Candidates talk about issues
The following is a brief bio of candidates for the upcoming election on Nov. 3.
Mayor Fred Diehl will run unopposed for another term as mayor.
Age: 73
Background: Diehl is a retired insurance agent of Fred Diehl Insurance Co. and also worked as editor of internal publications for DEKALB Hybrids, then as district sales manager, substitute teacher and pesticide investigator for the Department of Agriculture.
Diehl served as Osceola's mayor from 1994 to 2000 and was re-elected in 2003.
Why are you running? Diehl said he is running to finish up plans for a proposed reservoir in Clarke County. Diehl also wants to see every street in the city paved and the inside of the depot restored.
Glenn Schaff is running unopposed for an at large position.
Age:72
Background: Schaff was a driver for Rock Island Motor Transit in Des Moines. Schaff has three children, who live in Des Moines. After he retired, Schaff came to Osceola.
Why are you running? "I want to see all residents of Osceola treated alike," he said. "I'm proud of my record of being on the council for 10 years."
Schaff would also like to finish infrastructure plans the council started. "I hope voters put me back in office so I can finish paving streets."
What do you hope to accomplish? Schaff would like to see a reservoir built so the city can grow by having more industry come to the area.
Peggy Mateer has been on the council for 10 years and is seeking another four-year term for second ward.
Age: 66
Background: Mateer is retired and worked as a Clarke County relief director. Mateer has two daughters and a son who all live in Iowa.
Why are you running? "I've been working very, very hard to get everything up-to-date and there are projects I would like to see finished," she said.
What do you hope to accomplish? In addition to finishing projects, Mateer said she wants to encourage young people to get involved with city affairs. "Everyone needs to know how their city works," she said. "Everyone should know where their tax money goes."
Woodburn
Randy Wight is running unopposed for his seat as Woodburn's mayor. Wright could not be reached at the time of press.
Laura Chumbley is running for an at large position on Woodburn's council.
Age: 43
Background: Chumbley worked for Paul Mueller Company for 9 years and is currently unemployed.
Why are you running? "I grew up around Wooodburn all of my life," she said. "I want to help the community out."
What do you hope to accomplish? Chumbley hopes to get the town cleaned up.
Charles Livesay is running for an at large position on Woodburn's council.
Age: 64
Background: Livesay has driven a school bus for Clarke Community Schools for 16 years.
Why are you running: "This will be my second term and there are still a couple more things that I want to get done on there and get finished up," he said.
Livesay wants to work on Woodburn's streets and create an ordinance for dogs.
Vickie Brown is seeking an at large position on Woodburn's council.
Age: 55
Family: Brown has two grandchildren who live with her while school is in session. They attend Clarke Community School.
Background: Brown has worked for Mosaic for 2 years and has been a volunteer EMT for Woodburn for 11 years. Brown also serves on Clarke County Emergency Management Board.
Why are you running? "I've been in office for six years because I love my town and the community and the people," she said. "I am speaking for the people. "We have good town and I like to get the people's input on things."
Teresa Wright will run for an at large seat on Woodburn's council. Wright couldn't be reached at the time of press.
Murray
Scott Busick is running for reelection to Murray council.
Age: 46
Background: Busick has worked for M & M Ag in Osceola for 26 years and is a member of Clarke County Fair Board
Why are you running? "This will be my third term and I'm still working on some stuff that I still want to continue working with," he said.
What do you hope to accomplish? Busick wants to ensure Murray has a future by remaining self-sufficient and providing good services to the citizens.
Mary Donner is seeking her first term as Murray's mayor.
Age: 57
Background: Donner is currently retired and worked six years at Terrible's Lakeside Casino.
Family: Donner has two sons, one who lives in Murray and the other in Des Moines.
Why are you running? "I thought it would be something different," she said. "It's my first term, so it will take the help of council to get me through this. I'm wanting people to come together as a town so people can get to know their neighbors a little better."
What do you hope to accomplish? Donner would like to focus on the city budget to see if there are places the city can cut costs.
Donner would also like to clean up the city.
Sheri Miller, Pat Collins and Jody Collins are seeking at large seats on Murray council. They could not be reached at the time of press.
