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Two council incumbents seek re-election

JANESVILLE — Two Janesville City Council candidates will seek re-election in April while two council members remain undecided.

Both George Brunner and Bill Truman have decided to run for two of four open seats on the council.

Council President Amy Loasching and Russ Steeber are undecided.

Those interested in running can begin circulating nomination papers Monday. Papers are available at City Hall, 18 N. Jackson St.

Candidates must get at least 200 signatures but not more than 400.

Papers must be filed by 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6.

The election is Tuesday, April 7.

Both Brunner and Truman said they want to help the city through what promises to be challenging times.

Brunner is seeking his third, two-year term. Steeber is the only council member with more seniority. Steeber served from 2001 to 2005, when he was defeated in a bid for a third term. He then won in 2007.

Brunner cited General Motors' closing, pending job losses around the community and senior citizens facing uncertain pensions as reasons he is concerned.

Council members must be good stewards of tax money and scrutinize planned projects such as the aquatic facility, children's museum and a controversial bike tunnel, he said.

Brunner was a leader this year in attempts to cut the tax rate increase to zero. Council members made almost $300,000 in cuts in the general fund but still fell short of the goal.

"With the challenges will come opportunities, and the city council will have to work to encourage existing industry and business to expand and (increase) jobs," he said. "The council will have to work to promote economic development and to attract new industry and business providing head-of-household jobs," he said.

"The budget this year was a challenge, but I also expect that the 2010 budget will be more challenging," Brunner said, noting the deficits at the state level and how those will affect local governments.

Brunner said he'd like to stay around for the conclusion of the city's comprehensive growth plan, with a goal of orderly city growth and preserving farmland.

Bill Truman, seeking his second, two-year term, said he also wants to help Janesville through the tough years on the horizon.

He noted the economy and job losses, by which he is affected, as well.

Truman works at LSI and will be out of a job when the plant ceases production of SUVs on Dec. 23.

Truman, too, pushed for cuts in the budget. But he is a staunch supporter of the subsidy for the historically significant Tallman House.

Truman said he'd like to work to retain General Motors or attract some other industry here. He also wants to see Riverside Wading Pool finally open.

A previous council had closed Riverside Wading Pool to save money, but an active group of volunteers convinced this council that a wading pool would benefit the park and community.

Its opening, though, was delayed with this summer's flood.

Truman said he'd also like to stick around to help the new city manager "get his feet wet."

Eric Levitt, city manager in Sedona, Ariz., reports for his new job in City Hall on Dec. 16.

"I've just enjoyed the last two years," Truman said.