Angie Dickey wants to complete her goals as mayor of Atalissa, the 30-year resident told the Index this week as she prepares for the Tuesday, Nov. 7 election. But she won’t be the only mayoral candidate on the ballot next week. Newcomer Kandice Blick is also seeking the top post in the city.
Dickey, who is running for a third non-consecutive term as an incumbent, said there is more work to be done. “I had several projects I wanted to get accomplished by the end of this term, but all have not been completed,” said Dickey, an office manager at the University of Iowa in Iowa City and a florist at Hy-Vee in Iowa City.
She said a top priority is making sure the water and sewage systems in the community operate properly and said maintaining streets is also a top objective along with keeping taxes low and city utilities affordable.
Blick says she’s running for mayor because she’s like to see projects and obstacles that come up “get done” instead of pushing them off to the next meetings.
A 30-plus year member of the community, Block works for the West Liberty School District and says Atalissa needs a mayor that will follow through on that the council decides “for the best interest of the town and its residents.”
Dickey called Atalissa “a nice place to live” because of its residents and said “everyone helps support their neighbors.”
Dickey began her city council role in the early 1990s when Don Passmore was mayor. “Now, in 2023, I am finishing up my third term as mayor,” she said.
Blick said she likes the fact people are very close in the community, pointing out “everyone knows each other and will let you know when something is being done right or wrong or a concern they may have.”
She’s aided the Atalissa Fire Department on numerous occasions and has helped “so people don’t take advantage of what donations are given to the fire department.”
“I lived in this town for quite few years,” said Blick. “I’ve been married for 28 years and raised two children in this town. I’ve seen quite a few mayors be mayor in this town including my husband. I know what being a mayor pertains too and know what doesn’t work for this town,” Blick said, encouraging people to vote Nov. 7.
There is just one candidate running for three city council seats as Annie Gerstbrein is seeking one of the posts.