FD candidates on the issues
Voters will choose on TuesdayArticle PDFs
Candidates on issues
Fort Dodge voters will pick their next mayor and City Council members Tuesday.
The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m,
The mayoral race features Councilman Matt Bemrich and Councilwoman Cindy Litwiller.
Two at-large members of the council will be elected. The candidates are Andy Fritz; Eugene Newsome; Dennis O'Farrell, who was a councilman and a Webster County supervisor; and Robert ''Barney'' Patterson. The top two vote-getters will be seated on the council in January and will serve four-year terms.
In the 1st Ward, Councilman Curt Olson is unopposed for his fourth term. The 1st Ward includes western Fort Dodge, part of downtown and Pleasant Valley.
In the 2nd Ward, Rita Carlson is challenging Councilman Don Wilson, who's seeking his fourth term. The 2nd Ward is the southern half of the city.
Margy Halverson-Collins and Richard Higgins are vying to represent the 3rd Ward. That ward is the northeastern portion of town.
The race in the 4th Ward pits Tom Hemann against Kelly Hindman. The 4th Ward is the north central part of the city.
Council members elected to represent the wards serve two-year terms.
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Mrcoozy
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11-02-09 10:44 PM
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If people Split the vote for Don Wilson he will end up loosing both seats. I like Don's Views and I really want his Voice representing me so lets get him back in as a council member and then next election work at getting him to be Mayor.
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boatassembler
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11-02-09 10:42 PM
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Mongo: Not sure what happened to Paladin. Haven't heard from or about him in quite awhile. Miss his comments even if I didn't agree with him all the time. You have any news?
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Fairplay
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11-02-09 10:32 PM
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Not sure where he went...and I know I don't care. I suspect he's getting ready to get the last laugh after tomorrow when this city, in overwhelming numbers again, decides to move forward and leave the cast of constantly negative bloggers to lick their wounds.
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mongococo1
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11-02-09 9:07 PM
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Boatassembler- why do you think our pal (Padalin) have not been commenting with us since 10-01-09 on the election or candidates? He made one and gone again.
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mongococo1
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11-02-09 9:05 PM
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This is my belief based now on certainly, but on what seems true or probable. I feel a company will be letting go over 100 employees in Jan 2010.
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gummybear
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11-02-09 1:12 AM
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prosandcons, if I knew for sure Cindy would do what you are stating, then she does have my vote!! The FD Police Dept and our Sheriffs office does need cleaning up so bad!! I know she cant do anything about the Sheriffs office,but if shes really willing to start on the FDPD she has my vote!!!! The rest stands Wilson then for Ward 2, Tom Hemann for Ward 4, Higgins for Ward 3. Eugene Newsome and Robert Patterson for at large!
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boatassembler
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11-01-09 7:21 PM
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But I do sgree that writing in Wilson for mayor is a waste of a vote. Why would anyone want to take away his vote on the council by making him mayor? Besides I defy anyone to show me the last time a write in candidate won any election in Ft Dodge when there were already people on the ballot. Anyone?
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boatassembler
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11-01-09 7:18 PM
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Mongo I agree with all you say except no election is about just 2 issues. Streets and taxes are not the entire ballgame. Moving Ft Dodge into the future is also importanat and sitting on our hands waiting for an upturn in the economy is not the answer. Waiting and not doing anything is what has gotten Ft Dodge into the mess we are in, and waiting around will not solve our problems now. We must move forward. If we have fiscally responsible people we can move forward even in the slow times.
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mongococo1
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11-01-09 6:42 PM
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Don't waste you vote as write in, vote for wilson in his ward. Fd needs him on the council. If he wanted mayor he would had run.
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CITYELECTIONVOTER2009
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11-01-09 5:00 PM
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I called Don Wilson just a little bit ago & just specifically point blank asked him if he would be willing to serve as mayor if I wrote his name in on the ballot. He was polite & in no way anxious to just crowd anyone off the ballot but clearly said he would be willing to be mayor of FD if the people really wanted him and wrote him in during Tuesday's election. He said several others have asked him the same question. If the other two choices were all that wonderful, this wouldn't be happening. Mr. Wilson is willing to serve as mayor IF he wins via write in votes. Granted, he can't vote but there are things he CAN do. So, I'm writing Don Wilson's name on my ballot in for mayor. SPREAD THE WORD EVERYBODY!
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Samiam
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11-01-09 2:16 PM
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Those are all sensible choices mono..smart choices too in my book
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mongococo1
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11-01-09 1:29 PM
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this is my opinion. Litwiller for mayor, Wilson, patterson, Fritz, Higgins and Hermann for councilman. If the voters pick the above they will have back the city or away from city government. I feel the five will restore fiscal responsibility by using sensible financial policies. Growth is good we need it but not at this time since we are all are in a economic downfall. Every penny counts right now. Ward 3 & 4 are the wards the city needs. Hindman and Collins are being supported by the Chamber of Commerce with Bob Wood working hard with both to learn the issues and what is important for our community. The C of C needs growth which is ok, needs money and new taxes to keep their members happy. Fd has no new businesses coming at this time which in turn means no new taxes from the 5th street corridor. This election is down to 2 items, streets and stop taxes or lower. The above 5 will be the memebers to work with citizens. Take back your city
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jaybares
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11-01-09 1:06 PM
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OK, I give up. What is color coding of names listed in the PDF?
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FDTROOPER
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11-01-09 10:23 AM
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Ok time for a fact check.....The Mayor is the CEO of the City, Setting goals and objectives with the Council and City Manager. Policy advocate, developing programs and lining up support. Ceremonial task are just part of the Mayor's Job. Please check the City Charter on FD web page for additional duties of the Mayor and City Manager.
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boatassembler
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11-01-09 9:03 AM
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MrCoozy agree with what you said except about the city manager. The council (the only ones who votes) is the ones who decide which direction the city goes. The city manager simply helps in the direction the council leans to.
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boatassembler
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11-01-09 9:00 AM
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gummy: Why would you want Wilson for mayor and take away his power to vote? If Don wanted to be mayor he would have filed papers and ran.
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Mrcoozy
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11-01-09 7:37 AM
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If Don Wilson wanted to be mayor he would have ran for the position. We need him as a council person because the mayor is just "supposed" be a face for people or ceremonial with limited power. This has not been the case the last few years with the current Mayor trying to run the show. We did vote to hire a city manager He is the person we chose to decide the direction the city will/should go.
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prosandcons
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11-01-09 7:20 AM
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gummybear---great thoughts but Donny can do more as a council memeber. than he can as mayor. I believe. DONNY is the best councilman this city has senn in a long time. I encourage eveyone to vote for MR. Newsome as well. Its time for a change . Alos vote Cindy for Mayor. SO she can start and get rid of our incompetent ACTING CHIEF OF POLICE
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gummybear
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11-01-09 4:34 AM
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Don Wilson for mayor!! Write it in. Tom Hemann for Ward 4. Richard Higgins for 3rd Ward. Eugene Newsome and Robert Patterson for at large. Cant go wrong if we love this way!!!
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