Candidate Q&As 2023: Stacy Simbro for Newton City Council, Ward 3

Name: Stacy Simbro

Age: 56

Occupation: Business excellence consultant, Grinnell Mutual

Elected offices held: None

Office seeking: Newton City Council, Ward 3

1. Introduce/Reintroduce yourself to voters and explain why you are running.

I am a lifelong resident of Jasper County and I have lived in Newton for the past 32 years. My father worked for the Iowa DOT as a snowplow driver and my mother ran her own housecleaning business.

I have two teenagers who attend Newton High School, where my wonderful wife also works as the cashier for the lunchroom.

I worked at Maytag for 16 years just prior to its closing, so I have likely had many of the readers as friends, coworkers or acquaintances.

I have worked for a variety of other companies and industries as well, including Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Kinze, TPI and currently Grinnell Mutual. As a continuous improvement professional I have experience working with company leaders and employees on large projects, budgets, problem solving and facilitating changes across organizations.

Over the years, I have served in various volunteer roles such as coordinating blood drives, Adopt A Highway, Newton Transformation Committee, children’s ministry teacher, deacon for my church and participating as a citizen representative for the Citizen Development Review Committee.

I am running for Ward 3 to bring my personal and broad professional experience to help the City Council better serve the community of Newton through the current issues and plan for a better future. I lived my younger years in a thriving Newton and I want my children to have that opportunity in the future.

2. Housing continues to be a priority for Newton, a city whose population has remained relatively stagnant for several decades. How do you think the city should approach new housing?

Housing is about making a town into a “neighborhood” community.

Our population is not growing but there is still a need for new housing strategies.

We should purposely consider who are the homes for and how does it fit into our overall community plan.

The housing strategy should be diverse. Homes that are older and an unmarketable size should be slowly and thoughtfully transitioned to more modern affordable homes for young people and those with modest incomes.

We should have more modern, affordable homes for young people and those with modest incomes; homes for seniors who are downsizing or retiring; and mid-level homes for those transitioning from single to a family or just want to upgrade.

The variety of homes should be intermixed across the town so it is easier for all people to transition to other homes as well as have a more neighborhood feel.

When I was on the Citizen Development Review Committee in 2021, we looked at housing development approaches. New does not need to be development of a large plat or area of town. Pella fostered new homes throughout town to create enriched neighborhoods. In contrast, Bondurant has clustered new homes in compacted areas with minimal space around the homes.

We need a housing plan that will serve the next generation.

3. Street projects are frequent goals for the city council every year, but some people in town say more work is needed. How do you feel about the city’s current processes when it comes to street repairs and replacements?

Road repair and replacement is a never-ending issue. I am not familiar with the overall road plan. I hear people routinely state that roads need to be fixed. I think residents would like to see more open communication of where is the need, what is the available funding, what is planned and where is it going next.

Priority one should be taking care of the most heavily trafficked roads with some consideration given to those that may significantly impact Newtons curb appeal. I think it is important to have a fair and balanced approach. Every citizen deserves the same level of consideration for maintenance.

4. One of the goals of Newton’s new comprehensive plan, Envision Newton 2042, is to make the city a compelling destination for residents and visitors. How do you think the city should go about accomplishing this goal?

The city comprehensive plan is a long list of things to make Newton a destination, but we still need to plan the first steps of “Who we want to be as a city?”

We must continue to provide the right level of “destination” appeal for new residents and upcoming generations.

We should inspire people to say “I may choose to work somewhere else, but this is where I want to live and raise my family. "

Major appeal factors should include:

• affordable and marketable housing for all levels of citizens;

• safe, quality schools;

• semi-professional employment opportunities enabling transitional employment from hourly wage to professional careers, that may tend to commute;

• small businesses with services that target younger generations, families and seniors;

• places available for residents well even after work and on the weekends to serve everyday life;

• public safety that addresses core factors like homelessness and drugs;

• balanced recreation for teens, families and senior citizens.

All of the above hinges on understanding: “Who we want to be as a city?”

5. Newton Police is attracting new recruits and putting them through the academy, but many decide to leave for higher paying jobs. How do you think the city gets out of its role as a pipeline? What are ways the city can retain officers?

This is an age old problem with many jobs. It is understandable that officers want better pay for their job, a line of work with many risks and extraordinary duties.

Are there other incentives we can offer to retain the officers such as unique benefits? Given the turnover and the hidden costs to replace the officer, does it warrant higher pay?

Another approach could focus on reasons officers should stay. Get them connected to the community so they have roots early on. Sell them on the long-term benefits of being a Newton resident like the amenities, schools, and small town life. Can we create more of our own home grown officers.?

6. Council goals from 2022-2024 and the $1.6 million park bond passed by voters show an increased focus on city parks. How do you think the council should handle its parks system and the amenities that come with them?

Newton has well-established parks and amenities thanks to investments by benefactors and past leaders. Maytag Park is a great city asset with a little bit of something for everyone.

Unfortunately, even great amenities must be maintained or get outdated.

Developing our current and any new parks or amenities to have multipurpose uses could result in more community benefits for a potentially lower investment. As an added bonus, if more people use the amenities, they become community spaces, which are less likely to attract crime or other unwanted activities.

There is an opportunity and need for safe places for teens to socialize and hang out. Also, I think more spaces to walk, socialize or play with grandkids would be appealing for seniors and retirees.

We need to ensure whatever we create is used and cost sustainable over time.

7. Property taxes continue to be a concern for residents, especially after another round of increased valuations means they may have to pay more. How do you think the city should maneuver its levies and its use of property taxes?

Taxes and levies are the life blood of city funding. Services must provide value, so it’s fair to ask, “Are citizens getting their money’s worth?” However, we should not be short-sighted and ignore the future. The focus should not simply be reducing taxes or levy rates.

I believe in a balance between three objectives:

Past — Support our senior citizens who live here and have made this community.

Present — Mindfully manage ongoing city expenses and services to ensure wise use of funding, now and for the future.

Future — Responsibly strive for and invest in a future for the entire community.

Another way to sustain or grow the city services and amenities we want, is to leverage the previously mentioned “destination” appeal for new residents and upcoming generations as means to sustain or improve the tax base.

We must focus on the services and amenities we want or need for the city, what taxes and levies we need going forward and manage these sources the best we can.

If tough decisions are to be made on what not to spend money on, then it should be done with considerable scrutiny and transparency.

8. How will you keep politics out of local government?

An old expression states that “if people are allowed to openly see the same information and facts together, they will usually come to the same conclusion.” I really don’t see the need for any politics at a local level. All citizens matter and most of us want similar things.

I believe that the best approach is to provide as much transparency and awareness as we can to the community around important activities and decisions. Decisions are based on the facts and the right information. That builds accountability and trust. Politics and personal agendas can occur when these elements are left out.

We should be proactive with communication to build understanding on pressing issues and actions needed. As people we tend to fill any void with what little information we have, right or wrong.

We can strive to educate and involve cross sections of the community and engage younger citizens who ultimately will be the benefactors in the future. We cannot attract next generations with this generations thinking.

Everyone cannot always have everything they want. Priorities and tough decisions will not always please everyone. But, with transparency and open factual discussion, at least citizens will be aware and have the opportunity to be involved.

So, please be involved and vote this Nov. 7. Thank you.