Bobbi Bentz Announces Candidacy for Ankeny City Council
Bentz joins Ankeny resident Gary Key in the race for the next city council member.
A long-time Ankeny resident has filed to possibly become the next Ankeny City Council member.
Bobbi Bentz, a 1997 Ankeny High School graduate, announced her candidacy Wednesday to run for the council seat vacated by Craig Block last month. Bentz is employed by Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield in network engagement and has lived in Ankeny since 1980.
In the announcement sent to Ankeny Patch, Bentz said the community needs another responsive leader who will represent taxpayers and focus on cost containment, tax reduction, maintaining infrastructure and supporting sustainable economic development.
"As Ankeny continues to grow, it is important the decisions of the city leadership reflect the interests of residents and commercial business owners - maintaining a strong city while planning responsibly for the future," Bentz said.
The special city council election is a result of Craig Block's resignation from the council, which was effective May 21. Ankeny residents gathered more than 500 signatures in order for a special election to be held.
Bentz is the second person to announce candidacy for the open spot. Gary Key of Ankeny also has filed.
Bentz received her undergraduate degree from Cornell College in economics and business. She's received two Master's degrees from the University of Iowa and is close to completing her doctorate degree in community and behavioral health, also from the University of Iowa.
Bentz has been a member of the Ankeny First United Methodist Church since her confirmation in 1993. She is also involved with the Greater Des Moines Young Professionals, a member of Ankeny Young Professionals, volunteers with the Easter Seals and assists the American Heart Association.
Bentz said she was encouraged to run for city council by several Ankeny residents due to her "experience and commitment to the community."
“My husband and I wanted to raise our family in Ankeny because the community has an identity separate from other communities in the Des Moines metro,“ Bentz said.
She and her husband, Adam, have two daughters, ages 4 and 2. Adam owns and operates BAB Sports, a fundraising and promotion firm, and is the defensive coordinator for the Des Moines Blaze football team.
Candidates have until June 22 to file. Should three or more candidate file by then, a primary election will be held July 17.
The special election for this race will be held Aug. 14.
Joe Dygas
8:19 am on Friday, June 8, 2012
It is reassuring to see someone with Mrs. Bentz credentials willing to serve on the City Council. With all the complex financing related to City projects, taxes and budgets, her background seems admirably suited.
Bobbi Bentz
2:29 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
To learn more about me or to get involved in the campaign, please check out my Facebook page at "Bentz for Ankeny" or email me at Bentz for Ankeny at Gmail. Thank you! Bobbi
Joe Morr
10:26 am on Thursday, June 28, 2012
A 1997 graduate of Ankeny. Granddaughter a 1994 graduate (Anne) and I a 1954 graduate. I see a lot of your signs on Denny Elwell's property and knowing Chris Murray I would vote for you just knowing these individuals. Good luck on your run for the city council. There are two people on the present council who need your help in voting on saving money in our city. Joe Morr
Bobbi Bentz
6:52 pm on Thursday, June 28, 2012
Thank you Joe and Joe - as someone who grew up in Ankeny and returned here to raise my family, I want to live in this great community for a long time and have it be affordable for both those who have lived here a short while, those who have lived here a long time, those on fixed incomes, and those who just bought their first homes. In order to do that, I've been reaching out to all our taxpayers and citizens - business owners and residents alike - in order to have a strong partnership to help us in our future. It is important to listen to all our citizens and our entire commerical and residential tax base and I'm finding a lot of like minds to my message who want to help me and our City be successful. I'm happy to hear you like my signs - I'm lucky to have married into a great name that rhymes with an excellent motto - Bobbi Bentz, Common Sense!
Marv Stanwick
8:34 am on Sunday, July 1, 2012
With your job at Wellmark, your husband's business, his position with the Des Moines Blaze and your two small children, it seems you are burning the candle from both ends. How will you be able to find the time to adaquately represent the citizens of Ankeny?