Voters to re-elect Monticello incumbents

Feldmann to serve as Ward 1 representative
By: 
Kim Brooks
Express Editor

Monticello voters retained the incumbent city council members per results of the Nov. 5 city and school election. 

Ward 2 candidates included appointee/incumbent Candy Langerman and her opponent Brandon Hunter. Langerman won the seat with 57-50 votes. There were zero write-ins. 

For At-large Steve Hanken was opposing incumbent Brenda Hanken. Brenda won the seat with 200-163 votes. There were 10 write-ins. 

Mayor Brian Wolken was unopposed, receiving 348 votes. There were 17 write-ins for mayor. 

Chris Lux, incumbent council candidate for Ward 3 was also unopposed. Lux received 47 votes, with eight write-ins. 

There were no candidates running to fill the council Ward 1 seat, with Rob Paulson the current council representative. There were 20 write-in votes for Ward 1. According to County Auditor and Commissioner of Elections Janine Sulzner, Gary Feldmann won with the most write-in votes. 

In the Monticello Community School District Board of Education election, both John Schlarmann and Amanda Brenneman were elected. Both were running unopposed. Brenneman received 281 votes; Schlarmann with 380. There were 13 write-ins. 

With nine precincts in Jones County, there are a total of 13,635 registered voters. Voter turnout for Nov. 5 was at 12.85 percent, with 1,752 ballots cast. 

The Jones County Board of Supervisors will canvass the votes during the regular meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 13. 

Statewide, more than 359,000 ballots were cast in the city/school election, according to Secretary of State Paul Pate’s office. This is the first time the city and school board elections were combined. 

“Overall, I’m pleased with how the first city/school elections went across the state,” said Pate. “As Iowa’s voter registration totals continue to soar, I believe turnout in these important local elections will follow the trend… We will now be working with county auditors to conduct post-election audits. That’s another important layer of protection we added to the press to help ensure the integrity of the vote.” 

Feldmann admitted he never considered running for city council until he read in the Monticello Express that current Ward 1 Council member Rob Paulson was not interested in seeking re-election. With no one filing a petition to fill the seat, Feldmann said, “I was disappointed that we were going to be unrepresented. 

“I figured having my bottom in the seat was better than it sitting empty!” 

Feldmann spoke to a number of people about his interest in filling the Ward 1 seat, and said the support was overwhelming. 

“I am conservative and I believe in freedom and responsibility,” he said. 

Feldmann is excited to see the city codebook finally available to everyone online, and reforming some of the codes. He said people should have access to and know the laws. 

Langerman said she is happy to have the chance to continue to serve the Monticello community. 

“I’d like to thank the residents of Monticello for being involved and voting in the recent election,” she said. “We have many important decisions to make concerning our city’s waste water treatment plant, the Sixth Street Ditch, street projects, and many other things that concern all of us.” 

Langerman said she continues to weigh each issue that comes before the council, and listens to people’s input. 

“I urge people to be involved in our decision-making process by reading council agendas, watching or attending council meetings, and giving input by contacting council members or sharing thoughts at council meetings.” 

Brenda Hanken said she was honored and humbled to be elected again to serve the residents of Monticello. 

“That says to me people still care about people,” she said. “The wants, needs, ideas should still be respectfully recognized and listened to, pros and cons considered.” 

Hanken said with the city spending taxpayer dollars for city projects and services, it’s important to listen to everyone. 

In the coming near future, Hanken said the council would be making some major decisions on the sewer plant. 

“That will cost a lot of money,” she said. 

Hanken also urged residents to attend city council meetings on the first and third Mondays of the month at 6 p.m. 

“Hope to see you there!”

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