The Manitowoc Common Council met earlier this week, and a major talking point was the upcoming spring election.
A huge change was addressed at their Monday meetings, as District 1 Alderman Mike Howe officially announced his resignation.
Council president Eric Sitkiewitz had nothing but good things to say about Howe during an appearance on WOMT’s Be My Guest program. “We’re sad to see Mike go,” he said. “Mike brought a unique set of talents to the Council, and a perspective all of us don’t necessarily have.” Finding someone to fill Mike’s seat is going to be relatively simple, as the Spring Election is right around the corner.
Mayor Justin Nickels was also on the program and said that this spring election will be rather unique. “We are going to actually have seven council districts up,” he explained. He also reminded us that there will be at least two new faces on the council with Howe stepping down, and Lee Kummer not running for reelection.
The two city officials also spoke briefly about term limits. Mayor Nickels said that they make sense at the national level, but “there’s something to be said about a mix in local government. To have some continuity of people who have been through” some of the processes in the past, and some new faces and perspectives.
Sitkiewitz agreed, citing his time as a fresh-faced council member as a great example. When he was elected to the council in 2006, he was the only new member among many people with a lot of history. Sitkiewitz said, “it’s a learning period. You don’t walk in knowing everything. It’s impossible.” Having the long-tenured aldermen and women on the council give the new members a chance to learn “more than you would ever want to know about the city you are representing.”
We will continue to update you on any and all changes to the Spring Election Ballot.
