With Election 2007 over, some things aren't settled. Here are a couple of questions yet to be answered heading into 2008:

HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION: As was noted during the election and since then, the city's Human Rights Commission is likely going to return. The big questions are how soon and with whom as director? Mayor-elect Michael Quill and the new Democratic majority have the votes to bring it back. Yet, they will have to find the money and it is unclear if that will have to wait until the next budget year, which doesn't start until July 1, 2008. Also unclear is whether Karen Sheftic-Burns, the former executive director, will return. What is clear is that there will likely be some debate over who directs the director's hours - the appointed commission or city manager Mark Palesh.

LATTIMORE FATIGUE: Were voters tired of the name Lattimore on the ballot? Four years ago, two family members, Timothy C. Lattimore and sister Michele Sedor, won handedly for mayor and county legislator. This year, the mayor couldn't get re-elected and his brother, Terry, who received positive marks from observers about his knowledge of county and environmental issues, could not keep his sister's seat. One of the siblings observed that it might be that having two family members on the ballot just wore voters out, especially those who wanted change.

GREEN TECHNOLOGY: What may not change, even with Tim Lattimore's loss, is the city's move toward leaving the smallest possible carbon footprint as possible, environmentally. Auburn has made major inroads and it wouldn't be a surprise if it continues going green. What may change is the make-up of the city's Municipal Power Authority, now headed by John Montone, a staunch supporter of the mayor. Don't be surprised if that board, as well as several others, change with a new mayor and members of the city council.

WILLIAM GRANEY: Lost in the mix is the freshman Democrat city councilor who seemed, often, to side with fellow freshman councilor Matt Smith and Lattimore, both Republicans. He noticeably moved, for a short time, toward the Democratic coalition of councilors David Dempsey and Thomas McNabb, during the turmoil over corporation counsel last December (several sources said he was read the riot act by local Democratic leaders, after their clean sweep for a seat in Congress, judge and sheriff). But Graney then later realigned with the two Republicans. The question is: Will he go back to siding with the new super Democratic majority of four or will he align himself with Smith, who is also up for re-election in less than two years?

Cosentino is a former mayor of Auburn and can be contacted at cozguytho@aol.com