Iola mayoral candidates are incumbent Jon Wells, Ron Ballard and Larry Walden.
Accountability is a common theme when talking with Ron Ballard.
Ballard, 32, is one of three candidates seeking to become Iolas next mayor. Voters will choose between him, incumbent Jon Wells and Larry Walden on Tuesday.
Ballard was elected to the City Council two years ago, and will retain his Council seat if voters do not pick him as mayor.
Its been his experience on the Council that convinced him to seek the mayors seat.
Im not happy with some of the things were going with the Council and the mayor, he said. A lot of people here want changes.
For example, he remains highly critical of the Councils decision to absolve itself of personnel decisions for city employees.
Previously, personnel actions were handled by the Council and the city commission when it was Iolas governing body.
Now, those decisions are assigned to the city administrator.
There are things were not being told, Ballard said.
For that matter, Ballard would pursue a different governing body altogether a five-member Council, which includes a strong mayor, one who would have voting rights in all decisions.
With a strong mayor, theres somebody here who can be accountable, Ballard said.
Id also like to see the Council go all at-large.
Currently, each Council member represents a specific ward, which has become problematic, Ballard said, due to the lack of interest among some wards in fielding candidates.
Aside from the mayors race, only one of the wards Ward 3 remains contested. (Another contested race in Ward 4 is likely for naught because candidate Ben Alexander announced last month he no longer was interested in serving, and has abandoned his campaign.)
DURING his time on the Council, Ballard has become an outspoken critic on other issues.
