Henry County election candidates in competitive races

The Henry County races are shaping out to be very interesting come Nov. 2. Many of the candidates on the ballots in Henry County have a common interests and beliefs.

Each is equally diverse in their plans on how to achieve their goals.

Below is a questionnaire with information about the candidates from each zone in Henry County. Some candidates did not return the questionnaires.

Coppock- Council Members

Dakota Knerr

Dustin Palmer

Jennifer Stoderl

Alanna Knerr

Shelby Gier

No Coppock City Council Candidates returned questionnaires.

Olds- Mayor

Jason Waterhouse

Fred Roth

Neither Olds mayor candidates returned questionnaires.

Candice Sue Curry

Family: Married/ No children (furbabies)

Occupation: Care Coordinator at Hillcrest Family Services Integrated Health Home

Political Experience: Served as Secretary for 1 year with Henry County Republicans, Precinct Representative since 2015

Why are you running for office?

I am running for City Council because I want to be a part of what happens in my community. I also enjoy the tie to Mayorship that has been a part of the history of my home in Olds. (Almost every head of household living in my home since the day it was erected in1903 has been mayor of Olds.)

What are your priorities if elected?

I am eager to help preserve the history of Olds as well as encourage community-oriented participation.

What do you see as the top issues facing the (city/school district)?

Top issues that we are facing are: meeting code requirements in the maintenance of the sewer/lagoon area, directing water runoff/drainage, improving a sense of pride/participation in our small community and looking for viable options to remove yard waste. I urge more citizens to come to the monthly City Council meetings even if the just want to hear what goes on in the room.

Timothy Breuer

Timothy Breuer did not return a questionnaire.

Winfield- City Council

David Pieart

Family: Single

Occupation: Teacher

Political Experience: None

Why are you running for office?

As a social studies teacher I have some background and interest in the workings of government. I see this as an opportunity to use that knowledge to give back to this community through service.

What are your priorities if elected? What do you see as the top issues facing Winfield?

I see these as combined questions. Winfield could benefit from attracting more residents and local businesses. The mayor and current council have been doing a tremendous job at recruiting new business to our downtown, and I hope that I can help maintain and contribute to that ongoing effort.

Robert P. Quinn

Family: Married with 2 boys

Occupation: Henry County Secondary Road

Political experience: No political experience

Why are you running for office?

I would run and since there usually isn’t a lot of people who want to take on this challenge, I decided to run.

What are your priorities if elected?

Upgrading infrastructure and city ordinances.

Jennifer Wade

Email: Wademadhouse@hotmail.com

Family: I have a significant other-Greg Lemke

5 Children- Kasey 29 (Cierra), Kelsie 26 (Casey), Karlie Ann 24 (Stephen), Kara 23 & Konner 17; and 3 Grandchildren

Occupation: Daycare Provider — 21 years

Political Experience: I am currently finishing up my first full term on the Winfield City Council.

Why are you running for office?

The reason I am running for re-election to the City Council begins with my commitment to this/my community and ends with a desire to continue to help make Winfield prosper. I am dedicated to Winfield and it’s Residences.

What are your priorities if elected?

Setting & Meeting Budgets, finishing our Park projects, continue working with the Iowa DOT on improvements to Hwy. 78, and to continue to draw businesses and new residents to Winfield.

What do you see as the top issues facing the (city/school district)?

A big issue on the horizon for Winfield is the sewer system. We will need to address water pipes/roads and, as always, budgeting.

Scott J. Jennings

Randy Redlinger

Scott Jennings and Randy Redlinger did not return qestionnaires.

Hillsboro- City Council

Michaeleen Kaeser

Family: Husband of 28 yeaars Scott — 3 married children: Christina (Dwayne) son Scottie Davenport Florida, Darryl (Sasha) daughter Brylee Cedar Rapids Iowa, Maribeth (Josh) Milan Illinois

Occupation: Retired

Political experience: Appointed as City Council Member Hillsboro June 2021. Also Student council 2 years at Muscatine Community College.

Why am I running for office?

I have enjoyed my experience so far as a City Council Member. I like to think of my self as an idea person and like presenting ideas and solutions to the rest of the council. I am very involved in out community and feel that as Council member I am in a position to help bring our community together.

My Priorities:

Getting the community funding for our water pump upgrades. Getting the community to interact and be involved in events and activities.

Top Issues:

Upgrading of water pumps. Finish the new Park Shelter, Hopes of getting a company interested in placing a gas station/ convenience business in Hillsboro.

William Sanderson

Myron Helmers

Chad Brausseau

Eric Sanderson

William Sanderson, Myron Helmers, Chad Brausseau, and Eric Sanderson did not return questionnaire.

Salem- Mayor

James Tomson

Family: My wife's name is Dawn and we have two kids.

Occupation: Self employed plumber.

Political Experience: I was the mayor of Hillsboro for 12 years and on the city council for 12 years.

Why are you running for office?

I wanna be able to help the town in anyway possible. I wanna see it go in a direction that helps the people that live there. It’s a small town and we need to all work together or we wont have anything.

What are your priorities if elected?

To make sure the council can work together and not have one person think they can do it all. There is a council and they should be united as a council. I don’t like seeing people running for office to get done what they want done. It’s for the betterment of the town, not for yourself. It’s for the people.

What do you see as the top issues facing the (city/school district)?

We’re part of Mt. Pleasant School district. Hopefully we can maintain a grade school there. We’re at their mercy. The other thing is, you have to try to do what you can to make the community better.

Mary Hoyer

Family: Married to Steve Hoyer; 2 adult children from first marriage.

Occupation: Retired from technical sales and management.

Political Experience: PTA President. Planning Board in Harvard, MA for nine years; three as chair. On several nonprofit boards. Salem City Council member for past six years.

Why are you running for office?

(A question my husband often asks). I care about Salem and its future --- it boils down to civic responsibility.

My six years on the Council have been a continuous education in understanding the problems we face, the limits of solutions, and the rules of municipal finance/ funds. With my experience in other organizations, I believe that I would do the best job of anyone willing to take on this task.

What are your priorities if elected?

We have a great council right now, and a very professional City Clerk. Together we have sorted out many serious problems in recent years, but we still have work to do. A mayor cannot vote, but they can run organized meetings. As a Mayor I want to get our finances in order and find ways to reduce our debt.

What do you see as the top issues facing the (city/school district)?

The most fundamental issue is our financial situation. We need realistic budgeting, and we need to track that against actual spending. We also need to continue to make Salem a town where neighbors take pride in their property, where people want to live.

We are not a wealthy community. Unlike nearby small towns, we do not have the luxury of a large industrial tax base. We have to respect the resources available to the city as well as those of our individual citizens, and address problems from that perspective.

Kelly Andermann

Family: Jon and Lori Anderman, Grandfather Terry Vance, Grandmother Ruby Mills

Occupation: Electrician for Mt Pleasant Electric

Political Experience: None

Why are you running for office?

I want to bring the community together. The city seems to be divided on so many issues, and we all need to work together to do what is best for our community. We as a city need to put the city first and not focus on personal agendas. Salem is my home and I would like to see it be the best it can be.

What are your priorities if elected?

My priorities are to focus on community involvement and community action. I would like to see the park modernized to make it more kid friendly, and to find a solution towards city finances. All around the main priority is to make Salem a more attractive environment for kids and families, and to bring the community together.

What do you see as the top issues facing the (city/school district)?

Top issues in the city and school would be the city finances, and trying to get more kids into the Salem school district. The goal is to see more involvement with the kids, and adults, in the community, with after school programs or other activities in the library and park.

Salem-City Council

John Wagner

Family: Wife- Vanessa Daughters- Samantha and Kaitlin

Occupation: Service Manager at Sinclair Tractor

Political Experience: Have served on Zoning board of adjustment last 6 years and chairman of that board the last 1.5 years. Also served in the military

Why are you running for office?

To provide leadership and guidance to our community.

What are your priorities if elected?

Lead our community, strengthen and build our community. Address financial issues in our community. Make our community great again

What do you see as the top issues facing the (city/school district)?

Financial issues and ordinance enforcement issues have plagued our community for years. I see these as two issues that are top of the list to address. I also think we need to be proactive in our relationship with the Mount Pleasant School district so we have a long bright future of having an Elementary School kept in our community.

Our community needs leadership that is not out for personal agendas! It needs unfaltering leadership that puts the communities needs first! With my leadership today and my past military service and leadership there I can provide it to our community!

Haley Swinscoe

Family: Taylor (husband) and four daughters

Occupation: Homemaker

Political Experience: N/A

Why are you running for office?

I want to be a part of the decision making for my hometown of 26 years.

What are your priorities if elected?

Make Salem great again.

What do you see as the top issues facing the (city/school district)?

Property, infrastructure and recreational improvement

Christina Feehan

Name: Christina Feehan

Family: Husband: Jeff, four children: Zachary (28), Hannah (22), Matthew (17), Anthony (15).

Occupation: Operate Feehan’s Flowers in Salem

Political Experience: I have been a city counselor for The City of Salem since 2018

Why are you running for office?

I'm running for office because Salem is my home and I want to continue to make it a better place for generations to come. I've learned a lot in the Last 4 years and finally feel like I know what I'm doing (a little bit). I am invested in this city and Want to continue to serve those in it. Serving on the Council has not been easy, I've had to make some tough decisions that were in the best interest of the city and that's where my vote will always be, what is in the best interest of the city.

What are your priorities if elected?

My priorities have been and will continue to be cleaning up the town, rewriting old & out of date ordinances and finding ways to efficiently run a small town on a very tight budget. Dispersing the American Rescue Plan funds appropriately and making sure we put every dollar to work is also very high on my list.

What do you see as the top issues facing the (city/school district)?

The top issues I see are how the pandemic is affecting our residents, students & city financially, physically and mentally. Getting our library reopened as soon as possible. Keeping businesses open and activities flowing and of course keeping the budget on track.

Tarrant French

Gary Tedrow

Justin Traman

Tarrant French, Gary Tedrow, and Justin Traman did not return a questionnaire.