Three candidates run to be Fairfield’s next mayor

The Southeast Iowa Union is featuring the candidates seeking elected office to city councils and school boards in the region. The Union will profile the candidates in various races throughout this week. Today, we focus on the candidates running to be Fairfield's next mayor. The Union asked the three candidates - Michael Halley, Connie Boyer and Ed Noyes - to complete a questionnaire. Their answers follow.

Michael Halley

1) What office are you running for and why?

I'm running for mayor because I love Fairfield! I'm a progressive servant leader ready to work with our entire community to help everyone prosper and flourish. For over 26 years I've worked on behalf of our community, and now I'm ready to lead Fairfield into a brighter future!

2) Have you ever held this office or any other elected position?

I've served as a city councilman since 2010 and as mayor pro-tem since 2018.

3) What are three challenges you see facing the community/school district?

' Attracting and retaining working age residents to fill local jobs, put their kids in our schools, and help pay for our many amenities.

' Improving and expanding our quality, affordable housing options.

' Fixing our streets and improving safety for drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, and disabled citizens.

4) What is something the city/county/school district is doing well that you would like to build upon?

City staff and officials have worked hard in recent years to put the city in the strongest financial position in decades. We're completing the largest single project in city history with the improvements to our wastewater plant and conveyance system. I'll work to build a culture of fiscal responsibility on all levels of city functioning that will become engrained in the city's DNA, and I'll work with the council and city staff to prioritize much-needed infrastructure improvements.

5) Why should you be elected to this position?

While I'm the youngest candidate at 44 years old, I have the most experience in city government by far. Even before winning my first city election in 2009, I worked diligently to improve Fairfield's quality of life. I've developed relationships with people from all areas of our community, and I know how to get things done. I bridge the gap between Fairfield's generations, the town and university, and between those who have extra to give and those who need help the most. I'll inspire our next generation of leaders to help make Fairfield a city of cooperation, collaboration, and prosperity for all!

Connie Boyer

1) What office are you running for and why?

I am running for mayor of Fairfield because I think I can best represent the Fairfield citizens with my experience, balanced judgment and knowledge of Fairfield. My vision includes short and long term goals that are consistent with the Comprehensive Plan soon to be announced along with some additional ideas which will take Fairfield to the next level of progress.

2) Have you ever held this office or any other elected position?

I have been on Fairfield City Council two times and was mayor pro-tem the second time. I was on the Fairfield Strategic Planning committee and co-chaired the Go Green Plan.

3) What are three challenges you see facing the community/school district?

We are challenged by not enough affordable diversified housing and old housing stock that is run down. Another challenge is keeping up with street repair. High property taxes are also on my list of challenges. Progress on these and other challenges requires better communication to build mutual goals, plans, and actions in effective teamwork.

4) What is something the city/county/school district is doing well that you would like to build upon?

Fairfield has a rich history of entrepreneurship, small business, farming, arts and culture, and the quest for higher values and personal growth. I want to build and grow upon those themes through public/private partnerships, a strong mentor/volunteer program, and other creative ways to make Fairfield a more wonderful place to live and a destination place for visitors.

5) Why should you be elected to this position?

I have high personal integrity and respect for all citizens. I've developed the skills and experience as a long-time volunteer in many leadership roles to represent and inspire the community to create an even better place to raise our families and grow together as a healthy, happy community. We have tremendous untapped resources to accomplish this if we communicate respect for each other and team up together.

Ed Noyes

1) What office are you running for and why?

I am running for Mayor of Fairfield, Iowa, because I have a vision of Fairfield achieving world-class success on every level. We are fully capable of this, if we have the will to do so and the leadership to make it happen.

2) Have you ever held this office or any other elected position?

No, and yes. I have been honored to lead many community service projects, including the highly successful International Community Service Day events here in Fairfield.

3) What are three challenges you see facing the community/school district?

A. First is raising our children properly. The Common Core curriculum is based upon an educational philosophy that fails to recognize the absolute uniqueness of every child. Instead, we can create a world-class education tailored to each child's talents and dreams. This includes a community wide mentorship program where everyone in the community can support that unfoldment.

B. Growing the economy in a healthy way will ensure that our community will flourish and bring opportunity for all. Fairfield is already amazingly blessed. I am confident we can expand tourism by being creative and loving who we are. Tourism dollars have significantly nourished other towns, such as Pella, Iowa. When tourists come here, they will fall in love, and many will want to move their lives here.

We have an incredible opportunity to form our own Electric Cooperative, which will reduce utility costs and dramatically expand our already flourishing renewable energy businesses. Millions of dollars will stay in the community.

We can expand our local food production, and become a significant net exporter of high-quality produce and value-added agriculture products. There is an unlimited demand for these products.

These are just a few examples of how we can grow in a healthy way.

C. We are facing significant health and environmental challenges. Cancer and other deadly diseases are rampant for a reason. We must not be afraid to pass local laws that disallow these dangers from being imposed upon us. Many studies have shown that 5G wireless technologies pose a serious health risk. Many cities and even entire countries have passed laws against its adoption, until the health risks can be evaluated. We must not be afraid to recognize that we have the sovereign right, and duty, to govern ourselves and create the community we want for ourselves and future generations.

4) What is something the city/county/school district is doing well that you would like to build upon?

It is obvious to me that we are blessed with countless individuals within the community that genuinely care about our each other and are giving their best. Many communities are filled with apathy, and the citizens have lost faith in themselves and their future. However, the leaders of our city, county and school district have kept the people's faith alive. We are already successful on so many levels. Because of that success, I believe Fairfield is poised to create something truly magnificent, that we can all be proud of having created together.

5) Why should you be elected to Mayor?

I have a vision of the infinite potential for our community. I believe it is time for that potential to be realized.