FeedPolitics: Merle’s gonna have more time to blog
July 23, 2008 in Statehouse & Capitol
The Peoria Times-Observer reports that Merle Widmer will not run for re-election to the Peoria County Board.
Widmer, 83, a North Peorian, is the Peoria County Board representative for District 11 and serves as vice-chairman of the board. After more than seven years on the county board, he is planning to hang up his political aspirations.
Widmer said he does not plan to seek re-election as vice-chairman in November, and when his term expires in two years, he will not run again.
Merle blogs here, and in fact has a good long post on charter schools in Peoria. No doubt there will be a scramble to replace him on the board. He won re-election last time, despite putting almost no money into it, and after taking criticism in the media over an incident involving a school bus.
July 23rd, 2008 at 3:55 pm
This is good news for any school district needing a damned good bus driver.
July 23rd, 2008 at 4:36 pm
I’m disappointed. Merle did a great job on the county board. I hope Merle endorses a successor. I would trust his judgement.
July 23rd, 2008 at 5:37 pm
Will miss Merle on the board. He does his homework when he is researching something. I trust his judgement too. If he endorses someone to replace him you can bet they will be good.
July 23rd, 2008 at 6:35 pm
We have an editorial about Merle and his replacement on the Web site at peoriatimesobserver.com as well.
July 23rd, 2008 at 6:55 pm
I see the article about Merle but where is the article about his replacement?
July 24th, 2008 at 3:21 am
It is in the opinon section under editorials.
July 25th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Yes, Merle did his homework and was a very responsible county board member in re being hardworking and vocal. Doesn’t make him any less of a spoiled old codger who is out of touch.