Mayor: Iola in housing crisis

Mayor Bill Shirley won’t decide until early January whether to seek re-election. Even so, he has definite thoughts about the direction Iola should take in 2013 and beyond.
At the top of the list are more housing and infrastructure improvements.
Housing is heavy on his mind. He pointed out Iola’s population has slipped below 6,000, in part because of houses lost to the flood of 2007.
“We need housing to attract some of those who are driving here every day to work at Gates and Russell Stover,” the mayor said. “Gates has employees from 12 counties and Russell Stover from 14, which means they’re coming from a lot farther than Neosho, Bourbon, Woodson and Anderson counties.”
Shirley cites fuel costs and time away from home as catalysts that would encourage out-of-town workers to take advantage of affordable housing.
Tom Carlson, former mayor of Springfield, Mo., and now a developer, built 29 units, mostly duplexes, west of Cedarbrook Golf Course and wants to expand that number by 27, depending on pending tax credit approval by the state.
“All 29 he built are full,” Shirley said.
The new homes would be constructed among those already in place.
Carlson rents the homes for 15  years in an arrangement that gives the renter opportunity to purchase at the end of that time, with credit for money invested through rent.
Also, Iola Housing, a non-profit group of local investors, has built two homes and intends to build a two-apartment complex at the corner of Garfield and Buckeye streets.
“We can provide streets and utilities and the next step is to encourage developers to build,” offered City Administrator Carl Slaugh, expressing hope that as the economy recovers builders will become more aggressive.
Iola’s sewer system, some portions a century old, needs attention, the mayor said, and maintenance of streets is an annual responsibility.
Industrial development also is on Shirley’s mind.
“We had someone look at the Haldex building Wednesday,” he said. And it’s important for “the city, county and Iola Industries to work together when industrial opportunities come up.”
Finally, Shirley said he’d like for the city to take a more active role in encouraging Iolans to spruce up their properties to make the city inviting to visitors and potential new residents.

SHIRLEY has been involved in Iola’s governance for 12 years as a city commissioner or mayor and is the only member of the governing body who has been exposed to both the three-member commission and today’s nine-member body.
Shirley thinks he has provided stability and a bridge in governance.
“I don’t want to play games,” and will decide soon whether to run again for mayor, Shirley said. “I care about Iola and the people who live here, but because of my age — I’m 75  — it bothers me a little to be making decisions for young families that they should be making.
“I’d like to see our younger people get more involved.”
Shirley and the council members have until noon Jan. 22 to file for re-election.
Starting with the 2013 election, council members will start a rotation that will have four elected each two years to four-year terms.
To begin the rotation in the spring election, the council member elected in each of Iola’s four wards with the most votes will serve four years, the second-place candidate will serve two years. In 2015, two-year positions will be filled for four years and the rotation will be in place.
A mayor will be elected every two years.