Learning about Normal Town Council Candidates: AJ Zimmerman

NORMAL, Ill.- Normal’s Planning Commission chair is seeking a Normal Town Council member spot.  

AJ Zimmerman’s says his primary reason for running is cutting down on the divisive rhetoric that stems from national level.  

Zimmerman says only after that communication is restore can the Council begin to talk about things like infrastructure.  

Zimmerman says he wants to strengthen the bond of each council member along with strengthening the community relationship.  

“Where people can disagree and be respectful when they do it and have answers. A lot of what I hear when I listen to the council meetings for the last six months is a lot of people who say no really have no solutions and suggestions on how to change things,” said Zimmerman.

Zimmerman has lived in Normal since 2008 and has been on Normal’s Planning Commission since 2012. 

“I am hoping to bring a fresh, positive perspective to Normal’s Town Council. My campaign tagline says it best, ‘Listen. Learn. Lead.’ By listening to people in our community and learning their issues, I will be better able to help lead the Town Council toward wise solutions that address those issues,” said Zimmerman.

Zimmerman says he has plenty of experience. He has chaired the Planning commission for the last three years.  

“You could always do better. In my role on the Planning Commission we go to great lengths to allow people to express their opinions, even if it is a lot of times unrelated to what we are talking about,” said Zimmerman. “What I would say to residents that feel their concerns that are not being heard is that ‘there are several avenues for your concerns to be heard.'”

Zimmerman says the public comment format is not ideal. Three minutes just is not meaningful, for the concerned citizen or Town Council.

The Municipal Election is on April 6.