Barb Toohey says that for over 27 years, the Carroll community has been a welcoming place for her and her husband of 42 years. To give something back is the biggest reason she can think of to run for the Carroll City council’s fourth ward.
She said there was no one specific topic that pushed her into the race at this time, but she does believe that council members have a duty to their homework. They need to listen to proposals, talk to the people who work for the city, listen to the people hired to do studies, listen to the citizens and, most importantly, work toward a vote.
Her experience as a registered nurse and as the Quality Management Director for St. Anthony Regional Hospital, coupled with past and present positions on the Holy Spirit School Board and women’s guild, the Heartland Community College board and the Iowa Association for Healthcare Quality brings a background of negotiation and conflict resolution to the council. She said this asset will benefit Carroll residents, not only in routine issues, but those that create division within the community as well.
She says the council has done a great job addressing the recreational needs of the community with the work they have done on Graham Park and with the Rec Center, but they are not done yet. They also need to ensure that community development addresses attracting families and employers and ensuring that there are amenities and housing for entry and mid-level employees as well as the aging population. She adds that it is time for change and to make the decisions that keep Carroll moving forward.
Toohey is running against incumbent fourth ward council member, Carolyn Siemann. The candidates will get another chance to answer questions from the general public in the Carroll Chamber sponsored candidate forum next Wednesday, Oct. 14, beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Carroll High School auditorium. Questions for the forum can be dropped off at the Carroll Chamber of Commerce, or emailed to them by following the email link at chamber@carrolliowa.com,
