Campaigns for Carbondale mayor and city council are in full swing as candidates’ signs are beginning to spring up on residential lawns.

Expect to see those signs until well into next month for the primary election on Feb. 27. Then, mayoral candidates will be whittled from four to two and city council from seven to six.

After the primaries, the city should prepare for the march toward the general election on April 17, when Carbondale residents will cast their votes for mayor and three city council members. Voters will either select to retain their mayor or choose someone else to take over the office in City Hall, and City Council will welcome three new members or possibly some incumbents.

If it hasn’t started yet, volunteers soon will start blanketing the city with information about their chosen candidate, but first, here’s an overview of who’s running.

Name: Brad Cole

Age: 35

Occupation: Mayor

Cole, who is using the campaign slogan “A Solid Record, a Clear Vision,” has spent the past four years as Carbondale’s mayor. An SIUC alumnus who recently added a master’s of legal studies to his resume, Cole also served on the City Council before being elected mayor.

What are the main issues facing the city?

“We have to keep moving forward with economic development as well as continue growing the community,” Cole said. “We have serious unfunded mandates from the state of Illinois that are costing us hundreds of thousands of dollars a year.”

How do you view the relationship between the university and the city?

Cole said the relationship is great and works with people at all levels of the university every day.

What skills/talents would you bring to the position if elected?

“I have four years of experience as mayor and I believe in making decisions, standing by them and with clear goals and objectives that can be achieved and being accountable for all of that.”

Name: Sheila Simon

Age: 45

Occupation: Associate professor at the SIU School of Law

Simon has spent four years as a member of City Council and is running for mayor under the slogan, “Integrity, Responsibility and Opportunity.” She is also the daughter of the late Sen. Paul Simon, a Democrat who represented southern Illinois in Congress and ran for president unsuccessfully in 1988.

What are the main issues facing the city?

“I think one of the most critical issues is responsible spending and along with that goes environmental responsibility.” Another big issue is full citizen participation in city government, she said.

How would you describe the relationship between the city and the university?

“The relationship is a good one that can be even better. I would like to take an active role in working with President Poshard to get adequate funding for SIU.” She said she would like to work with the university to improve off-campus housing for students.

What skills/talents would you bring to the position if elected?

Simon described herself as patient and good listener. “I have some training in those skills as a lawyer, trained mediator and as a mom.”

Name: Jessica Davis

Age: 38

Occupation: Director of Law Student Development at the SIU School of Law

Davis, a Baltimore native, moved to Carbondale in 2004 to work at the law school and also teaches in the College of Liberal Arts. Davis, who calls herself “The Mayor for All People,” is a supporter of the Smoke Free Carbondale initiative. Among her various degrees, Davis received her masters of divinity from the Boston University’s School of Theology. In 1999, she ran an unsuccessful campaign to become mayor of Baltimore.

What are the main issues facing the city?

Davis has formed seven major areas for her platform that range from healthcare to education to land-use to a community-centered justice system.

How do you view the relationship between the city and the university?

“I think it’s a positive relationship, but there is more that we can do. I believe there are presently missed opportunities.”

What skills/talents would you bring to the position if elected?

“My passion is community development and so over the last few years in talking to the citizens and leadership, I have been able to make an assessment of what the needs are and what we need to do to ensure a more vibrant future for the city. I love people, and I want to help in creating an environment in which every person reaches his or her fullest potential.”

Name: Pepper Holder

Age: 57

Occupation: Unemployed

A former local radio personality for five years, Holder is the only Carbondale native running for mayor. Using the motto “People First,” he said he has a unique view for the city because he knows the people’s needs after growing up in town.

What are the main issues facing the city?

Holder said the city’s population is a big concern for him and he would like Carbondale to become friendlier to attract more people. He also said good, affordable housing for students and residents needs to be addressed as well as reversing a 20-year negative trend that he believes hurts the city.

How do you view the relationship between the university and the city?

“I think that the mayor can influence the university as well as other parts of the community to make this a more friendly place.”

What skills/talents would you bring to the position if elected?

Holder said his knowledge of the city and southern Illinois’ history is one of his biggest assets. From moving SIUC office furniture with his father during the Delyte Morris era to his many friendships in town, Holder said he loves meeting new people and knows to rely on others if he does not know the answer.

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