Mayor Bill Shirley will not seek re-election. THROUGH Wednesday afternoon the only candidate to have filed for a city position was Jerod Kelley, 420 N. First St. He will seek a council seat in the Fourth Ward, currently represented by David Toland and Steve French. Kelley ran unsuccessfully for a council seat two years ago.
Shirley, 75, has also served as a city commissioner 10 years.
“Many exciting things lie ahead for Iola,” Shirley said, including opening of the new Allen County Hospital on North Kentucky Street this fall. “It’s going to be a tremendous asset for Iola and all of Allen County.”
Shirley said he had been asked by several whether he intended to run again and that “they would consider doing so if I didn’t. I want anyone who’s interested to have plenty of time to decide.”
The filing deadline is noon Jan. 22.
All eight council seats will be filled in the April 2 city-school general election. The top vote-getter in each ward will serve four years, second place two years. That will start a two-year rotation in which four council members will be elected to four-year terms. The mayor’s position is for two years.
Mayor Shirley will step down
