March 19, 2024

3 in running for county supervisor District 3 seat

Incumbent Clarke County Supervisor Marvin McCann is facing challenges from candidates Ray Negley and Derek Lumsden for the supervisor District 3 seat.

The election is scheduled Tuesday, Nov. 8.

Ray Negley

Tell me about yourself/background.

I was born in southern Iowa and have lived here all my life. We were married in 1978 and have three grown children and seven grandchildren.

I have worked many different jobs in my youth until 1980 when I started working at Metz Baking Company. After 30 years, I retired from there in January 2010.

Metz Baking Company employees were represented by Teamster Union. While working there I became shop steward. I represented the Osceola division for 20 years, negotiating labor contracts and disputes between labor and management.

I served on the Osceola Summer Ball board for seven years and held the offices of treasurer, vice president and president in five of those seven years.

I have served on the Clarke County Republican Central Committee for 18 years, the last 12 years as chairman, and before that I served as co-chair for two years.

I am also a deacon at First Baptist Church in Osceola.

If elected, what goals do you have planned in relation to the position?

My goal as supervisor will be to find out why Clarke County is the highest-taxed county in the state and still has no money, and then fix the problems that currently exist.

The skills I have developed as shop steward and central committee chairman will be a great asset to the Clarke County Board of Supervisors.

Is being the highest-taxed county in the state an honor the people really want?

Derek Lumsden

Tell me about yourself/background.

I was born and raised in Kirksville, Missouri, and graduated from Kirksville High School. I attended Truman State University and graduated with a degree in political science (pre-law).

After graduation, I moved to the east coast where I attended Seton Hall University for my two graduate degrees in diplomacy and international relations and corporate and public communication.

I moved to Iowa after graduating and began teaching communications at Des Moines Area Community College, followed by a stint at Iowa Western Community College in student affairs.

During that time, I also worked in marketing, advertising, small business retail and business consultation. For the last six years, I have worked in downtown economic development, event planning, organizational structure and fundraising, historic preservation and volunteer management.

When not working, I enjoy spending time with my wife, sons and friends. I’m an avid reader and hiker, and I enjoy volunteering.

Why are you running for this position?

I’m running for office because I believe I can fill a desperate need for our county to have a younger generation of leadership. We are growing quickly, and I believe I have many skills with my background and education that would benefit the board and Clarke County.

With my background in tourism, as well as in economic development, particularly with small business development, I know that I can think creatively to bring new direction and opportunities to the area to help keep us vital, relevant and competitive.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

My past and current positions have given me experience working with a number of people with diverse economic, social and cultural backgrounds, which is so important in Clarke County as we have a wide spectrum of individuals with varied backgrounds that have to work cohesively to improve our community.

I have also worked with local, state and federal governments throughout the years, and I have proven myself as a successful grant writer. As a father to three young boys, I want to be a strong voice for young families moving to the community and nurture a high quality of life while protecting our rich history and traditions through economic revitalization.

I believe a strong work ethic that follows projects from start to finish, and I have a knack for finding the common threads between opposing viewpoints to encourage compromise.

If elected, what goals do you have planned in relation to the position?

A. I want to see the county focus on sustainable infrastructure goals. While Clarke County needs new projects to continue supporting our citizens, we need to stop taking on new infrastructure without setting aside the money to care for it in the future.

B. I want to see the county reallocate the funding stream received from the casino from general fund to specific, earmarked projects. I feel these funds can be better utilized with sharp, clear goals that will increase our quality of life rather than supporting the status quo.

C. As a father to young children, I know how important quality, affordable child-care options are to the growth of our community, so I want to see the county work with The Village (Early Childhood Center), city, and CCDC to develop and implement a long-term plan for the successful operation of The Village, including seeing a board member on The Village board from each partner.

D. I would like to see the board approach their committee appointments more strategically in the future. I feel we are missing a strong opportunity to place citizens with specific skill sets onto boards where they could advance the mission and goals of Clarke County in fields where they excel instead of merely filling seats.

E. I want to see the county create a strategic plan to move forward local initiatives, create a strong set of future goals and to make county government offices and officials more accessible to the working citizen.

Marvin McCann

Tell me about yourself/background.

I was born and raised in Clarke County and lived in the rural area of the county most of my life while growing up. After graduating from Clarke, I went on to earn my degree at Northeast Missouri State University, returned to Osceola and taught industrial education at Clarke for 39 years.

My wife, Kayleen, who teaches physical education, and I own several properties locally, which we rent to individuals, families and businesses. My daughters, Kalli and Kylar, both graduated from Grand View University in Des Moines.

I was elected to the office of county supervisor in November 2012 and began my term in January 2013.

Why are you running for this position?

I have thoroughly enjoyed my first term as county supervisor and want to continue to serve the residents of Clarke County by meeting challenges that arise and making improvements. Currently, we as supervisors work well together and have strived to make a considerable number of improvements in the county.

We have improved the mental and public-health systems, enhanced the buildings and grounds, as well as the county parks.

Advancements have been made in technology and in the internet and phone system. Lighting systems have been upgraded with LED lights, and the courthouse security has been enforced with the addition of a sheriff’s deputy and an upgraded camera system.

Additions have been made to the secondary roads department with equipment and personnel to help maintain road operations, and there has been an improvement in communications with each of the county departments, organizations, boards and cities within this county.

Considering all that we have accomplished so far, I look forward to working with the other supervisors in maintaining what has thus far been developed and look forward to even greater things that will come our way during this upcoming term.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

My background in all the areas of education, property ownership and running a business, combined with the tremendous amount of experience, knowledge and understanding I have acquired during the past four years as a Clarke County supervisor makes me the best-qualified candidate for the job.

I have proven that I can be a strong leader, effective communicator and have the ability to work with others in all sorts of situations. This job requires a large amount of time, much of which is actually out of the office.

I have been able and willing to commit that time and will continue to do so in my second term as your county supervisor.

If elected, what goals do you have planned in relation to the position?

Goals are achievements toward which effort is directed. My main goal is to continue to serve the residents of Clarke County and to continue to make improvements.

It takes the ability to work well with other people, departments, cities, boards and organizations to successfully meet new challenges. I feel that I have the ability and have proven it.

Simply, I want to continue to do what is best for the people of Clarke County.