Slate is set for City Election

Flurry of filing at deadline creates races

Two of three races for spots on the Clear Lake City Council will be contested in the November election.

A flurry of filing before the Thursday, Sept. 17, deadline resulted with head-to-head battles for the First Ward, Third Ward and At-Large positions on the Council.  However, one candidate has since withdrawn his name.

At-Large Council representative Mike Callanan was slated to face Peter Lagios in the election, however Lagios announced Monday he was withdrawing from the race.

“Basically, my family asked me not to run because of the difficulties surrounding the nature of my campaign, which is to quiet the streets of Clear Lake from unruly motorists who deliberately rev their engines or alter their exhaust system to be excessively loud,” explained Lagios.  He added that although his family supports and agrees with his position on loud tailpipes, they did not want to be subjected to some of the undue scrutiny and harassment they suffered during Lagios’ 2013 campaign.  “Motorists were indeed making it a point to stop and rev their engines very loud in front of our family home, and my yard signs were stolen or vandalized from the yards of my supporters.  Very nasty online threats and slurs were written about my person, as well.”

Lagios said he will continue to advocate and campaign for quieter streets and adherence to existing Iowa Statues protecting the public peace on the streets.  “I’m not asking to destroy anyone’s fun, but I’m suggesting to the public that having fun does not come at the expense of other people’s enjoyment of community and property.  I’m merely asking for mutual respect and common sense,” he said.

Incumbents Dana Brant and Jim Boehnke will actually race each other after re-districting based on the most recent U.S. Census information.  Brant currently represents the First Ward.  Boehnke is seeking his second term as the Ward Three representative.  Brant is also seeking a second four-year term on the Council.

Mark Ebeling threw his hat into the First Ward seat against previously announced candidate Rich Oehlert.

Ebeling, a lifelong resident of Clear Lake, has been active in numerous community activities in Clear Lake.  He is owner/partner of Edwards-Brandt & Associates, Inc. He was twice past president  of the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce and Co-Chair of the Chamber’s IGNITE Clear Lake Endowment Campaign that has raised close to $1.2 million for community fireworks and its economic impact on the community. He also served as president of the Association for the Preservation of Clear Lake and is currently serving on the board. He is also the president-elect of the Cerro Gordo Independent Insurance Agents Association.

“I am running for two reasons.  First, I want to ensure that Clear Lake will be the type of community that my children will want to live and work in when they get older. Next, I want to be sure that the City continues to have low taxes, solid infrastructure, robust economic development, continued public safety, all of which results in a high quality of life for our Clear Lake residents,” Ebeling stated. ”The people of Clear Lake are its best asset, and this is one way I can serve them and give back for what the community has done for myself and my family,” Ebeling concluded.

The City Council election in Clear Lake will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 3.