March 29, 2024

City Council preview: Hansen only applicant for mayoral vacancy

The Newton City Council set Oct. 29 as the deadline to apply for the currently vacant mayor's seat with plans to interview all applicants and to appoint the city's next mayor at Monday night's regular meeting.

It would appear their work has already been done for them. Headed into the meeting, the council will have just one candidate to consider: Second Ward councilor and mayor pro tempore Mike Hansen.

"Newton is my 'hometown,' where my wife and I were raised and went to school, and after completing my honorable service in the U.S. Army Special Forces, returned to raise our three daughters," he said in his letter of application dated Oct. 29. "We now enjoy spending time with our five grandchildren."

Hansen became a member of the City Council Jan. 2, 2002, and began his third term Jan. 4, 2010. In addition to serving as mayor pro tempore, he also serves as chair of the Employee Relations and Finance committees.

Consideration of Hansen's appointment to mayor and probable appointment are scheduled toward the end of the meeting. The Council will close out the meeting with discussions of the city's "vicious dog" ordinances and the possibility of contracting out for the city's legal services.

See more on this story in Monday's Daily News.