Carroll Mayor Jerry Fleshner is campaigning to retain his seat in the upcoming Nov. 4 city and school elections. Fleshner was elected mayor of Carroll in 2023, but he says his history of serving in local public office dates back nearly two decades.
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Outside of his roles in municipal government, Fleshner operates the Lincoln Highway Pharmacy, referees youth and high school football games, and serves as an elder in his church. Fleshner says those experiences, particularly as an official, have been invaluable.
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Fleshner adds that being mayor is very different from being a council member, as he views his role now as more of a moderator rather than a decision maker. However, the mayor plays an important part in setting the agenda, which means whoever holds the position somewhat dictates what will be discussed. In his opinion, housing isn’t the only priority for Carroll, but it is certainly at the top of the list.
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He adds that improvements to the Carroll airport are a priority for him, as he says a surprising number of aircraft pass through each month. Local taxes are shaping up to likely be one of the top issues for voters in November. Fleshner says nobody likes paying taxes, but when you look at the data, Carroll consistently has some of the lowest rates in Iowa.
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He adds another thing for the public to consider when councilors are casting their votes on resolutions is that their options are yes, no, or abstain. Fleshner says he has cast many votes where he was 60-40 on an issue. As people consider who they will vote for when the early voting period opens on Oct. 15, Fleshner shares this message.
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Only one other candidate has filed to run for Carroll City Mayor, and that is Dee Svennson, the owner of Touch of Country in the Westgate Mall. Carroll Broadcasting will have more from her and other local candidates in upcoming newscasts.