The shape of the Iola City Council is certain to change after Election Day, with at least three new members ? and possibly a fourth ? take office in January.
Three of the four incumbent Council members did not file for re-election.
A fourth, Ron Ballard, has decided to throw his hat in the mayor?s race, meaning a successful bid would require a new appointee for his Council seat.
Mayor Jon Wells speaks with a constituent. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN
With that in mind, the Allen County Republican Party hosted a meet-and-greet session Wednesday evening for the candidates.
The only absences among the candidates were Larry Walden, who is challenging Mayor Jon Wells and Ballard for the mayor?s seat, and Ben Alexander, who announced earlier this week he was abandoning his bid to join the Council.
The Register spoke with each of the candidates. Write-ups for the Council hopefuls is in tonight?s paper. The mayoral candidates will be profiled later.
Ward 3
Aside from the mayor?s race, the only drama on Election Night will likely lie in Ward 3, which encompasses the southwest part of Iola.
Kim Peterson, who was appointed to the Council in January, is being challenged by Kyle King.
They were the top two vote-getters in the August primary election.
Both pledge an adherence to fiscal responsibility and an eye to the future.
Peterson has pointed to a number of areas of concern for the city, from getting the water fund to become self-sufficient, economic development and improving the housing stock.
The economic development and housing issues are intertwined. Peterson noted in August getting additional business into Iola means having more housing available.
?Gates and Russell Stover are very important to Iola. We have to do everything we can to keep them here,? she said. ?But we also need to see more small businesses, little mom-and-pop stores.?
