2nd person seeks Geneva 1st Ward seat

Another person is running for Geneva 1st Ward alderman - should the current alderman decide not to run again.

Zac Ploppert, a 2008 graduate of Geneva High School, announced his candidacy Tuesday morning.

"It is something I've been wanting to do for a while. The council could definitely benefit from somebody my age," said the 20-year-old Ploppert. Current council members range in age from mid-40s to late 70s.

Having a "fresh face" on the dais would counter the perception that the council all think alike and rubber-stamp everything presented to them, he believes.

Ploppert serves on the city's strategic plan advisory committee, and is the city's representative to the Kane County Fit4Kane advisory committee. Ploppert volunteers at the Geneva History Center and is on the board of the Geneva Community Chest. He works a part-time job at a hardware store in St. Charles, and attends Northern Illinois University full-time. He is studying education.

While in high school, he took part in the mock city council program.

Ploppert is running for the seat held by Alderman Chuck Brown, as is Geneva Library board President Esther Barclay. Like Barclay, Ploppert says he will step out if Brown decides to run for re-election.

A message has been left for Brown seeking comment about his intentions.

The term is four years.

The election is in April. The state board of elections has not published its 2011 election and campaign finance calendar, so petition circulation and filing dates are not yet known. Typically, candidates can begin circulating nomination petitions in late October, and they are filed in mid- to late-January.

Other aldermen's seats up for election in 2011 are Bob Piper, 2nd Ward; Ray Pawlak, 3rd Ward; Dorothy Flanagan, 4th Ward; and Craig Maladra, 5th Ward.