Kuzemchak angles for a fourth term
Originally published April 28, 2009
By Adam Behsudi
News-Post Staff
Alderwoman Donna Kuzemchak announced Monday she will run for a fourth term on the city board. From the steps of City Hall, Kuzemchak became the fourth Democrat to enter the race for five open alderman seats. "I'm running because I believe I still make a difference," she told a group of about 20 supporters. Kuzemchak started her political career when she launched an effort to have a traffic light installed at the intersection of East and 16th streets where her two sons, now adults, had to cross to get to school. "I tried to work with the city departments then and realized the bureaucracy involved," she said. "I decided I could do better, and I believe I have made that difference." Although her efforts got only a crossing guard at the intersection, she went on to serve on other commissions including planning and historic preservation. She started her first four-year term on the Board of Alderman under the administration of Mayor Jim Grimes. Under Mayor Jennifer Dougherty, who is trying to reclaim the City Hall office after a four-year absence, Kuzemchak said she learned not to take disagreement on the board personally. "There was a lot of turmoil in the last administration, but at least it was done in the public," she said. Under current Mayor Jeff Holtzinger, Kuzemchak has been critical of the administration's management style and perceived disregard of legislative requests. Holtzinger will run for a second term. "I have learned to get the other aldermen involved and vocal to push legislation and changes to the budget that we believe are necessary," she said. She pointed out two examples that included a resident rental licensing proposal that was the result of her work on a task force that studied residential overcrowding. Kuzemchak also highlighted her efforts with a proposed ordinance to regulate the parking of certain sized vehicles in residential areas. She said she had always intended to run but had not been sure her personal financial situation would have allowed it. Kuzemchak has overcome cancer in the past year, returning to City Hall for another budget year. "When I feel I no longer make a difference, I will no longer run for office," she said. Other Democrats who have filed for aldermanic candidacy include Kelly Russell, a retired city police officer who still works part time as the city's special vehicles coordinator; Michael O'Connor, former moderator of Comcast channel 10 political talk show "Pressing Issues"; and Andrew Kotkin, owner of his own residential project and construction management company. The only Republican who has filed candidacy is Senitta Conyers, an employee with a Fort Detrick consultant and owner of an event management firm. No other incumbent aldermen have announced candidacies for another term. The city's primary elections will take place Sept. 15. General elections are set for Nov. 3.
|
