Voters in Peoria’s third district selected two candidates to face off in the April 7 general election: Tim Riggenbach and Beth Akeson. The final results were:
| Candidate | Votes | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| Timothy D. Riggenbach | 507 | 54% |
| Beth Akeson | 394 | 42% |
| Kelley C. McGownd Mammen | 38 | 4% |
Only 113 votes separate the two advancing candidates. Voter turnout was only 7% — 943 people voted out of 13,479 registered voters. (In case you’re doing the math, there were four “under votes,” meaning four people didn’t vote for any of the three candidates.) Since the April 7 general election will also include a school board race and a sales tax referendum, turnout will likely be quite a bit larger.
It promises to be a close and interesting race.
I say this only being half serious, but there is a part of me that thinks McGownd-Mammen and her 38 supporters should have to pay the $18-$20,000 it cost to run this special election. What goes into the cost of an election that it ads up to that much, anyway?
The cost of $18,000 – $20,000 for the election was an estimate based on a average cost of about $1000 per precinct. The biggest percentage of this cost is personal, i.e Election Judges.
Really, PI? Sounds like a good way to limit office holders to those with a lot of money.
From what I read, she wasn’t even campaigning, so what was the point?
What was the signature requirement for this race? She may have gotten fewer votes than she had to get signatures for.
“part of me that thinks McGownd-Mammen and her 38 supporters should have to pay the $18-$20,000 ”
I find it completely offensive to question anyone’s participation in the democratic process. The logic is that if you can’t gain widespread support you have to “pay to play?” That is not what our democracy is about. PI should consider rescinding this comment.
On another matter, I still wonder where Akeson’s priorities lie. She claims to care about central Peoria, but doesn’t live here. That just does not resonate with me.
Tulip, where does Riggenbach live? Akesons house is less than 10 minutes from my front door in Averyville. And she actually campaigned down here door to door in some of the worst weather we have had, just to ask what was needed from our point of view. She has spoken to me on the phone and e-mailed me on a few occasions. I believe she is in this for the right reasons, to help. I do not know if this will help you tulip, but I thought I would share. good day
Glad to hear she is tough – that’s a quality needed to serve on this council. I wish her well.
Here’s my question: I live in a neighborhood with serious urban issues. What if I ran for council on a platform of changing the ordinances governing north side residential developments? Let’s require them to retrofit those huge houses to be more energy efficient. Let’s take some of the common space and introduce retail to create a more urban feel.
I just think people might question my motives.