To the Editor:

As Election Day approaches, it’s important to look closely at the facts and the differences between the candidates for City Council Ward 4.

• Country Club irrigation improvement project: Ed Touney calls the $140,000 Country Club loan a “gift.” Kim Alstott correctly explains it’s a loan being repaid with interest by the club members, not a handout from the city.

• City debt: Ed Touney insists the city debt falls on the property taxpayers. In reality, as Kim Alstott notes, nearly 92 percent of city debt is paid through user fees from local industry and utilities, not from property taxes.

• Street improvements: Ed Touney opposes applying for Iowa DOT funding to fix our streets. Kim Alstott supports pursuing every available dollar to improve our infrastructure without burdening local property taxpayers.

• City government: Ed Touney does not support the current city manager form of government. Kim Alstott believes in professional, accountable management that keeps our city moving forward.

Kim Alstott brings facts, leadership, and a forward-looking approach to city government. Fort Dodge needs a council member who understands how to get things done and keeps taxpayers first, that person is Kim Alstott.

Bob Wood

Fort Dodge