Calumet, Primghar and Sutherland Candidates For Office Introduce Themselves

Calumet
1) Tell us about yourself: Name, occupation, family, hobbies.
I am Josie Greathouse, Cargin, NE. Born in Spencer, IA, raised in Waterloo, IA, moved to Kingman, AZ, lived a brief year in Cedar Rapids, IA, graduated high school in Kingman, AZ, 2015. After graduation I moved to Spencer, IA and spent over a year there before moving to Sacramento, CA and then to Las Vegas, NV. In 2016 I returned to Spencer, IA where I met my now husband, Cody. We have a 4 year old cat and a 2 year old dog. I work as a teller for Central Bank in Cherokee and my husband works for CS AGrow in Calumet. We bought our house a year ago eager to join a smaller community with similar values and beliefs.
2) Describe all experience you have with elected or public appointed office.
This is my first experience in any elected or public office. I am excited for the process and am hoping to join Calumet’s city council.
3) Tell the public your goals and expectations should you be elected to the office you seek.
I am hoping to join the council to maintain and improve the value of the community. I know we are currently working to improve our city park and I have heard from countless members of the community how great it would be to have our ball fields open again and the flow of people from our neighboring towns.
4) Why are you the best candidate?
As a new member to town I would like to be more involved in my community and maybe even bring new ideas around. I know many of our members have lived in Calumet a long time and enjoy how the town is now but I’ve also learned they do miss some of the history. My goal is to come in and help keep our town on the map and thriving!

Primghar
1) Tell us about yourself: Name, occupation, family, hobbies
I am Kevin “Buck” Smith a lifelong resident of Primghar. I have worked for AMPI for 31 years and currently Procurement Manger for AMPI. I have been married to m wife Susan for 42 years. Susan and I have 3 adult children and 6 grandchildren. My hobbies are our GRANDKIDS and family. I also enjoy yardwork.
2) Describe all experience you have with elected or public appointed office
I have served on the Primghar City Council for 8 years. I am a 42 year active member of the Primghar Fire Department being elected to Fire Chief and Assistant Fire Chief many years. I also served on the Primghar Advancement Corporation. I currently serve as the President of the Iowa Association For Food Protection Board.
3) Tell the public your goals and expectations should you be elected to the office you seek
•Finish the lagoon project along with the City generator project.
•In addition to the installation of new equipment at the City park which is in progress, I would like to see lights installed at the basketball court to enhance recreational opportunities within the community. I would live to see a recreational path added within the community.
•Need to take care, plan and maintain our infrastructure.
•Begin discussions to establish an assisted and/or independent living housing.
•Engage with and support the younger members of the community that will continue to make Primghar a GREAT place to live.
4) Why are you the best candidate?
As a lifelong resident of Primghar and current city councilman I want to continue to give back to the people of the community which make it a great place to live. Additionally, I will continue to advocate and work on important topics facing our community knowing that, at times, difficult decisions must be made. I will continue to listen to our concerns.

Sutherland
1) Tell us about yourself: Name, occupation, family, hobbies.
My name is Nancy Kuehl and I am a single 68 year old retired public employee.  My Mom and Dad were Mary Ann and Donnie Kuehl.  I grew up on a small farm just south of Calumet.  I attended Sutherland School District and graduated in 1974.  I attended Westmar College from 1974 to 1978. After graduation I became the Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Belle Plaine.  Over the next 34 years I worked in Webster City, Centerville and my last 26 years in Norwalk.  I retired in the fall of 2019 and purchased a home in Sutherland so I could help take care of my Mom and be close to my family.  My hobbies are swimming, art and crafts, and baking.
2) Describe all experience you have with elected or public appointed office.
I have 41 years of being a public employee and 34 years as a Department Head.  I have worked on city budgets and served on a number of committees and boards that help improve the quality of life for the citizens.
3) Tell the public your goals and expectations should you be elected to the office you seek.
My first goal would be to sit down with department heads and find out what they need to do their job.  The second thing would be to talk to citizens to see what they would do to improve Sutherland.
4) Why are you the best candidate?
As I have stated I believe my whole professional career has been in public service and I have time to jump in to help make this city a place where people want to live, start a business and raise a family.