Daily Egyptian Sp03
Spring 2003
Dillard says it's time for change
Burke Wasson
Daily EgyptianCarbondale has seen sweeping changes since 1987. City Council and SIUC made a collaborative effort to curb the frenzy on the Strip at Halloween, and it has worked. New businesses such as Best Buy, Wal-Mart Super Center and Kroger east have been introduced. SIUC employed six head football coaches during that span.
But the people of Carbondale have employed only one mayor since 1987 and that man is stepping into retirement tonight.
Neil Dillard, 74, announced in November that he would not seek a fifth mayoral term. Subsequently, Brad Cole was elected as his replacement by 21 votes over Margaret Flanagan on April 1 in the tightest mayoral race Carbondale had ever seen.
On the eve of his last day as Carbondale mayor, Dillard said he is confident he made the right decision.
"There was no doubt in my mind when I announced it last November," Dillard said. "I was pretty certain that I was not going to run again at least a year before that."
Dillard said while he has enjoyed his time as Carbondale mayor, he knew that his retirement was inevitable. To make sure there are new ideas to shape Carbondale, new leaders must be allowed to step in, Dillard said.
"There's always a time for a person to leave a position," Dillard said. "There's new people with new ideas that can come in. They'll start new projects and see them carried out. It's just the time."
Mayor-elect Brad Cole will be officially inaugurated at 7 p.m. this evening in City Hall. Cole worked with Dillard during the past four years as a City Councilman.
Although he said he hasn't always agreed with Dillard, Cole said he has much respect for Carbondale's longtime mayor.
"He's done a good job of balancing his needs and desires with the people's needs and desires," Cole said. "I'm sure it's a difficult job, as I'm about to find out. I think he's done what he thinks is best for Carbondale. I'll miss him. He's a good man."
Dillard has been part of Carbondale's city government since November 1981. He was selected by the City Council to fill a vacant seat due to a resignation. In 1983, Dillard was elected to a four-year Council term. He got his first experience with mayoral operations during that term as mayor Helen Westberg's mayor pro tem, or assistant to the mayor. Those experiences helped Dillard capture his first mayoral election in 1987.
Dillard, who also had experience serving on various commissions at SIUC, said nothing could prepare him for his responsibilities as mayor.
"It was definitely a change from the first moment and the first night that you are sworn in," Dillard said. "Suddenly, there are legal matters that you're responsible for. Even in our council-manager form of government, the mayor still has legal matters to be responsible for right away."
These include the recording of all legal documents, presiding over council meetings and signing ordinances passed by City Council. Dillard said the task of signing legislation into city law requires much more attention to detail than he had experienced as a councilman.
Signing bills passed by the council has proven to be a gut check for Dillard. Janet Vaught, Carbondale's city clerk since 1979, has worked with Dillard throughout his 16-year tenure. She said one of his most admiring traits is his ability to put aside his personal feelings on an issue. Dillard has signed legislation that he may not necessarily agree with because he trusts the judgment of the council and the community.
"Sometimes it's been painful for him," Vaught said. "But he's been forced to make decisions based on community interest, not how he would vote in particular. He's a very honorable man."
One of the last decisions that Dillard was confronted with was the issue of a Human Relations Commission in Carbondale. Dillard said he has always been an advocate of the HRC and believes Carbondale has been lacking in race relations for years. His push for the commission and his selection of its members should be felt for years to come.
Dillard said the new Council should be interesting to watch, especially with its new seven-member format. He did have a few words of wisdom for the new council members.
"When a person runs for City Council, they generally have one to a few projects that they're personally interested in and that's why they often run," Dillard said. "What they find is that there are so many things that they will need to vote on that it becomes a much bigger task to function as a councilperson. As you make changes in the community, the job changes you. I know I've changed."
As for Dillard, he said his retirement would give him the freedom to function in more ways than before. He plans on devoting more time to his wife.
"We like to get into the car and just take drives," Dillard said. "We haven't had the opportunity over the years to get in the vehicle and just take off for an extended trip."
That extended trip will be a tough adjustment for those who know Dillard and have worked with him.
"The mayor has a good heart," Vaught said between tears. "What you see is what you get. He has no hidden agendas. He listens to everybody and takes your opinion to heart. It's going to be very hard to see him go."
Dillard said his retirement does not necessarily mean an end to the life he's known.
"I've never been bored in my life, and I don't think I'll be bored the rest of my life," Dillard said. "As long as I can have good health, I'll never be bored."
Reporter Burke Wasson can be reached at bwasson@dailyegyptian.com.
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