We asked Boone city council, mayoral candidates three questions. Here's how they answered.

The city elections are within weeks, and Boone voters must make decisions on four contested races and one running unopposed. 

Nine candidates will be on the Nov. 2 ballot for mayor and city council seats. Current Councilmember at-large Holly Stecker is opposing long-time Mayor John Slight for the mayoral office. 

Annie Wallert and Linda Williamson are both running for Stecker's current seat. In the third ward, Todd Rasmussen is opposing incumbent Elijah Stines. For the fifth ward seat, currently held by Greg Piklapp, Scott Zeitler and Cole Hilpipre are on the ballot. 

Incumbent David Byrd is running unopposed for another term representing the first ward.

Candidates are listed how they will appear on the ballot, according to Boone County sample ballots. The Tribune sent out questionnaires to all the Boone candidates. Here are their responses:

Mayor

Mayor John Slight, incumbent

• Age: 53  
• Place of Birth:  Boone Iowa
• Office: Mayor
• Grew up: Boone, Iowa
• Current Home: Boone
• Political Experience Mayor of Boone 18 years

What is your top issue should you be elected?

1.}  Revitalize downtown.

Work with Boone And Ames CVB to improve downtown not only cosmetics but infrastructure as well.

Work is underway now to tear down The Depot building which will give the downtown a fresh new look.

2.] Maintain current Police and Fire dept staffing.

What’s the number one thing the Boone City Council should do to address the effects of the coronavirus pandemic in Iowa?

I believe if you call 911 someone should be there as soon as possible. Public Safety is a top priority. Along with keeping a Police Officer in the school which I led the charge on.

I feel I can speak on coronavirus since I was recently diagnosed with Covid while on a trip to Mexico and was quarantined for 10 days FYI I was vaccinated in March.

The City Of Boone used our dollars to protect employees Police, Fire, Public Works, Parks, Library, Adm offices so we could do business as usual without disrupting the public. Safety from Coronavirus was a top priority for the City Of Boone.

Boone saw a slight population decrease with the results of the 2020 Census. How would you promote more growth?

The Census showed a slight decrease in population. Not sure how accurate this is do to a low 70s percent return of the Census. As far as promoting growth we recently signed on with Ames Convention and Visitors Bureau

And will continue working with all entities Ames CVB, Boone CVB, Boone Economic Growth to promote the City of Boone. We have actually seen a fair amount of growth recently and will continue to work on it.

Holly Stecker

• Age: 41
• Place of birth: Iowa City, IA
• Office sought: Mayor
• Grew up: Both Boone and Des Moines, IA
• Current home: Boone, IA
• Political experience: 4 years, Boone City Council - At Large

What is your top issue should you be elected?

A renewed focus on Boone’s downtown is my first goal. I will assemble a “Downtown District Committee” bringing public and private partners together centering on a specific strategic plan of short and long-term goals. I believe that arts and culture are critical to a diverse and growing economy and will seek the incubation, growth, and sustainability of small business in the heart of Boone.

What’s the number one thing the Boone City Council should do to address the effects of the coronavirus pandemic in Iowa?

I believe the Mayor's role in addressing the effects of the coronavirus pandemic is to hold the tough conversations with constituents, business owners, and staff to address concerns. A simple way to do this will be regular availability in the Mayor's office, as well as availability before and after council meetings.

Boone saw a slight population decrease with the results of the 2020 Census. How would you promote more growth?

In order to set Boone apart and promote growth we must meet the demands of today’s consumer, by supporting the arts, recreation and small business, including those that have already chosen to call Boone home, while seeking new and unique retail and hospitality options.

City Council, At-large

Linda Williamson

• Age: Did not answer.
• Place of birth: Jefferson
• Office sought: Boone City Council At Large
• Grew up: Jefferson
• Current home: Boone
• Political experience: Ogden School Board, 12 years

What is your top issue should you be elected?

I would like to move Boone forward toward building a new community wellness center which would provide programs and services for all members of the community.  The city council is currently exploring a site for the new center which would help promote growth and development in the downtown area.  I would like to assist in making this plan a reality.  

What’s the number one thing the Boone City Council should do to address the effects of the coronavirus pandemic in Iowa?

The Council should pay attention to the recommendations of health care professionals and I will support those that are appropriate for our community.  

Boone saw a slight population decrease with the results of the 2020 Census. How would you promote more growth?

First of all, Boone needs to be a clean, safe and progressive community to encourage people to move here.  It is also important to provide good schools with caring staff, new technology, and well-maintained facilities.  The City Council should work closely with the schools, business owners, community members, and local organizations to encourage, support, and promote city growth.  

Annie Wallert

• Age: 50
• Place of birth: Minnesota
• Office sought: Boone City Council At Large
• Grew up: Florida
• Current home: Boone
• Political experience: Never held a political position but was a poll watcher and helped with campaigns

What is your top issue should you be elected?

One of the hot-button topics during this election season is planning for a wellness center. While I believe this could be a great opportunity for the people, I also believe in being fiscally responsible to taxpayers of Boone. I will not support a wellness center without letting the citizens vote on whether they want one or not. I have a hard time endorsing the Wellness Center idea and adding staff to manage it when we've had to cut funding to our library. As a councilperson at-large, I will represent the entire city and will put constituents first.

What’s the number one thing the Boone City Council should do to address the effects of the coronavirus pandemic in Iowa?

The Boone city council is responsible for distributing funds received from the American Rescue Plan. The most important thing the Council will do is to make sure that there is transparency and inclusivity in distribution, that funds are directed to the most important stabilization and infrastructure needs first and to also support our local small businesses. Because of the fiscal responsibility of previous councils we may be able to invest some of the ARP funds for future needs as well. This is the most important task the City Council will have to address due to the pandemic.

Boone saw a slight population decrease with the results of the 2020 Census. How would you promote more growth?

Every person and family deserves safe, affordable and permanent housing. This is one of the reasons I created The Boone Homeless Fund, a 501(c (3) in 2019. We have successfully helped 49 families and individuals find homes in our community and provided valuable resources to many others. In order to grow our community we need to continue to create affordable housing. Our downtown can flourish with the right combination of housing, public spaces and business. While attracting new businesses and assisting our small businesses in expanding is important to me, housing will be a top priority of mine if elected.

City Council, Ward One

David Byrd, incumbent

Did not respond to survey. 

City Council, Ward Three

Elijah Stines, incumbent

• Age: 37
• Place of birth: Cherokee, Iowa
• Office sought: 3rd Ward Boone City Council
• Grew up: Holstein, Iowa
• Current home: 233 S. Story St. Boone
• Political experience: Currently serving my first term in the Boone City Council representing Ward 3

What is your top issue should you be elected? 

Helping citizens with their everyday issues. The most satisfying part of serving on the Council in the last four years for me has been getting to know many citizens from all around the Boone with widely varying backgrounds and hearing about the issues that they have which are particular to them that I can help connect them with the resources to solve or at least improve their situation. Being someone who is approachable and relatable is something I will continue to strive to be.

What’s the number one thing the Boone City Council should do to address the effects of the coronavirus pandemic in Iowa?

The role of the City in addressing the effects of the coronavirus pandemic largely is in finding ways to bounce back economically and take care of our small businesses so that they can continue on and be successful. We have also identified several major projects that we will be able to use American Rescue Plan funds to help with that have been put off for many years, this will allow us the fiscal flexibility to take care of these core infrastructure issues and support our small businesses.

Boone saw a slight population decrease with the results of the 2020 Census. How would you promote more growth?

We need to continue the advertising campaign that has been put in place to promote Boone as a great place to live, work, and grow your family. These days many young families such as mine are looking for a place that has a more hometown atmosphere than large cities and suburbs for their family to enjoy more quality time with one another and yet still have the opportunities of great education, activities, and outdoor recreation. Boone offers all that and more!

Todd F. Rasmussen

Did note provide a photo.

• Age: 60
• Place of birth: Atlantic, IA
• Office sought: Boone City Council - Ward 3
• Grew up: Atlantic, IA
• Current home: Boone, IA
• Political experience: I have lobbied our local state legislators on a number of issues; Education, Gun Rights and Personal protection, the Back the Blue Bill this past session especially. Locally, I have been attending our City Council meetings for months and talking more with our County Supervisors on partnership ideas. I ran for the State Senate in 2020 and many issues people talked to me then are just as important and needing attention at the city level.

What is your top issue should you be elected? 

Our local small businesses need more help and attention, especially our Downtown area. Businesses are hurting due to COVID, we need more City focus on high-speed internet private/public partnerships so our locals can sell their products online while utilizing our Ames Economic Development partnership which is a free resource to them. I intend to work with our new Convention/Visitors Bureau leadership to make our community a destination for tourism and bring those new customers to our local businesses. Which then helps our current business owners, our new business owners, and new restaurant options that I want to focus on.

What’s the number one thing the Boone City Council should do to address the effects of the coronavirus pandemic in Iowa?

There is still COVID grant relief our City/Ames EDC partnership can help our local businesses tap if they are in need and some relief for residents that had major income impacts. I know Councilmember Piklapp has been working to direct everybody to such resources and I want to make that a top priority when elected as well. Also have been attending City Council meetings to follow how they are using Federal CARES funding and like how the focus is on crucial infrastructure of sewer and water lines that are decades old and needing such investment while saving local taxpayers money.

Boone saw a slight population decrease with the results of the 2020 Census. How would you promote more growth?

I have several concerns; my main one is with it not matching what I am finding when talking with the people in my ward. People are sharing concerns but they also have great optimism for our community. We are building new homes not seen in decades, having hundreds of open quality jobs, having new companies locating in Boone while our current ones are expanding. I believe the numbers are off due to the worldwide pandemic having people fearful of answering to strangers, lots of job changes, and family focus due to COVID while getting conflicting advice from government authorities. 

City Council, Ward Five

Cole Hilpipre

• Age: 24
• Place of birth: Webster City, Iowa
• Office sought: Boone City Council, 5th Ward
• Grew up: Webster City, Iowa
• Current home: Boone, Iowa
• Political experience: This is my first time seeking a political office! I know this entails a lot of learning on my part and getting to know how local government works. Everybody has to start somewhere! I have worked in healthcare all of my life serving the elderly / intellectually disabled persons. 

What is your top issue should you be elected? 

My top issue for the City would be to find out what is needed from each department within the city. 

I would want to sit down with the departments of the city such as public works, emergency services, library, parks, etc. I would ask them if they are in need of anything. They are the front lines of making our city what it is today. I want to make sure they are able to serve our community the best way possible. If there is something they need, I would see what it would take to get that, so they can serve more efficiently. 

What’s the number one thing the Boone City Council should do to address the effects of the coronavirus pandemic in Iowa?

The City of Boone should give responsible assistance and advice where needed during this pandemic. I also believe that the citizens of Boone are smart people. I trust citizens can make judgments in regards to their health and own personal safety when it comes to the Covid-19 Virus. 

Boone saw a slight population decrease with the results of the 2020 Census. How would you promote more growth?

Small towns in Iowa across the state are struggling with their population. Jobs are what bring people to towns. The current city council has been working on bringing businesses to the old Trilite building which in return will bring jobs and people. If elected to city council, I will continue to support bringing jobs and businesses to Boone. In the long run this will help our city grow and bring new people to the city.

Scott Zeitler

Did not provide a photo.

• Age: 45 
• Place of birth: Fayette County, Iowa
• Office sought: Boone City Council, Ward 5
• Grew up: Adair County, Iowa
• Current home: Boone, Iowa
• Political experience: None

What is your top issue should you be elected? 

 My top issue is transparency in city government. I would like the city budget to be available both online and in print with detailed descriptions of each line on the spreadsheet. I want the city website to be more intuitive with more content. If this requires hiring additional staff, I would push for it. I also want more public meetings outside the regular council meetings.

What’s the number one thing the Boone City Council should do to address the effects of the coronavirus pandemic in Iowa?

I'm not sure there is much the Council can do at this point other than encouraging vaccinations and supporting businesses that wish to require masks or proof of vaccination.

Boone saw a slight population decrease with the results of the 2020 Census. How would you promote more growth?

I want to encourage pedestrian traffic downtown with space for food trucks and pop-up retail. I also would like to make changes to zoning codes so residential neighborhoods can build slightly higher density housing and small shops and cafes to be used by people walking and biking. I would like to plan dedicated bicycle routes connecting parks, schools and downtown.

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Danielle Gehr is a politics and government reporter for the Ames Tribune. She can be reached by email at dgehr@gannett.com, phone at (515) 663-6925 or on Twitter at @Dani_Gehr.