Evelyn George encourages new mayor and council to keep momentum going

Evelyn George can’t believe 13 years have passed since she was first appointed to serve on the city council. Since then she successfully ran for the at-large seat on the council and maintained it up until she was elected mayor back in 2023 by a slim margin of 13 votes. It seemed like the city had changed so much.

Upon being recognized for her service to the city during her last official meeting as mayor of Newton, George celebrated city accomplishments and recalled what it was like joining council for the first time. Council members were determined to move on from the blow of losing Maytag, the town’s largest employer.

“At that time council was not investing in streets or vehicles or infrastructure, and we’re still working to catch up,” George said at the Dec. 15 council meeting. “We launched, as a city, the Get to Know Newton to really say there are a lot of things we’re proud of in our community that are still here.”

George pointed to the recent marketing videos from the city recognizing local businesses and organizations like Murph & Mary’s, 1st Ave Nutrition, Gezellig Brewing Co. and Newton YMCA, unique programs like the baking and culinary courses at DMACC and investors like Jerry Schwaller as a source of pride.

Back when George first joined the council is around the time the city became a Main Street community, started its ambitious housing initiatives and started to see investments in downtown buildings. Since then the city has celebrated the preservation of Hotel Maytag and the creation of Arbor Estates and Plant 1 Lofts.

“Right now there are 12 — no, 22 — homes under construction throughout town,” George said. “We’ve had a 159 unit permits, 136 have been built. And we started at zero per year. And then in 2022, 71 percent of our residents voted in favor of a $1.6 million park bond. And we’ve all seen how every park has been improved.”

George issued a challenge for the new city council members and new mayor: Keep this momentum going. Keep having that pride and positive direction.

“Because, boy, is Newton on a roll,” George said.

Council member Mark Hallam presented George with a timepiece signifying her time spent as a city elected official.

“Well, Evelyn, what can I say about your years of service to Newton, city council and now the mayor these last two years? You have truly been an exemplary public servant for this city,” Hallam said. “And I think I speak for all of us when I say thank you very, very much for what you’ve done.”