Jim Gerlt Wins District 4 Council Seat in Runoff Election
By: Rachel Spangenthal
Updated: June 24, 2012
"It's been a lot of hard work, no question about that."
But now the work is really beginning for newly elected District 4 Councilman, Jim Gerlt.
"When you serve on city council you're serving the people who voted you in, so you're serving your bosses," said Gerlt.
For the past forty years, Gerlt has served as a pastor. He said that job has prepared him for his new responsibility.
"You have to supervise the people who are basically your bosses."
Before the election results were officially announced, Gerlt's predecessor, Paul Beane, told KAMC his commitment as a City Council member took time away from his campaign.
"There's a fallacy floating around town that the incumbent has the advantage in an election. That's not really true. The challenger has more time to campaign and more time to visit with folks," said Paul Beane.
Now with the campaigning behind him, Gerlt said he's ready to get to work.
"Restoring trust in our city government because we've gotten to the point where we don't really trust what's taking place," said Gerlt.
As well as making sure every citizen's daily needs are met.
"Water and electricity.We're behind the eight ball on our water. We cannot let happen on our electricity."
These are issues Beane hopes every council member considers while they're on the dais.
"I would ask all of the council, regardless of the next 4 years or the next 40 years to dwell on core services and I think that's primarily the job of a city councilman," said Beane.
But now the work is really beginning for newly elected District 4 Councilman, Jim Gerlt.
"When you serve on city council you're serving the people who voted you in, so you're serving your bosses," said Gerlt.
For the past forty years, Gerlt has served as a pastor. He said that job has prepared him for his new responsibility.
"You have to supervise the people who are basically your bosses."
Before the election results were officially announced, Gerlt's predecessor, Paul Beane, told KAMC his commitment as a City Council member took time away from his campaign.
"There's a fallacy floating around town that the incumbent has the advantage in an election. That's not really true. The challenger has more time to campaign and more time to visit with folks," said Paul Beane.
Now with the campaigning behind him, Gerlt said he's ready to get to work.
"Restoring trust in our city government because we've gotten to the point where we don't really trust what's taking place," said Gerlt.
As well as making sure every citizen's daily needs are met.
"Water and electricity.We're behind the eight ball on our water. We cannot let happen on our electricity."
These are issues Beane hopes every council member considers while they're on the dais.
"I would ask all of the council, regardless of the next 4 years or the next 40 years to dwell on core services and I think that's primarily the job of a city councilman," said Beane.
