Pella’s City Council election features two contested races, and three candidates challenging for an at-large seat, as well as one uncontested candidate.
At-Large Incumbent Mark De Jong is receiving a challenge from Rhonda Kermode and Dan Spotten.
De Jong has served for 38 years, and said at the PACE Alliance candidate forum on KNIA/KRLS he has learned a lot about service and the city during his time on council.
“You listen to everybody, and you ponder what they have to say–their position, what causes to them to hurt, and then the day comes that you have to vote,” he says. “And you know full well that the chances are slim and none–you’re not going to make everyone happy.”
De Jong says he’s also learned about the long term ramifications of decisions made today.
Kermode, if elected, would want the council to have an active hand in both economic development and fostering engagement with citizens on various issues the city will face in the coming years.
“My vision of the city government is one that draws people in and invites people to participate in creative and innovative solutions that continue to make Pella a destination place,” she says. “A community that is vibrant and thriving economically will continue to grow, as long as leadership continues to stay in touch with the needs of its citizens.”
Spotten discussed his desire for the council to take a more hands-off approach in the lives of citizens when it comes to regulation. One issue that Spotten wants to bring to the public’s attention is that if he is elected, he will work to ensure that the regional airport isn’t built.
“My platform is pretty simple, you’ve seen my signs, you’ve seen my truck–I’m against this airport,” he says. “I think it’s a bad move. We as citizens of this city have not been allowed to vote on this airport. For whatever reasons, I hear a lot of things, however, we’re not going to get a vote. If you are against the airport, this is your only chance to vote. Voting for me will send a message, that we’re tired of monkeying around with this thing, that it’s time to put it to bed, put it to rest–it’s time to move on.”
In Pella Ward One, incumbent Dan Vander Beek is running against challenger Lynn Hinga Branderhorst.
Vander Beek has been on the council since 2006. He enjoys the process of completing projects–especially infrastructure, which can be long and challenging in order to get results.
“I’m a good listener–but will I always agree with you? Not always, but I will listen to what you have to say,” he says. “I like being involved with the decision making process, I bring an interesting perspective to the decision making process–there’s no such thing as a rubber stamp, although when you come to a meeting, that’s where the rubber meets the road. All the prep work that leads up to that final decision is made way ahead of time.”
Branderhorst wants the opportunity to represent the community she’s called home almost her entire life. She says her experience in the nonprofit world gives her unique perspective for the position.
“I worked an extensive period of time in the inner-city of Kansas City, working with the homeless population–we had nothing in common when I took the position,” she says. “But I quickly learned how to appreciate diversity, how to listen to a message I had never heard before, how to take that message to a population that didn’t really want to hear what I had to say, because it didn’t affect them, but how to take that message, have it be heard, have it be ideas, be funding, and have a community move forward as one.”
Bruce Schiebout is running unopposed in Pella ward three, where he has served since 2002. Schiebout said this is the community he raised his family in, and that he aims to serve all who come to the community and love the city and what it stands for.
City council elections statewide take place tomorrow. Stay tuned to KNIA/KRLS for award winning election coverage.