Not only had two opponents appeared in the final seconds, but he now was squaring off against two former supporters. Mimi Peterson and Peggy Tarr, both longtime city activists, posted petitions to run against Bernstein this April in what was originally projected to be an uncontested race. I'm being opposed by two competent people. Both Peterson and Tarr said they were ready to make their names known. She also named crime prevention and the city budget as major issues.
Someone needs to get the city budget under control.
Peterson lobbied in the past to put tree trimming back on the city's budget, leading aldermen to recommend that the maintenance occur on a regular basis. Tarr, former leader of the neighborhood group Nichols Neighbors, said she will use her campaign to continue 20 years of advocacy for children, senior citizens and small businesses. She said she also plans to maintain contact with constituents if elected and voice their concerns. Tarr filed misuse of office charges with the city's Board of Ethics in November against Bernstein for his involvement in a mural project, accusing him of using his position to unfairly procure the project for an artist. But says she doesn't envision any problems between the two during the race.