Truman says he won't seek re-election
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Bill Truman
JANESVILLE — City council member Bill Truman, who ran on a platform of being a voice for the people, said he will not seek re-election because he has to find a job.
Truman in December 2008 was laid off from his job as a truck diver for LSI, and he said his candidacy is another casualty of the recession.
Four council seats will be up for election in April 5. They are held by Truman, George Brunner, Frank Perrotto and Russ Steeber.
Truman, who will serve two two-year terms, said he was forced to make the decision.
"I've been a truck driver all my life," Truman said. "Local truck driving is just about non-existent. I most likely am going to have to go back on the road."
Truman hopes to get a job in the region so he can at least spend weekends at home, but he doubts he would ever be here for Monday council meetings.
"If I'm down in Texas on Monday, it's pretty hard to get back," he said.
Truman said deciding not to seek re-election was a difficult decision, but he said he knows he wouldn't be available to give residents adequate representation.
A highlight over the past four years was "just getting elected," Truman said.
That first year, Truman recalled running against 12 others, including a businessman.
"I couldn't believe that someone from the Fourth Ward—a truck driver—was elected to the council," he said. "That was a great accomplishment right there."
Truman said his goal was to be the voice of the people, and he became a champion of Riverside Park and the Tallman House.
Another highlight was traveling to Arizona to interview current City Manager Eric Levitt. He was glad he was council president when it was time to swear in new Police Chief Dave Moore.
Truman said he never would have run for 44th Assembly District if he hadn't had experience at the council level. Truman lost in the Republican primary election in September.
Truman said he's met many great people, including fellow council members. He cited former council member Amy Loasching as being a great role model, and he believes he and several council members during that time "sort of opened up City Hall back to the people.
"(Residents) didn't get heard like the people get heard today," he said.
Truman is looking forward to being active again with community groups, including the Community Action Team and the Friends of Riverside Park.
"I'm not going to be leaving," Truman said.
"I was born and raised here. You're going to be stuck with me."
Oct 15, 2010 at 12:20 p.m.
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Thank you for your service Mr. Truman
Oct 15, 2010 at 11:58 a.m.
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Doc/Why don't you gather your kahunas and put your money where your mouth is? Run for Council, don't hide in these comments. Say these same things on the campaign platform and see if you are elected. Worth a shot.
Oct 15, 2010 at 11:53 a.m.
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I believe until you've done this job you have no idea the trials and tribulations you go through. Thank you Bill, for knowing you can't please everybody, for looking out for citizens in the long term despite the cost, and not just the short term. Thank you for for being firm with both the city staff and the citizens. Thank you for putting up with all of KAB's crazy emails to you, and for taking the time to explain your voting reasons whenever someone asked. You put up with a lot but always stayed focused on what was best for Janesville and never had your own agenda. It won't be the same without you. Maybe there's someone...... ;D
Oct 15, 2010 at 7:51 a.m.
Oct 15, 2010 at 7:38 a.m.
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I would like to add a very big Thank You to you Bill and the other 6 members of the City Council. You all do a wonderful job!! A wonderful job doing something you couldn't pay me to do! Seven people representing 60+ thousand people and keeping them all happy at the same time, it is an impossible job to accomplish but you seven are doing a great job of doing what is right for Janesville. Thank You :o)
Oct 14, 2010 at 9:16 p.m.
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Its too bad that Mr. Truman won't run again and at the same time maybe this next election we can be a little smarter and get some people in there that will actually look out for us (The Tax Payer) and have some priorities that won't cost us so much in the years to come! Good-bye George and So long Steeber, this next election for our city council will be a very important one and we all deserve a change, so I truly hope everyone that votes will THINK about who will do the best job and cut out all the needless spending, this next council will be the ones that help us through these tough economic times and not empty our pockets and fail to help attract new business to our great city!!! It will be our chance to start cleaning house time to voice your disappointment in our current council and all the needless spending!
Oct 14, 2010 at 3:25 p.m.
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What local issues do you think will be most important in next spring's election? I agree with the posters here that support Bill because he was able to see things as most of us that live here do.
In the end, it's all about picking up the trash, and plowing the streets.
Oct 14, 2010 at 2:26 p.m.
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Godspeed, Bill and a smooth road
Oct 14, 2010 at 11:19 a.m.
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Great, will KAB run AGAIN- get lost lady!
Oct 14, 2010 at 10:13 a.m.
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Gosh, Bill, how did you expect to afford an Assembly run?
Oct 14, 2010 at 9:10 a.m.
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Its too bad the CC lost one member who was for the people and would never support this wastefull spending campain the city has going on. Bill opposed the work that is being done on Milwaukee street which is still stupid in my opinion.
Bill I wish you the best of luck you have served the city well
Oct 13, 2010 at 9:38 p.m.
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Janesville has been very lucky to have you on the council these past few years, the citizens probably don't even realize all the hard work and late, late nights you all put in to make this a great city for us all to live in. Being on the City Council is not easy, with the Ice arena, sidewalks, bike tunnels, etc. at one time or another you have most of Janesville mad at you. But we still love you Bill :o) Hopefully you will be able to give guidance to the one who is elected to fill your shoes, mighty big shoes to fill too!! Good Luck Bill :o)
Oct 13, 2010 at 5:34 p.m.
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Bill, thanks for your hard work on the council and for everything you have done. You have given a lot of yourself and it is much appreciated. Good luck with the job, and enjoy your Monday nights off again!
Oct 13, 2010 at 5:11 p.m.
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Bill, I wish you all the best of luck in the future. Take care and God Bless.
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