Hogeland

Lonnie Hogeland Sr., a Marshalltown businessman who told the T-R about a month and a half ago that he was “strongly considering” a run for mayor or city council in the upcoming Marshalltown election, has decided against it for now, citing the time commitment required and concerns about working within the bureaucracy of government.

“I want to be optimistic about Marshalltown. There’s a lot more good about Marshalltown (than) bad. In my own heart, I don’t think me, as a motivated entrepreneur, self-motivated guy, that I can work at the pace that government works. It would drive me absolutely insane because if you need to get something done, you just need to do it,” he said. “But with government, you have to have 14 meetings to make something happen, and that would frustrate me so bad. I don’t want to be a quitter. I’m signing up for a four-year term if I would do this.”

Hogeland, 58, the owner of L. Hogeland Auto Plaza at 1408 E. Main St., said he has spoken with residents “a lot” over the past few years to hear about the issues most important to them and has considered running for local office as far back as a decade ago. He’s currently working with his oldest son Luke to teach him the ins and outs of the business and said he’d like to get at least two more years under his belt with him and his youngest son Levi, who is still in high school.

“I want to devote some time to Marshalltown. I really haven’t given up at this point yet, but I think I technically need to tell the city ‘Someone else join,'” Hogeland said. “I think a big problem is we need to get a good mayor. I’m not on the record saying there’s anything bad about (current First Ward Councilor and mayoral candidate) Mike Ladehoff. I’m just saying there might be somebody better. I like Mike. He’s a good guy, but I’m frustrated that nobody goes to council meetings.”

Hogeland said many of the individuals he has spoken with have “given up” on the idea of attending meetings and the community in general, and if he were to be elected, he would commit to never missing a meeting. Through his conversations thus far, only three people advised him against running, but one of them was his son Levi, who said Hogeland was simply too busy as it is.

Another issue that arose after a previous story was published in the T-R was Hogeland’s residence inside his commercially zoned property on the east side of town, and he said he is currently in the process of applying for a variance to allow it.

“Am I really hurting anything? I think they need to revisit all the ordinances. If it’s not enforceable, get rid of the ordinance. (With) so many different things, fix it. Am I hurting anything by living there?” he asked. “If they deny that, they’re insane… If I get denied on that, I will appeal it to the Supreme Court. Am I hurting anything? Come on.”

Nonetheless, he’s remaining optimistic about the future of Marshalltown and projects like the redevelopment of the mall on South Center Street, and despite his decision to hold off on running for now, Hogeland said he’s not shutting the door on jumping back into the race “at the last minute” but hopes someone else will step up to the plate in the meantime.

“I hope there is someone as a business owner, small business style of person that is willing to step up to the plate and help our community so I don’t have to make a last minute campaign and actually put my hat in the ring. I want someone else to have some skin in the game,” he said. “I don’t want to take that much time away from my family and my family business, but I might have to if I feel as though no one else steps up to the plate.”

The filing deadline for candidates is Sept. 18 at 5 p.m.