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A few months after returning to the U.S. in 1992, from serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Botswana, I learned that my fourth grade teacher, who had taught me about local government, had passed away. It saddened me that I wasn’t able to share my experiences in Africa with her or how the local tribal governments functioned. So, during the recent mayoral election, I was excited to learn that my U.S. Government teacher from high school was still alive and living in Portland. I wrote to him shortly after the election that, back in 1979, it was the furthest thought in my mind that I would ever be writing (let alone emailing) to inform him that I was the Mayor-Elect of a university town in Southern Illinois or, for that matter, that I actually worked for a university. 

I have always been a late bloomer so, I wrote him that I owed him a BIG thank you for his encouragement, tolerance, and perseverance in getting me to graduation day and out the door 32 years ago. Otherwise, who knows where my journey for the last 32 years would have taken me.

With the economic uncertainties facing Illinois, I know that my next four years as your mayor will be a challenging experience (perhaps more so than serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer or working for the UN with refugees in Malawi) but, the last 49 years have prepared me for the coming journey.

As I begin this journey, I am confident knowing that I won’t be taking it alone. There are six other members of the city council with varied experiences that will provide me with valuable advice. And, since Carbondale has a managerial form of government, the council has a staff of trained professionals to call upon for advice. From our engineers, planners and neighborhood inspectors, to our lawyers and accountants, to our police officers and firefighters, and to everyone else, the residents of Carbondale can be assured that we have the personnel necessary to keep Carbondale moving forward.

The first order of business is obvious, we need to work together to assist SIU increase their student enrollment. What I mean by “we” is the 27,000 Carbondale residents, the owners of Carbondale businesses and rental property, the 40,000 people that come to Carbondale each day to work or conduct business and, everyone else that lives in Southern Illinois because, although the university is located in Carbondale, it is SOUTHERN ILLINOIS University and it is the economic engine for all of Southern Illinois.

What can “we” do to assist SIU? Some people say that I am coming into the Mayor’s office with a “limited agenda.” This is very true but, with a limited source of revenue, we need to have a realistic agenda and practice some common sense when using our limited resources. However, “we” can greatly assist SIU with our limited resources to help attract students back to Carbondale by first cleaning up our neighborhoods around the campus and, once again, provide safe and affordable housing for students, young professionals, and families alike. If “we” want Carbondale and SIU to succeed, “we” need to work together. I’m rolling up my sleeves, are you?

So, in the spirit of this historic railroad town, “All Aboard!!” Let the journey begin.
 

Joel Fritzler, Mayor