Email: "Two contests for Toledo Council seats"
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TOLEDO CHRONICLE • TAMA NEWS-HERALD - There are races for two Toledo City Council seats and contests in Chelsea council races and in other cities across Tama County. In Tama, two incumbents are seeknig relection to at-large council posts unopposed. Candidate profiles for Toledo and Tama follow with a wrap up of all candidates county-wide: Toledo Council At-Large: Chester Bearden, 71, 204 West Madison, is seeking the council member at-large post on the Toledo City Council currently held by Pete Zmolek who is retiring. “I want to help Toledo have a good city government where all people are welcome and listened to,” Bearden said He is a past president of the Toledo Chamber of Commerce, currently serves on the Toledo Planning and Zoning Board and is a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church and Tama-Toledo Morning Kiwanis. He and his wife, Elizabeth, have a son Steven, a South Tama Elementary School teacher,m and a daughter and son-in-law Karen and Rod See. Their granddaughter, Katie See is attending graduate school at North Illinois State and grandson, Cody, is in his first year at Hawkeye Tech.

Brian A. Sokol, 22, 200 East Madison, is a candidate for the Toledo Council At-Large position currently held by Pete Zmolek who is retiring.

Sokol said he is seeking the post - - “In difficult times we need new ideas. Cutting costs and improving efficiency without jeopardizing safety and progress are essential. It is important for a growing community to get all generations involved in city management “My financial background and strong work ethic would be valuable to the citizens of Toledo.” > Sokol serves on the Tama County Day Care - Kids Corner Board of Directors. Sokol has lived in the Toledo area all of his life and is a graduate of South Tama High School. He received a bachelor’s degree in Financial Management and Real Estate from the University of Northern Iowa. He is currently employed by The State Bank of Toledo as an investment representative for Tama County Investment Services. In his spare time, Sokol enjoys farming with his father. His parents are Dave and Polly Sokol, Toledo. Brian and Cassie have a son, Keidyn. Cassie is employed by the South Tama School District. Toledo Ward 1: Kyle Chaska, 66, Toledo, is seeking election as Toledo First Ward Council member. He was appointed to the position three years ago to fill the vacancy of the late Harry Gardner. Chaska said he is seeking to return to the council job “to serve the citizens of the community and attempt to make Toledo a better place to live.” “He said he “works hard to hold property taxes as low as possible and for economic development. He is a member of the First Presbyterian Church where he has held a variety of offices, is active in the Meals on wheels program and served on the Toledo emergency Medical Service. He is a member of several professional organizations and of the Tama-Toledo Lions Club. His hobbies include travel, rebuilding and refinishing furniture and outdoor activities. He and his wife, Lois, who have been married 46 years, are the parents of three children, Lynne (Mike) Allison, Marshalltown, Burt (Traci) Chaska, Nevada, and Brad (Toni) Chaska, Tama and have eight grandchildren. Travis Mullen, 33, 206 North Harrison St., is a candidate for the 1st Ward City Council post. Mullen said, “A year ago, my wife and I chose to move back to my hometown. I am really grateful to be back in Toledo and to invest in the community and it’s future by serving as a council member. Mullen is a graduate of South Tama High School and received a degree in Education from Buena Vista university. Since then he has been working in the field of education, leadership development and education advising He is currently a High Education Advisor with the Meskwaki High Education program. The family attends church at Heartland Vineyard. Mullen is the son of long-time Toledo residents, Bob and Mary Jo Mullen. His brother, Eli Mullen lives in Chelsea. With his wife, Hannah, they have two daughters, Gloria, four, and Silvia, nine months. Toledo Mayor: Pamela Wood, 76, 304 East Ross St., is seeking reelection to a second, two-year term as Toledo mayor. She is unopposed. (Rose Ward’s name appears on the ballot as a candidate for Toledo mayor. However, she has moved out of town and is no longer eligible. Her withdrawal was too late to remove her name from the ballot.) Wood said she is seeking reelection “(To) Continue seeking new ways to maintain the growth of Toledo and keep integrity in all aspects of local government. Be open to all residents’ questions and help find answers.” “During my first term in office projects were initiated that I would like to see completed,” Wood said. “I have established community and staff relationships with trust, and now have the experience to lead our community into a bright future.” Wood is a member or serves the League of Cities Legislative Committee and is an Emergency Management Board member. She serves on various regional board that oversee legislative requirements for cities and towns. Wood is a member of the Tama-Toledo Area Chamber of Commerce, Safe Routes to School, Tama-Toledo Aquatic Center, and Tama County Economic Development Commission and the First Presbyterian Church. She retired after 33 years of service on the Toledo Emergency Medical Service as an EMT I. With her husband, Dwayne, they have two children and five grandsons. Toledo 3rd Ward Council- Elmer (Skip) Wilson, 51, 602 East Grace St., is unopposed in a bid for a third, four-year term as Toledo 3rd Ward council member. Wilson said he is seeking reelection “To continue to be a voice in local government for the people of Toledo.” He said (I want the city) to be prosperous while still trying to hold the lone on taxes.” During his eight years service, Wilson lists among accomplishments, Public Library expansion, construction of the Tama-Toledo Aquatic Center, Reinig-Toledo Civic Center and Kids Corner Daycare Center. Wilson is a member and has held various offices in Local 743 U.S. W. Union, is a member of the Tama-Toledo Fraternal Order of the Eagles, is a member of the Area 6 Workforce Investment Board, a Wieting Theatre volunteer and a member of the Living Faith United Methodist Church, Tama. He is a veteran of the U.S. Navy. He and his wife, Chris, have a daughter and son-in-law, Brooke and Jessie Schafbuch, and a son Derek Tama City Council- Dan Zimmerman, 58, 310 W. 11th St., is seeking reelection to a second four-year term on the Tama City Council. He is unopposed on the ballot for one of two at-large seats. He lists economic development, revitalization of the city-owned Cherry Lake area and downtown revitalization are his priorities. Zimmerman serves as the City Council liaison for the Tama Public Library Board, Tama-Toledo Aquatic Center, the Park and Recreation Board, the Tama Sewer Department and for the Fire Department and ambulance service. He is a member of St Patrick Catholic Church, is a member of the Tama Emergency Medical Service and in on the board of the Tama-Toledo Country Club. He and his wife, Sherry, have one son, Dan Jr. Robert Tyynismaa is seeking reelection to the Tama City Council unopposed on Nov. 3. He was first elected to a four-year term on the council in 2003 and won a two-year term to fill a vacancy in 2007. Tyynismaa teaches at South Tama High School and is a coach. County Wrap: Chelsea-Incumbent Chelsea Mayor Roger Ochs is unopposed in a bid for reelection. Seeking five at-large council seats are(*-incumbent)- Gloria Fonseca, Penny Dunning, Joseph Dunning, Alicia Fonseca, Andrew Veit, Leif Morris, Lyle Vesley*, Steve VandeWalle* and Craig Forcht.* Incumbents Matt Cernin and Tracey Bradley are not seeking reelection in Chelsea. Montour- Incumbents Bill Eberhart, Vicky Garske and Nancy Green and newcomer Josh Telle are seeking three council seats. Vining- Dale A. Stout is the lone candidate for a two-year term as mayor. There are no candidates on the ballot for five, two-year terms on the city council. Clutier-Incumbent Mayor Ardene Cross is being challenged by Roger Peters for a two-year term. Incumbents Gordon Fassett, Bruce Kriz, Blake Pearson and Arlene Vondracek are joined by Barbara Basemann in running for two year-terms for five council seats. Traer-MarleneA. Beenken and Pete Holden are candidates for the two-year term as mayor. Incumbent Lou Rausch is joined by Cynthia M. Buresh, Randy Kvidera and Lee Wiges in seeking two, at-large terms on the city council. The terms are for four years. Gladbrook- Keith Sash is the only candidate for a two-year term as mayor. Incumbents Sam Goos and Roger Luehring are joined by Betty L. Dahms in seeking three, four-year at large seats on the city council. Garwin- Greg J. Ochs is the only candidate for a two-year term as mayor. Incumbent Merle Parks is seeking reelection unopposed for one of two four-year terms on the city council. No one has filed for the other post or for a two-year council term to fill a vacancy. Elberon- There is no candidate on the ballot for the two-year mayor position. Incumbent Nancy K. Braasch and Mark Fisher are seeking the two, two-year council terms. Incumbents Laurie McMains and Scott McMains are seeking reelection for four-year council posts. Dysart- Timothy Glenn, an incumbent, is joined by Tom W. Brandt and Pamela D. Thiele in seeking three, four-year at-large positions on the City Council. Lincoln-Incumbent Mayor Roland Fink is unopposed for another two-year term. Incumbents Roger L. Dostal, Vance Sebber and Aaron Staker are the only candidates for five, two-year terms on the city council.

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