Early in-person voting has ended, and so Mount Pleasant voters head to the polls Saturday - Election Day - to complete the process of choosing a member of the City Council for Place 2.
The incumbent, Erman Hensel, has served 30 years, and it's definitely time for a change. Years ago, we're sure, he was young and enthusiastic and full of ideas, but now he's become the poster boy for term limits.
He's still pleasant enough, but at this point Hensel would have to prove to voters he still has something to offer Mount Pleasant to deserve another term. He hasn't done that.
Hensel pretty much proved he had grown out of touch with Mount Pleasant citizens in the fall of 2015 when he orchestrated a behind-the-scenes maneuver to get City Manager Mike Ahrens fired. He was able to get at least three other city council members to back him at the time, and moved forward with a four-vote majority that quickly crumbled in the face of massive public opinion backing Ahrens.
It was needless, embarrassing and drew attention to Hensel he didn't need. If Mount Pleasant's city charter provided for recall elections - it doesn't - he probably would have been the subject of one.
Voters get to have the final say on Hensel in Saturday's vote.
Thankfully, two people have stepped forward who are willing to replace Hensel on the council, Jack Anderson has run before, and to his credit he's faithfully attended city council meetings for years. He's young and enthusiastic, and would be an improvement.
But on the basis of his background and qualifications, Danny Muskrat is by far the best candidate.
He's lived in Mount Pleasant for many years and served the city through several organizations such as the MPISD Foundation, Rotary Club, and various others. His friends and colleagues have seen his level of dedication and commitment, and asked him to take the next step in community service by becoming a city council member.
One of the people who's said it best is Fred Harkrider, Jr., an old-timer who has a lot of good old-fashioned horse sense, who said about Danny:
"I would like to ask any of the people of Mt. Pleasant to strongly consider voting for Danny for City Council in the upcoming election! I know Danny to be a good caring father, husband, worker, Christian man, and would be someone that we all would be proud of on the City Council. This man would work for you, no matter who you are and would fight for what is best for this city, and would put you above his own interest, and that is the type of person that we all want and need to help lead this city to an even better place for us all to live in, and raise our children. Thank you and I appreciate Danny coming forward to take on this important position at this time of need for our city! Thank you Danny Muskrat."
We couldn't say it better ourselves. If you haven't done so already during in-person early voting, don't forget to vote for Danny Muskrat on Saturday.
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