The eight candidates are Kyrie Borsay, Steven Hansen, Richard Higgins, Wayne Mason, Zach Moore, Eugene Newsome, Megan Secor and Jim Seward.

All eight candidates answered questions from The Messenger and their answers are included in today’s edition of the newspaper.

There will be just two polling places open on Tuesday. They will be at the Fort Dodge Municipal Building, 819 First Ave. S., and the Fort Dodge Community School District Central Office, 109 N. 25th St.

People may vote at either location, according to Tina Eldal, Webster County’s deputy auditor.

Kirie Borsay

The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday.

The top two vote getters will advance to the Feb. 7 special election.

The winner of the special election will serve on the council for the rest of 2023, completing the unexpired term of former Councilman Neven Conrad, who resigned in October.

This at-large council seat will be on the ballot in the November general election and the winner of that vote will serve a full four-year term.

Conrad, an attorney, resigned on Oct. 11 after being named the magistrate of Humboldt County. Iowa’s rules of judicial conduct prohibit magistrates and judges from holding political office.

Richard Higgins

When he resigned, Conrad had a little bit more than a year remaining on his four-year term.

At the suggestion of Mayor Matt Bemrich, the council moved to appoint Andy Fritz, who had previously served on the council for 10 years, to fill the vacancy created by Conrad’s resignation.

Fritz was appointed to the seat on Oct. 24. But there was some opposition to the appointment. Higgins, who has unsuccessfully run for council multiple times, said if anyone was to be appointed it should be him or Brooke Bickford, both of whom ran for an at-large seat on the council in the 2021 election. But Higgins said he was also starting a petition to force a special election.

Higgins and Newsome, another frequent City Council candidate, did circulate petitions and submitted them on Nov. 7. The petitions contained 440 signatures; 369 signatures were required to trigger a special election.

The candidates

Wayne Mason

Kyrie Borsay

Address: 2809 10th Ave. N.

Occupation: Distinguished professor of communications at Iowa Central Community College and owner of KD’s Over the Moon

What do you think is the No. 1 issue facing the city and what would you seek to do about it if you are elected?

“I think that there’s definitely some concern about the water bills going up and the fear that property taxes will go up.

Zach Moore

“As a City Council we don’t control the property valuation for the taxes.

“With all the water mains we have had breaking we have to be able to repair these things or they are going to end up costing us more in the future. I live in Fort Dodge and I have a business here and I certainly don’t want to pay more, but there are some things that have to be maintained.”

What do you think can be done about homelessness in Fort Dodge?

“I think, one, we have an addiction problem in our community. I know they have opened a new recovery house in town and remodeled another one and that will help. Just being aware of the addiction problem will help with that.”

The candidate suggested having a place “local in downtown” that would be a site for providing mental health and addiction treatment services to the homeless population. She said the services provided there could be as basic as checking to see if people are getting their medicines every day.

Eugene Newsome

Do you think the city has a problem with vacant buildings? If so, what do you think can be done?

“Definitely, definitely. I think we need to encourage businesses to start fixing up these spaces and start making use of them. I also think we should invite artists and musicians here to make use of some of these spaces downtown. When you bring artists in it creates attrition. It tends to lower crime, it tends to lower homelessness, it tends to lower addiction.

“We just need to be doing something with these downtown spaces.”

What role, if any, do you think the city should have in providing mental health care?

The candidate again recommended creating a space downtown where people could get connected to help with mental health and addiction issues.

She also advocated finding a way that the police could work with mental health professionals.

“I think that the police respond to a lot of incidents that, in the end, end up being mental health-related. And if you’re just incarcerating people in those cases, it doesn’t help them.”

What would you recommend to improve policing?

“I know there’s talk about increasing the police force, but I’m not sure if we need to be adding officers.”

She said the emphasis should be on recruiting and retaining quality police officers and making sure they are trained correctly.

“I understand we will have to replace our police chief in the near future and I would love to be a part of that process. We have a very unique community and we need to be very selective in how we fill that position.”

Steven Hansen

Address: 1639 N. 30th St.

Occupation: Route driver for Frito-Lay

What do you think is the No. 1 issue facing the city and what would you seek to do about it if you are elected?

“Right now, I think the No. 1 issue is crime. I think we’ve got a problem. I think we can give all the resources we can to the police, but honestly, it starts at home. This stuff is starting in our homes. We need to do a better job as parents, but that’s nothing a City Council can fix.”

What do you think can be done about homelessness in Fort Dodge?

“I would say we need some medical help. We need more mental health help for these people.”

Do you think the city has a problem with vacant buildings? If so, what do you think can be done?

“Yes, there are some vacant buildings that are real eyesores to the community.”

The candidate said he would fully enforce all the city ordinances requiring people to maintain, repair or remove their buildings. He said vacant buildings attract homeless people, drug dealers and kids who are just playing.

What role, if any, do you think the city should have in providing mental health care?

“I think mental health is becoming a very huge issue of society with people having problems, especially post-COVID. Definitely our mental health issues aren’t going away. There’s really a need, especially post-COVID.”

What would you recommend to improve policing?

“Maybe add on to the police force.”

Richard Higgins

Address: 2634 15th Ave. N.

Occupation: Retired

What do you think is the No. 1 issue facing the city and what would you seek to do about it if you are elected?

“I think infrastructure is one of our big concerns. I used to be opposed to raising our water rates and spending money to do projects. But then I saw that document at City Council that showed all of our infrastructure problems. After seeing that document on the infrastructure, that woke me up. That made me understand.

“I know it’s going to cost us a few dollars , but it needs to be done.”

What do you think can be done about homelessness in Fort Dodge?

“We need more facilities for homeless families. We do have a big issue here of homeless people. As you drive around you see these people. It is getting to be a serious issue. It’s not just Fort Dodge, it’s all over.”

Do you think the city has a problem with vacant buildings? If so, what do you think can be done?

“Fort Dodge is an older town and there is a lot of vacant buildings. It is a serious problem. I think it’s up to the homeowner to take care of their property. Maybe we need to put more teeth in the ordinances to make sure they do and clean up some of these lots.”

What role, if any, do you think the city should have in providing mental health care?

“We need more services for mental health, such as a treatment center and professional psychiatrists living and working in our community. I think that would be a big help.

“People are becoming more accepting that mental illness is a disease. We need more people to be more accepting.”

What would you recommend to improve policing?

“We don’t need any more police officers.

“When I lived in the Chicago area, we had an officer and he was assigned to these four blocks. He came out and introduced himself and gave everyone his card so we could call him. Once a month we had a meeting with this particular police officer and the police chief and discussed what was going on in our neighborhood.

“It did work. To me it works and it lets people know the police department is working with them.”

Wayne Mason

Address: 2451 N. 32nd St.

Occupation: Outside sales for Gilcrest/Jewett Lumber Co. in Webster City

What do you think is the No. 1 issue facing the city and what would you seek to do about it if you are elected?

“Positive growth for Fort Dodge. To help find the ways to support and attract those who want to come to Fort Dodge and positively impact our community.”

What do you think can be done about homelessness in Fort Dodge?

“This, I will be honest that I don’t know too much about, but it has become an issue that needs to be addressed. We need to get all the agencies that can help and are working this problem together and have them working with each other so their resources go farther. Then once everyone is on the same page we can see what else is needed and how to go about getting it done.”

Do you think the city has a problem with vacant buildings? If so, what do you think can be done?

“We do have many vacant buildings and I need to learn more about what the city can actually do legally to remedy the situation. But hopefully we can find a way to either provide incentives for a useful building to be repurposed and become a useful part of the community, or if the building is worn down to the end of its usefulness, clear it out and give the property a fresh start.”

What role, if any, do you think the city should have in providing for mental health care?

“The city has a responsibility to keep its citizens safe and with the mental health problem at all time highs, this is becoming a key area. It puts stress on law enforcement, it is increasing the homeless issue. We need to come together — city government, law enforcement, medical professionals, human service agencies, churches and neighborhoods — to do what it takes to help the person in need and keep our citizens safe. It’s a huge task. If we can figure this out, Fort Dodge will be a model city for the whole USA. But if anyone can do it, we can.”

What would you recommend to improve policing?

“Do our best to provide the resources that are needed to get the best outcome possible for Fort Dodge.”

Zach Moore

Address: 919 S. 28th St.

Occupation: Owner of Shelter Insurance Agency

What do you think is the No. 1 issue facing the city and what would you seek to do about it if you are elected?

“The No. 1 issue is going to be the water bill and crime. They’re tied.

“You’re not going to be able to magically fix a water bill. Fort Dodge has done a very good job taking care of our infrastructure and updating our water treatment plant.

“On our crime issue, we need community engagement with our police officers so that we know them and they know the community. The Fort Dodge Police Department has done a really good job of starting community engagement programs.

“We have a drug problem and I’m scared of an opioid epidemic or a fentanyl problem coming, so I want to stay ahead of that.’

The candidate has stated he would like to have the city enter an agreement with Webster County under which Sheriff Luke Fleener would oversee the Police Department. He said the city also needs to find the money to hire more officers. He cited Federal Bureau of Investigation statistics, which he said indicate a city the size of Fort Dodge should have 2.4 officers for every 1,000 residents. By that measure, he said, the Fort Dodge department, which has 40 officers, is short eight officers. He also wants to reassign or reconfigure the duties of the officers.

“We have to have more police patrolling and less doing administrative work.”

What do you think can be done about homelessness in Fort Dodge?

“I’ve noticed it’s an issue downtown a lot. Is there any way we could help the Beacon and YWCA? I would like us to find a way to help grant-wise and find funds to help our shelters.”

He said he would like to find a way to turn some vacant buildings into half-way houses where homeless people could stay temporarily.

Do you think the city has a problem with vacant buildings? If so, what do you think can be done?

The candidate repeated that he would like to fix some of them up to temporarily house homeless people.

“”I’d rather have a pretty remodeled house helping people get their lives back together than have a vacant house sitting there.”

What role, if any, do you think the city should have in providing mental health care?

“It’s a statewide issue. The state has dropped funding in the mental health area.

“I would love the city to help if we have the funds for it. The city needs to help the Community Health Center market their services for mental health here in town.”

He said the city’s police officers, firefighters and paramedics should be trained to properly help people having a mental health crisis.

Eugene Newsome

Address: 322 Ave. F

Occupation: Retired

What do you think is the No. 1 issue facing the city, and what would you seek to do about it if you are elected?

“The No. 1 issue facing the city is crime, specifically homicides. I’m concerned because it’s including a high number of Black people. That’s disturbing. Too many young Black males are passing away. I will work with the Police Department to solve the mystery.

Arson,that’s another one. People go in these empty houses and make a little fire and then the fire gets out of control.’

The candidate said he would also work for another bridge across the Des Moines River to replace the long-gone Bennett Viaduct.

“We need to at least put a pedestrian bridge there. If I’m on the council, I’m going to lobby for that.”

“I will lobby the statehouse in Des Moines on behalf of Fort Dodge. I’m not going to sit here and say nothing.’

What do you think can be done about homelessness in Fort Dodge?

“Make sure people have access to information that is available to them. Some of them don’t know there’s a way to get help. I would advise people in a position to help people to speak up more. I would get you to print in the paper if you need help, this is who you call, this is where you go.”

Do you think the city has a problem with vacant buildings? If so, what do you think can be done?

“I think the city is taking care of that. They’re right on top of that one. They took care of North Eighth Street and I’m happy about that. I don’t think they have that much problem with vacant buildings anymore.”

What role, if any, do you think the city should have in providing mental health care?

“These people need somewhere to go where they can find help. I think it’s incumbent on the city to provide that information. Mental health – that’s the second biggest thing behind crime.

“You can see it on people’s faces. I can see on their face the stress and being afraid.”

What would you recommend to improve policing?

“I don’t think we need more policemen. We’ve got a police presence on the street. That ain’t the problem.

I’m not afraid of the police. When I see them in the convenience store I go up and talk to them. I would work with them.”

Megan Secor

Address: 2531 Woodland Drive

Occupation: Co-owner and marketing coordinator of Soldier Creek Winery

What do you think is the No. 1 issue facing the city and what would you seek to do about it if you are elected?

“I think the No. 1 opportunity is addressing quality of life. I feel we have come such a long way with the quality of life. We have awesome things for people to do, but I think we can continue to improve. I think the city has done a really good job of that in the 13 years I’ve lived here.”

The candidate said she believes quality of life includes, among many things, recreation, arts, culture, housing and conservation.

“The city does a really great job conserving our water resource. I like that it’s already a high priority.”

She is proposing to advance the city’s conservation efforts by adding a food waste composting system, which would be different from the current yard waste disposal service. She said composted food waste would become soil that can be used for beautification projects throughout town. She added that the composting effort could become a source of revenue for the city.

What do you think can be done about homelessness in Fort Dodge?

“I think the homelessness issue is a large issue that no one entity can handle by itself.”

She suggested having the city government offer tax incentives to private organizations to encourage them to build shelters for the homeless.

“I certainly think our city can use more shelters. I think a collaboration between the city and a private entity would be the best choice in this case.”

Do you think the city has a problem with vacant buildings? If so, what do you think can be done?

“I think they are doing all they can with the funds they do have. Vacant buildings affect public safety because often they turn into a fire situation. I think the city could possibly push it to a little more priority.”

What role, if any, do you think the city should have in providing mental health care?

“I think mental health is a very important issue, I think a goal for all people and all organizations should be reducing the stigma of seeking help.”

She said there may be a role for the city government in promoting easier access to mental health care.

What would you recommend to improve policing?

“As we are right now, the police force does a great job. They are always there when you need them. I think they are understaffed, but I also know that adding officers is expensive and adding just one isn’t adequate. But if we are able to, adding more help would be a great first step to make certain everyone is getting adequate rest and performing at their best.”

Jim Seward

Address: 2525 16th Ave. N.

Occupation: Mental health counselor and owner of Grace Counseling and Consulting LLC

What do you think is the No. 1 issue facing the city and what would you seek to do about it if you are elected?

“I would say that the top concern is financial — budgets, being wise with the monies of our taxpayers. As I become the new city councilperson, I will learn a lot more about the finances and budgeting of the city.

And I also think that the safety of the city is a top priority — making sure that the police are trained and equipped and that their needs are funded.”

What do you think can be done about homelessness in Fort Dodge?

“It is an issue. I think that there are a lot of variables that go along with homelessness.

“We have a lot of great social ministry efforts to help the homeless., but there are rules that have to be followed. There may be an underlying issue of drug use that is rampant in the homeless population.

“I’d support the police in enforcing and following the current laws on the books that may apply to homelessness. There are lots of social services aimed to help this population as well and I would make sure they are known about.”

Do you think the city has a problem with vacant buildings? If so, what do you think can be done?

“I think they had a problem, but I know the 100 block of North Eighth Street looks really good. There is an open field there now. I believe there’s been decisions made to tear down vacant buildings and to beautify the area … “

As an alternative to demolitions, the candidate said he would be interested in grant or loan programs that could be made available to help property owners fix up buildings.

What role, if any, do you think the city should have in providing mental health care?

“They can promote it more. I know I would. I’m in that business.

“There’s a lot of great mental health service providers out there. Besides promoting it, besides having some forums on it, I don’t know how much city monies can be spent on making people mentally sound. There are already parts of the city doing just that.”

What would you recommend to improve policing?

“Support the chief. Show support to the men and women who wear a uniform eight to 10 hours a day before they get to go home. Make sure they have proper training, make sure they have the continuing education they need. Be responsive to them. Make sure they have an opportunity to communicate with the council so they feel like they have a seat at the table.”

Megan Secor

Jim Seward