In the world of local politics, the third week of April is New Year's Day.
Dozens of winners of the non-partisan April elections are sworn in to begin fresh terms on city councils, county boards and school boards in celebratory style amid beaming relatives and friends who pack galleries and snap photos.
The week is a time for energy and optimism. The mundane work of governing--such as tackling tight budgets, doling out liquor licenses, returning constituent phone calls and emails and sitting through seemingly endless meetings--will begin in earnest next week.
In Kenosha Tuesday night, John Antaramian returned to the mayor's office after an eight-year absence following a 16-year stint in the position. "I really do believe there are so many wonderful things that can be done in our community," Antaramian said. "I'm so excited."
Kenosha County Board Supervisor Kim Breunig officially became the first female chair of the county board. "Ten years ago I would have never thought that I'd be sitting here today as the first chairwoman of Kenosha County," she told her colleagues at Tuesday night's swearing-in.
In Racine, the night was not without controversy. Ald. Mike Shields was passed over for the mostly ceremonial job of city council president in a secret-ballot vote of his peers. The position usually goes to the alderman with the most seniority who hasn't had the job for at least awhile.
While the week is for winners, at least one loser was spotted in the gallery at Tuesday's Kenosha City Council meeting. Former aldermanic candidate Daniel Gaschke, who lost to John Fox April 5th, was in the crowd. Gashke's appearance can safely be taken as a sign that he hasn't necessarily ruled out continued involvement in local politics.
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