Monday was the first day to file nomination papers with Union County Auditor’s office to run for open city council seats in Creston, Afton, Arispe, Lorimor and Thayer.
There are five open seats in Creston: mayor and ward 2, ward 3, ward 4 and at-large on the Creston City Council. Those seats are currently held by Warren Woods and Rich Madison, Dr. Gabe Carroll, Marsha Wilson and Nancy Loudon, respectively.
Loudon has been a councilwoman in Creston for four years. She confirmed Monday that she won’t be running for re-election.
“I’ve had a positive experience, but it’s time for someone else to step up,” Loudon said. “I’ve gained a lot of knowledge of city government. It’s been a humbling experience. It certainly took up more of my time than I thought it would, but council members have a responsibility to look at everything in front of them, do their homework, ask questions and be readily available to the public.”
Loudon was the council representative on Creston Library and Prairie Solid Waste boards. She added she hopes the city will transition to curbside recycling in the future and that the community and city officials get behind the proposed library expansion.
Loudon thanked Woods, City Manager Mike Taylor, City Clerk Lisa Williamson and all city department heads for their availability and timeliness of providing information needed while she was on the council.
Loudon said her future plans include spending more time with her husband Tim and son Eli, an eighth-grader at Creston Schools. She also will look into becoming a Hospice volunteer and possibly get back into the real estate business again.
Running again
Madison said Monday he is currently in the process of gathering the 25 signatures needed and does plan to run for ward 2 representative. Council members Carroll and Wilson also plan to run in their ward.
Mayor Woods said Monday he will seek re-election with his focus in the next term being improving city streets and finalizing unfinished housing projects while still keeping city taxes low. He’s been mayor of Creston for the past eight years.
“I don’t think anyone should be mayor for life, but we’ve done some good things in the past eight years and we’re going to keep moving forward,” he said.
The final day to file nomination papers to run for Creston City Council is 5 p.m. Sept. 17.
The city election will be Nov. 3, 2015.
Other city races
Afton: Two open seats on council
Arispe: Three open seats on council
Lorimor: Mayor and four open seats on council
Thayer: Mayor and five open seats on council
Cromwell: No open seats on council