Postville mayoral candidates address issues on upcoming election

City Council <p>

   Eight candidates will be on the ballot for three seats on the Postville City Council in the Tuesday, Nov. 7 city-school election.

   Candidates include (in alphabetical order): Gloria Bass, James Johnson, Devorah Klein-Mahr, Laurie Moody, Larry Moore, Rachel Sugar, Jennifer Valdez, Nechama Yehuda. Those who returned questionnaires are listed below in alphabetical order. Answers are printed in their entirety as written by candidates with editing only for newspaper style.

Giora Bass

   Occupation: Activist and a businessman. I also own Bass Auto Shop in Postville.

   Previous Leadership Experience: I have served as a community leader in various capacities over the years, assisted by my proficiency in multiple languages: English, Spanish, Russian, Hebrew, Yiddish, and some Arabic/Somalian. My unique skill set equips me to communicate effectively with our diverse community, allowing me to be involved over the years in local volunteering, participating in neighborhood improvement projects, and actively engaging in community events. While I am not an incumbent, my deep involvement in the community has given me valuable insights into the needs and aspirations of our residents.

   Why are you running for City Council: I am running for City Council because I am deeply committed to the well-being and prosperity of Postville. After three decades of living here and raising my family in this community, I feel a strong responsibility to give back and contribute to its growth. I believe that by serving on the City Council, I can help shape policies that promote economic growth, strengthen our community bonds, and ensure a brighter future for all residents.

   What would be your top issue or issues if elected (or reelected)? My top priorities if elected to the City Council include: Promoting Economic Growth: I will work to create a business-friendly environment that encourages entrepreneurship, attracts new businesses, and supports the expansion of existing ones. This will generate job opportunities and boost our local economy. Housing Affordability: I am committed to addressing the housing issue by exploring policies that encourage the development of affordable housing options for our residents, ensuring that everyone can find a suitable place to call home. Cultural Inclusivity: I will actively promote initiatives that celebrate our community's diversity and foster a sense of unity among all groups and cultures. This will strengthen our community bonds and create a more harmonious Postville.

   Postville takes pride in its diversity. What should be done to be sure all groups and cultures are working together to create a strong community? To ensure that all groups and cultures in Postville are working together to create a strong community, we should: Promote Inclusive Events: Organize cultural and community events that celebrate the traditions and heritage of our diverse population. These events can serve as opportunities for residents from different backgrounds to come together and learn from one another. Support Multilingual Communication: Encourage the city to provide information and services in multiple languages to make them accessible to all residents. This will facilitate better communication and integration. Establish a Cultural Advisory Committee: Create a committee composed of representatives from various cultural backgrounds to advise the City Council on policies and programs that promote inclusivity and unity. Education and Awareness: Invest in educational programs that raise awareness about the cultural diversity in our community and teach the importance of respect and understanding among all residents.

   What should the City of Postville be doing to encourage growth in the business community? To encourage growth in the business community, the City of Postville should: Streamline Regulations: Simplify and expedite the permitting and licensing processes for businesses, reducing bureaucratic hurdles for entrepreneurs. Support Small Businesses: Develop programs that provide resources and financial incentives to local startups and small businesses, helping them thrive and expand. Infrastructure Investment: Invest in infrastructure improvements such as roads, utilities, and public spaces to make the city more attractive to businesses and customers. Collaboration with Organizations: Collaborate with economic development organizations and chambers of commerce to attract new businesses and promote our community as a favorable location for investment.

   Housing is a major issue in all small communities. What can the City of Postville do to encourage housing growth? To encourage housing growth in Postville, the city should consider the following measures: Incentives for Developers: Offer incentives, such as tax breaks or subsidies, to developers willing to build affordable housing units within the city. Zoning Revisions: Review and update zoning regulations to allow for increased housing density in appropriate areas while maintaining the character of our community. Affordable Housing Partnerships: Collaborate with nonprofit organizations and housing agencies to develop affordable housing initiatives and financially assist eligible residents. Housing Initiatives: Explore innovative housing initiatives, such as mixed-use developments or cooperative housing projects, to address the diverse housing needs of our community.

   Is there any other topic you wish to address? I would like to emphasize the importance of civic engagement and community involvement. A thriving community is built on the active participation of its residents. If elected, I will work to create more opportunities for residents to engage with local government, voice their concerns, and contribute to the decision-making process. Together, we can shape a brighter future for Postville.

Devora Klein-Mahr

   Occupation: Homemaker

   Age (optional): 40+

   Previous Leadership Experience (include if you are an incumbent running for reelection): I am an incumbent running for re-election. I was approached by former councilman Zev Frimerman, to consider filling in for the remainder of his term on city council. Before I made a decision on his suggestion, I sat in and observed approximately 6 council meetings before actually being appointed to the position by the current city council. I wanted to know what I was getting myself into and worked on educating myself so that I could make an informed decision to fulfill the service with a sense of awe and great respect. I have been a member of Postville's city council for a little over a year now.

   Why are you running for City Council: What motivates me now to seek a council seat is the great love I feel and commitment I have to Postville and it's uniqueness and sense of camaraderie, as well as my sense of civic and patriotic duty. I have enjoyed the work I have been a part of as a council member, and the city members that I have worked with. Our leadership in place is second to none! Every single community leader has so much to give this community and have very authentic characters that I have learned much from.  What further inspires me is being a representative for the desires of the people, being an important part of something bigger than myself, and investing in Postville in ways that matter and make a positive difference. Being a bridge for the Heart and Soul statements for Postville and the public, is something very important to me. I want to represent ALL of Postville and her diverse groups. I make informed decisions, recognize what I do not know, ask many questions, and am able to be objective and neutral to all sides of an issue. I am responsible and able to have everyone feel and know that their voices matter, and I seek to support and show progress to accomplish the will of the citizens in Postville. As a council member, I aim to serve with integrity each and every one of Postville's residents. I belong to this community, and would be honoured to do for it what I can. At the end of the day, I would like to look back and be able to say I lived a life well lived.

   What would be your top issue or issues if elected (or reelected)? The biggest concern that I see facing Postville is any force of divisiveness and self entitlement that seeks to pull us apart making it very difficult to accomplish growth as a community and resolve any issues and achieve solutions. A distrust of our leaders and positions of authority undermines each individual's safety and their confidence in our town, and weakens our path to continue building economic vibrancy. Pulling any sort of "privilege card" compromises our values and any co-operation as a unit. Honestly, this question itself is faulty. The question is not what would be my top issue or what I would want. The question ought to be what is Postville's residents' top issues, desires, and  needs? I would support seeking input and consensus from the public and work on accomplishing what Postville wants. Some suggestions that I feel are in line with the will of Postville would be having community events where our diverse population can be involved in community issues, (perhaps on days where people of all faiths can participate); making sure that we come to a place of mutual understanding;  exploring the difference between equity and equality; and expanding the idea that what affects one subset of our population cascades and affects us all in many verifiable ways. I believe we all deserve safe housing, food, clothing, and a peaceful environment that draws newcomers to our town and encourages them to stay and grow here.Other ideas would be tapping into resources to continue to provide high quality schools, education, and daycare for our town. (Postville has the highest percentage of under 19 year olds in the county! I encourage everyone to make a pledge to the wage enhancement fund for the Postville child day care center, as it is a very important channel for the life of our community); and finding  strategic, successful solutions for the future of the Diversity Garden.

   Postville takes pride in its diversity. What should be done to be sure be sure all groups and cultures are working together to create a strong community? Working together requires a sense of trust and acceptance. I am open to input from each individual and will reach out to them so they feel comfortable and confident to dialogue with me. A leader should be someone that seeks to understand, asks questions, listens to answers, and motivates people to collaborate on solutions. I do not emphasize our diverse differences of culture or faiths, but rather our commonalities. That is the way I was raised and the way I really view the world, and people who get to know me find that out pretty quickly. Having a sense of connection to ALL humanity opens the door to soliciting input from all groups. Increased input will result in increased positive output! I truly care about issues that equally affect us and I address them fairly. I view life in our diverse population as giving everyone opportunities to better their lives without creating impediments to anyone else. I believe all people earn their merits in life, and being responsible and living as a positive example without an entitled sense of privilege, can foster a very strong sense of community.

   What should the City of Postville be doing to encourage growth in the business community?Postville is already doing a great number of things to encourage growth in the business community. Many other rural communities have been hit hard in the recent past, and our downtown business area is more vibrant and stronger than a number of them. We are bouncing back. One of the newer taxes, for example, that we took to the polls was the hotel/motel tax that keeps the money right here in Postville and for our business growth, rather than sending it to the county. We are hoping to bring back the facade improvement program and explore the position of a developer for economic tourism. Having an aesthetically pleasing business area encourages economic growth. We know that a vibrant, safe, and pleasant business area where we can eat, shop, and do business provides growth in many ways to our community. We have a progressive business community on an upward trajectory. Postville just annexed 40 acres for the Ziegler business and that is a huge positive expansive business result for us. In addition, if a new business puts improvements in the building and it is in the urban revitalization district, they can apply for a three year tax abatement. Doing everything we can financially to keep the day care center functioning and growing with liveable wages for the daycare providers, is essential in attracting and retaining a work force.

   Housing is a major issue in all small communities. What can the City of Postville do to encourage housing growth? Housing in Postville is an issue not only requiring growth, but requiring stability and safety. It would be somewhat foolish to focus solely on housing growth if that means cheap, hazardous living conditions for our growing community. Being a representative member of the county's hazard mitigation committee, I have come to learn that dangerous and hazardous housing is a major concern for Postville. Due diligence and focus needs to be projected onto some of the housing/rental conditions present in Postville. Negative results from aggressive, unfocused housing growth and  their increased costs to some populations, can cause overcrowding and risks, and may affect mental health, stress levels, disease, and public dangers. Postville has been very active, responsible and determined during my time on the council to acquire and deal with damaged, dilapidated and unsafe structures, and follow up on inspections for health and fire safety guidelines. We need to evaluate the cost and benefit for the goals of housing growth in town. All people deserve shelter and affordable housing, and we need to ensure this goal is comprehensive and long-term focused. Unsafe, cheap, ramshackle housing will not provide any social or financial benefit. It is beneficial to enforce and strengthen the housing we currently have while working parallelly to expand and grow. On the flip side,  the growth side, with careful strategizing, Postville recently purchased a 30 acre subdivision to develop more housing. Much planning, considerations, and expertise have been collaborated, with Postville in the early stages of the engineering side of it, to address this issue and make certain it is safe and accessible in a proper manner. We are also blessed to have programs in our area, and we have been working actively with housing grants that help first time home buyers with affordable mortgages and down payment assistance, and with owner occupied grant funding which Postville will be revisiting in the near future. I am very optimistic about the changes and plans for the current and future housing status here in town.

   Is there any other topic you wish to address? I would like to share a few more thoughts with the Postville community: Financially, our town is in a good position, and getting better. Our records show since 2017 we have a tax rate that has been very steady, and Postville is working within an efficient budget with getting our debt paid down. We are doing more projects with our borrowing limits, and our general fund is out of debt. Half of our local options sales tax goes to the street department and public safety - law enforcement. Our Park board has been active this past year and put a lot of work into new shelters and has been aggressive about getting grants, and we recently purchased a new pool heater. We will continue to make progress with the current city leaders and team work. We need to realise that with the growing infrastructure we are seeing, there are increased costs to the city itself.  The increased costs to Postville are being managed very carefully and efficiently. I have complete respect and confidence in our system to address any concerns, both large and small, and really appreciate the transparency and care our city leadership has set in place for our benefit. Any resident's concern is of great importance to me, and I make sure to follow up and proceed with the necessary steps to resolve issues with respect and dignity.  For Postville to survive and thrive in the future, I feel we need to regard Postville as a cohesive unit. We need to provide a sense of self satisfaction to every individual looking to better their lives. We need to treat everyone properly and fairly. Fair means an appropriate response to a unique need, without subtracting from anyone else. I absolutely do not believe anyone should be promoting gratuitous self interests, or the interests of any one culture or faith to the exclusion of others. To thrive will require an intention to earn merit within the freedoms and opportunities that are present for us. Being an immigrant or a multi generational American, Latino or Jewish, being Muslim or Christian, does not automatically provide us with a certain privilege to gain extra accomodations, impede others, or break the law. That uncooperative attitude impacts us all unfavourably. Rather, we have an extra responsibility to be the best example of our diverse faiths, cultures, and experiences. When we all carry that responsibility, Postville will flourish.

Larry Moore

   Occupation: Veterinarian and owner/partner of Postville Veterinary Clinic, PC

   Age (optional): Born and raised in Postville.  Have lived here all but 1971-1979 while I was in Vet School at Iowa State University and one year of being a practicing veterinarian in Monroe, Wisconsin..

   Previous Leadership Experience (include if you are an incumbent running for reelection): I am an incumbent running for reelection.  I have served on the City Council for 15 years.  Leadership experience includes; Luana Savings Bank director for over 20 years, liaison city council representative for the Postville Volunteer Fire Department, contract negotiations for city employees since 2008, Elder, committee chairman and youth leader at Community Presbyterian Church in Postville.  I have been the football game announcer for the Postville Pirates for almost  30 years, I take great pride in leading the spectators giving tribute to our veterans by singing the National Anthem at the football games.  I am on the selection board for the Postville Hall of Fame and took on the project of cleaning up Turner Hall so it could be used as a community center for the citizens of Postville.  I  volunteered for community events such as Agri-Industry Days, Taste of Postville, and Hometown Celebration.  I enjoy being  the livestock inspector for the Postville Big Four Fair.  I have also been on the Clean Up Crew for the two times Postville has hosted RAGBRAI.

   Why are you running for City Council: I have lived here most of my life and have seen the many changes Postville has experienced.  I proudly raised by family here and want to make sure Postville remains  a safe, desirable place to live, raise a family and do business. I want to be a listening ear for all citizens of Postville and encourage businesses (new and old) to thrive.

   What would be your top issue or issues if elected (or reelected)?  Through the years I have been a part of finding solutions to concerns our town has encountered.  Currently, maintaining the Postville Childcare Services and welcoming Ziglar Cat to town are important for Postville’s future. I would want to make sure Daycare is operational so employees and businesses have access to quality daycare.  I want Postville to welcome new businesses  and support existing businesses. Maintaining a top quality police department, fire department ,EMT’s and  city maintenance workers are important concerns for the city.

   Postville takes pride in its diversity. What should be done to be sure all groups and cultures are working together to create a strong community?   We need to have more forums for ALL the diverse groups and cultures to hear their voices of concern and ideas of how we can best serve our community.  School and community diversity celebrations , our Community Garden, Food Pantry and Farmer’s Market are great events to bring our citizens together. Postville’s Heart and Soul group is also a step in the right direction.

   What should the City of Postville be doing to encourage growth in the business community?  We need to continue to work with  RC&D to find needs, opportunities and solutions for business in Postville.  We need to continue to seek out grants to revitalize storefronts and fund new business.

   Housing is a major issue in all small communities. What can the City of Postville do to encourage housing growth?  The City has purchased land on the south side of Postville for future housing development.  The City has also purchased properties that are abandoned and have been resold to developers to put new housing on these properties.

   Is there any other topic you wish to address? After serving on the Postville City Council I have good knowledge of the funding sources available.  Some of these funds are earmarked and can only be used for certain things.  Property tax is the biggest source of funds used for city salaries, the swimming pool, library, police, summer youth programs, city building repairs and insurance.  Local Option Sales Tax must be spent ½ for public safety and ½ for streets.  Water and sewer fees from bills can only be used for those two areas.  Road Use Tax from the State can only be used for roads and streets.  The Capitol Improvement Levy has to go to improvements.  To name a few: sewer, water, vehicles for the city, solar panels, building  repair and improvements. The Hotel/Motel Tax must be used for economic development.  When I started City Council in 2008 our city was $800,000 in debt. The City is now debt-free due to good leadership over the years.  I would appreciate your support so I can continue to show fiscal responsibility while listening to the needs of the citizens and keeping our town safe. 

Rachel Sugar-Malinas

   Occupation: Food and wine industry customer relations.

   Previous Leadership Experience: Teacher, social consultant, and team leader.

   Why are you running for City Council: I am running for City Council because I have a deep love and commitment to Postville. It's not just a city to me; it's my cherished home. I believe that my vision for Postville, which includes modernized parks, stronger schools, and affordable housing initiatives, can help our community thrive. I want to be an advocate for the residents of Postville and work towards a more prosperous and inclusive future for all. Additionally, my husband, Levi Malinas, is a devoted firefighter with the Postville Fire Department. This personal connection has given me firsthand insight into the challenges our first responders face. One significant concern that has come to my attention is the need for updated equipment, particularly a new fire truck, which is essential for the effectiveness and safety of our firefighters and residents. To address this issue, I am committed to working closely with the city government and exploring federal grant opportunities to secure the necessary funding for a new fire truck. I firmly believe that our first responders should have access to state-of-the-art resources and tools to carry out their duties efficiently. Another concern is creating a more amicable and interactive relationship between the city and the fire department.

   What would be your top issue or issues if elected (or reelected)? My top issues when elected, would include modernizing our parks and recreational facilities, promoting affordable housing initiatives, ensuring fairness in utility bills and taxation, and fostering innovation and economic growth for all residents.

   Postville takes pride in its diversity. What should be done to be sure all groups and cultures are

working together to create a strong community? To ensure that all groups and cultures are working together to create a strong community, we should promote cultural exchange programs and events that celebrate our diversity, encourage open dialogue and communication among different groups to foster understanding and promote unity, and support initiatives that address the unique needs of various cultural communities.

   What should the City of Postville be doing to encourage growth in the business community? The City of Postville should encourage growth in the business community by streamlining the permitting and licensing process to make it easier for new businesses to establish themselves, providing incentives

and tax breaks to attract new businesses and entrepreneurs, supporting local businesses through promotional events and campaigns, investing in infrastructure and technology to create a business-friendly environment, and collaborating with regional and state organizations to access resources and funding for business development.

   Housing is a major issue in all small communities. What can the City of Postville do to encourage housing growth? To encourage housing growth in Postville, the city can partner with developers and organizations to build affordable housing units, offer incentives for homebuyers, such as down payment assistance or tax incentives, explore zoning changes and policies that promote the construction of new housing, invest in infrastructure improvements to accommodate new housing developments, and collaborate with community organizations to address housing security.

   Is there any other topic you wish to address? I would like to emphasize the importance of community involvement and civic engagement. We can only achieve our vision for Postville by working together as a community. I encourage all residents to participate by attending city council meetings and voicing their concerns and ideas. Together, we can shape the future of Postville into a thriving and inclusive community that we can all be proud to call home.

Laurie Moody 

   Occupation: Allamakee County Environmental Health Sanitarian & Weed Commissioner

   Age (optional): 53

   Previous Leadership Experience (include if you are an incumbent running for reelection): I have never held a public office, however I am into my 30th year of working at the Allamakee County Courthouse under the guidance of the Allamakee County Board of Health & Board of Supervisors. All 30 years I have been the Environmental Health Sanitarian & Weed Commissioner and for the first 17 years I was also the County Zoning Administrator. 

   I am an Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union Licensed Volleyball Official for the past 29 years.

   I was a licensed EMT for over 10 years and I am also a proud 1 year Breast Cancer Survivor.

   Why are you running for City Council: I feel it's everyone's civic duty to "give back" to their community when the need arises. All Postville citizens are fortunate enough to utilize and have access to the city streets & sidewalks, the public water supply, the sanitary sewer, parks, pools, schools, library, fire/rescue services & law enforcement-so we as citizens need to then step up to serve when the City has Council, Mayoral or Board/Commission openings that do the governing of those items. I have leadership skills, budgeting background and experiences in working with the public so feel I'm a good candidate to serve on the City Council. 

   What would be your top issue or issues if elected (or reelected)? While always striving to save tax payer dollars, I feel the city needs to do what it must to encourage new business's & homeowners to come here and put roots down. This also means for more adequate & affordable housing options and child care for those current & hopefully new residents.

   Postville takes pride in its diversity. What should be done to be sure be sure all groups and cultures are working together to create a strong community? First off, by just being kind & accepting of others. We are all human beings and therefore the only true differences are those that can be managed by accepting that we may have different opinions, views & beliefs. No one person or group is any more deserving of different rules than the next. The laws of the city, county, state & higher pertain to all citizens no matter what.

   What should the City of Postville be doing to encourage growth in the business community? Here I think the City, Chamber of Commerce and the County Economic Development Office could work closer together to find funding opportunities for existing businesses to make the Downtown storefronts look more appealing and to encourage passersbys to want to stop & shop. Perhaps also offer financial incentives for new & existing businesses to grow and expand. Asking the current small business owners what they think it would take to inspire additional types of businesses to come. Businesses that don't necessarily compete with them but compliment them and others.

   Housing is a major issue in all small communities. What can the City of Postville do to encourage housing growth? This is a hard question to answer because I'm not personally aware of what Postville's actual issue(s) are. If it's lack of available housing, affordable housing or quality housing...or any combination.  Saying the City should go build public housing is just not in the cards but maybe trying to annex some of the neighboring farm land into the city and create new, fully city-serviced subdivision lots to sell for new home or apartment style construction is an option.

   Is there any other topic you wish to address?  — It appears that relations amongst the different cultures in our town are at a volatile level right now. How these relationships improve from here is not only dependant on the City Council, Mayor & Law Enforcement but also by the leaders of those who feel they have been treated unfairly or differently.   ALL must come together in a different manner than is currently being done. Change only happens when there is honest communication & understanding from all sides.  Assumptions, distrust and finger pointing gets us no where.

Nechama Yehuda

   Occupation: I've been a teacher and a retail advisor for many years.

   Previous Leadership Experience: I have been an active advocate and resident of Postville, working collaboratively with various community organizations to address local issues.

   Why are you running for City Council: I am running for City Council because I am deeply committed to the future of Postville. I believe in the potential of our community to thrive, and I feel I can encourage positive change in our town. My vision is to foster growth, unity, and prosperity in Postville, making it a shining example of what a small city can achieve.

   What would be your top issue or issues if elected (or reelected)? My top priorities, when elected, include: Encouraging local entrepreneurship and attracting external investment to boost our local economy. This will create job opportunities and generate revenue that can be reinvested in our community. Promoting diversity and inclusivity, ensuring that all groups and cultures work together harmoniously to build a strong, cohesive community. Addressing the housing shortage issue by exploring policies and incentives and building more housing in currently open areas in Postville.

   Postville takes pride in its diversity. What should be done to ensure all groups and cultures work together to create a strong community? To ensure that all groups and cultures in Postville work together to create a strong community, we should: Encourage open dialogue and cultural exchange events that celebrate our diversity and foster understanding among residents. Collaborate with community organizations and leaders from different backgrounds to develop programs and initiatives that bridge cultural gaps and promote unity. Ensure all residents have equal access to resources, services, and opportunities, regardless of their cultural background.

   What should the City of Postville be doing to encourage growth in the business community? The City of Postville should take several steps to encourage growth in the business community: Simplify and streamline the permitting and licensing process to make it easier for new businesses to set up shop.

Offer incentives such as tax breaks or grants to attract businesses to our town and encourage existing businesses to expand; Collaborate with local business associations and chambers of commerce to identify the specific needs of our business community and address them effectively.

   Housing is a major issue in all small communities. What can the City of Postville do to encourage housing growth? To encourage housing growth in Postville, the city can: Review and update zoning and land use policies to accommodate various types of housing, including affordable housing, multi-family units, and mixed-use developments; Offer incentives to developers who build housing units that meet the needs of our community; Collaborate with developers and community organizations to create public-private partnerships that facilitate housing projects; Invest in infrastructure improvements that make new housing developments more feasible and attractive.

   Is there any other topic you wish to address? I would like to emphasize the importance of civic engagement and community participation. Postville thrives when its residents are actively involved in shaping its future. I encourage everyone to join us at the polls on November 7th and make their voices heard. Together, we can achieve the vision of a vibrant and prosperous Postville. Thank you for your support.

   Candidates who did not return questionnaires included James Johnson and Jennifer Valdez.