Christine Nielsen resigned from her position as Creston City Council member before the end of her term due to health and financial concerns.
Nielsen announced her resignation at the council’s regular meeting on Tuesday, and the council received her letter of resignation the following day on Wednesday.
“I needed to step down from my position due to a loophole in our current health-care system,” Nielsen said in an email. “It is an unfortunate truth that I don’t believe will be fixed by either presidential candidate who is running for office. I have Crohn’s disease in my small and large intestines that requires health care (insurance) for my numerous medications and doctor visits. Sadly, this is more of a priority for me and I needed to resign to guarantee my health-care status.”
Nielsen joined the council in January 2016 and served for more than nine months as city-at-large representative. Nielsen’s term was set to end on Dec. 31, a year after she was elected.
“I think it is sad she had to resign,” Mayor Pro-Tem Rich Madison said. “She was a real asset to the council.”
During her time, she worked closely with the Creston library board and the Friends of the Library. She also co-chaired the Library Fundraising Committee with Aric Bishop, helping the library board in its efforts to expand by seeking funds through state and federal grants and local fundraisers.
“She did a really fine job as far as everyone here was concerned,” Mayor Gary Lybarger said.
Before she joined the council, Nielsen worked with community service organizations in Arizona. That same passion for the inner workings of the community spurred her to join Creston City Council.
“I was inspired to join Creston City Council to first have a better understanding of how our city ran and to better know our policies and ordinances,” she said. “Also, it was at a time when we were discussing closing our small business, Upper Crust, and I still wanted to be a part of our community and have a community presence. I am not a native to Creston, but I consider Creston to be my home and I have met such wonderful people here that have become family to me. It was a way for me to give back to my home.”
How quickly the seventh seat on the council fills depends on the experience and qualifications of the candidates applying for the position. “It depends if we get lucky,” Lybarger said. “It could take as long as a month.”
In the coming weeks, the council will notify the public of the open position and begin the application process.