Faye Jones
WHAT CHEER – Faye Jones is running for the What Cheer City Council
“With all of crime and the chaos that there is in the larger cities, many families are looking to move to smaller towns, smaller communities, to raise their families. When I moved here two years ago, I was asked ‘Why What Cheer?’ Well, I would answer, ‘Why not What Cheer?’ This town is not dying. You hear all the time, of little towns and what not that ‘Oh they’re just dying up.’ They’re not dying. What Cheer’s not dying. What Cheer’s being strangled to death from within,” said Jones. “Without equality, without fairness, without justice, without integrity and most importantly transparency, you can’t save any town. This town, as it sits right now, it’s like it’s on life support, just waiting for somebody to pull the plug. And I don’t want that,” said Jones.
Jones stated to the News-Review that her goal was to grow the town, stating that, if What Cheer does not grow, the town will not survive. She stated that there are only two businesses in What Cheer, Dollar General and Casey’s, and that they cannot support the town, forcing people to go elsewhere for work. She stated that no one wants to drive 60 miles for work and that this pushes people to move out of What Cheer and closer to their jobs. Jones stated that What Cheer struggles to bring back kids after they go to college or a trade school and that, if they don’t do something now, the current generation of children are going to leave What Cheer, leaving them unable to maintain the town. She stated that a manufacturing company had wanted to move to the south side of town, but that they had been shut down before they could start.
“You cannot grow a town, or even sustain a town, when there’s nothing here for these kids when they graduate school,” said Jones.
Jones noted that she isn’t originally from Iowa and claimed that people are treated like outcasts for not having the right last name, not being part of the right social circle, or for not having enough money in their bank account. She claimed that many ordinances haven’t been enforced in years and that some ordinances are only enforced by a select few disliked by the city government. She claimed that money was being spent on unnecessary items, that technology was not being utilized, that growth opportunities are being sidelines, that resources for improvement are not being applied for, and that behind the scenes arguments and decisions are being hid from the community. Jones stated that she wants to begin livestreaming council meetings, streamline ordinances, lower the cost of utilities, strengthen communication between the city government and the community, explore ways to bring new businesses close to town, ensure tax dollars are spent wisely, ensure that ordinances are enforced legally, and make city hall hours convenient for working commuters.
“I’m a very blunt, very open, honest individual,” Jones said. “It is what it is. You cannot please everybody all of the time. But if you are focused on doing what is right, what the law says that you can do, and treating everybody as an equal human being, regardless of what their last name is, you have a better opportunity to grow this town. Nobody wants to move somewhere that they don’t feel welcome, or where they’re not included, or where they’re going to be scrutinized for what they do or their beliefs.”
John Mather
KEOTA – John Mather is running for the Keota City Council.
“I am running for city council to help make a difference in a town that can be great! Keota is where I was a raised and where my wife and I are raising our children. In order for us and other families to keep doing so the town needs support from caring members with the city’s best interest in mind! I am hopeful that with all the candidates in this election new council members can be appointed and motivate others to run in the future. In my opinion we’ve had who we have for way too long, and it’s time for CHANGE!” Mather wrote in an email to the News-Review.
Mather stated that he would like to implement a department of recreation to overlook the city’s pool, library and parks. He stated that, by having a person or persons overlooking these assets, the city can assure they get full attention and not take away time from other city employee or official’s time to do do their original duties. Mather also stated he would like to implement safer neighborhoods and streets, by supporting stronger law enforcement presence, better traffic safety measures, and proactive efforts to clean up rundown or neglected properties.
Mather is a graduate from the Keota High School who has lived in the area for more than 25 years. He currently works as an Automotive Technician at Keota Transmission & Repair. He previously worked as a farm hand.
“Keota’s main challenge is survival,” Mather wrote. Over the last few years small businesses have been coming to town and that is perfect! We need to do our best to support them and encourage others to come and open up as well. The city’s economy relies on these businesses to keep people in town and doors open! Bringing more families to town or keeping current families in town is essential for our school system, without the school it will be difficult for businesses and community members to continue to thrive.”
Trent Forrest
NORTH ENGLISH – Trent Forrest is running for reelection to the English Valleys School Board. Forrest, who works at Iowa Elite Marketing and owns the Main Street Pub, is a lifelong resident of North English who graduated from English Valleys in 2005.
“I’m just really passionate about that area, North English specifically, and that school district. That’s where I received my education. That’s where my siblings received their education. And so it’s very important that it gets taken care of and that it’s there for generations to come,” said Forrest.
Forrest was elected to the school board in 2021, running after hearing public concerns about the future of the school and its financial wellbeing, enrollment, and test scores. Forrest stated that the current board has improved the district significantly in the past four years, with the school’s financial status, school report card, and test scores all improving significantly. The board also invested into the school’s infrastructure, handling maintenance that had been deferred for years on the school buildings. Forrest stated he wanted to continue working on infrastructure if reelected.
“I feel that we have such good things started, that it would be a disservice to step away now, and not see some of these things through,” said Forrest.
Forrest stated that, if reelected, he wants to focus on getting the facilities to be top notch, with proper classrooms and amenities, and teachers having the tools they need. He stated that English Valleys has to compete with a lot of great nearby districts and has lost some kids to open enrollment. He stated they needed to take care of and invest in their facilities to make the school successful. Forrest, who is 38, stated that he is on the younger side, and sees the advantage of being progressive minded and looking at different technology and furnishing needs.
“Everything’s for the kids. And I think sometimes people lose sight of that, but we’re there for the children and getting them an education,” said Forrest.Trent Forrest
Bunny Peiffer
HARPER – Roberta “Bunny” Peiffer, a retired nurse, is running for the Harper City Council.
“It’s just a small town, and I care about the town. Care about how the town looks. I just care. I think we need people to care about and have pride in the town,” said Peiffer.
Peiffer stated that she wants to clean up properties in town and trim weeds. She also stated that she wants to put a flag on the town flagpole again.
“I’d just like to see everybody work together to make it a nice little town,” said Peiffer.
