Letter To The Editor: From Candidate Jennifer Doland

Osky News

Osky News

Editors Note: The views and opinions expressed in this editorial are not necessarily the views or opinions of Oskaloosa News.

My name is Jennifer Doland and I am running for Oskaloosa 3rd Ward Councilperson. I have lived in Iowa all of my life and in the Oskaloosa area for nine years. My husband, Mark, and I chose to move here after we graduated from Bible College as we accepted a position with our local church to serve here. We have five children that the Lord has blessed us with.

Since moving to the Oskaloosa area, I have been serving the community in a variety of different activities. I have helped the needy through our food assistance program in our church, facilitated an after school Bible club for children, and currently serve as a co-facilitator of a group that is helping local citizens with life controlling problems. I also provide counseling services for people with various situations they are dealing with including marriage difficulties and substance abuse addictions at New Hope Christian Counseling.

I am running for city council because I want to give Oskaloosa their voice back. I have witnessed the current council ignore the will of Mahaska County residents. In 2005, the people of Oskaloosa voted 78%-22% to prohibit Oskaloosa from partnering with any other entity (Pella in this case) to build a regional airport. The council then overturned your vote.

In 2013, hundreds of petitions were presented to the current council and asked them to remove eminent domain from the 28E agreement concerning the proposed regional airport. The current city council once again ignored the voice of the people. This vote specifically outlined that this council is for the use of condemning farmland for an airport.

Farming is a business and I do not believe it is the role of government to tear down one business to promote another. I am for a free market where businesses negotiate their price and sellers must be willing to sell.

As an Oskaloosa resident, I have witnessed many great things that are happening around our community. The recreation trail, the skate park, the library, and the Lacey Sports Complex just to name a few.

If elected, I would like to continue implementation of our street plan, explore ways to cut waste from departmental budgets, and promote our city as one that is thriving. I have had discussions with local entities that are looking to start a fixed bus route in Oskaloosa. I am supportive of this idea if we can make it fit into our budget.

If you would like to get your voice back in city hall, I would appreciate your vote November 5th.

Posted by on Oct 30 2013. Filed under Editorial. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.

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