Word on the street was that Jim McCourt was going to focus on his new business and forego running for re-election. We also heard from several board members that board members themselves were lobbying hard with Caren Diedrich to NOT run for re-election---so much for unity and decorum, eh? Finally, we heard all kinds of waffling noises coming from Al Slane.But in the end...all three apparently are actively circulating nomination papers and intend to run again for their less valuable (after October 12, 2009) seats.
We hear that John Welke may be tossing his hat in the ring again. This time, however, he'll be on the ballot. And someone that garnered nearly 900 votes running as a write-in candidate should be a formidable opponent this spring for the lock-step crowd.
We have wondered since last spring how exactly John Whalen obtained the number of votes he did last spring. In fact, old John E Boy himself was even more surprised than we were. Reports indicate that Whalen questioned his chances even very late in the campaign, and really would have preferred not to run.
Does anyone else think that the similarity in names -- John Whalen -- John Welke-- might have played against Welke and FOR Whalen? That people got to the ballot box, and seeing the name "John Whalen" on the ballot (and no "John Welke") that maybe they selected "Whalen", believing they were voting for the challenger not on the ballot?
We'll never know how many people may have simply selected "John Whalen" because the name sounded like that other guy...John Welke.
Maybe we'll find out this April.
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