Smith touts experience in business
Since filing for mayor in January, John Smith has heard plenty of positive feedback.
And it’s not necessarily what he wants.
“What I’d like to hear is somebody say ‘I need you to do this, or that,’” Smith said with a chuckle.
With a number of hot topics certain to face Iola’s new city commission when it is seated come April, Smith said the city needs a mayor who can function well with others and serve as the city’s unofficial spokesman.
Smith, 73, thinks he can fit that bill.
Smith, a retired hotel manager, is being opposed by current city commissioner Bill Shirley and Linda Sigg.
He envisions a city government that encourages new businesses to move to Iola — and most importantly — provide the tools necessary to see the city’s business community expand.
“I think we can educate our city employees to assist businesses and create a more business-friendly environment,” Smith said.
Smith managed Klein Tools north of Moran for eight years before turning to the hotel management business. He and wife Mary managed a Motel 6 in Arkansas for six years before moving closer to family in Allen County. Then, they managed the Best Western Motel for eight years and Super 8 Motel for four more.
They moved to Arkansas briefly after retiring before returning to Iola two years ago.
“I think I have a lot to offer the city,” he said.
Sigg eyes downtown issues
Linda Sigg can envision a reinvigorated downtown business district for Iolans to enjoy.
Sigg hopes to lend her expertise as a past and present business owner and former public servant as she seeks to become Iola’s next mayor.
Sigg, 67, is one of three candidates looking for the mayor’s seat when Iola’s new city council is seated in April. She is opposed by current city commissioner Bill Shirley and John Smith.
“I think the city is being run well, but I think this is something I can help with,” Sigg said.
One of her primary goals as mayor would be to see buildings downtown refilled with thriving businesses.
Sigg is a co-owner of Party Girls on the south side of the square and operated Sigg’s Auto Parts for 30 years before retiring from those duties last summer. She also helped run an automotive dealership in Iola from 1962 to 1981.
While this is her inaugural foray in a city race, Sigg is no stranger to elective politics. She served 13 years on the USD 257 Board of Education and was a member of the State Automotive Association Board of Directors for 12 years, four as president.
In the weeks since filing for mayor, Sigg has become acquainted with several of the local council candidates. She sees a crop of qualified individuals eager to serve the city.
“There will be plenty of opinionated members, but I think that’s what will be needed in these meetings,” she said.
Shirley stresses continuity
While Iola’s new city council is guaranteed to have no holdovers from its existing three-member city commission, Bill Shirley still wants to see some continuity.
Shirley, completing his eighth year as a city commissioner, is one of three candidates seeking to become Iola’s next mayor.
Shirley, 72, is opposed by Iolans Linda Sigg and John Smith and would replace outgoing mayor Bill Maness, who declined to run for mayor with the new council.
“It did convince me to run when Bill said he wasn’t going to,” Shirley said, adding that the new council will need to act quickly to establish charter ordinances and set other policies in order to function.
Shirley had been an advocate for retaining the three-member commission instead of the larger eight-member council.
“But we’ve got some good people running for council,” he said. “They’ll be able to make it work.”
Shirley is a retired school administrator.
