Fort Dodge Special Election Coverage: 8 Candidate Rundown
January 8, 2023 1:50PM CST
A special primary election will be held Tuesday January 10th. There will only be two polling places open and voters can choose which one they would like to vote at. They are the FD Community School District Central Office at 109 North 25th Street and the FD Municipal Building at 819 1st Avenue South.
GET TO KNOW THE CANDIDATES
DR. KYRIE BORSAY
I am Dr. Kyrie Borsay, distinguished professor of Communications at Iowa Central and business owner of K.D.’s Over The Moon. I have two adult children and my fiancé Kevin and I opened our business just over a year ago. We attend church at Harvest vineyard regularly here in Fort Dodge. I understand business operations very well and I have experience with writing and maintenance on federal grants. I always new I wanted to run and be a part of the council and when I heard about this opportunity I knew that it was the right time. I believe a council member should work for the greater good of the community and its citizens. Additionally, they should work to protect the people of Fort Dodge through solid decision making. People should choose me because although I am a newcomer to Fort Dodge, I see things from an outsiders lens. I have also seen other small communities really thrive due to the decision making of the city. I am a true go getter, I like to research and find ideas that are outside the box for solutions, I’m well educated, an excellent educator, a business owner of a flourishing business in our downtown, and I truly Love Fort Dodge.
STEVE HANSEN
My name is Steve Hansen. I was born and raised in Fort Dodge, where I met my wife Barb of 30 years. We have two sons Hunter and Drew. I’m 56 years old and employed as a Sale Representative for Frito Lay. I spend most my spare time outdoors, hunting and fishing. I’m running for city council to help continue keeping the infrastructure projects moving forward and to continue bringing businesses to Fort Dodge and to keep businesses in Fort Dodge also. To continue maintaining city /private sector relationships, such as Elanco, CJ Bio, Cargill. It’s so important these businesses stay in town or in our county. First and foremost my number one priority is the security and safety of Fort Dodge residents working with law enforcement and community leaders to get to the root cause of this problem. I feel that a council member should always be looking out for the residents of Fort Dodge and put all political feelings aside. They should always be looking for improvements for our community and support small businesses in Fort Dodge. As a life long resident of Fort Dodge, I feel that I’m the best person to fill this vacancy. I’ve witness first hand the ups and downs of this community . I know how important growth and safety is to the residents of Fort Dodge. I will do my best to be fiscally responsible and to ensure rights and freedom of Fort Dodge residents will not be infringed.
RICHARD HIGGINS
I grew up in Fort Dodge and graduated from Fort Dodge Senior High School. I am a veteran who served in the U.S. Navy for 3 1/2 years. I worked in retail and as a gemologist for insurance companies in the Chicago area for over 20 years, and was interested in the city government the last five years. Then I lived and worked in the Edmond, Oklahoma and was involved with city government there also. I returned to Fort Dodge in 2007 and worked in the jewelry department at J.C. Penney’s until the store closed. I have been impressed with some former city council members who I felt worked for the people, and with the people in their decision making. Since I returned in 2007, I have attended a large majority of the city council meetings and learned lots about the ins and outs of the city’s operations. Since that time, I have been appointed by the city council to serve on the Mediacom board for 3 years and was appointed to serve on the Animal Control board last year. I am a member of the Fort Dodge Civitan Club which is a service club which helps adults with disabilities. My goal is to help make Fort Dodge a thriving city and to make people proud to live here.
WAYNE MASON
What do you feel a council member needs to do for the people of Fort Dodge? Listen? We all have certain things that we care about more than others but we need to find a balance and prioritize what needs to be done and what can be done without just raising taxes and fees on the citizens. We need to find the grants or other revenue streams that can help make FD grow and be great. We need to make sure that we are getting the best value on our dollars spent and that projects that are to be 6 months don’t turn into 12 months. Just be a good steward of the people that voted you in.
I will always look into what ever that is being voted on and give it the proper attention it deserves. Is this the best use of the FD citizens money, is it something that can wait or is it a must have. People know that I am honest, don’t mix words or play favorites. Work and earn your way to the front of the line. We all need to do what is best for FD. If FD wins we all win, community pride and the willingness to be our best will take us a long way. I believe FD is the best place to work, live and raise a family. That’s the people we need hear and the light we want shinned on us.
ZACH MOORE
Owner of Shelter Insurance in Fort Dodge – Father of 3 Girls in the Fort Dodge School District and Husband to Amanda Moore
I’m running for city council to help impact future and current generations of our community with growth of the community voice. We often see changes in the community and complaints from citizens saying they don’t agree with some of the ideas put in place. I would like to serve that voice and help impact the growth for the community to keep our population from losing quality jobs.
Things that need to be done for the people :
Fort Dodge Fiber
Camera systems in our schools
Fort Dodge Police Chief – I believe we should make an agreement with Webster County to Hire Sheriff Fleener to oversee the Police Officers and with the extra funds left over we should be able to hire a patrol officer to have more units on the streets for patrol. We have had a large amount crime for our population and the best way I can think of helping the problem is having more officers on the street. If the presence is known, I believe it will keep the crime down.
Market Fort Dodge, Improve Water Bill Issue and Bring Back Downtown.
MELVIN EUGENE NEWSOME
Newsome did not provide a biography or answer questions submitted by Alpha Media, but did provide a pamphlet on important election dates. Mr. Newsome is a community member and has run for city council in the past. He along with Richard Higgins were the driving force that made way for the special primary election he is a candidate in.
MEGAN SECOR
I am Megan Secor, co-owner and Marketing Coordinator for Soldier Creek Winery. I’m a Fort Dodge transplant of 13 years. Married to my husband, Robert– a local farmer and member of the Fort Dodge Area Symphony. Mother to two little ones.
I’m running for City Council because I care deeply about what happens in our community, as I’m sure many other residents are! Primarily, I feel that I can offer a unique perspective to the City Council to help build on the great things they’ve already been doing.
I feel that a City Council Member should look to the future for the people of Fort Dodge. A City Council Member should consider all angles before making a decision. A City Council Member should think about the larger picture when making decisions.
If I am elected to serve the community of Fort Dodge I would be diligent in my decision making, I would listen to every community member, and I would think about the future of our community. I am not afraid to speak up and ask questions, the community members of Fort Dodge can trust that I’ll always seek to understand every angle of any situation. I would be very honored to serve the community I’ve come to admire.
DR. JIM SEWARD
My name is Dr. Jim Seward, I am a Christian, dad, father, boyfriend, and a professional licensed mental health counselor or LMHC in the state of Iowa. I’ve been in the social services field for 30 years; I have been in the ministry, military, law enforcement, senior level executive decision maker, indirect and direct care.
I’ve lived in Fort Dodge for 11 years; I want to apply my God given Knowledge, talents, and skills to the betterment of this City. I will side with what is best for this City, I will be sure to agree to that which presents the safety of the citizens of Fort Dodge, I am pro-police and all emergency personnel. I want to see a boast in the economic health of the city. I will invest in the businesses within the city limits by asking them to build and use their talents within the city. I believe investing in small business in Fort Dodge, will help the economical growth of the city. Continued beautification of the city is a must, continue growing the amenities is something that will bring more business investors in the city limits. I want to invest in Fort Dodge with Fort Dodge monies.
The citizens of Fort Dodge require someone who has a servant’s heart and leads through providing characteristics of resourcefulness, integrity, reliable, honest, available, truth Sayer, and responsive. The citizens of Fort Dodge require someone who treats others with respect and dignity and who can listen actively and communicate with a purpose.