Candidate name: Clint Werner

Age: 53

Profession: Self employed small business owner and farmer

Education: High school

Family: Wife Kathy, Son Tony and daughter Edy and 2 grandkids

1. What makes you want this position? Want to see through the new Middle school completion on or under budget. Continue increasing our school’s scores.

2. What would you do if elected? Same as 1

3. Do you think there are any pressing problems that need solving? Retaining our teachers and staff and increasing wages when we can.

4. What would you like to see change in our community? More involvement from the community at our board meetings.

5. Do you think it would be a good idea for Tama-Toledo to become one united community with one public works, one police station, one fire station, etc.? I need to do more research on pros and cons

6. Do you think Tama-Toledo should have more art around town similar to the mural painted at the Tama Abstract Building? Yes, it shows off the talent our community has.

7. What are some of your favorite things to do in Tama-Toledo? Shopping and eating locally

8. If Tama-Toledo was an animal, what kind of animal do you think it would be? Something friendly and hardworking, which could be a number of animals.

9. What is your favorite color? Green

10. Why should people vote for you? I’m not afraid to say no, and am willing to talk with anyone about anything.

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Candidate name: Rick Hopper

Age: 62, farming for 45 years – from Toledo

Family: Wife, Jodi – employed at Tama County Clerk of Court

Son Rick – partner in farming operation and owner of Otter Creek Archery in Toledo; wife is Ashleigh Daughter Emily – employed at Kids Corner Daycare

Why I’m running: As a lifelong resident and former STC student, I would be honored to be elected to serve on the school board. Recently, I served on a committee with other community members, providing input and direction for the new construction of the Middle School. I enjoyed working with the school board along with the committee members on this project. I was also involved in the interview process to hire our new superintendent. During this time I learned more about the South Tama school operations and became more interested in the decision making process. With the election approaching, I decided I would like to run for school board.

I think one of the top considerations of new businesses and families coming to our community is a good school system offering a solid education. After doing some research, I became concerned with our overall ranking in the state in education at our schools. South Tama has many strengths and positive areas of accomplishments but I feel we have room to improve. Our community and our children’s future rely on a good solid education.

I’m a good listener, objective and honest. I will make attending the school board meetings a priority and improve the poor attendance record represented in the past from my district.