fullsteenahead

Monday, February 22, 2021

I hope everyone will have a nice Monday, the start to a nice week. 

This is the last week to vote in the Special Election prior to election day. If you want to vote early, it's too late to request a ballot be mailed to you. You may go to the Administration Building, 301 N Buxton, Indianola, during the hours the building is open. I know that they close at 4:30, so it would be best to go no later than 4:00. They will take your temperature when you enter the building. You'll need your ID to be given a ballot. If you have questions for the Auditor's Office, the # is 515-961-1020.

If you miss voting this week, you can still vote there on Monday, March 1. On Tuesday, March 2, the poll where everyone will vote is at American Legion, on 1st Street, directly across from the Post Office to the east.

Vote for the candidate you believe will be the best Mayor. I hope you will trust me to be that candidate. I'll keep you informed, pay attention to your concerns, I'll listen and direct your concerns to the right person. I'll do my best to respond directly to you, or will address issues here in this blog. There may be others with similar questions. Basically, I'll do my best to make myself available; in person, by phone, by email or blog.

Essay Submitted to Council Prior to Interview in October 2020

     As I look out the window, today is a sunny, warm day for October in Iowa.  Other days have gray skies, tornado, even derecho winds, blizzard conditions or fog—many of which could happen in Fall, Winter, Spring or Summer here….  That is similar to the conditions of a city.  All leaders of Cities, States and Nations must realize the changes that might come gradually or unexpectedly.  Having things run smoothly is best.

     I grew up in Indianola, was a dancer, a cheerleader, participated in clubs, sang in the choir, was a founding member of the New Life Singers my Junior year; members of whom were kids from every church in the area.  I went to college in Ames and Iowa City.  My husband and I lived in the mountains of Virginia for a Summer and two years in Minneapolis.  We moved back to Iowa City, to Burlington on the mighty Mississippi, and then came full-circle back to Warren County where everything we got involved in was in Indianola.

     The Fetters and Steen families have been involved in Indianola for many years, in many ways.  Education, a dance band, athletics, civic involvement…. My grandpa died in office as Mayor in the mid-60s.  I know that Indianola is a different City than it was at that time.  But I have a passion for helping Indianola thrive.

     In a way, I’d love for the world to know about this City that sits in the heart of the Nation.  In another way, it’s a rather nice secret.

   Balloons that dot the sky every year, and any time the winds cooperate, are a sight to see.  I’ve ridden in balloons twice.  Fun!  We can brag about the great college that we can all benefit from; everyone taking classes or just to walk the campus.  Our Elementary Schools, Middle and High Schools send well-equipped young people into the world when they complete the grades.  And to my knowledge, none of them get left behind if they struggle.

     I would like a chance to sit in the office of Mayor; to complete the term left from Mr. Kelly Shaw’s resignation.  What I don’t know about or understand, I would get the answers.  I would like a chance to help citizens thrive as well as the City.  I would do my best to make Indianola continue to be a place of which we’re all proud.

     Your vote for me on March 2, 2021, would mean the world to me.  [updated: I’ve built a website so that people have a chance to contact me easily and voice opinions, concerns, needs….  It is ready now and readers may comment.  Go to www.fullsteenahead.com

   I will add here that Tom and I dated in High School, went to college together (after I transferred from ISU to Iowa), we married in 1975 and have three children and four grandchildren. Tom graduated from Iowa, played baseball for a season with the Houston Astros, then went to Grad School in Minneapolis. I graduated from Iowa in 1992 (no typo), with Tom, my parents and our three kids watching me walk across the platform for my diploma. I graduated with athletes such as Acie Earl and Danan Hughes; who my guys liked watching graduate more than their mother. Graduating in the way I did proves that there is no time limit on goals. If you want it, it can be done. And our family motto is "You've gotta try."

    Thank you for considering me for Mayor.  Michelle

Today, Friday, February 19, 2021, is the last day to call the Auditor's office to request a ballot to vote for Mayor be mailed. If they receive the request today (best to call before 4:00) it will be mailed by the end of their office hours today. Call 515-961-1020.
You may still vote prior to March 2, 2021, by going in to the Auditor's office. 301 N Buxton, Indianola. And on March 2, voting will be done at American Legion Hall on 1st Street, across the street east of the Post Office.

The Right to Vote

March 2, 2021, is the date for the special election for Indianola Mayor. While this might not seem like a big deal, a vote for only one office, having the right to help choose the person who will be the Ambassador for your City really is a big deal.

I'd be honored to have your vote. I've said before that my grandpa was Mayor in the mid-60s. He died while in office, so there must have been a special election to replace him. I'm running to fill the office left open by a resignation. In a weird way, it feels like I'm completing Grandpa's term in office. I hadn't really thought of it that way before.

If there's a chance that you'll forget to vote on March 2, then please vote early at the Administration Building, 310 N Buxton, Indianola. Details below: forgive if the card is crooked : )

I'm so excited to be Mayor of Indianola. In order to reach that goal, I need you all to vote for me. Remember that you can vote early at the Administration Building (see the previous blog post) or you can vote on March 2 (see the previous blog post about that too). Tell your friends. All who vote in this election must live within the City Limits of Indianola. Get some sun tomorrow and vote early. Thank you!

Early Voting for Indianola Mayor

   Citizens within the City limits of Indianola might possibly be able to vote for Mayor as early as Tuesday, February 16, 2021. Because Monday the 15th is President's Day, the City offices will be closed on Monday.
   I do hope you will vote for me for Mayor. It would be such an honor to serve the town in this way.
I've been active and involved in Indianola my whole life, except for the few years we lived elsewhere. Indianola was the place where we chose to raise our family. No regrets.
   The people we know from various service organizations, sports teams, school functions, being in business on The Square, churches we've attended... (the list goes on and on) ...mean so much.
  If any of you remember that my grandpa was Mayor, you'll understand why holding this office, even for a short time, means the world to me.
   If you vote early, you will need to vote at the Auditor's office, going in the EAST door of the Administration Building (main door on Buxton), where temps will be taken and everyone will be directed to the correct office. No appointment is needed anymore. If you vote on March 2, you'll need to vote at the American Legion Hall. 
          I want to add another request - that if you have older parents or friends who might have trouble getting out to vote, please encourage them to call the Auditor's Office at 515-961-1020, help them make the call, and request that a ballot be mailed to them. And then, please, help see that they get the ballot filled out properly and mailed right back to the Auditor. The right to vote means so much to older citizens and they would appreciate the help.    Thank you!

Indianola Mayor Vote on March 2, 2021

I'm a daughter, sister, wife, mom, grandma, aunt, Christian and friend. The success and growth of the City of Indianola, Iowa, is my passion. Listening is key to learning what is important to citizens of Indianola; for children, parents, singles, seniors and visitors. It should be easy to contact the Mayor of a City, so I've created this site for us. When there are subjects you want to make known, or if I have something to tell visitors to this site,  this is the place for that. Keep comments kind and honest. I'll do the same.

The Special Election for Mayor of Indianola, Iowa, will be held on March 2, 2021.  Everyone will vote at the American Legion Post, across the street to the east from the Indianola Post Office.  All residents within the City limits are eligible to vote. 

The Poll will be open from 7:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.  An absentee ballot will be mailed to those requesting one.  Call the Warren County Auditor's office at 515-961-1020.  

For information concerning the Warren County Auditor's office, go to www.warrencountyia.org and click on the government tab.  From that drop-down tab, choose Auditor.

If I find out any different information, I will try and get it posted on a timely basis.  Be sure that you do vote for this election.  It determines who will be the Mayor of Indianola for the next 9-10 months.

I would appreciate your vote, but you should vote for the person you believe will represent Indianola the best.  I will try to be that person and will try to keep an open forum available.  My grandpa was Mayor in the mid-60s and I'd like to follow in his footsteps. Thank you in advance.