A special election to fill a vacancy on the Jefferson City Council is next week.

Michael Mentzer is one of the candidates. He was born and raised in Jefferson and is a 1971 Jefferson High School graduate. He also earned his coaching certificate from Iowa State University. Following high school graduation, Mentzer spent time building homes in Des Moines, before returning to Jefferson to work at McAtee Tire and Service and helping a local contractor build homes in Greene County. He also worked with Electrolux for over 25 years, then sold used cars and worked for Holiday RV. He is now semi-retired.

Mentzer has also served on the Churdan and Jefferson Fire Departments for 25 years, served on the Paton City Council for three years, and has coached and was on the Greene County Little League Board for 25 years. He talks about why he is running for City Council.

“I want to help represent the taxpayers of our community and represent the first responders, like the fire department and police department. I don’t feel some of them are getting equal time and I don’t believe the priorities are quite right on some of it right at the present. I just want to do what I can to help them all out.”  

Mentzer says two main issues he’s heard people in Jefferson say are affordable housing and keeping people living here. He points out he’s heard from constituents about a four-plex housing project, with rent at $800 per month. Mentzer doesn’t believe that is affordable living when someone still has to pay utilities and insurance. His other concern is keeping people living here by having even more than what they need. He believes it’ll be tougher to keep people here with increasing numbers of big box stores and online shopping.

Mentzer is running against Darren Jackson, Amelia Carman and Mark Wright for the seat. The special election will be held on June 25th.