Batavia 5th Ward alderman stepping down

Applications are being accepted to replace Batavia 5th Ward Alderman Forrest Nelson, who announced this week that he is resigning. Nelson is moving out of the ward and his resignation is effective Feb. 15.

His family is selling their home on the west side and moving to the 6th Ward on the east side, Nelson said.

"It was really a tough decision," he said.

Nelson has been on the council since 2003 and his term expires in 2011. Whoever the mayor and city council appoint will serve the remainder of the term.

"I've gotten a great deal of satisfaction while serving on the city council," Nelson said. He has talked with Mayor Jeff Schielke about possibly serving on the Historic Preservation Commission or the Plan Commission.

"I'm a big believer in term limits anyway. I probably would have just done one more term anyway."

Nelson feels he got more value out of serving on the council than the city perhaps got out of him, as he had to learn about projects as diverse as buying in to a coal mine, building a bridge and two fire stations, and voting whether to allow a waste transfer station in town.

"The experience I got doing all those things are better than I gave the city," he said.

He doesn't rule out running again for the council, but only if an incumbent alderman steps down. The 6th Ward is served by Robert Liva, whose term ends in 2013, and Lisa Clark, whose term expires in 2011.

The remaining 5th Ward alderman is Eldon Frydendall.

There is also a vacancy in the 3rd Ward, due to the Jan. 12 death of Linnea Miller.

People interested in the positions should send a letter of interest to the mayor, in care of the Batavia Government Center, 100 N. Island Ave., Batavia, IL 60510. The mayor will present his recommendations to the council, which will then interview the candidates.

Batavia has seven wards, with two aldermen per ward.