Council appoints student alderman
The recently vacated 2nd ward alderman position filled Monday by Brandon Leindl, Western student
Le Alexander
Issue date: 9/29/04 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
The Macomb City Council named Western Illinois University student, Brandon Leindl, as the new 2nd Ward alderman Wednesday night.
Leindl, senior psychology and graphics communications double major. He was chosen by Mayor Mick Wisslead from a list of many other applicants.
Leindl said he is looking forward to working as alderman.
"As of right now, I'm pretty excited, pretty pumped. It's a pretty big step for students having a more direct impact on the city, which affects the university," Leindl said. "It's a great opportunity for me to be the one who has a voice."
He added he will have more to say once the real work begins.
Tim Lobdell, 5th Ward alderman, said Leindl's appointment brings Western students into the fold.
"This is a short-term appointment, we thought it would be best to reach out to the students," Lobdell said.
Leindl, a Henninger Hall resident assistant, will serve as alderman after Jane Coplan resigned during the summer because her family had moved out of the ward.
This caused the mayor to recommend a replacement for City Council's approval within the next 60 days.
Lobdell was in favor of the selection of a student to fill the position for the duration of the school year.
He said Leindl will offer a new perspective on city affairs and a much-needed student point of view.
According to Lobdell, Leindl stood out among the candidates for the position with a strong résumé, and an expression of strong leadership skills through involvement in many campus organizations.
Because Leindl is graduating in May, and leaving Macomb, this is only a temporary mayoral appointment to fill the vacant seat. Lobdell however said he would be in favor of seeing a student run for the 2nd Ward seat in May.
"I would love to see a student run for the position and get elected, it would be a refreshing change," said Lobdel.
City Council also discussed the possibility of issuing a special use permit for a large-scale commercial building.
Russell Waldschmidt, of Peoria, represented Danville Crossing LP and explained a proposal to building a mini mall setup, where seven small businesses are being planned for the first phase.
The developmental project is scheduled to occur near the 1600 block of East Jackson, west of the former Shopko building
At next week's meeting, alderman could waive a second reading of the ordinance, which would help Waldschmidt move faster in the process and hopefully break ground by winter.
-Andrew Walters and Deirdre Quinn, Courier staff, contributed to this article
Leindl, senior psychology and graphics communications double major. He was chosen by Mayor Mick Wisslead from a list of many other applicants.
Leindl said he is looking forward to working as alderman.
"As of right now, I'm pretty excited, pretty pumped. It's a pretty big step for students having a more direct impact on the city, which affects the university," Leindl said. "It's a great opportunity for me to be the one who has a voice."
He added he will have more to say once the real work begins.
Tim Lobdell, 5th Ward alderman, said Leindl's appointment brings Western students into the fold.
"This is a short-term appointment, we thought it would be best to reach out to the students," Lobdell said.
Leindl, a Henninger Hall resident assistant, will serve as alderman after Jane Coplan resigned during the summer because her family had moved out of the ward.
This caused the mayor to recommend a replacement for City Council's approval within the next 60 days.
Lobdell was in favor of the selection of a student to fill the position for the duration of the school year.
He said Leindl will offer a new perspective on city affairs and a much-needed student point of view.
According to Lobdell, Leindl stood out among the candidates for the position with a strong résumé, and an expression of strong leadership skills through involvement in many campus organizations.
Because Leindl is graduating in May, and leaving Macomb, this is only a temporary mayoral appointment to fill the vacant seat. Lobdell however said he would be in favor of seeing a student run for the 2nd Ward seat in May.
"I would love to see a student run for the position and get elected, it would be a refreshing change," said Lobdel.
City Council also discussed the possibility of issuing a special use permit for a large-scale commercial building.
Russell Waldschmidt, of Peoria, represented Danville Crossing LP and explained a proposal to building a mini mall setup, where seven small businesses are being planned for the first phase.
The developmental project is scheduled to occur near the 1600 block of East Jackson, west of the former Shopko building
At next week's meeting, alderman could waive a second reading of the ordinance, which would help Waldschmidt move faster in the process and hopefully break ground by winter.
-Andrew Walters and Deirdre Quinn, Courier staff, contributed to this article
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