The next First District alderman will be chosen by the council … and then by the people.
The City Council, at its meeting Tuesday night, approved the process by which we’ll replace Mike Karbowski, who died too soon on June 14 after a battle with cancer.
(That said, I’d argue we can never “replace” someone like Mike.)
Mike was just elected in April, and his term, like everyone’s on the council, runs through April of 2013. So here is how that term will be filled:
- Later this summer, the City Council will appoint someone to fill Mike’s term through April of 2012. Interested First District residents must submit their applications to City Hall by July 15, and we will meet on July 26 to begin the selection process. That person would then take office August 16.
- Voters will then pick Mike’s replacement in April of 2012, with that race added to the ballot with the mayoral, clerk, treasurer, municipal judge and city attorney races. The person who wins that race will then serve a one-year team, until April of 2013.
I’ll keep you posted as this process plays out. I expect interest to be high, judging by the fact that there were at least two interested candidates in attendance at tonight’s council meeting.
Of course, let’s also not forget the reason we’re doing this in the first place. We lost a good man and strong political voice for the First District in Mike Karbowski last week, and he will be be dearly missed.
Rest in peace, Mike. My prayers are with your family and friends.
South Milwaukee Blog 
Thanks for the info.
Just wondering about the process, though. Why does it take so long for the election? For those districts having recalls, they seem to be able to set up a primary in about 2 month and the final a month after that.
SM Guy: Good question, and it’s one that I asked as well … Why not just hold an election in the next couple months and have that person serve out the entire term? The answer: Cost. A special election might cost as much as $10,000, and the council decided it best to wait until our next “regular” election and then add that race to it. And that next election is next April.