A change in the power dynamic can bring fresh ideas to any organization — city council included. The shift in seats for city council members might prove to be beneficial to the city.

Although young, Triplett has proven to have the potential to fulfill whatever role he is elected to. And new councilmember Power is charismatic and provides a strong voice.

Changes in positions allow members to have different perspectives and view things from a new light. Hopefully, that will be the case in East Lansing, especially with a new mayor.

Yet many city residents have expressed concern with Goddeeris as mayor.

East Lansing resident Alice Dreger was quoted in a recent article (“City council shake up,” SN 11/30) saying she has little confidence in Goddeeris as mayor.

“Frankly, she’s a weak leader,” Dreger said. “I’m frustrated and disappointed.”

Although Goddeeris’ former position as mayor pro tem has given her a strong awareness of the current issues in the city, she appears to be a poor choice for her new position.

Her quiet personality at council meetings leads some to believe she might not be able to adequately handle a leadership role.

Any leader of a group — in this case, the mayor — must possess leadership qualities to effectively run a group.

Goddeeris has not yet proven to the voters that she has those qualities.

With the issues that East Lansing is having, such as the development project City Center II, a candidate with more leadership qualities might have been a better option.

Though Goddeeris might not be the best candidate for mayor, the shift of power in the city council needed to happen — especially at the mayor level.

It was time for Loomis to vacate the role of mayor. Yes, the level of experience he brought to the role of mayor was beneficial in some areas, such as his influence with permanent residents of East Lansing. Despite that, the city’s progression was slowing under Loomis. While he might still be able to help East Lansing, it was time for a new leader.

The city council needed a fresh perspective on East Lansing, and chose Goddeeris as the one to bring that viewpoint.

The position of mayor is too important for constituents not to have faith in, but despite the doubts of many residents, city council members have expressed confidence in Goddeeris as the new mayor of East Lansing.

She will have an early opportunity to prove her mettle, as the city council works toward finding a new city manager to replace former city manager Ted Staton.

Hopefully she can work past community perception to introduce fresh innovations for the city and show previously unseen levels of leadership.