Every two years, the Naperville City Council hosts its inauguration of the four most recently elected councilmen to serve. The time to swear in the councilmen traditionally is held at 2PM on the first Sunday in May, just before the new 9-member City Council begins its next fiscal year on the first Tuesday of May.
At the entrance to the Naperville Municipal Center on this sunny afternoon, high signs of the future and the past were reflected in the big picture windows. The Moser Tower represents a community moving forward in the 21st century of the new millennium. The Naperville flag is reminiscent of a remarkable city that was established along the DuPage River in 1831. And the Grand Old Flag is the symbol for the United States of America and this nation of freedoms never to be taken for granted.
Inside Council Chambers, Mayor A. George Pradel reminded all in attendance that all seats on City Council, including the mayor’s, would be up for election in the spring of 2015. Certainly, the next campaign season followed by its inauguration will be one to watch and to celebrate as the Naperville City Council begins limiting its terms of office in 2015 to three four-year terms or 12 years.
Today’s ceremony, however, was not about two years from now.
Today’s inauguration was a time to welcome returning Councilmen Judy Brodhead, Paul Hinterlong and Doug Krause and one new Councilman Dave Wentz after their victories on April 9 in the Consolidated Election.
Councilmen Krause, beginning his seventh term, and Hinterlong, beginning his second, were sworn in by Judge Don Hennessy. Councilman Brodhead, returning for her second term, asked Judge Blanche Fawell to facilitate her honor. And Councilman Wentz selected Judge Robert Anderson to make his first term official.
After each councilman was sworn in, every one of them took a few moments, in one emotional way or the other, to thank their families, campaign teams and the voters for the honor given to them to serve this community, mindful of the trials and tribulations of recent years.
The brief ceremony ended with a benediction and guiding words by Pastor Greg Wenhold from Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, as he quoted Aristotle.
“If liberty and equality are chiefly to be found in democracy, they will be best attained when all persons alike share in government to the utmost.”
Naperville City Council is ready to go forward on May 7
The first City Council meeting of FY 2013-14 is slated to begin at 7PM Tues., May 7, in City Council Chambers.
Watch all City Council meetings in person in City Council Chambers, 400 S. Eagle Street, or live on cable channel 6 or 10 or streaming online at Naperville.il.us. Council meetings from the past are saved in an archive available around the clock.
Councilmen Joe McElroy, Doug Krause, Dave Wentz, Mayor George Pradel, Councilmen Bob Fieseler, Judy Brodhead, Steve Chirico, Paul Hinterlong and Grant Wehrli are ready to serve all of their Naperville constituents.
Residents who want to address the City Council at the next meeting are welcomed to sign up to speak in the City Clerk’s office prior to 7PM Tues., May 7. Comments are limited to three minutes per person. When you consider the message that can be delivered in a 15-second TV commercial, three minutes is a long time. Prepare in advance to stay within the time limit.
In addition, PN’s experience has been that the councilmen are accessible by phone and e-mail for longer conversations and/or to schedule appointments. The best way to get to know them, however, is to watch them during meetings and workshops. Thanks for getting to know all of your city councilmen.
District 203 & 204 School Boards, Naperville Park District, Etc.
Thanks, also, for paying attention to all public officials elected to serve! Naperville’s most recently elected officials are posted on this website. The voter’s have spoken.
PN is especially happy to report when local governing bodies record meetings for re-broadcast via streaming online archives.
School District 203 Future Focus Video
For other elected officials that serve Naperville on local governing bodies and all the way to DuPage County, Springfield and Washington, D.C., visit the PN Government Guide.
