Edgerton could erase district lines

Daily Reporter (Milwaukee), Jun 25, 2008 by Paul Snyder

The days of aldermanic districts in Edgerton could be numbered, but that does not sit well with residents concerned about having the interests of their sides of town fairly represented.

"I think you need to have people represent the area you live in," said resident Judy Eggen. "How are people living on the other side of town going to know or understand the situation you're in on this side?"

It will be a question that Eggen and the rest of Edgerton's residents can answer next month when a survey arrives in their mailboxes. The idea is part of a pitch by Mayor Erik Thompson to encourage more involvement in local government.

City Clerk Wendy Loveland said no incumbent ran opposed in the four years she worked for the city. The city is split into three districts with two aldermen elected per district. Aldermen serve two- year terms.

Other questions on the survey include whether the mayor's term should be lengthened from two years to four and whether a mayor's time in office should extend beyond 10 years.

Thompson was unavailable for comment Tuesday, but City Administrator Ramona Flanigan said the survey is an informal way to gauge residents' interest in change.

"It was only briefly discussed at the city level," she said. "There was no strong feeling one way or the other, so it was decided to put it out to residents. If it's something there's a strong reaction to, we'll move forward from there."

Alderman Ron Webb said he's for the idea of doing away with districts in favor of at-large representatives if it means more people will run.

"I've been doing this for 20 years, and in that time, I've maybe run against five people," he said. "There is an intimidation factor when you go against someone who's held the position forever. But it can be done."

Still, Webb said he more than understood Eggen's concern about all interest coming from one side of town.

"That's my biggest fear," he said. "A group of people on one block suddenly decide, 'We're gonna take it over,' and win. But I know it works in other areas."

One of those areas is the nearby city of Milton. Milton Alderman David Adams said interest in the city seats naturally comes from all parts of the city, and there haven't been problems with the at- large approach.

"In cities of this size, everybody knows everybody anyway," he said.

Both Flanigan and Webb conceded Edgerton's population of about 5,000 made everybody familiar with and accessible to each other, but Eggen said it didn't make her concerns any less valid.

"Even if the same people get in, you're only getting their opinions," she said. "You need to be able to get ideas from all ends of town. I still think there could be a situation where people run because of one particular issue or development, and they get a vote because people know they'll go a certain way on it."

But just how far the proposed change progresses remains to be seen. Webb, like Flanigan, said he doesn't expect a huge response. There are no return envelopes and no incentives to get the responses back.

"It's as low-cost as possible," Webb said. "That way you don't get people who don't care anyway complaining why we spent money on it. We'll see what we get."

And whether it ends up being just one voice or one of many, Eggen said she will fill out the survey.

"Technically, I don't think you can be judgmental of something the city's doing unless you state your opinion," she said.