After his election in 2005 to a third term, City Council member Jim Dunn finds himself repeating old behavior.

The 12-year council member is seeking re-election in the 2009 municipal elections for Charleston City Council.

“I want to continue to work on building the relationships with the community and outside communities that we have worked so hard in the last four years to attain,” Dunn said.

He explained that his next term, should he be re-elected, would concentrate on continuing to remain open-minded and to serve the diverse community.

Thriving on grassroots campaigning, Dunn will use word-of-mouth, yard signs and the public forums as his platform to regain his seat.

He thinks his experience and accomplishments on the council will speak for themselves.

“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.

However, the project he is most proud of is the renovation of the Charleston Carnegie Library. In Dunn’s opinion, the library was in a bad need of repair.

“It was very small and very dated,” he said. “Now, it is a center of culture in Charleston and really is a beautiful site that the city can use.”

Dunn also believes his ownership of Dunn’s Auto Service in Charleston and his community involvement with sports, Charleston Moose and the Masonic Lodge have allowed him to connect with the people of Charleston. He estimates that 200 people of all ages entered his business that he is now retired from.

“Every person I saw helped me in some way communicate with the people of Charleston,” Dunn said. “I think that without that experience – without knowing the people – I wouldn’t be here.”

Though he believes the four years he has served on the council have been peaceful and profitable, Dunn realizes he will have opponents.

“With Lorelei (Sims) leaving, I know there will be other people running,” he said. “I have no problem with that.”

Dunn said his approach to the council, specifically having an open-mind and considering alternative viewpoints, is something all candidates should have.

“Anyone who wants to run should not come to the plate with an ax to grind,” he said.

Dunn said his main reason for returning to the council in 2005 after moving back to Charleston from Phoenix, was to quell some of the arguing he saw on the council.

He said that those with specific issues let themselves get away from the people, and his mellow approach is something that he thinks is respected and recommends to any contenders.

“They should be able to weigh their opinions with the opinions of the community and ultimately represent the heart of Charleston.”

Dunn said that he never looked at himself as a politician.

“I think when people think of politicians, they see themselves removed,” he said. “I think the people are the government and the city works for the people, and I want the community to know that.”

At Oct. 22’s city council meeting, Dunn vocalized that he would be willing to help anyone who would like to petition to be a candidate for the council after Sims announced she would not be running again. Dunn said that he thinks anyone who has the “heart of Charleston” as the core of his or her interest and a “clear and open mind” would be an “outstanding” candidate for the council.

“It’s all anyone in this city would want,” he said.

Krystal Moya can be reached at 581-7945 or at [email protected].