After serving a bit more than 36 years as a Fort Dodge police officer, Dennis Mernka is looking for a new way to serve his community.

Mernka is running for the Ward 3 seat on the City Council.

Todd McCubbin and Jeanette Moss are already on the ballot for that seat, so Mernka’s entry into the race triggers an Oct. 7 primary election in that ward. The top two vote-getters will advance to the Nov. 4 general election.

Ward 3 is in the northeast part of the city.

Getting more public input into city government is his priority, Mernka said.

“I want more input from the people so that we’re representing them, not just us at the council table,” he said. “I want more standup for the every day person.”

The candidate said he also wants “just a little bit more accountability” in city government.

Mernka is a native of Fort Dodge who graduated from Fort Dodge Senior High School. He studied criminal justice at Iowa Central Community College. He then served for 36 and a half years as a Fort Dodge police officer. He retired about a year and a half ago with the rank of lieutenant.

Mernka, who lives on Kramme Drive, is married and has one daughter. He is a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church.

He has joined a growing field of candidates for city office which includes Councilman Dave Flattery, who is running for mayor, Councilwoman Jen Crimmins (Ward 1), Councilman Cameron Nelson (Ward 2), Councilman Kim Alstott (Ward 4), Michael Haubrich (at large), former Councilman Terry Moehnke (at large), and Eugene Newsome (at large).