Iola City Councilman Steve French has become the first nominee to become Iola’s next mayor.
French, a retired investigator with the Kansas Board of Emergency Medical Services, has served two separate terms on the Iola City Council.
He was one of the original Council members chosen in 2011, when Iola switched from a three-member city commission to an eight-member city council. He then was re-elected to a seat in 2019.
French represents Iola’s Fourth Ward, which covers much of the southeast part of town.
Mark Peters — Iola’s other Ward 4 representative — has filed to retain his seat as well.
Josiah D’Albini, who works as director of student life at Allen Community College, has thrown his hat into the ring as a representative of Iola’s Ward 3, which covers much of the southwest quadrant.
Councilman Gene Myrick has not yet filed for reelection to his Ward 3 seat, but announced he intends to do so.
Nancy Ford and Ron Ballard are also up for reelection but have not yet filed for their Ward 1 (northwest) and Ward 2 (northeast), respectively.
The filing deadline for city and school board representatives is noon June 1.
