Petition circulation began Tuesday, September 23, 2014, for candidates wishing to run–or rerun–for the offices of Aldermen in Wards 1 through 4, in the City of Morrison, IL. Aldermen Michael Blean (Ward 1) and Scott Connelly (Ward 4) submitted petitions to run for another four-year term. Aldermen Leo Sullivan and Martha Wood decided not to run for their position in Wards 2 and 3, respectively.
Sullivan was prompted to run in 2010, because “spending was out of control. I thought maybe I could have an impact on it. The group [of Aldermen] that came on when I did, did.”
He cited a health issue and desire to visit grandchildren Tatum and Shea in Arizona as leading to his decision to step down. Sullivan notified Mayor Everett Pannier on Monday, December 1. He stated he will “help the wife around the place” with his free time.
Wood said she, too, wishes “to spend more time with my grandchildren. They live in Cedar Rapids[, IA,] and Bloomington[, IL]. It’s time to move on. I know there is stuff I will check in on.” She plans to “attend committee meetings and [continue to] express my opinion. I work with the residents and don’t feel bad talking to an Alderman.”
In 2010, “I could see there were major issues,” Wood explained, “and I thought I could make a change for the better and a difference.” She recalled situations that were personally “very hard, upsetting…and degrading. Residents have been supportive of me, and that’s why I just stayed, to do the best for them. It’ll be hard, but I’m glad we had a better turn around. It was an expensive lesson.”
Sullivan added, “I would love to see the four seats that are up now to have at least two candidates for each ward.” His ward was the only one to have two candidates in the last election; Nancy Riggen was his opponent.
There is a contest in Ward 3. Vernon Tervelt and Joshua West have submitted petitions to fill Wood’s vacancy.
However, there is no registered candidate for Sullivan’s Ward 2. Persons who wish to file as a Write-In Candidate need only contact Whiteside County Clerk Dana Nelson at the Courthouse, 200 E. Knox Street, Morrison. No petition of signatures is required to be placed on the ballot. The deadline to file is Thursday, February 5, 2015.
The Consolidated Election will be held Tuesday, April 7. Aldermen will be sworn in on Monday, May 11. If no candidate has assumed the duties for Ward 2, Mayor Pannier has up to 60 days after May 11 to appoint someone.