| 10/19/2007 |
| Strong leadership crucial for young city |
| Editorial |
Centennial, with an expanding population of more than
100,000 residents, is growing in more ways than one. The
six-year-old city is at a stage of development that will help lay
the groundwork for future governing bodies and its citizens' quality
of life.
The city needs leaders with a strong vision, but also the ability to compromise. Voters have the chance to pick leaders like that in an election that will decide four city council positions, as well as the treasurer and city clerk posts. Your ballot says the Ward 1 race offers three options for the council, but one candidate has announced that he is no longer actively campaigning. Instead, Ron Phelps, who has not officially withdrawn, is endorsing Betty Ann Habig. But our choice is incumbent Vorry Moon. Habig was a founding member of the city council, but she has been a divisive presence on the local political scene. Moon has proven to be a team player and a voice of reason on the council, while conveying a consistent vision for the city. Keith Gardner is running unopposed in Ward 2, but he would be a good choice even in a crowded campaign. Gardner, a software tester, brings a strong work ethic and offers a fresh face for communications with the county. Ward 3 features a match-up of first-time candidates George Shen and Patrick Anderson. The young Shen, who serves in the U.S. Army, has unconventional ideas and little applicable experience, plus a misdemeanor harassment conviction. The Centennial Citizen endorses Anderson, a government contractor and computer specialist, who has talked of balancing the character of the community with smart economic development. Like Ward 2, there is just one candidate in Ward 4. Incumbent Todd Miller has worked out well on the council, staying true to his vision of making the city better, and deserves another term. In the treasurer's race, Susan Bockenfeld and C.J. Whelan would both serve the city well and either would be worthy of your vote. Both want to make this position matter despite the transfer of much of its authority to the finance director. Like Bockenfeld and Whelan, Vincent Fitzgerald has a strong business background, but has not demonstrated the initiative of the other two. Two candidates are vying for city clerk, Linda Gawlik and Karl Goeken. Gawlik has a strong communications background and wants to transform the post into something of a town crier position to foster community involvement. Goeken, an insurance claims adjuster, has been active in the community but has not formed as strong a vision for the office. Gawlik is the Centennial Citizen's pick. |
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