Monday, December 5, 2011
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Candidates Chuck Jons and Victoria Szopinski face off for the Fourth Ward Ames City Council seat.
A runoff election between Chuck Jons and Victoria Szopinski for the Ames City Council's Fourth Ward seat is Tuesday. Both candidates received about 42 percent of the vote on Nov. 8. Jons received just five more votes than Szopinski, 381 to 376. A third candidate, Frank Jeffrey, received 139 votes, according to official results posted at the Story County Auditor's Office. Whoever wins Tuesday's runoff election will take their seat during the midst of the city's budget planning process. The candidates were asked for their views on economic, environmental and social sustainability during an Oct. 27 candidate forum. Szopinski said, “Well as a citizen of the world I believe in making sure that we are protecting our environment and that we're …
Friday, December 2, 2011
Ames City Council Candidates Chuck Jons and Victoria Szopinski are competing in a run-off election for the council's 4th ward.
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Friday, December 2, 2011
Ames has broadly and deeply benefited from Chuck Jons' commitment to community service over the past 40 years. Story County ASSET Board, Youth and Shelter Services Board, Ames Chamber of Commerce, Ames Public Library Board, Story County United Way, and Ames Planning and Zoning Commission are just a few of the venues where Chuck has consistently demonstrated transparent and trustworthy leadership. Regardless of the issue up for discussion, we have come to know him as an informed listener and a thoughtful decision-maker who is responsible to his constituency. His vision for a vital Ames achieved through balanced growth, broadening of the tax base and encouraging entrepreneurs while safe-guarding critical social services and protecting our …
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Chuck Jons will face Victoria Szopinski Dec. 6 in a run off election for the Ames City Council's 4th ward.
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Thursday, December 1, 2011
I am writing in support of Chuck Jons for Ames City Council in the 4th ward. I have known Chuck since moving to Ames in the early 1980s. Chuck is experienced, well rounded and he has no ax to grind. He is smart, he is a good listener and he cares about all of Ames. Chuck supports growth, protecting the environment and social services. He believes government should be transparent and he believes Ames and Iowa State University must work together. I lived in the 4th ward for 28 years and cannot think of a better person to represent the citizens of the 4th ward and indeed all of the citizens of Ames. I urge you to vote for Chuck Jons for 4th ward councilman in the run off election Dec. 6. Sincerely Rich Fellingham
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
A low number of registered voters cast a ballot in the Ames City Council election with just one contested race and a library bond project on the ballot.
Voter turnout for Tuesday's Ames City Council election, which included a bond referendum for an Ames Public Library expansion project was just 11.7 percent, according to information from the Story County Auditor's Office. This was less than in the September school board election, where as many as 16 percent of registered voters cast a ballot. The auditor's office reported that 473 absentee ballots were requested for all of the county's elections on Tuesday. In September, voters requested 571 ballots, said Kristy Macki, an election assistant. By 11 a.m. Tuesday less than 4 percent of registered voters in Ames had cast a ballot. Voting activity was slightly higher in Ward 4, where voters had a candidate to choose from. More than 10 percent …
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Construction on a renovated and expanded Ames Public Library could begin by the fall of 2012.
More than 76 percent of voters approved an $18 million bond referendum for an Ames Public Library expansion project Tuesday, according to unofficial returns. Ames Public Library Director Art Weeks said simply that he felt happy after learning the outcome. The bonds will pay for the bulk of the $20 million cost to renovate and expand the library. “I'm humbled how the community has come together on this issue,” Weeks said. The vote was 3,960 yes to 1,235 no. It required approval by 60 percent of voters. “It was a solid show of support across all divisions,” he said. The co-chairs of the Library Project's vote committee, Pat Brown and Jim Popken, and volunteers went from house to house educating voters. “Ames community members made a …
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday. Three city council seats and an $18 million bond referendum to finance renovations and expansion of the Ames Public Library are on the ballot.
Any Ames resident going to the polls today will be voting to re-elect a citywide Ames City Council Candidate and whether or not to approve an $18 million bond for a $20 million Ames Public Library expansion project. There is also one contested City Council race in Ward 4. Incumbent Riad Mahayni, decided not to run, so Frank Jeffrey, Chuck Jons and Victoria Szopinski are vying for the seat. Jami Larson is unopposed for the Ward 2 council seat and incumbent Matthew Goodman has no challenge for his at-large council seat. Voters will also be asked if the city should be allowed to bond no more than $18 million for a library expansion project. People can look up their polling place by clicking here and entering their address. Enter the town …
Friday, November 4, 2011
Three newcomers have filed to represent the 4th Ward in the Ames City Council Election. This voter said she will pick Chuck Jons.
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Friday, November 4, 2011
I was delighted to learn that Chuck Jons is running for a 4th ward seat on the Ames City Council. I know Chuck to be a seasoned leader. I know his work style to be reasoned, collaborative, always welcoming the views of others. I know he is a person of great integrity. The qualification that sets Chuck apart from other candidates is his nearly 40-year investment of time and talent in the Ames community, having served on many local boards and committees benefiting our youth and adults. Noting that he sees in Ames a potential for healthy growth just reaffirms my support. We have been well-served by Riad Mayhani and Chuck Jons will follow that tradition of thoughtful leadership. Please join me in voting for Chuck Jons Tuesday, Nov. 8. Donna …
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Three people in the Ames City Council's 4th Ward have opted to run for the open seat in the Nov. 8 election. Riad Mahayni, who currently holds the seat, decided not to seek re-election. Frank Jeffrey, Chuck Jons and Victoria Szopinski are vying for the se
Council Candidate Ward 4 Name: Victoria Szopinski Age: 55 Family: Husband, Steve Sullivan; son, Harry Sullivan, 11. Occupation: Former director of conference services at Iowa State University. Currently she is a community volunteer. Education: Bachelor's degree in marketing from Iowa State University in 1990 and a master's degree in communications from Simon Fraser University Vancouver, British Columbia, in 1994. Szopinski worked in the music business in the Detroit area before going back to school. Why you are running for office: “It's something I wanted to do for a long time and the timing was right for me.” Szopinski said her son is getting older … and since Riad Mahayni, who currently holds the seat, decided not to run she decided to …
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Three people in the Ames City Council's 4th Ward have opted to run for the open seat in the Nov. 8 election. Riad Mahayni, who currently holds the seat decided not to run. Frank Jeffrey, Chuck Jons and Victoria Szopinski are vying for the seat.
Council Candidate 4th Ward Name: Chuck Jons Age: 71 Occupation: Retired physician of McFarland Clinic and the U.S. Air force. Family: Wife Carolyn. Three grown children and five grandchildren. Education: 1965 graduate of the University of Iowa Medical School. I received my MD from the University of Washington in 1970. It included an internship in the Parkland Hospital in Dallas. I then served in the U.S. Air force for two years triaging patients at the Clark Air Base in the Philippines during Vietnam. Why are you running for office: "It's that time in life where you do things that excite your soul rather than sit back in a rocking chair. I'm on a lot of boards and I know many people." Jons said he knows what Ames has to offer and wants to …
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Three people in the Ames City Council's 4th Ward have opted to run for the open seat in the Nov. 8 election. Riad Mahayni, who currently holds the seat decided not to run. Frank Jeffrey, Chuck Jons and Victoria Szopinski are vying for the seat.
Ames City Council Candidate 4th Ward Name: Frank Jeffrey Age: 62 Family: Wife, Cyndie; and two sons. Occupation: Founder of PowerFilm, a solar module manufacturing company. PowerFilm products convert sun to electricity. Education: Bachelor degree in physics from Iowa State University in 1972. A doctorate in physics from Iowa State University in 1980. Why are you running for office: "I've been paying quite a bit of attention to the council and up until now I haven't had much spare time. I think I can bring a different perspective and compliment (the current council.) Allocating funds is 95 percent of the job and it takes a good careful analysis on making those decisions. … I think I can help." What sets you apart from other candidates: "I …
Susan Franzen
5:31 pm on Monday, December 5, 2011
I will vote for Victoria Szopinski because I think it is important to have a variety of interests represented on the City Council. Most of the present Council members share the same business interests. While these interests are important, we will make Ames better by bringing different experience and fresh perspectives to the table. more ›