I don’t have a full list of candidates yet, but I did find out about two new candidates today:
General Parker is running against incumbent Jim Ardis for Mayor. General’s wife Rachael Parker works for the city in the Economic Development department and sits on the Peoria Public Schools Board of Education. Parker was also interested in serving on the Heart of Peoria Commission, but he can’t do that anymore, of course.
Curphy Smith is running against incumbent Barbara Van Auken for the Second District city council seat. Curphy is currently serving on the Traffic Commission.
Also, Gary Shadid will be running against Patrick Nichting for the Peoria City Treasurer position being vacated by the retiring Reginald Willis.
I just received this e-mail from the vice-chairman of the Heart of Peoria Commission, Beth Akeson:
I have gathered the required signatures and completed the necessary paperwork to run for Peoria’s third district council seat.
These documents will be turned in tomorrow, December 15, 2008. I look forward to a positive campaign as I champion Peoria’s older neighborhoods, advocate for doing the right thing, for the right reason, in the right way.
In other correspondence, she also says she will be “an advocate for proactive policy.” Beth has served on the Heart of Peoria Commission since its inception in 2004, having been appointed by former Mayor Dave Ransburg. She ran unsuccessfully for a Peoria Board of Education seat in 2007. Beth has also contributed several guest editorials here at the Peoria Chronicle.
Current third district councilman Bob Manning recently announced he is not running for reelection. The only other candidate to formally announce a run for Manning’s seat is Peoria County Board member Tim Riggenbach. Candidates have until 5 p.m. Monday to file petitions, so more candidates may come forward.
