Plenty of hot and heavy political maneuvering had this city spinning on its earthly election axis from 2001 to 2005.

Now peace passes understanding when not one soul challenged this year's incumbent Des Moines City Council candidates-Mayor Bob Sheckler, Mayor Pro Tem Scott Thomasson, and Councilman Dan Sherman.

Why?

Guesses are: "Things are going smooth, don't rock the boat ... Never change horses in the middle of the stream ... If it isn't broke don't fix it."

And, most intoxicating of all, "Who cares?"

More elections may have been won by "Who cares" attitudes than actual votes. One vote elected a Des Moines council member and history changed.

Some say, "Let someone else do it." They will. You may not like what or how.

Long-time resident Stan Scarvie said, "It's just speculation on my part, but maybe the early presidential 2008 campaign shifted interest from local issues or the earlier filing time caught people unaware.

"Maybe the three incumbents are thought unbeatable."

During some tumultuous political times in 2000-2001, I wrote the following:

"There's a lot to be said for looking straight into the eyes of a want-to-be-politician while they explain how superior they are in making decisions compared to their not-so-worthy opponent.

"The ultimate answer people want to hear from candidates is found in a simple question. 'Who are you-and what will you do for us?'

"Four seats were up for grabs out of seven-a ruling majority. If a group of four people decided to take over the decision-making in this city, they could.

"]Balderdash!' you say.

"Consider this. The year was 1989. Four new people waged a bells-and-whistles campaign that caught the public imagination.

"'It's time for a change. Throw the bums out of office,' they cried. And they won.

"Shortly after the new majority took office a special task volunteer committee, appointed by the previous council, was scheduled to report recommendations of a two-year in-detail study for a new "Senior/Community Center."

"Retired Highline School District superintendent and [future] 'Citizen of the Century' Carl Jensen chaired the blue ribbon citizens committee.

"'Honorable Mayor and Council members,' Jensen began-and that's as far as he got. "The new mayor said this council had no interest in hearing the report. Gasps were heard, then silence fell over the room like a cold, damp, blanket of fog.

"The power of a volunteer council over the future of a city and the heritage of children is immense."

RUNNING FOR city council years ago averaged a $20 investment in homemade fliers. Today, $20,000 is a starter. How many good candidates are lost scrambling for election monies?

Re-elected Councilman Dave Kaplan said, "Since I moved to Des Moines in 1989, I believe this is the first election in which there were no challengers to incumbents. In fact, with the exception of the period of 1991-2001, this will be the first period of time that the same seven people served on the council for four consecutive years."

These 2007 Des Moines incumbents helped bring us from armed police officers at council meetings to no down-and-dirty election campaigning challengers.

That's enough for most folks to say, "Well done."

Did you know:

Building permits for 2007 are twice 2006 and 2005 levels? Inspections are up 7 percent over 2006 and 9 percent over 2005.

The new city attorney is Pat Bosmans.

Apportionment rules on new business and occupancy (B&O) taxes effective January 2008 will reduce city income.

Beach Park construction by Midway Sewer District of a new high flow bypass pipeline should be completed by October.

(Meanwhile, picnicking and playing is miserable or non-existent.)

The Saltwater Bridge south approach repair cost, shared by federal and state funds of $1,484,600 were expected in early June as work started.

Des Moines Creek dredging should start in July.

The new Redondo police substation is in operation.

The Marina will replace a water main.

Road construction is everywhere!

"A human being is a creature that can't get its toes in its mouth after babyhood, but can put its foot in anytime."- Anonymous