FDL Reporter News Paper Posted January 4, 2008
Editorial: An election without candidates is like the playoffs without teams: Pointless
Political apathy reached new heights (or is that "lows?"). Two of the candidates — Mark Jurgella and Jim
Nintzel — already serve on the council, while a third — Sam Meyer — is completing a term on the Fond du Lac
County Board of Supervisors. They are all incumbent politicians.
Of the remaining 32,000 age-eligible city residents who could have stepped forward, only one did. It's a number
worth repeating — One. (Bishop Herbert HD Haywood Sr., pastor of the Bread of Life Church, submitted the
necessary forms to become an official candidate.) That statistic is so utterly jarring, so completely frightening in
its implications for local democracy that it calls into question the long-term viability of our community...More
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COUNCIL ACCOUNTABLE BY ELECTORAL DISTRICTS
Fond du Lac has a good council-manager form of government. There is a seven-member City
Council elected at large for two-year terms, with a maximum of three-consecutive terms. I have yet
to find any everyday Fond du Lac resident who actually knows of, or can name any one of, the
7-Council Persons! This is very telling. A City Council elected and accountable by Districts would
mean greater knowledge from citizens as to who the representatives are if elected from their
district neighborhoods. With seven(7) city council persons; I propose that five(5) are elected by
districts, two(2) are elected At-Large: Council President and a Universal Council Person SEE MAP...
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