Shortly after my wife Ging and I had received our first COVID vaccine last week at Kishwaukee Hospital, we were asked to sit for a few minutes which assured the staff there that we had no immediate aftereffects. Standard procedure, I’m told.

As we relaxed, another couple – friends of ours – had just taken their post vaccination seats, and spotting us, exclaimed “Hey, Jerry, you feel so much more relaxed.” My immediate reaction was that the remark was related to the shot-in-the-arm.

I learned a few minutes later that it was purely political…our friends were speaking about the fact that I had only a few months left of my term as mayor!

Relaxed? Well, perhaps, but as the April municipal elections are just around the corner, I know that very soon I will be apprehensive about trying to accomplish those little items that I know must be done prior to my departing City Hall in early May. Cleaning up a few files. Transferring contact lists that have, or may have, some personal interest in the future. Writing some thank you notes to folks who have been especially helpful during my four mayoral years.

I’ve asked City Council to allow me a few minutes during my last meeting to make some personal observations about the City – especially what we’ve been able to accomplish, as well as a few thoughts about what arenas we need to continue to improve. There are a lot of people who have been so instrumental in helping DeKalb be a better place to live, to work and to raise a family.

This past year has been monumentally difficult for so many. Seemingly, we’re all hankering to get out from our home, to get out from behind our masks, and to get out and start hugging friends and family alike. It appears those things are still a few months away. But hope is eternal. We need to hang onto the prospects of what we know will be better days ahead.

***

While the recent onslaught of snow and cold has put many of us sheltering-in-place, it has also dealt a blow – literally and figuratively – to the early round of campaign signs. Here in DeKalb, the major race between Ward 1 Alderman Carolyn Morris and local businessman Cohen Barnes, of Sundog IT, will undoubtedly result in the most prominent display of signage. But, I’d suspect that a couple of the aldermanic and school board races may also prompt a few “Vote For” messages.

We are very fortunate to have a community where civility reigns, for the most part. My hope is that this same sense of decency will prevail on social media posts throughout the town. While it seemed like just yesterday, I can recall my campaign four years ago, and while the quartet of candidates for this post campaigned with differing views, the four of us – Misty Haji-Sheikh, John Rey, Mike Embrey and me – were able to complete the race in harmonious fashion.

My hope is that the same respectful civility continues between now and April 6.

Thanks to all the candidates for stepping up and choosing to run. Democracy at its finest.