Jerod Kelley compares the Iola City Council and its dynamics to that of a team — a team that he believes he can be a part of.
“It’s a chance to be a leader in the community and make a difference,” Kelley said. “I want my fair and balanced opinion to be heard.”
Kelley is running for the Ward Four council seat against Sandy Zornes and the incumbent, Steve French. The top vote-getter will serve a four-year term, second will serve two years.
Kelley, 32, a native of Olathe, graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in civil engineering in 2004. After graduating, Kelley was selected for an associate engineer position with the Kansas Department of Transportation office in Iola. He is currently the area construction engineer.
In addition to his engineering work, he serves on the Iola planning commission.
“It’s a great starting point, you get to take on a lot of issues,” he said.
Kelley has a five-year-old daughter, Brienna, and takes any chance he can to hit the links at the Allen County Country Club.
Kelley has two main goals in mind for his potential term with the city council:
— To support Iola’s “most valuable resource, the city employees and staff;
— And to explore opportunities to help disadvantaged and low-income families in Iola.
He said it is important for a city to embrace a culture of support and communication with its employees. He said this may be through simply increasing communication or finding other ways to help employees.
“Sometimes you have to find other avenues of support,” he said.
As for low-income families, Kelley said oftentimes the economically disadvantaged do not receive the representation or attention they deserve. He said the city can do its part to improve infrastructure in certain areas, as well as increase efforts to provide quality low-income housing.
Infrastructure is Kelley’s cup of tea.
“I can draw from everybody and get a gauge to get things on track,” he said. “I would be an asset.”
Looking ahead in 2013, Kelley said he believes the city council is in good position to move forward. He said the dynamic needs to be one of objectivity in order to represent the people of Iola’s needs accurately.
“It’s important for the council’s opinion not to ride on the coattails of dominant personalities,” he said.
All in all, Kelley said the council would provide him the opportunity to make changes that need to be made in the city, and to represent the needs of its residents.
“It gives me the opportunity to make a difference.”
Kelley wants to be part of city’s team
