Janesville City Council field reaches 10
JANESVILLE — Four more residents—including an incumbent—have announced they will seek one of four open seats on the Janesville City Council on April 3.
That brings to 10 the number of residents who have said they intend to run.
Incumbents Yuri Rashkin and Tom McDonald will not seek re-election, and they leave two-year terms to be filled. George Brunner recently resigned, and the fourth-highest vote getter will fill the remainder of his one-year term.
Residents who recently announced they would seek election are:
-- Incumbent Kathy Voskuil, 52, of 3417 Amhurst Road. She is in sales for Pfizer Drugs and serves on the city’s plan commission. She will have four years on the council in April.
-- Matthew Kealy, 29, of 1203 Winchester Place. He owns Matt’s Dog House and Kealy’s Kafe, Janesville.
-- Andy Murray, 32, of 2211 Browning Drive. He is in sales at Data Dimensions.
-- Troy Zimdars, 42, of 709 N. Wuthering Hills Drive. He is employed as an installation technician for Honeywell International, Madison.
The following residents earlier announced they will seek a seat on the council:
-- Billy R. McCoy, 58, of 1326 Putnam Ave.
-- Jim Farrell, 65, of 1427 N. Harmony Drive.
-- DuWayne Severson, 54, of 56 S. Martin Road.
-- Angela Smillie, 31, of 921 N. Garfield Ave.
-- Michael F. Southers, 40, of 1841 S. Chatham.
-- Brad Westness, 27, of 3421 Ruger Ave.
The city council could vote to hold a primary election if more than eight candidates file nomination papers by the January deadline. Jean Wulf, city clerk, said the council voted to hold a primary only once in recent memory. That was in 2008, when 11 candidates sought three open seats. Five people were eliminated in that primary.
A primary to elect a Rock County judge is scheduled for Feb. 21.
Residents who want to run for city council can pick up nomination forms in City Hall, 18 N. Jackson St. They must be returned with no fewer than 200 signatures and no more than 400 signatures by Tuesday, Jan. 3.
related STORIES
Dec 15, 2011 at 5:25 p.m.
Dec 15, 2011 at 2:58 p.m.
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I don't live in Janesville. Here is quote from my city's mayor explaining in a letter to citizens last year why he did not think we needed to make his position full time with a huge salary increase, "A mayor with a large salary or modest salary reports to the people. A city administrator normally reports to the Common Council and has an employment agreement with language that speaks to severance pay and notice of termination and therefore he/she is not accountable to the people." I think your city would be wise to find someone like this, but sorry this guy is taken.
Dec 15, 2011 at 2:18 p.m.
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The biggest problem voters have is we continue to elect those who want to use government for gain whether personal or for business, when we really need to elect people who are opposite and can make the bold statement and take a stand against such abuse.
Dec 15, 2011 at 12:31 p.m.
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That Janesville fb page looks interesting so I joined. I want to see what each council member says they will do if elected. I like the one guy running is interested in a elected professional mayor form on City Governorment. I could support that instead on a non elect manager. Elect one of our area business owners, and pay them $100,000 or what ever a manager makes to run the city. Could not hurt.
Dec 15, 2011 at 11:57 a.m.
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I was invited to join a friends of Janesville facebook page. After reviewing the page I noticed everyone that is anyone in local Government is a member of that page. It seems to be independent of any one political view.
I see three of the City Council candidates have posted their message in their own words on the wall for residents review.
This could get to be a informative community page free of media bias with identifiable people instead of the unanimous Gazette comments that can not be taken serious.
Dec 15, 2011 at 11:53 a.m.
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I have a suggestion. The City Council is a non-partisan body. Leave the politics at home, and lets elect those who can make decisions that best for the City of Janesville.
Dec 15, 2011 at 10:54 a.m.
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I have never pesonally met Matt Kealy but felt good when he said he would like to bring a business perspective to the council. That combined with his youth and proven record as a local business person sounds very very good. He seems to be a person who wants to help pull the cart. Our council has increasingly been filled with those who want Janesville to ride in the cart and blame others for our problems. We can and must do better.
Dec 15, 2011 at 8:59 a.m.
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Before all the prejudgment starts here on these pages I would like to ask one thing of these potential candidates.
I would ask that you really think about what your real motives are in running for these positions. The political systems are filled to the brim with people who decide they need to run to forward their personal political views and projects they hold dear to their hearts. However, after being elected they are soon disappointed to find out they do not have the power to do anything alone no matter how passionate they are about a particular cause and instead are “saddled” with the daunting responsibility of actually representing ALL of the citizens of Janesville and at the same time being the target of any constituent or group of constituents that do not agree with their decisions. Most of the decisions that are made are indeed a great compromise based on money, time, people and laws. Simple solutions do not exist to our complex problems.
Please think about what I have just said when you are making promises to the would be voters and state your intentions because the real world will begin the day you are actually elected and it will be your new duty to represent ALL of the people of Janesville not just your little click or special interest group.
This is what has happened to our system of elected representation in today’s world in that everyone is getting elected to positions and forgetting they have to represent EVERYONE!
Sometimes it may involve voting yes or no on agenda items that sort of stick in your throat but that is what is best for the city as a whole.
Please consider these points when throwing your hat in the ring. We need honest, upright people who can do the really hard work of representing ALL of us as a city/state/nation not just another “special Interest Group” cheerleader.
Dec 15, 2011 at 8:11 a.m.
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oldvet used the terms "sensible" and "conservative" in the same sentence. LOL. Good one.
Dec 15, 2011 at 7:13 a.m.
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Is that the same Severson who was on the school board? The one who works for Mercy? If so, that is not good for the residents of Janesville. Was glad to hear he wasn't doing the school board thing anymore so now he moves into city government? Is Sodemann coming next? Watch out people....make sure you educate yourself before voting!
Dec 15, 2011 at 6:39 a.m.
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OldVet....Given Janesville's demographics, a true conservative has no chance of being voted in while a true liberal would have a slim chance. What we need is a council that is progressive with fiscal responsibility. What we need is centrism.
Dec 15, 2011 at 5:49 a.m.
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All I need to know is whether they are sensible conservatives or pie in the sky liberals?
Dec 14, 2011 at 10:20 p.m.
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Belmnan....go look yourself....seems you have the ability to get online.
Dec 14, 2011 at 9:30 p.m.
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I think it's just great that we will get some new faces on the City Council. Thank you all for volunteering your service!
Dec 14, 2011 at 7:16 p.m.
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Can't you just go on CCAP for that?
Dec 14, 2011 at 6:14 p.m.
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We all must demand that the Gazette print each ones court reoords from the past. I would like to see if any they have.
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