Batavia mayor to seek 10th term
Batavia Mayor Jeff Schielke is going to run for a 10th term.
He said Monday he has begun circulating nomination petitions, and intends to file them later this week or next Monday.
"There's a lot of positive energy and synergy around town, and I'm happy to be part of it," Schielke said.
He cited potential developments in the downtown and the Mooseheart property, and construction of a new experiment at Fermilab, as some of the work that still piques his interest.
Then there was the annual Batavia ACCESS Committee charity toy giveaway Sunday morning for hundreds of children, which he attends every year. "You have moments like that, and you feel good about what is happening around town," Schielke said.
Schielke said that, per his usual practice, he consulted with residents about whether he should run again, and that enough urged him to do so.
"The voters will have the opportunity to make their choice," he said.
He will be opposed this time, by school board member Jason Stoops.
Stoops filed his election petition Monday morning. He announced his candidacy in October.
Schielke has been mayor since 1981. He is a lifelong Batavia resident, aside from a stint in the military.