November 02, 2007 11:08 pm
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Having known Rodger Holm for almost three decades I have observed his consistent integrity as a person and businessman. He serves clients and the community with the best interests of others at heart. In addition to being a person of good character the mayor needs the knowledge and experience to lead a city as large as Clinton. Through his volunteer work and his work on the city council Rodger has demonstrated the ability to meet the challenges and opportunities which face the city of Clinton. As a community we can be glad that he is willing to serve as a candidate for the office of mayor. I will be voting for him on Nov. 6.
Wayne Brinkmann,
Clinton
Clinton needs the talents, energy and commitment of Mike Kearney. He has the ability to provide valuable insight and leadership on a wide range of issues. Clinton’s success will depend on the ability of its leaders to provide, and implement, a sound vision for the future. Mike has such ability. I am supporting Mike for re-election to city council and urge others in my 2nd Ward to do so as well.
Stephen D. Haufe,
Clinton
It isn’t often that you have firsthand contact with a council person where you are involved in helping to make a decision for the city. Mark Vulich was there to help and engaged us to assist in solving a problem.
The problem was a zone of the deer management program that should not have been in the area because it was a rural area.
Mark listened to everyone, kept the meeting going, asked me to do some research and then took the results to the entire city council. The vote passed 7-0.
Vote for Mark Vulich for council at large. He has a business background, understands how city government works, is respected, and most of all he listens and then makes a decision — a very refreshing trait. Everyone should vote for Mark on Nov. 6.
Marty Ray,
Clinton
I am writing this letter in support of Rodger Holm for the office of mayor of the City of Clinton. Rodger is a person who loves his hometown, he is a good family man, has been successful in business, and a property owner private and commercial, so he has a stake in the future. He has served four years on the city council. He has the experience and knowledge to continue to move us forward during a great period of growth. Vote Holm for Mayor on November 6.
Ric O’Leary,
Clinton
My family was privileged to live in Clinton for a little bit more than seven years while I served as president of the Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce.
During that time, LaMetta Wynn set a qualified standard as mayor as the leader of the community. I watched her in countless discussions in Clinton, Des Moines, Washington, D.C., and other places. She has been an effective advocate for the region and will be difficult to replace.
It was my pleasure to work with Rodger Holm on several issues. I remember his travels to Washington, D.C., as he helped return federal and state dollars to the Clinton region so that various projects could move closer toward reality.
I remember Rodger as an articulate voice on community development projects that impact Clinton (storm sewer separation, 19th Avenue north, Liberty Square redevelopment, etc.) and he was also an eager supporter of others who are working hard on transportation projects to benefit the broader region of U.S. Highway 30 from Ames to Rock Falls, Ill.
Rodger’s participation in the discussions about the Lyons Business and Technology Park added value to the planning of the park and other efforts to bring jobs and capital investment in the greater Clinton region. His support of new approaches to bring additional retail development to Clinton was also helpful.
Rodger has valuable experience that will shorten the learning curve and allow him to be more effective as mayor of Clinton. His years of experience on the various city council committees are an extremely important factor. Understanding the personalities and agendas of the other city council members is a valuable asset — and will help him work better as mayor and leader of the team.
There are many exciting things on the Clinton horizon and Rodger’s background, passion for Clinton and experience will help the community.
Dennis Lauver,
Salina, Kan.
Oops! BIG mistake!
In a letter printed Thursday, I commented that neither Conner Anderson nor Joshua Meyer were listed in the phone book. I did check after receiving information that they were not listed; but obviously not carefully enough. I appreciate the phone calls correcting that statement.
Actually, both are listed: Anderson as C.W. and L.W., and Meyer as Jocelyn and Josh. My apology to both these candidates and Clinton Herald staff and readers.
Bev Hermann,
Clinton
I am beginning to view the upcoming mayoral and council elections with some trepidation, as I have not heard anyone talk about fiscal responsibility or control.
I can remember when our new city administrator came on board there was some hope on all taxpayers’ part that the reckless spending, which is ramped in our city government, as outlined by the City Administrator when he got the job, has seemingly become a non issue!
With federal and state taxes on the rise and utility rates and food costs, all of a sudden we discover that house taxes have gone up as assessed by the admission of the assessor; that the Clinton School Board wants a tax increase of 37 cents on property value but failed in the newspaper report to say if it was per thousand dollars of evaluation or what the criteria was.
Then we find there are constant cost overruns on the city level for the Washington school project; for the new north-end school. What kind of disaster are we going to have when the concrete is all poured for the new casino and the groundwater that was a marsh land before, starts coming to the surface, can’t come through concrete, and starts bubbling up in the cemetery or damaging the ballroom. After all, the parking lot base is some 3-plus feet above the surrounding property! Then there is the issue of TIFs and abatements, which according to our state senator is the single most dangerous activity a community government can ascribe to.
The city administrator said “No more, we can’t afford it,” and yet we read about those same thing is going on still in the paper!
Another question is the grants we seem to be accepting. In my limited experience, all grants must have matching funds. No one ever tells us what they are, and how our city administration intends to pay for them! Whatever happened to the idea of “transparency in government and fiscal responsibility!”
Floyd Neubauer,
Clinton
I read with interest the Saturday edition of the Clinton Herald which gave all of our city candidates an opportunity to let us know more about themselves and their visions for Clinton. Although differing in many respects, I applaud each of the candidates for sharing a positive vision for Clinton with the exception of one.
The write-in candidate for the second ward appears to be a very negative and mean spirited person. In both this article and her previous statements at the council meeting she spent most of her time and energy running down our current 2nd Ward councilman. I have yet to hear anything constructive that she has to offer our city.
Mr. Kearney has chosen to take the high road and campaign in a very positive manner on the issues. This alone should earn him the respect and votes of the people of the second ward.
At this time the city of Clinton is moving forward on a positive path and the last thing we need on our city council is this particular write-in candidate who has nothing but negative comments to offer.
Wes Hook,
Clinton
With the Mayor election getting close, I wanted to say I hope everyone will get out and vote for this. It is very important for everyone to do this. Our young people especially need to take this seriously as they are the ones who would like to stay in their home towns and have good jobs and live around their families.
My vote will be for Josh Meyer. I have known him for many years and have the opportunity to work with him with our youth group. He is a very kind and caring man who cares deeply about people. He may not have the same experience as his opponent, but maybe that is a good thing.
We could use some new people to help the ones who have been working hard over the last few years to make changes to Clinton. He cares about what the people want. Communication between the city and its residents need to be improved and they need to be listened to.
He is your average citizen wanting to make a difference for his family and friends. He has taken a lot of time to talk to the people in our community and he wants to help make things happen.
He feels very strongly about our road improvements, to continue downtown improvements, continued support for the economic growth on Main Avenue and west-end development along with the riverfront and park. His heart goes out to our fire and police officers.
He takes time with them and rides with our police officers.
He has a strong desire to make sure they have the type of facility they need to do the best job they can.
All I can say is I feel he would be a great addition to this position.
A vote for him would help bring the things we want for our children and grandchildren.
For more detailed information about what he believes check out his web site meyer4mayor.com.
Connie Brashaw,
Clinton
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