There are several contested races to watch across the KJAN listening area once the polls close Tuesday evening at 8.

In Guthrie County, for instance, Emily Chapman Olesen, Jamie Galivan, Deanna Gibson and Ruth Riley are vying for three seats on the City Council in Bagley. In Bayard, Dean Hopkins, Gary Allen Long, Ben Sease and Tom Wardyn are also hoping to fill three seats on the City Council. Another Council race in Guthrie County, is in Casey, where Marilyn Harden, Dan Irlbeck and Robbi Sneller are running for two open seats. In Guthrie Center, Ruth Ann Newell, Randy Nickel and Dennis Patrick are competing for two seats on the Council. And, in Menlo, four candidates are vying for two seats on the City Council. They include Deanna L. Harwood, Larry Jacobson, Bob Sudbrock and Briana Wolfe.

In Shelby County, there are races for seats on the City Council in Harlan, Westphalia and Tennant. Candidates for the three seats in Westphalia include Brian Arkfeld, Julie Goetzinger, Diane Hall and Bill Holzer. In Tennant, Dennis A. Oellerich, Harold Peters and Mark W. Tearney are hoping voters chose them for two seats on the Council. In Harlan, Mike Kolbe and Corey Sorensen will compete for city council Ward 3. Current councilmember Kate Kohorst was appointed to Ward 3 after former member Orv Roecker passed away earlier in the year. Kohorst decline to run for the position. Another Harlan City Councilmember Keith Kaufman is stepping down from his position in Ward 1. Jay Christensen is running unopposed for Kaufman’s seat.

And in Pottawattemie County, there are races for the City Council in Carson, Carter Lake, and Council Bluffs, where there is also two men running for Mayor. Other Council races include those in Macedonia and Walnut, and a challenge for the Mayor’s job in Neola.

Polls open at 7-a.m. Tuesday in Avoca, Carter Lake Council Bluffs, Crescent, Minden, Neola, Treynor, Underwood and Walnut, while elsewhere, they open at Noon. All polls close at 8-p.m.

Authorities in Cass County say charges are pending following an accident that occurred Sunday night, west of the Atlantic airport. Officials say a 2007 Dodge driven by 35-year old Michael John Hansen, of Atlantic, was traveling north on 585th Street at around 9:40-p.m., when the vehicle ran through a stop sign at the T-intersection with Highland Road (Cass County Road G-30).

Photo courtesy Mike Kennon, Cass County Emergency Mgmt. Agency

The car hit a power pole and came to rest in the ditch north of the intersection. Two juveniles in the vehicle were transported by private vehicle to the Cass County Memorial Hospital, while Hansen was taken to the hospital by Medivac Ambulance. All of the victims suffered minor injuries.

The accident remains under investigation.

With the holidays around the corner, holiday shopping—and cooking—are beginning to show up on many to-do lists. Local businesses can join in the fun by participating in the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual Recipe Walk on Thursday, Nov. 21st, from 5 to 7 p.m. in conjunction with Grand Lighting.  There is no specific theme for the recipes this year, but holiday favorites are always encouraged.

The Recipe Walk will be held in conjunction with Grand Lighting, which will be held in City Park at 5:30 p.m. The Chamber says it’s also not too late for businesses to join others who are hosting the recipe walk. The current list includes the Atlantic Coca-Cola Center and Museum, Aunt B’s, Bonnesen’s, Cappels Ace Hardware, Cullen & Associates, Downtowner Cafe and Catering and Longaberger consultant Dolly Bergmann. There is a $50 fee partake which includes pre-printed recipe cards and marketing of event.

For more information or to register, please contact the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce at 712.243.3017 or via email at chamber@atlanticiowa.com.

Iowa Secretary of State Matt Schultz is reminding eligible Iowans to vote in the city elections that will be held on Tuesday, November 5th. Schultz says he hopes “All eligible Iowans take full advantage of their right to vote in the city elections. “Iowans take great pride in performing their civic duty and making their vote count.”

Iowans with questions regarding their voter registration or the location of their polling place are encouraged to contact their local county auditor’s office.

The Atlantic City Council Wednesday, is expected to act on the acquisition of two abandoned, dilapidated properties. The resolutions apply to properties at 611 Linn and 1200 Birch Streets. City Attorney Dave Wiederstein has indicated that even though the taking of the titles to those properties had not (as of last report) been finalized by the court, he believes the judge will enter decrees soon, awarding both titles to the City.

The Council will also receive a report from the Community Development Committee, and hear a request relative to financial assistance for an Atlantic Elderly Affordable Housing acquisition/rehabilitation project from the non-profit RD Atlantic LLLP. The group is seeking Tax Credit Awards from the Iowa Finance Authority for the project, with entails the acquisition and rehabilitation of the Regency Villa Apartments, and plans on investing $2.1-million for the rehabilitation of the living units and construction of on-site storm shelters and a community room. The groups is asking the City for a financial incentives package that includes a $20,000 loan with zero-percent interest for the first 15-years, with no principal paid until the end of the 15-years, and a Payment In Lieu Of Taxes (PILOT) of $750 per year for the first 15-years.

City Administrator Doug Harris has indicated he believes the amount and term of the loan couple with the PILOT, would bring the project in-line with the General Obligation debt financing cost to the City.

In addition, the Council will act on a request from Mayor Dave Jones to have the City provide fill material to the Nishna Hills Golf Club, for the purpose of building their terraces to slow the amount of drainage in a drainage ditch that runs through their property. The cost to the City would amount to about $500. The City Attorney says if the Council approves the request, it would set a precedent on how the City responds to drainage issues on private property. He noted also, that the Atlantic Golf and Country Club has a similar drainage problem.

The Atlantic City Council meeting begins 5:30-p.m. Wednesday, at City Hall.