Geneva alderman not ready to commit to running again

Talk of replacing Geneva Alderman Chuck Brown may be a little premature.

He hasn't decided yet whether he will seek re-election in April.

"My position at this moment in time - my goal - is to do a good job for the next six months" and decide in December, Brown said Wednesday.

Esther Barclay and Zac Ploppert have announced candidacies for the 1st Ward seat. Both say that if Brown decides to run again, they will bow out.

"A lot can change" between now and December, Brown said, noting he is 69 years old.

Brown was first elected to the council in 1987 and served until 1992, when he resigned to take a job and move to Washington, D.C. When he returned to Geneva, he was appointed to fill a vacancy in 1995, and has served ever since.

Brown said it's good people are showing an interest in city government.

"In some sense, it would be a lot of fun" to have a contested election, he said.

The state has not set the 2011 election calendar yet. For past municipal elections, candidates could begin circulating petitions in late October, and file them in January.

Barclay, 48, announced her candidacy July 7. She is president of the Geneva library board.

Ploppert, 20, made his announcement Tuesday. He is a student at Northern Illinois University, and serves on the city's strategic plan advisory committee.