From a press release:
Mayor Jim Ardis announced today that he intends to file nominating petitions for another term as Mayor. With solid support from his family, Mayor Ardis is committed to continuing his focus on providing a strong environment for business, maintaining an intense focus on crime and supporting strong neighborhoods with an emphasis on education.
Mayor Ardis will hold a press conference in the coming weeks to outline his re-election platform.
Wa-hooo! Way to go, Jim!
And what’s choice #2?
Nice try, Jim. No way. We need someone who is proactive, rather than reactive. Someone who has a clear vision and plan for this wonderful, unique community.
By the way, I think CJ should run for the job. I disagree with him often but when it comes to a vision for this city, he has a very clear one. And I most always agree with that vision. Go for it!
No CJ shouldn’t run, not in a million years. He has a lovely family and a good job and tons of friends and he would jeopardize all that if he ran for Mayor. I was brought up in a political family and my father always told me that you have far more power as a private citizen than you do in office. When you are in a political office you are held within the contraints of the office’s rules. Stay a private citizen and stay with your family. We love ya.
If you want someone who is proactive and has a clear vision (which I actually believe Ardis has) that’s all good and fine but the Mayor of Peoria doesn’t have the ability to implement that vision anyway. Realistically, the position of Mayor in Peoria is not much different than being a council member. If you want an executive who can implement policy then you should push for a change from the council-manager form of government.
Bravo! 11bravo! Bravo!