Rene Gadehla to run for Marion City Council Ward 4 seat

MARION - Growth is the reason Rene Gadelha, current Linn-Mar School Board and city Planning and Zoning Commission member, cites in announcing her intention to run for the Marion City Council ward 4 seat.

The ward 4 seat would encompass the northern part of Marion from Echo Hill Road to the east and west, Boyson Road and Highway 13, where much new development is taking place.

Gadelha, 45, currently serves as chairwoman for the planning and commission and for the school board. Gadelha said those positions made her realize how much the city has grown in the past few years, with the expansion of the district and changes in zoning and development throughout the city.

If elected, Gadelha said one of her main goals would be advocating for planning for future growth and development on a wider scale.

'Marion is on a big growth trajectory,” she said. 'It's important that we plan for that successfully and take the time to meet with stakeholders. We want people to stay and raise their families here, and we need to make sure the city is doing the right thing long-term.

'People want more of a collaboration between the bodies that exist in town. There needs to be someone with a vision and very forward thinking.”

Another goal is to increase commercial development, Gadelha said. While Marion residents seem to be divided on how to expand while preserving the city's historical features, Gadelha said she believes a balance is possible.

'Both sides ...

have an important perspective that need to be heard,” Gadehla said. 'Our Uptown area helps preserve some of the older aspects of town. The newer portions of town where we have a lot of development coming, we need to bring in growth and jobs.

'We're very successful at homebuilding. We need to start filling it in with little pockets of commerce to support the residential area, but we need to consider what types of places come in and not just be reactive.”

'Transparency, collaboration, and the most efficient and best delivery of city services” are among other priorities Gadehla would have if elected, according to a news release.

Since moving to Marion in 2011 with her husband and two daughters, Gadelha ran against incumbent Liz Mathis for the Senate 34 race.

Gadehla also has served on the Central Corridor Steering Committee and the Blue Zones Committee.

She is the first to announce plans to run for the seat that will be vacated by current council member David Nicholson, whose term expires in November and is not running for reelection.

Marion City Council elections take place on Tuesday, Nov. 7.

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