While the Maynard mayoral race is still up for grabs with no runners, the council’s at-large position will see four candidates with three open seats.
This year’s Maynard city race has a total of five candidates: at-large: Helene Child, Scott Baker, Martin Hillman and Kevin Hennager and at-large to fill a vacancy: Jamie Vargason. No candidate will be running for the mayor position and will be write-in only.
Maynard residents will also have public measure “HL†on their ballots, which is a motion to change the Maynard Library Board from nine seats to five.
Below are the candidate bios:
Name: Martin Hillman
Age: 66
Spouse: Connie
Children/grandchildren: 2/1
Education: West Central High School Class of 1978; civil engineering technician degree from Hawkeye Community College
Employment: 40 years at TeKippe Engineering/Fehr Graham
Why did you decide to seek election and do you have any first priorities and/or goals, if elected?
I served on the council for eight years previously and I saw there was no one stepping up to run for the opening. I had the time and I feel everyone should take their turn at serving their community.
Name: Scott Baker
Age: 68
Spouse: Dayna
Children/grandchildren: 2/4
Education: West Central High School Class of 1975
Employment: 50 years in construction
Clubs/organizations: West Central Booster Club, NRA
Why did you decide to seek election and do you have any first priorities and/or goals, if elected?
I have some issues I wish to have addressed including some clarification on the co-op property. Among my first priorities would be to keep the lights on the community with our limited budget, and maintain our population.
Name: Kevin Hennager
Age: 73
Spouse: Mary Jo
Children/grandchildren: 3/3
Education: Oelwein High School Class of 1970; associate of arts degree from Ellsworth Community College
Employment: Montgomery Ward for 28 years
Clubs/organizations: Knights of Columbus, Maynard Area Development, Maynard Community Club, past Sacred Heart Parish Council.
Why did you decide to seek election and do you have any first priorities and/or goals, if elected?
To continue to have Maynard be a place for families and friends to come together; create events or environments so community will become part of everyday life; continue to support local events like the Taste of Pizza and Maynard Days to promote getting families together for a great time.
Name: Helene Child
Age: 45
Spouse: Chris
Number of Children/grandchildren: 3/2
Education: Oelwein High School Class of 1998, NICC cosmetology
Employment: Owner/stylist at Silhouette’s Salon
Why did you decide to seek election and do you have any first priorities and/or goals, if elected?
I just want to help my town and someone has to do that. Currently, with the assistance of Miss Maynard, I am trying to update the park, including making the playground more accessible.
Hawkeye
Hawkeye citizens will provide write-ins for one of their three at large councilmembers. Incumbents John Campbell and Hugh Campbell have filed to be placed on the November ballot. Ashlee Oakland is running to fill a vacancy. Incumbent mayor Don Kelly is running unopposed.
Westgate
Brett Fulton is on the Westgate ballot for mayor and incumbent councilwoman LaTasha Wolff was the only candidate to submit papers for Westgate’s two council positions.
Among the other local incumbents going unchallenged in November are Arlington Mayor Dean Meisner and councilmembers Greg Fedeler and Todd Beatty; and Clermont Mayor James Matt and councilmembers Greg Larson, Kayleen Schrader and Amy Cummings.
Westgate will have a public measure to reduce the number of library board members from seven to five as well.
The city elections are held in conjunction with regular school board elections Tuesday, Nov. 4. Visit for more information.
