Fourth Candidate Announces Bid for Ankeny City Council
Ankeny resident Tom Reiland, a former lieutenant with the Ankeny Fire Department, joins three other people who will appear on the special election ballot on July 17.
A fourth candidate has announced his bid for a spot on the Ankeny City Council.
Tom Reiland, an Ankeny resident and former lieutenant with the Ankeny Fire Department, officially made the announcement earlier this week. The deadline to file papers was June 22.
"I have reached a point in my life where I feel I have the time and life experience to make a positive influence on our City Council," Reiland said in his announcement to Ankeny Patch.
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.
Reiland joins other candidates Bobbi Bentz, Mona Bond and Gary Key. A primary election will be held July 17 to eliminate two candidates. A special election will then be held Aug. 14.
Reiland grew up in Clarion, where he graduated high school in 1989. A year later, he moved to Ankeny to attend DMACC. His wife, Julie, his a lifelong Ankeny resident and the couple have two daughters.
Reiland currently works as a sales service respresentative for Kraft Foods in the Des Moines area. He spent 19 years with the Ankeny Fire Department, eight of which as a lieutenant.
I am confident that my time spent with the department gives me not only a proven track record of leadership and critical decision making, but also an insider's view of the city as an organization," Reiland said. "I am familiar with the operation of our city government and I can hit the ground running if elected."
If elected, Reiland said his priorities will be fully staffing Fire Station 2, as well as eliminating the utility franchise fee.
"I am opposed to the creation of any new fees to generate revenue, unless it is a user fee to offset the cost of a specific service," Reiland said. "Simply put, I feel it is time we live within our means."
Reiland said he will be a voice for Ankeny residents, especially those living on a fixed income.
"People forget that what seems like a small increase to some is a serious burden to others," Reiland said. "I want to keep Ankeny as affordable as possible and a great place to call home."
Reiland can be contacted at reilandforcouncil@gmail.com.
Jim Zupan
10:23 am on Wednesday, July 4, 2012
I would love to here these folks in a debate. Unfortunately all I am seeing is the signs they put up, and what little info has been in the patch. I would love to see how they stack up against each other. Voting for who has the prettiest signs never seems to work well for me.
Joe Dygas
11:04 am on Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Jim has a good point, a debate would be very worthwhile. Personally, electing an ex city bureaucrat does not appeal to me because of all the personal connections that might exist. Then the buddy system kicks in and all sorts of favors are done for the fire dept. We have been there and done that. Now is time for someone new. Isn't one of the existing council members an ex fire dept. type?
reggie m
12:50 am on Thursday, July 12, 2012
Joe I don't understand what you mean by We've been there done that? Can you give me any examples that you know of this happening within the city with elected officials. Or this just a general comment because thats something you heard? The way I read it Mr Reiland WAS on the fire dept. I feel it means in the past. Good for him for wanting to do his civic duty. Y can tell he is very city minded from the many years he put in with the fire dept. Instead of criticizing him Joe we should say Thank you! He could be a valued asset to others because of his experience.