You must realize that numerous elected officials need to be voted out of office. Meaning — all the council members that vote to spend money that benefits only special interest groups and pet programs rather than the majority of taxpayers.

Marshalltown is currently $58 million in debt. Again, Marshalltown is currently $58 million in debt. It will take 20 long and very painful years to pay off the current debt.

Huge debt on a new fire/police structure means city spending and finance is going to be a huge problem for many years. Streets and infrastructure will take a huge hit like it did after the $10 million Lennox bond issue. And things will get much worse; you just don’t know it yet. We’ll acquire millions more debt unless we stop “all” spending to special interest groups and pet programs right now.

The old Marshalltown establishment wants Joel Greer as mayor to promote big spending. I believe Joel is well into the back pockets of country club elites and wealthy CEOs like our current mayor is. He wants to expand local government’s footprint big time. As councilman he gave big money to special interest groups that do nothing for the taxpayer. He will advise the council to continue down this same disastrous path of big spending. So my friends, I recommend not voting for Joel.

I highly recommend voting for Gary Thompson to be our next mayor. Gary is a regular citizen like most of us. He is in no one’s back pocket. Gary will advise the council against spending that does not benefit all taxpayers. Gary will advise the council to eliminate spending to all special interest groups and pet programs. Gary will advise the council to abolish the TIF program so infrastructure repairs are more affordable. Let’s elect Gary Thompson.

I highly recommend voting for David Shearer for city council “”At Large.” David is also just like us. He also is in no one’s back pocket. David was successful on the council in the 1980s before our local government became so corrupt. David will work for all taxpayers across the city, be fiscally responsible, and he will not be bought by special interest groups. Let’s Elect David Shearer.

Citizens need to start “Draining the Marshalltown Swamp” by voting to prevent bankers, lawyers, CEOs and special interest sympathizers from holding elected office. Elect everyday citizens like Mr. Gary Thompson and Mr. David Shearer who feel your pain. Get out and vote for them Nov. 7.