No re-election campaign for student mayor
Michael Mayday
Issue date: 4/16/09 Section: News
In a small press conference held Tuesday, mayor Michael Sessions announced he will not run for a second term in office.
Sessions said he decided not to run about a year ago while considering where he will be after he graduates from Hillsdale College in 2010.
So far, six Hillsdale city residents have announced their candidacy for mayor in the fall Sessions said. However only two, Patrice Martin and Tony Vear, have taken out petitions. Sessions said he won't endorse any of the candidates until the field has been cut down.
"It very much mirrors what he did when he ran for mayor," City Clerk Parke Hayes said. "It kept it undercover until it was the right time."
Sessions turned 18 on Sept. 2, 2005, allowing him to run for mayor. To his mother's surprise he did, and won by only two votes.
"I think he's been good for the city," Hayes said. "It has been somewhat of a rollercoaster ride if you throw in a bad economy. I wish him the best."
Recalling his time in office, Sessions said he is proud of the work of the city planning commission has done. Opening downtown sidewalks to outdoor dining and shopping has been a key improvement he said.
"We've had some good times and bad times," resident Aimee England said. "I think that one of the best things. I think that one of the best things he learned as mayor of the town is that email isn't fun and games."
Sessions gave some words of advice to the next mayor.
"Don't run just because there's an opening," Sessions said. "The person should also work for the best interest of the city."
Along with keeping the best interest, Sessions suggested the next candidate actually campaign.
"We haven't had people tell why they should run," Sessions said. "I hope next year they're out there."
One of the key reasons Sessions ran was to boost the economic development in Hillsdale. The biggest disappointment Sessions said he encountered during his term was the loss of industry in Hillsdale.
Sessions said he decided not to run about a year ago while considering where he will be after he graduates from Hillsdale College in 2010.
So far, six Hillsdale city residents have announced their candidacy for mayor in the fall Sessions said. However only two, Patrice Martin and Tony Vear, have taken out petitions. Sessions said he won't endorse any of the candidates until the field has been cut down.
"It very much mirrors what he did when he ran for mayor," City Clerk Parke Hayes said. "It kept it undercover until it was the right time."
Sessions turned 18 on Sept. 2, 2005, allowing him to run for mayor. To his mother's surprise he did, and won by only two votes.
"I think he's been good for the city," Hayes said. "It has been somewhat of a rollercoaster ride if you throw in a bad economy. I wish him the best."
Recalling his time in office, Sessions said he is proud of the work of the city planning commission has done. Opening downtown sidewalks to outdoor dining and shopping has been a key improvement he said.
"We've had some good times and bad times," resident Aimee England said. "I think that one of the best things. I think that one of the best things he learned as mayor of the town is that email isn't fun and games."
Sessions gave some words of advice to the next mayor.
"Don't run just because there's an opening," Sessions said. "The person should also work for the best interest of the city."
Along with keeping the best interest, Sessions suggested the next candidate actually campaign.
"We haven't had people tell why they should run," Sessions said. "I hope next year they're out there."
One of the key reasons Sessions ran was to boost the economic development in Hillsdale. The biggest disappointment Sessions said he encountered during his term was the loss of industry in Hillsdale.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Aimee England
posted 4/16/09 @ 12:58 PM EST
I believe that there is some inaccuracy in this article- for example- which six city residents have announced they are running for mayor? How many and who have petitions out from City Hall?
Also I was not referring specifically to email but as the role of being mayor is not all fun and games overall. (Continued…)
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