Name: Dave Flattery

Address: 1310 N. 29th St.

Occupation: President of Availa Bank

Education: Bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University, Ames; graduate of St. Edmond High School

What is your vision for the future of Fort Dodge?

”I see a positive vision for the future of Fort Dodge. I’d like to see a vision in which it’s family-friendly, it’s a place where people and businesses want to live and prosper.

”I think the vision needs to start with the downtown. I want to see a vibrant downtown that encourages commerce.

”I think we’ve got to look at what to do with the mall. We’ve talked about a new rec center, trails, parks, all those family-friendly features that bring people to Fort Dodge.”

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

”I think the No. 1 issue is the recruitment of labor to Fort Dodge, and it could be anywhere from a specialized doctor down to a blue collar person that’s working in a manufacturing facility. I don’t think those two people are any different from each other. I think they have the same appeal.

”It’s all what I’ve said before: it’s making Fort Dodge attractive to recruit labor. I don’t think Fort Dodge is any different than any other rural community in the state of Iowa or the Midwest. So without question, that’s the No. 1 issue.

”I think on a side note we’ve struggled with our image. So image is part of recruiting. So we’ve got to improve our image.”

What would you recommend to improve public safety in Fort Dodge?

”I think we need a collaborative effort that works with both county and city. The county’s been very good with us in economic development. We’ve had a really good relationship over the last 10 years. Somehow, if we could pool our resources with the county, focus together how we could improve law enforcement. I’m not suggesting that we have one county law enforcement, but a better collaborative effort with the county.

”I think what we’ve done with ambulance service has been positive.

”I think the key to public safety is leadership and I think we’ve got good leadership. ”

How do you think the city should proceed with the Warden Plaza project?

”There are some deadlines that we need to abide by with KDG. I think they either need to perform or we seek other developers. They’re saying that they’re being dictated by the feds, but there have been some deadlines that have come and gone. They’re blaming it on the feds, but I think it’s something that the delay is more themselves. I think if there are some more delays before year end we probably should look at severing our relationship and look for another developer.

”I think we continue to have a dialogue, but if they shut that dialogue off, if they’re canceling appointments, canceling meetings, then I think the council needs to really, seriously look at are they serious at the restoration of the Warden.”

What do you think the next step should be in improving the riverfront?

”The river is an undeveloped resource that we’ve got to look to for more recreation, and again, family-friendly recreation. It needs to be more of an attraction for kayaking, boating, tubing, fishing, of course,”

He said the first step should be building structures called J-hooks that would create new places for fishing.

He said he sees the green space along the Des Moines River at west end of Central Avenue as the ”hub” for future riverfront development.