By PETER HUSSMANN
The Newton City Council will hold its version of the Survivor finale when it meets tonight to select one of two candidates vying for members' affection for the open at-large council seat. But unlike the TV series, there may not be an immediate winner when the votes are read.
Former Newton council member Dennis Julius, who also headed up the failed casino effort, and Craig Trotter, who narrowly lost in his effort to oust long-time council member Ron Foreman in 2007, hope to hear their names read at least four times tonight to win the seat vacated by Jon Ewing, who moved to West Des Moines sometime between August and November of this year.
The council opted to select Ewing's replacement through appointment rather than face the cost of a special election, since the seat comes open at the end of next year. However, if neither of the candidates can muster the necessary four votes, a special election would need to be held.
Trying to read the minds of council members is risky, but the job of pundits nonetheless. Foreman is easy. Why would he vote to seat someone who came up just 83 votes short of pushing him and his posse out the city hall's doors? He wouldn't, unless he adheres to the adage of keeping your friends close and your enemies closer.
Fourth ward councilman Steve Mullan, I suspect, will likely cross out Foreman's vote by selecting Trotter on the first ballot. His progressive leanings (the plastic bag awareness campaign, for example) seem aligned with Trotter's public stances on how best to move the community forward.
That moves us to Jim Plumb and Marv Morris. Plumb, I'd guess, will side with Foreman. I think he owe's him one after his vote on the farm ground lease to the racetrack. Morris will likely go along Mullan. I say this for no other reason than they sit next to each other at the council table.
Which brings us to Mike Hansen. If my scenario plays out, it doesn't matter who he votes for because nobody wins.
The big question tonight is going to be who budges. And I hope at least a couple of council members do. The city has a lot of work ahead and doesn't need an ego clash and the cost of a special election to derail it from those efforts.
Tune in at 5:30 p.m. on your local access cable channel 11 to see who wins.
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