with Kent’s work and disagrees with the alderman on development issues.
But Jerome Summers said he is running to fill a tremendous need in the Fifth Ward, not because he doesn’t like Kent.
“I have respect for (Kent),” Summers said. “I just think it’s time for a change. I’m not running against him. I’m running for the Fifth Ward.”
The six other potential candidates are: Furman Sizemore, Betty Sue Ester, Patricia Brown, Delores Holmes, Beverley C. Moss-Mason and Michael Johnson.
Two people may be vying for the open seat in the Ninth Ward created when Ald. Gene Feldman (9th) announced in May that he will retire at the end of his current term.
Community activist Mimi Peterson and Cook County assistant state’s attorney Anjana Hansen have both picked up election packets. Both women say they probably will run.
The following incumbents have also picked up packets: Ald. Lionel Jean-Baptiste (2nd), Ald. Melissa Wynne (3rd), Ald. Steven Bernstein (4th), Ald. Edmund Moran (6th), Ald. Elizabeth Tisdahl (7th) and Ald. Ann Rainey (8th).
Mayoral candidates must file between Dec. 6 and Dec. 13. All other candidates may file between Jan. 18 and Jan. 25, 2005.
Reach Breanne Gilpatrick at [email protected].
