Subject: [NEXTEL-1] From Nextel Technican To Politican-

From: Marcel <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 09 Dec 2002 02:45:23 -0500

http://www.sj-r.com/sections/news/stories/N12072002,j.asp

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27-year-old enters Ward 2 race

Ranson hopes to unseat Frank McNeil, who _is seeking a fifth term

By JASON PISCIA

STAFF WRITER

A political newcomer says he wants to bring a different perspective to the Springfield City Council as its Ward 2 alderman.

Richard Ranson, 27, said Friday he will file nominating petitions next week in an attempt to unseat longtime Ward 2 Ald. Frank McNeil, who is expected to seek re-election.

Ranson, of the 2800 block of Wellington Drive, is currently a resident of Ward 1. But due to redistricting, his neighborhood will be in Ward 2 when newly elected aldermen take office next spring.

Ranson, who works as a field technician for the communications company Nextel, said he became interested in running for alderman after getting involved with the Stratford Place/Yorktown Neighborhood Association. He is secretary for the group.

"I'm willing to be a voice for the people on the east-southeast side," he said. "There are a lot of issues that are concerning everybody in the city and some specific to the ward. And I think with my youthful enthusiasm I might be able to hopefully bring a new set of ideas to the table."

Ranson said while collecting signatures in Ward 2, he has been asking constituents what they are concerned about. He said many talk to him about the police department, city finances and even speeding through neighborhoods.

At this point, he said, he isn't ready to offer solutions to the problems facing the city.

Ranson said he believes he is getting support from the residents he is visiting.

"A lot of them are really surprised and eager to try to support me because of my age and the idea of getting some younger people in there, some people who aren't politicians and have no political background," he said. "It's really kind of what's been driving me."

Ranson said he's not necessarily unhappy with McNeil. But he believes in limiting how long a person can serve in one office; Ranson said he'd limit himself to two four-year terms if elected.

McNeil is seeking his fifth term, and it will be his last if he is elected. The city council instituted a 12-year term limit for city offices starting with the 1995 election.

Ranson said he considers himself to be an independent; city offices are nonpartisan.

Ranson, who is single, was born in Jacksonville and graduated from Jacksonville High School. He has an associate's degree from John Wood Community College in Quincy, and he is a few credits short of a bachelor's degree from Western Illinois University, where he majored in instructional technology and telecommunications.

He also is an amateur radio operator and is on the board of the Illinois Repeater Association.

So far, Ranson and McNeil are the only two to indicate strong interest in running for Ward 2. Another possibility for the race had been Carl Madison, president of the Springfield branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Madison said Friday, however, he will not to seek any city office during this election cycle.

If three or more candidates file in Ward 2, they will run in a primary Feb. 25. The top two finishers will then face off April 1.

Jason Piscia can be reached at 788-1525 or [email-masked].

Who’s lighting up the sky in your neighborhood?

We want to know where people can find the best displays of holiday lights. Nominate yourself or nominate your neighbor. We need the address and city, at the least, and if you have the names and phone numbers and any other information, that’s great, too. Let us know by Dec. 9.
Call Eileen Brady at 788-1515, e-mail [email-masked] or fax 788-1551.

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