Letter: Jennings’ resignation creates rare opening in District 1

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To the Editor-

Alderperson Tori Jennings resigned her post on Thursday, 19 August 2021, which graciously gives District 1 residents preparation time to run for the common council seat, gather funds, and form committees before the December 1, 2021, campaign starting date for the 2022 spring election.

This timely resignation strengthens District 1 representation by creating the rare exception of running with the even-numbered districts next spring.

Mayor Wiza said he will recommend the common council appoints an interim council member until the spring 2022 election, then allow the residents of District 1 to choose their representative.

This is dangerous advice if the appointed person is also a candidate running for the same office in the 2022 election! Appointing a candidate to the interim office creates an incumbency momentum advantage making it difficult for a more qualified but lesser-known candidate to win in 2022.

We, the people, recommend the appointment of an experienced, in-house, council committee officer as interim alderperson rather than a candidate running for the same position. The District 1 alderperson position necessarily remains open until the residents elect their own representative in April 2022. This eliminates creating an incumbency advantage situation.

The mayor and common council should immediately take applications and interview eligible people of diverse backgrounds to prepare for the campaign starting date of 1 December 2021.

Any District 1 resident interested in running for alderperson is welcome to contact me for support. Native sons and daughters are the most favored candidates.

Jean C. Edens
Stevens Point