Part 2 of a two-part series.
The position of Goldfield’s City Clerk came open at the end of 2020 and Kathy Nelson jumped at the chance to become its new clerk. “I liked the fact that it was three blocks from my house,” she said. She was previously employed by Team Effort in Clarion and didn’t care for the drive in the winters. Between her clerical and computer duties at Team Effort, she believed she could make a favorable transition.
“I started my training for the job the first of September,” Nelson said, “and have been the City Clerk since the first of January this year.” She admits that the learning continues. The Dakota City Clerk serves as her mentor. She also appreciates the help of Goldfield Mayor Gabe Fiscus plus the city council: Anthony Meinke; Chris Peterson; Sadie Sorensen; and Tom Crees. Long-time Goldfield resident Steve Whyte recently passed away and will be replaced by appointment soon, until the next city election. “They are an awesome group to work with,” Nelson said. “Always willing to answer my questions.”
Early in the transition process all the city’s software is being updated. “Everything from our accounts payable to our utility billing,” Nelson said. “It is pretty easy as I don’t have much background in the previous system.” She was really grateful for the help she had in getting the 2021 budget put together and passed.
She and the Goldfield leadership looks forward to the housing development of the area near the Goldfield school. “There are 13 housing lots there,” Nelson said. “It would be good to have some nice homes built there. I am hopeful that it takes off sometime in the near future. It’s a big project. We always welcome new people into our community.”
“It is always nice when a community member or group tackles a new project in Goldfield,” Nelson said. She points to the downtown city park project (Old School Park) in the last few years when fundraisers were held, and new park equipment was installed.
Another one was the completion of the Park Dam Project in the River Park in northwest Goldfield. “That was done a number of years ago, but small improvements continue to be made there,” Nelson said. “Joe Skinner and Greg Soenen continue to work on things in the park there.” The dam project made the Boone River navigable for a number of miles. It allows rafting and tubing down the rapids. She said that it is common to see fishing enthusiasts trying their luck in and near the park.
Kathy’s husband, Greg, is employed at Goldfield’s ethanol plant. They are the parents of three: Faith is a third-year student at the University of Iowa, studying to be a language arts teacher; and twins who are CGD seniors – Kain, who plans to play football at Iowa Central Community College; and Paige who wants to attend UNI, majoring in English.
