By Jennifer Eisenbart
Editor
After months of uncertainty regarding the open First District alderman position, a candidate has stepped forward.
Former Alderman John Ekes – who was succeeded by Bob Prailes six years ago – will now step into the seat vacated by Prailes.
Prailes announced in December that he would not seek re-election. However, no one filed papers to run for the aldermanic seat.
“No one ran,” Ekes said when he was asked why he was running. “I had been asked by multiple people to consider doing it again.”
Ekes wasn’t going to do it, but then the position continued to remain without a candidate. He had previously served seven years as an alderman – one year in an appointed term and three two-year terms.
“I felt I would throw my hat in the ring as a write-in, and see about getting on in that fashion.”
Ekes will run as a certified write-in candidate, having returned the paperwork March 9. The paperwork ensures write-in votes for him will count.
“Really, I just want to be a real steward of the citizens in the district,” Ekes said. “They have to have a voice that will listen to them.”
Mayor Bob Miller was pleased to finally have an answer to the open seat.
“The concern was that we’d have an empty seat,” Miller said. “I’m glad that John is stepping forward and expressed a desire to serve.”
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