Bloomington Residents FURIOUS Over Perceived Mayoral Nepotism

10/12/2021

Bloomington residents appeared in force in opposition to the announcement that Mayor Mwilambwe is thinking of appointing former-Alderperson Karen Schmidt to the vacant ward 6 seat. The seat was vacated by Jenn Carrillo because of residency issues. Carrillo defeated Schmidt in 2019 by 42 votes, ending the incumbent’s 20-year reign.

The seat was vacated at the end of August, and the Mayor must nominate someone within 60 days and that nomination must be approved by a majority of the council.

“While that seat[Ward 6] has been empty, there have been decisions made about infrastructure; there have been decisions made about flood relief. There have been votes on numerous things including Mr. Gleason’s¹ raise, without representation of Ward 6,” said Correta Jackson. “Right now, Ward 6 is not a part of the city because that seat is empty. There have been many decisions made in this room over the past several weeks that do not include the voices of the people of Ward 6.”

Several people were incredibly upset the mayor was considering picking a person who hadn’t even filled out an application for the position. Others pointed out how Schmidt is a close personal friend and political advisor of the mayor; she has probably donated money to his campaign. This perceived nepotism disgusted many of those who spoke.

Olivia Butts said nominating Karen Schmidt to fill the seat “is outrageous considering not only did she lose the last election, but she is not among the 11 who applied to fill the seat once Carrillo vacated… As the mayor lives in Ward 3, I’m not sure what he would know what was the best fit for Ward 6. Ward 6 was the ward Mboka lost in the last election [referring to the 2021 local election for Mayor and City Council].”

Mwilambwe told WGLT he is trying to avoid a similar circumstance that preceded his appointment to the council a decade ago. Mwilambwe, who was elected mayor in April, was appointed by then-mayor Steve Stockton to fill a vacancy in Ward 3 in 2011. Stockton appointed him after the council voted down the choice. Bloomington voters later elected Mwilambwe to the seat in 2013 and re-elected him in 2017.

In my own public comment, I pointed out how when he was nominated for the Ward 3 seat back in 2011, Karen Schmidt actually voted against his nomination.

Will Mayor Mwilambwe buck to pressure? Or will the Karen Strike Back? The only council member to speak against Schmidt’s nomination has been Jeff Crabill. We’ll have to wait & see. The deadline to fill the seat is October 30th.

1. Referring to Bloomington City Manager Tim Gleason, who received a 2.5% raise in September. His current salary is $202,149 annually.