An effort to spotlight concerns about the Iola City Council has been well received by others, the organizer of Iolans for Good Government reported.
Becky Nilges, who helped form the grassroots organization last fall, said she has fielded several phone calls since Saturday, when the group penned a letter to the editor critical of the council.
The letter cited several instances of the council’s desire to work behind closed doors on city
matters.
“The most common response we’ve received is from people asking ‘What can we do?’” Nilges told the Register.
Her response is simple: stay informed and attend the council meetings if possible, or contact any of the eight council members or Mayor Bill Shirley.
“All we can do is try to keep people aware of what’s going on,” Nilges said.
Nilges said Iolans for Good Government has approached County Attorney Wade Bowie about their concerns.
Bowie told the Register he will continue to investigate the matter.
“I know a lot of people think we were formed only because of Judy,” Nilges said. “It was part of our concerns, but it wasn’t the only motivation that brought us together.”
The council’s firing of former City Administrator Judy Brigham in August came about two weeks before Brigham was to retire.
Nilges invited a few others in the community to her house one evening last October.
“It was mainly just a few of us wondering if any other people felt like we did,” Nilges said.
Sixteen showed up.
Since then, the group has met occasionally, usually numbering about 10.
Saturday’s letter featured the signatures of 39, all but a handful of whom live in Iola.
