Since being sworn into office in January, Nelson has shadowed the Fort Dodge Fire Department and its paramedics, the Fort Dodge Police Department, Nuisance and Inspections departments, and Public Works Department.

“When I decided to visit different departments within the city, it was to get more information on both sides that would better help me represent the residents of my ward,” said Nelson. “I started getting calls very early on from citizens who had concerns and needed help with different areas regarding city government. I realized that it was hard to answer some of these questions without gaining firsthand knowledge of them and knowing more about what they were talking about.”

Nelson also wanted to meet with city staff so that he understood the different departments and how they functioned.

“It would be hard for me to make a well-informed decision on a budget item or whether a certain department needed something to help with day-to-day tasks if I hadn’t been right there with them as they experienced some of these issues and constraints,” said Nelson.

-Photo by Hans Madsen
Fort Dodge City Council member Cameron Nelson reaches for a bin that’s blocked by several parked cars as he learns about the city’s recycling and garbage collection services. Nelson has spent time in all the city’s various departments to learn about what they do and what their needs are.

Nelson, and fellow Councilman Quennel McCaleb both received orientation processes when they were newly sworn in in January, and soon after began the budget planning process. Nelson said after city budgets wrapped up, he began to use his day off from his fulltime position at Shimkat Motor Co. to spend the day learning within various city departments.

“The process has really been eye-opening and extremely informative,” said Nelson. “It has made me realize, even more than I already did, how much there is entailed in city government. I feel like with each one of these that I am doing, I am getting better and better suited to represent the citizens of Fort Dodge. I also have realized how amazing our public workers are. There have been things I have learned at each department that I hope to use in the future to help with everything they need to provide their vital services to the city.”

Nelson rode with Fort Dodge Police Capt. Donald McLaren for 10 hours earlier this spring to experience what a shift is like for local law enforcement.

“It’s nice to know that the council is wanting to understand my job and our job as Fort Dodge police officers,” said McLaren. “I think it speaks volumes that they want to know, and that translates to them wanting to make Fort Dodge a great place to work.”

Shadowing one specific department — the nuisance and inspections department — was especially educational for Nelson given the number of calls that he receives from constituents.

-Photo by Hans Madsen
Fort Dodge Public Works Maintenance 2 Worker Jay Ort shows Fort Dodge City Councilman Cameron Nelson how the controls on his truck work as Nelson learns the ropes on a recycling route recently.

“This was a very eye-opening experience for me that included many surprises,” said Nelson. “I take a lot of calls from constituents on nuisance complaints, and this was a great day to learn what can be done to help those citizens out with their concerns. It was also great to see how the inspections department handles some of the situations they are put into daily.”

Nelson plans to continue shadowing city employees and departments throughout the coming year, including riding with the snow plow drivers in the winter season, as he believes it continues to provide him with perspective and education, as well as being able to better care for his Ward 2 constituents.

“I would encourage every citizen to learn more about the different departments and inner workings of our city,” said Nelson. “I know all of the departments are more than happy to spend time sharing what they do with the citizens of Fort Dodge. I have learned so much, and I would be more than happy to share my experiences with others. The more people know, the better the city is as a whole. I encourage residents to get ahold of me with any questions or concerns or with ideas of things I could be doing to make our community better.”