As a 4th ward resident and as a previous nurse and now leader in healthcare in Marshalltown my entire career, I was asked by city leaders to consider running as a candidate for the special election to complete Al Hoop’s term. While I certainly appreciate the vote of confidence, when I learned that Melisa Fonseca was willing to have her name on the ballot, I decided to keep my name out of the race, and support her candidacy. As a long time resident and business leader who has volunteered time on multiple community boards, I am certainly interested in keeping our city going in the right direction and growing.

Melisa is a bright, young, well-educated business owner and mother whose son will be in our public school system. She graduated from MHS, studied in Greece and got her business degree from UNI. Her mother runs a registered daycare and her sisters have done well academically and professionally.

Melisa has been a volunteer, locally organizing a neighborhood park clean-up, helping raise funds for the Salvation Army, organizing a car show at a community gathering and agreeing to serve on the mayor’s nuisance abatement enforcement task force. She has the right can-do, positive attitude that can inspire others, and the kind of personality that will let her collaborate well with others. The city council, new city administrator, and the whole city of Marshalltown will benefit from her service. Melisa is a YES for continued growth and prosperity in our town!