Six people are running for Charleston City Council this year, including one write-in candidate, according to the city clerk’s office.

The candidates are vying for two council seats now occupied by Jim Dunn, who is seeking re-election, and Lorelei Simms, who is not.

Voters will make their choice in a city election on April 7.

The candidates are Jim Dunn, James East, Matthew Hutti, Rob “Mike” Goble, Tim Newell and Ryan Siegel.

Jim Dunn.

Dunn, the incumbent, has spent three terms on City Council and served 12 years on the Charleston Zoning Board.

He also owns Dunn’s Service Center, 111 N. 14th St.

When announcing his candidacy last year, Dunn said Charleston residents appreciate his accomplishments on City Council.

“The renovations to the streets and sidewalks, the renovation of the Water Treatment Plant and the relationships built with Mattoon, the county and (Eastern Illinois University) are all accomplishments that I think the community has recognized,” Dunn said.

Dunn also said he is proud of the recent renovation of the Charleston Carnegie Public Library.

James East.

East owns and operates the Lincoln Book Shop at 619 Monroe Ave., which he bought and re-opened last December.

He has also worked in both the Coles County Treasurer’s Office and the State Senate Appropriations Office, experience East said he would use to make city government more “user-friendly.”

“I think I have.the perspective of being a bureaucrat on the inside of government and getting the complaints from the taxpayers,” East said.

East said he does not have any specific proposals for Charleston.

Instead, East said he would listen to residents’ concerns.

“Definitely after election day, I was thinking of having a coffee here at the bookshop, so people could share their complaints.and their compliments,” he said.

Matthew Hutti.

Hutti, who is running as a write-in candidate, works as a substitute teacher and recently earned a master’s degree in sports management from Eastern.

Hutti said he wants to begin a political career with a term in the City Council.

“I want to start here and work my way up,” Hutti said.

He said the current council works well but added that Charleston needs to attract new businesses.

“Really and truly, I think things are going well,” Hutti said. “I’d like to see more businesses and more collaboration.”

Rob “Mike” Gobel.

Gobel, a building service worker at Eastern, said he wants to bring a different perspective to the council, which he said is now dominated by business-owners.

“I feel like the ordinary citizens’ interests are often seen as secondary to business interests,” Gobel said. “I feel like an ordinary working guy could bring a different point of view.”

Gobel said the council relies too much on student apartments for city revenue, and added that many apartment buildings do not fit with their surroundings.

“We need to find better ways to increase our tax base than building apartments,” Gobel said. “There’s only so many students that go to Eastern.”

Gobel said he also wants the city to do more to encourage curbside recycling.

Tim Newell.

Newell, who now teaches math at Charleston High School, said he spent nearly 30 years in the banking industry.

During that time, Newell worked as a lending officer, a position which he said qualifies him to work in city government, particularly as the national economy falters.

“This community is going to need someone who . has experience making tough financial decisions,” Newell said. “I think I’m pretty well equipped to represent the people in this community.”

While working as a lending officer, Newell said, he was involved with financing many of the residential developments in Charleston.

“I know this community like the back of my hand,” Newell said.

Ryan Siegel.

Siegel, who is Eastern’s energy and sustainability coordinator, said he wants to help improve energy-sustainability in Charleston.

“A significant portion of that is letting people know about the long-term impact of decisions,” Siegel said.

He said decisions like using condensed fluorescent light bulbs could seem more expensive in the short-term, but can eventually save money.

Siegel said he has already worked with the city to make its operations more energy-efficient.

Joe Astrouski can be reached at 581-7945 or at jmastrouski@eiu.edu..