Search for Ward 6 vacancy narrowed down to 10 applicants

Posted on August 16, 2021
The search is ongoing until a suitable candidate is identified and forwarded to Councilmembers for advice and consent. (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)

By Blake Haas

BLOOMINGTON – The Ward 6 vacancy to replace former Councilmember Jenn Carillo has is down to 10 applicants.

Applications to replace Carillo, who is moving out of the ward, were due Aug. 13, although individuals can still submit inquiries until the replacement is selected.

Those candidates include

– Andrew Alvarez

– JohAnna Chambers

– Levi Champion

– Luisa Gomez

– Elizabeth Hawthorne

– Misty Metroz

– Jenee Clark Richards

– Gary Stevens

– Dianna ‘De’ Urban

– David Wolfe

Mayor Mboke Mwilambwe will interview the candidates he believes can best suit the needs of Ward 6 and the city.

The search is ongoing until a suitable candidate is identified and forwarded to Councilmembers for advice and consent.

Councilmember Carillo’s term ends Aug. 31, 2021, and the vacancy must be filled within 60-days of that effective date.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…