Agler files for re-election; Toso ready to leave after five terms
By Scott Rochat
Friday, November 17, 2006
Incumbent city commissioner Bobbie Agler filed for re-election today.
Agler’s decision means that four candidates are now in the race for next spring’s election. Agler joins challengers Percy Wayman, Phil Dillon and Jeff Longbine on the ballot.
“Really and truly, I’d been planning on it the whole time,” said Agler, who was first elected to the commission in 2005. “The first two-year term, you just kind of get started. There are some really positive things that have happened in the city in general and hiring a new city manager is an awesome responsibility. I’d like to have the opportunity to work with that person.”
Agler is the chief financial officer of Creig Agler Automotive Companies.
Meanwhile, another incumbent, City Commissioner Ray Toso, confirmed he would not run for another term. Toso will have served 20 years when he goes off the commission in 2007, a total of five four-year terms. He has also served five turns as mayor, the most anyone has served since Emporia began a commissioner-city manager style of government in 1946.
When re-elected for the last time in 2003, Toso had said this would likely be the last term. Three and a half years later, he hadn't changed his mind.
"I guess it's time for someone else to have all the fun," he said Friday. "I think I've been there long enough."
The third incumbent who is up for re-election, Commissioner Tom Myers, has not yet filed but said he is leaning in that direction.
"This is a lot earlier in the year than I usually file," Myers said.