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Local businessman Mark Eaton, who has previously run for council in 2017 and 2021, recently submitted his nomination petition for the 4th Ward city council vacancy left by the passing of Al Hoop back in March. A special election will be held July 16, and so far, Eaton and Melisa Fonseca are the only two candidates to officially throw their names in the ring.
Eaton shared a statement on his campaign to the T-R, which is printed in its entirety below.
"My Name is Mark Eaton. I am running to fill the vacant 4th Ward City Council seat. Many of you know me, but for those of you who don't, I would like to take this opportunity to summarize some of the key points about myself. My family immigrated to the Marshalltown area in the mid-1800s. With some small exceptions we've been here, contributing to the local economy ever since. I graduated from MHS and I have an AA degree from MCC, additionally I have an Engineering Bachelors as well as a Masters in Business and graduate minor in Computer Integrated Engineering (CIM) from BYU. I have lived and worked here and in Ames, as well as in southern California and northern Utah. I am the current owner and operator of two 20-year old businesses which I started and have grown from an idea. These businesses currently serve and support a worldwide customer base.
There are many cultures living here in Marshalltown. First generations, each speaking their own languages and dialects. This is not new for Marshalltown. I view everyone in the community as a shareholder and a valuable asset of our community. I realize that many of you do not have the time, or the desire, to keep track of your City government. I have attended almost every City Council Meeting for the past several years. I hear you saying that you want your streets fixed, that you want codes enforced or reviewed/eliminated, and that you want it all done in a fiscally responsible manner. I understand the complex nature of the budget and the connections that special interest groups use to affect it. You need and want a representative that will fight for your best interests, not for the interests of a small minority.
The City Council has a lot of work in front of it. The City has many open positions: City Administrator, Fire Chief, Housing and Community Development Director, and soon the Police Chief, to name a few. Previous City Councils have amassed a large amount of debt. We need to put this money to work. We need to prioritize fixing and updating local streets (your street) and other infrastructure while managing new development appropriately and filling vacancies. The City's staff and infrastructure are key to future growth.
I would like to represent all of you as your 4th Ward City Councilor. Please vote for me at the 4th Ward Special Election on Tuesday July 16."
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Contact Robert Maharry
at 641-753-6611 ext. 255 or
rmaharry@timesrepublican.com.