Perhaps it’s not a good idea Nich Lohman and Myra Gleason are friends.
“People say they’d like to see us both win,” said Gleason.
The two opponents for the Iola Council, Ward 3 contest appeared at Thursday evening’s Meet the Candidates forum sponsored by The Register.
Gleason said the race between her and Lohman, the incumbent, is an example of why she’s against the city’s four voting wards.
Council members have recently discussed changing ward makeup and moving to at-large positions, but no clear consensus has emerged.
Lohman has said he sees both sides of the coin, noting his familiarity with a certain section of town helps him better represent constituents. Lohman is completing his first four-year term on the Council.
Gleason said the current method discourages would-be candidates.
“We don’t have enough people running for office. People don’t want to run against their neighbors. I love Nich and Robin. We’re great friends,” she said, including Lohman’s wife.
THE FORUM included candidates for Allen Community College’s board of trustees and Iola’s USD 257 school board. Attendance was light. Only about 30 showed up, including candidates. The event was held at The Watershed Collective on the downtown square, courtesy of the group who use the space, formerly the Derryberry Breadery, to hold worship services.
Other candidates included Becky Nilges and Jenny Spillman who are running for re-election as ACC trustees and John Masterson, Robin Griffin-Lohman and John Wilson for re-election to the USD 257 board.
Newcomers included Nathan Cunningham for a seat at the USD 257 table and Doug Kerr as a write-in candidate for Iola Council’s first ward.
IOLA COUNCIL
Despite their friendship, Gleason and Lohman differed on how the city should be managed.
Gleason, who with husband Gabe Gleason own Wild Bloom Coffee, bemoaned the high salaries many city staff earn, saying that money could be better spent for services and programs.
A few positions, including that of city administrator and assistant city administrator, earn in excess of $100,000, with other department heads and city clerk, not far behind.
“Does the city payroll reflect what we need for Iola?” Gleason asked.
