Bob Ferguson hopes to find common ground on Fairfield City Council

Bob Ferguson is running for an at-large seat on the Fairfield City Council currently occupied by Douglas Flournoy, who is not seeking re-election for his seat but rather is seeking the mayor’s office.

The Southeast Iowa Union reached out to Ferguson to ask why he is running for a four-year term on the council and what he hopes to accomplish if elected on Nov. 4.

Q: Why are you running for city council?

I'm running because I believe the best solutions come from rigorous collaboration—bringing together diverse perspectives, solid evidence, and community wisdom. For 19 years, I've worked on projects that make a real difference: co-chairing the Go-Green Commission with mayors Ed Malloy and Connie Boyer, leading the Weed Team of Beautification Commission volunteers that cleared nine downtown blocks and alleys of street weeds and gutter sand at no cost to taxpayers, and coordinating weekly Traction Thursdays meetings that support local entrepreneurs.

I've seen what happens when we combine creative thinking, hard work, evidence-based decision-making, and genuine community engagement. As a council member, I want to bring that approach to city government—asking thoughtful questions, doing the research, and working with citizens to find solutions that actually work.

Q: Why do you think you would be a good council member?

A colleague described me as "a brilliant and inspirational collaborator and team member." I strive to live up to that assessment by following a carefully delineated approach: I bring research-based ideas to the table, I listen carefully to understand different perspectives, and I work with others to find solutions grounded in evidence and aligned with our community's core values.

My 19 years of community service—from the Beautification Commission to helping Fairfield become a 2025 Top 7 Intelligent Community worldwide—shows I can navigate complexity and achieve results. I believe effective council members listen deeply, ask probing questions to understand root causes, and make thoughtful decisions that serve our entire community's long-term interests. Sometimes that means taking time to gather facts and explore options to find solutions that truly work for everyone.

Q: What are your main accomplishments in life?

My greatest accomplishment is helping raise four successful children, including two who are now wonderful parents to my five grandchildren. Beyond family, I'm proud of building a career on evidence-based problem solving—whether in business or civic life. I've learned to ask thoughtful questions, examine data, and test ideas against reality.

I've also learned that the best solutions emerge when diverse perspectives challenge each other constructively. Whether building a national sales organization or leading community projects, I've developed the ability to facilitate productive discussions, find common ground on shared values, and move forward with solutions that work in practice, not just in theory.

Q: What about the city needs the most improvement, and how could you as a council member help with this?

The most important work ahead is having an open, thoughtful conversation about what we want Fairfield to look like 10 or 20 years from now. We need to keep doing the basics well like providing reliable city services, managing our budget wisely, and maintaining a strong financial standing.

Beyond that, we face the same challenges as many small towns: making sure there's housing people can afford, keeping downtown lively, supporting local businesses, and caring for our kids, seniors, and neighbors who need extra help.

My approach is simple: listen first, ask questions, and look for what's really driving the issues we face. I'll study what's working in other communities like ours and bring practical, proven ideas to the table. Then I'll work with others to find fair, realistic solutions that reflect our shared values, even when that takes time or tough choices.

What makes Fairfield special is how our people step up with creativity and heart. As a council member, I'll keep the door open, support ways for residents to get involved, and make sure everyone's voice is heard before big decisions are made. My goal is to help Fairfield make smart choices that keep this a great place to live, today and for the next generation.

Closing Note

I'm committed to collaborative, evidence-based decision-making that respects diverse viewpoints while staying grounded in facts. I'll listen, I'll ask thoughtful questions, I'll do the homework, and I'll work with anyone willing to engage seriously in finding the best solutions for our community. That's the kind of council member I want to be—and that's what Fairfield deserves.

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