Paullina City Council Candidates

Kimberly Myers

1) Tell us about yourself: Name, occupation, family, hobbies
I am Jean Unrau. I have been married to my husband, Randy Unrau for almost 46 years and have lived in Paullina for all those years. We have no children, but have had many “fur-babies”! I worked for the local Farmers Coop for 39 years. I am now retired, but work at Primghar Chiropractic one day a week and periodically work at Remsen Farmers Coop. I love small town life.
2) Describe all experience you have with elected or public appointed office
Council member for four years. Served on Paullina Golf Club Board.
3) Tell the public your goals and expectations should you be elected to the office you seek
I would like to see the new EMS Building plans take shape. The Safety Committee has worked closely with fire department to get things rolling. We will at some point need to improve city infrastructure. We need to find some land to build housing on. I would like to see something done with the old Iowa State Bank Building.
4) Why are you the best candidate?
I don’t really consider myself better than anyone else for the council. I have tried to base my decision-making on what the people of Paullina want. But especially what is best for our community. I am willing to listen to any concerned citizen that would like to talk. I want to help make Paullina a great place to live!

Nichole Fintel Jacobs

1. Tell us about yourself: Name, occupation, family and hobbies.
   My name is Nichole Fintel Jacobs. I have been lifelong resident of Paullina. My family consists of my husband, Daniel Jacobs and two daughters, Kaylee Jacobs and Brenna Jacobs. We will be adding a son-in-law, Thomas Nelson, next summer! Daniel and I bought Roseland Trucking Inc back in 2020 which has been a Paullina business for 30+ years and we also farm.
   My hobbies are planning events, whether it is public or personal. I am also a foodie! You can catch us on weekends venturing out to new places we have found. I love to travel and music will always have my heart!
2. Describe all experiences you have with an elected or public appointed office.
   My experience is being on boards and committees that have been instrumental to our community. I am currently the Vice President of our Paullina Chamber of Commerce. I served several years as a board member of the South O’Brien Athletic Boosters and was a board member and advocate for our community daycare, Saving Grace Daycare Center.
   Along with those board seats, I have volunteered countless hours for public events. I grew up with my parents being community involved so naturally, I have followed, and I hope one day, my children will do the same for this community or a community that they will live in.
   3.Tell the public your goals and expectations should you be elected to the office you seek.
   One essential goal is to create a rapport and effective relationships with the mayor, council and city employees. A city council is not about boastful power but about creating and instrumenting policies and procedures that benefit our community and residents. My expectations would be that the same would hold true for the fellow city counterparts. We are not part of this town for ourselves, but for our town as a whole.
   We have a great town with great potential. Continuing the positives, we have established and or are in the process of, is key. Paullina has some big projects that are needing to happen in the near future, and I am hopeful to be part of them as a council member.
3. Why are you the best candidate?
   I love this town! I have dedicated my time to planning and executing ways to bring people to our town through Chamber events. It truly brings me happiness to see our community flourish!
   I don’t have a hidden agenda, my intentions are purely for the betterment of Paullina. I want to be instrumental in helping create the best town that we can possibly be. I feel like along with my volunteer work, I have more to give to this community. You can expect honesty, willingness to listen and being a team player from me. I may not have the experience as some of my fellow candidates, but I have dedication and motivation to be a key player and I am eager to learn.
   My hope for the residents of Paullina who will be voting for our new Mayor and Council, is to vote for the ones who are currently active in the community and have proven that they have the best intentions for our town. Pride should be consistent and not just when things are going smoothly. Actions speak louder than words! Together we can help move the city in a better direction that exhibits change and growth!

Jay Bootsma.

1) Tell us about yourself: Name, occupation, family, hobbies 
My Name is Jay Bootsma.
I am a Christian, Residential treatment worker for Midwest Christian Services Boys home out of Peterson, Iowa.  I also work Part time for Prudential Defense, which is a security agency that contracts with the US Marshals for security details as needed.
I have 4 kids who are grown up now, and that i am very proud of. Along with 4 beautiful grand children.  
When I’m not working, I enjoy working in my garage on crafty wood projects. 
I’m not that good at it, but I enjoy trying. It keeps me busy.
I also enjoy my time out in the country hunting when possible. 
Another thing I’m not the best at either. I have more blooper stories, than successful ones, when it comes to hunting.
2) Describe all experience you have with elected or public appointed office
Running for City Council is a big new adventure for me.  
But when I try something new, I put my full effort into it. 
3) Tell the public your goals and expectations should you be elected to the office you seek
It honestly never crossed my mind to run for City Council. 
But one afternoon, an unexpected guest came to my house and chatted with me for a while.
They voiced their opinions and concerns, and respectfully asked me to run for City Council.
They made a few comments about me personally and I took them to heart. 
Because of this I decided I would run for council and try to represent the best I can.
My plans would be to represent the city of Paullina in a positive manner. 
This means to represent not just the town, but also the people. 
With respect towards others, open minded to ideas and possibilities, and by showing integrity. And also by working with others in a positive way to problem solve issues professionally and effectively. 
Which means “team work”. 
As we all know there is no “I” in the word “team”. 
4) Why are you the best candidate?
Being a candidate is not about being the best. 
I am only 1 person and am not perfect, but if I am elected, I can assure others that I 
Will be a team player and will stand up for what I believe is right. 
We all want Paullina to be strong and thrive, but that starts with the people, and that’s who I want to represent. 

1) Tell us about yourself: Name, occupation, family, hobbies
Dennis Werkmeister
Business Owner: House Salvage and Rentals
Married to Nelda, five grown children and six grandchildren
Hobbies: Golf, playing games, woodworking
2) Describe all experience you have with elected or public appointed offices
As President of the Iowa Jaycees met with Senator Chuck Grassley in Washington to discuss issues important to Iowans and how government functions in Washington. Also met with Governor Terry Branstad on two occasions to sign proclamations for the Iowa Jaycees and discuss issues facing Iowans.
Served on the Centennial Steering Committee.
While working for Northern Natural Gas Company I was part of a team that took a lawsuit to the Supreme Court of the State of Minnesota and won.
Served on the Paullina City Council 2016 to 2020.
In 2020 represented O’Brien County at the State and District conventions of the Republican Party of Iowa. Currently Chair of the O’Brien County Republican Party Central Committee.
3) Tell the public your goals and expectations should you be elected to the office you seek
Goals
Groom a younger group of individuals for public service.
Capitalize on the strengths of various entities, such as Chamber of Commerce and Paullina Economic Development, to create and secure opportunities.
Expectations
Make sure the City’s fiscal house is strong, stable and resilient.
Have effective, efficient meetings whether a public hearing or Council meeting.
Insure Citizens are aware of issues that impact them directly.
Continue involving people in the Council process through public hearings and creating Citizen committees on hot button issues.
4) Why are you the best candidate?
I honestly can’t say I’m the best candidate as every person running has special skills or abilities that could/would help the City of Paullina. So I’ll tell you what I bring to the table. I have 40 years of team building and management experience: (1) the youngest elected President of the Iowa Jaycees; (2) 25 years on the Foundation for Iowa Jaycee Charities as President, Treasurer and Solicitation chair; (3) while working for Northern Natural Gas Company took a one man office in Minneapolis to an office managed by one man responsible for offices in Minneapolis and Omaha employing 10 people, easements and agreements covering 14,000 miles of interstate natural gas pipeline from the upper peninsula of Michigan to the northern border of Texas, plus gathering facilities in Colorado; project dollars adding up to millions and overseeing up to 50 contract employees; (4) built two successful businesses in Paullina: ND MillWerk Salvage and Sales and ND Rental while farming north of Paullina. Both businesses were built with much input and labor by Nelda, my forever sidekick.
I truly and firmly believe in “The Constitution of the United States”.
I believe that Jesus Christ is my Savior and only by his grace was I able and am able to do the things I do.

Glenda Heithus

1) Tell us about yourself: Name, occupation, family, hobbies
Glenda Heithus
Retired
Widow have 6 Children, 14 grandchildren, and 14 great grandchildren.
Reading, quilting, yard and garden, and many crafting projects, as well as travel.
2) Describe all experience you have with elected or public appointed office
I have dealt with the public for many years as owner of Lloyd’s of Germantown, Manager of Paullina Golf as well as working at the hardware store. I worked with my husband in the insurance business for 32 years. Went to school for tax accounting and worked for a lawyer. My husband and I farmed for 25 years in Cherokee.
The only offices I have held are church affiliated.
I love visiting with people and hearing the things they want to see in town.
3)Tell the public your goals and expectations should you be elected to the office you seek
A new fire station is needed.
Improve bike path crossing
Better use of bank building and tennis court
Airport improvement
Street impovement
Hope we can gain some new businesses
4) Why are you the best candidate?
I hope because I understand what people are saying and what they want for the town. I was asked to run for this office. We are a small town and have a lot of good talented people that live here and I hope we can get more people active and step-up to help with some of these things.