Marion Mayor: John Nieland

I've been asked why I want to serve as mayor again. Truthfully, I wasn't sure I wanted to; however, after word got out that I was considering it, many citizens asked me to make it for real. They told me that the city council and city manager are spending tax money as if it was their own, and they were spending too much of it.

When I left office eight years ago, the city had debt of $11 million. Today it is $56 million. But no one asked us, the taxpayers, if we wanted to spend that money and accrue that much debt. While some or all of the projects might be good for the city, the council and city manager went around the taxpayer because they either didn't trust us or felt they knew what was best for us.

That's when I started collecting signatures - over 600 of them - by going door-to-door and meeting the citizens of Marion. Many of them shared their frustrations over the push for a new library and the addition of roundabouts to divert traffic to Sixth Avenue. I continued to hear their dissatisfaction with the way the city is being run. And I agreed with them.

Our current city council appears to simply 'rubber stamp” any project the city manager puts before them. The council must become more discerning and determine what is best for the citizens of Marion while maintaining fiscal responsibility. Recently there was a great deal of conversation regarding the purchase of Fitbits for city staff. That was a $19,200 expenditure approved by the council with little to no discussion during the meeting. What were alternatives to this purchase? What about the additional $100 per employee (potentially $15,200) for participating in a fitness screening? Who will pay for the discounts they will get on their health insurance?

I want to keep citizens better informed, and I want to hear their concerns. I plan monthly sessions to give them the opportunity to 'Meet the Mayor” and get answers to their questions about what is happening in city government.

It's important that we keep Marion moving forward while maintaining its heritage. I want my vote on the council to reflect that.

It's time to bring balance and fiscal responsibility back to our city. The mayor has just one vote out of seven, though, so it's important that we also elect council members who feel the same.

' More information: johnnieland@gmail.com