Monroe has politics that can burst with as much as energy as the growing city. Three contested city council races have drawn plenty of interest, especially with the current mayor leaving his office and choosing to run against an incumbent for a council seat.
Voters can continue a trend toward greater openness and attention to residents by re-electing Penny "K" Sopris-Kegerreis and Jim Hunnicutt and adding Verna Korslund to the council.
Sopris-Kegerreis is such a refreshing combination of straight-forward honesty and ability to hear opposing viewpoints that any city would be lucky to have a council person like her. Her challenger for council position 2, Art Larson, brings an impressive array of experience as a neighborhood involvements. But there is no good case to be made for removing Sopris-Kegerreis.
For position 3, Hunnicutt has also earned re-election with a good first term as a council member. He’s opposed by Mayor Bob Holman, who says he doesn’t have time to continue as mayor but does have time to be a council member. Again, despite Holman’s abilities, there’s no reason to drop Hunnicutt.
In the race for position 3, Korslund is a very close choice over Bruce Hansen. Hansen is well acquainted with city issues and has a record of civic activism that includes close association with Sopris-Kegerreis and Hunnicutt. Korslund is familiar with city issues, as well. While she has little civic experience, Korslund appears to have a quietly thoughtful, independent attitude that might make her a very good listener to citizens’ concerns.
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