Outgoing council member leaves complicated legacy

WASHINGTON — Steve Gault’s resignation from the Washington City Council at the end of an otherwise routine meeting Dec. 6 came as a surprise to many, after his unopposed re-election in 2021.

Gault first ran in 2016, spurred by frustration with the city’s lack of hotel-motel tax at the time, among other things.

“I was complaining one day, and a neighbor said, ‘If you’re going to sit there and complain, go ahead and get on the ballot,’ so I did,” Gault said. “We were losing thousands of dollars a year, because we didn’t have it.”

Since then, Gault has garnered a reputation as an outspoken, opinionated member of the Washington City Council. His remarks have ranged from candid to confrontational, and were often at odds with other city officials.

After a disagreement with a former city administrator about the Wellness Park, Gault voted down every resolution, motion and consent agenda item related to the facility. He continued to do so until that administrator left the city.

When a housing development was proposed in August of 2021, Gault went off on it, saying the developer was working for the “mega-rich of Washington” out of the gate. While he later changed his position, the initial rebuke shook up the city’s negotiations for the land.

Even while announcing his resignation, Gault took a swing at Council Member Bethany Glinsmann, though he did not mention her by name. He said he disagreed with Glinsmann’s decision to enlist volunteers in her campaign, and with her affiliation to advocacy group Washington For Justice, and encouraged his replacement on the council to run “without an agenda.”

“In a town this size, there should not be any organization backing any candidate,” he said in a follow-up interview. “You should have to run on and do your own footwork. It’s the way it’s been for years, it’s fair.”

Gault stood by his tendency to escalate conversations. He said it was often the most effective way to ensure progress for the city.

“I don’t beat around the bush with nothing, if I’ve got something to say to you, I’m going to say it to you,” he said. “You notice when I go off. Some of the other council members could say the same thing, and nobody would pay attention. Sometimes, a reaction, it gets something.”

The city has made noteworthy progress in Gault’s six years. A new city hall building and fire station, several new housing developments and a growing industrial park were among the list of accomplishments during his term.

“I’m very proud of Washington, Iowa,” he said. “We’ve come a long ways, and I’m not saying I’m responsible for any part of it, I’m proud of the way the residents have pulled together and done things. And how the city council has worked very hard at making things happen.”

There are other areas he remains frustrated with. Gault said he saw a lack of action on homelessness in the area, or a handful of properties in disrepair, as, “a smile with a tooth missing.”

The time also gave him new perspective. Gault said city work had opened his eyes to some issues.

“Unless you pay really close attention … you do not realize how expensive things have gotten, how expensive things really are,” he said. “And the inner workings of a city, you never really know it unless you sit up there.”

Already retired, Gault plans to move to a considerably smaller town of 59 people for personal reasons, where he does not intend to run for office. He said it was time to make a change.

“Washington is becoming too big for me,” he said. “I want some place that is just quiet … truthfully, I’m just tired.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com