How and how much will CITCOM change?

Here's where we are on 25 July 2011:

Former commissioner Stephen Miller has pulled petitions to run for mayor.

If he obtains enough signatures to qualify for the ballot (incumbent Jim Ellison has already qualified), residents will learn if there really is any "Ellison fatigue" floating around out there.

Incumbent commissioners Mike Andrzejak, Terry Drinkwine, and Chuck Semchena are leaving.

Pulling petitions to get on the ballot to replace them are Nick Britsky, Kyle DuBuc, Michael Fournier, George Gomez, Rick Karlowski, Calvin KattolaK, Bill Shaw, and Scott Warheit. (Gomez has turned in his petitions.)

It can't truly be said about every departing incumbent, but these three will be missed. No matter who replaces them, the newcomers' individual personality and skill mix will be reflected in the performance of the commission as a body. Without going into specifics now:

What will be the mix of congenitally combative, congenitally deferential, congenitally cooperative men?

How much will the individual's occupational/professional background determine his approach to deliberations? CPA-types see numbers no matter the issue. Architect/engineer-types claim their experience should carry more weight than that of their colleagues about widening a street or erecting a hotel.

What will be their ability to engage in debate at The Table, to project their reasoning and feelings to others at The Table, to the live audience, and to their TV audience? Do they orate or mumble, or something in between?

Will they listen to others or spend their quiet time preparing their next speech? Will they follow parliamentary rules or insist that cross-table dialogue and interruptions are "freedom of speech" and better serve the public?

How much will their political affiliation color their decision-making? Yes, the election is nonpartisan, but each new commissioner will bring his predisposition, his mindset, into the room. It is foolish to believe otherwise. How can an observer not think "Republican" about Andrzejak and Semchena or "Independent" about Drinkwine?

With eight possible candidates so far running for three seats the coming campaign will prove interesting, even for the 70-plus percent of eligible residents who won't bother to vote.

While I was drafting this piece, former commissioner Laura Harrison sent Versagi Voice the following statement:

"Frank: I understand there are several rumors flying around that I intend to throw my hat into the ring for the upcoming election.  I will NOT be running for the City Commission at this time."

Frank Versagi is the editor of Versagi Voice.