On Nov. 7, Harrison County voters will choose from the various candidates running for mayor, city council and school board.
The Missouri Valley Times-News reached out to candidates ahead of the election with a brief question and answer.
Following are the candidates' responses, published verbatim. All candidates were contacted; if you do not see their answers here, they either did not respond or elected not to participate.
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Name: Aaron Tuttle
City/town: Missouri Valley
Candidate for: City Council
Explain who you are: I am 52 years old. I have been married to my wife Amber for eight years. We have no children. I have been employed for 26 years at Methodist Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska. I have also worked in the limousine industry for the last 28 years. I am a small business entrepreneur, having owned and operated Go Limo and Shuttle Services LLC since 2012. My interests and hobbies include Iowa Hawkeye Football and Wrestling, our dogs, reading, listening to podcasts, watching documentaries, boating, playing darts, music/live concerts, collecting vinyl records and traveling/vacationing with friends.
Why did you run for this position? I am running for reelection because have etžioyed serving the people of Missouri Valley. I do believe that we/City Council have worked together to make Missouri Valley a better place to live and raise a family. I initially ran for City Council with that goal in mind.
There is still a lot work to do and I would like to continue to be a part of that realization and process. I do have some ideas and proposals I would like to see come to in regards to the continued improvements to our downtown Main Sfreet corridor, housing, and recreation.
What from your background qualifies you for this position? I believe having worked in transportation and logistics in a fast paced hospital setting has taught me about planning and problem solving. When plans do not go as planned, you switch to problem solving mode to find a solution. As a small business owner, you wear multiple hats and are responsible for everything within the parameters of that business. As a current City Council member I have learned a lot about the process and procedures that go into small town governance. I am always willing to talk with residents when they contact me with a specific question or issue. I to answer to the best of my ability or do research to find an answer for them. I am always approachable and a good listener.
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Name: Sherman Struble
City/town: Missouri Valley
Candidate for: City Council
Explain who you are: A resident of Missouri Valley who has lived here for 62 years. I ran a business on Main Street for 20 years and been active in civic matters also. I am a member of the Community of Christ church.
Why did you run for this position? I want to see Missouri Valley grow and become a better city. I hope that with the projects that are in the works this will be accomplished.
What from your background qualifies you for this position? I am a civic minded person who likes to work with people. One of my strong suits is that I listen to concerns and take the time to search out solutions that benefit the individual as well as the city.
What are your goals if elected? We need more affordable housing and the bypass completed to eliminate truck traffic in the downtown area.
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Name: Jo Grimes
City/town: Missouri Valley
Candidate for: City Council
Explain who you are: I am a welder by trade. I own Gypsy Jo's Crystals and Jewelry. I help customers with self growth and customize gifts for loved ones. I'm in the process of changing careers to be independent with my business. I'm studying a modality for alternative healing/medicine. It also includes business and marketing strategies. I thrive on working with ideas that better oneself and their environment. I'm accustomed to having budgets/deadlines and familiar with working with management/employees. I listen to those that come into my shop from children, teenagers, adults and the elderly. I hear their concerns and wishes. They are the encouragement I find to make a difference.
Why did you run for this position? I'm young enough to keep up and old enough to think with reason. Being a resident and business owner I see the potential our town has. I want convenience for our season residents, opportunity for our teenagers and memories for our kids and grandkids. I don't want my granddaughter growing up to tell me she's moving away because it's a “run down nothing to do town.” I want to keep it “country” but have more conveniences and curb appeal.
What from your background qualifies you for this position? Determination to seek out opportunity. Understanding contracting, deadlines, budgets and pros and cons in decision making with longterm effects. Plus public speaking and interacting with the community, not to mention studying business and marketing.
What are your goals if elected: First, address what are the major concerns. Second, collect ideas. Third, make Missouri Valley great again!
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Name: Adam Bellis
City/town: Missouri Valley
Candidate for: City Council
Explain who you are: I'm Adam Bellis. I've been in Missouri Valley for 10 years. I grew up in Modale.
Why did you run for this position? Because I think it is time to get younger blood in to give more ideas.
What from your background qualifies you for this position? No information entered.
What are your goals if elected? To get more business to the town. Make the town for people to want to live in.
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Name: Dakoda Tish
City/town: Missouri Valley
Candidate for: City Council
Explain who you are: A bit about me, I was farm raised in Poweshiek County, Iowa. Where I learned many valuable life lessons about hard work, planning and responsibility.
I started my career in Waterloo/Cedar Falls, Iowa where I met and joined my wife, Amanda, in being active in the community. We helped service on many boards planning events like music in the park, main street pop-ups and festivals.
Then in January 2022 with my family and our three fur-babies I got the call for an opening to run the Missouri Valley, Crescent and Carter Lake Water/ Wastewater Plant. We later purchased a home in Missouri Valley officially, making Missouri Valley our home.
Since moving to Missouri Valley, I have joined and been elected to the Fire Association. As I have been in the fire department in Poweshiek County and know how important a good department is to the city.
In our free time, my family and I enjoyed the amazing dog park, the awesome ice cream shop, beautiful walks through the windy streets and hills, and making great friends.
Why did you run for this position? I believe that I can make a difference, bringing a younger fresher eye to the city council and belief in the city that My family and I live in.
What from your background qualifies you for this position? Coming from Waterloo/Cedar Falls Area, I was active in the city helping my city council people run for office. Also working and holding office for many years with Main Street festivals and events.
As the Superintendent of the Missouri Valley Water plant for the last two years has given me perspective on the needs of the city that the insight that the City Council members don’t see on the daily basis.
What are your goals if elected? My biggest drive is to update the infrastructure of the water distribution system and the storm water collection system allowing rainwater to drain off the streets to prevent flooding. Therefore, saving our homes and vehicles from flooding.
Beautification of Main streets to create a community that people want to be active in and welcoming to new residents and potential new businesses. I would investigate grants to help current and potential businesses to offset City Funds.
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Name: Marilyn Keizer
City/town: Missouri Valley
Candidate for: City Council
Explain who you are: My family and I moved to Missouri Valley 23 years ago. I am recently retired. My work background includes all service related industries including 15 years in aviation, 3 years in insurance, 6 years as a para-educator at Missouri Valley High School and 12 years in city government. I was also a bookkeeper for a business that my husband and I owned and operated. I was also blessed to be a "stay-at-home mom" for several years...talk about your service related job experience!!
Why did you run for this position? I actually thought about doing this years ago, but I chose not to because I didn't feel like I could devote the proper amount of time to council service while still working. Now that I'm retired, I decided it was time to run. I am currently on the council. I was appointed in June of this year to finish out a vacated position. This is my chance to give back to my community.
What from your background qualifies you for this position?
As previously stated, my work history consists of all service related positions. My experience, particularly my dealings with citizens during my 12 years in city government, qualifies me. In those 12 years, I participated in more than 300 city council meetings.
What are your goals if elected?
If elected, I would be supportive and open-minded to any ideas regarding city beautification efforts by starting with taking a look at our Nuisance Abatement ordinance. Beyond that, I will take part in common sense decisions for the betterment of Missouri Valley.
