A pair of newcomers, Mark Smith and Joe Elizondo, are squaring off in the Tuesday, Nov. 7 election, vying for a mayoral position that is being vacated by appointed mayor Ethan Anderson.
The pair will take the position that has been on a roller coaster the past several years with the appointment in October 2022 of Ethan Anderson, who took over following the resignation of Katie McCullough, who unseated multi-term mayor Robert Hartman in a 2019 election.
Growing up in West Liberty and a resident the last 50 years, Elizondo says West Liberty has been his home since he was a child, now operating a business and raising his daughter in the community. “I care deeply about this place and want to see it thriving in every way possible,” he said.
Smith came to West Liberty a year ago after a long career of public service, which has included serving on a city council, being a county office holder, a state official, and having been a federal employee. “I have considerable knowledge about the workings of government at all levels.”
Smith said when he moved to be closer to my daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter, “I fell in love with this community and now want to offer my skills in serving as mayor during this important time.”
Elizondo is a second-generation owner of a restaurant and storefront in downtown West Liberty for several years, and a customer-service manager for a major Iowa-based grocery chain. “Through that work, I have a tremendous amount of experience in problem solving on the fly, dealing with people in a variety of situations, and leading by example,” he said.
He’s West Liberty High School graduate and has a daughter, Mya, a senior at WLHS, with his wife Erica. My brothers and sister are also West Liberty grads who are still here. I am providing care for my mother, who is also still in West Liberty.
Smith is a licensed independent social worker who holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in social work, proud of the fact he holds the highest level of social work licensure and is a mental health professional as defined by Iowa law. He has a daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter as well as two grown foster sons.
“My ultimate goal is to refocus attention back to what matters most – the stability of the community through our utilities, our public safety, and our unique ability to attract business and industry partners to keep our community thriving,” said Elizondo. “As mayor, I will commit to presenting and encouraging the passing of a resolution to establish a 28E Agency and to sign a settlement agreement with the rural fire district, including a clear timeline as to when each step should be completed to resolve all issues.” He said it’s “time for the city to formally commit to this. We are on the doorstep of a fast-approaching trial with no hard evidence that anything has changed since the problems came to a head a year and a half ago.”
A pre-trial conference has been set for Dec. 21. “No matter which side ultimately wins, the entire community will lose with any further division,” Elizondo said. “If elected mayor, my first priority upon assuming office in January will be to bring all parties together to create a written agreement that can be used as a working document to specify the role and responsibility of each entity”
He said the issues between the fire department and the city are just one symptom of a much bigger issue that needs resolution in West Liberty. “Moving the city and the fire department toward resolution will provide a springboard for attending to other critical areas, like ensuring consistent public safety and stabilizing our utilities so that we are ready to attract and retain more business and housing options,” he said.
Smith had a different perspective. “West Liberty is going to grow,” he said. “The important aspect of that is that the growth is well planned and helps us preserve the aspects of West Liberty that we treasure: an historic downtown, thriving small businesses, a diverse population, a school system in which the whole community takes pride, and a strong business and industrial base that offers good paying jobs to the people who live here.”
Smith said that growth with result in more businesses locating in the community, the need for more housing, and planning for utilities, street development, and other efforts that enhance the West Liberty community.
Elizondo says it’s obvious the best thing about West Liberty is its people and the culture. “We are so lucky to be sitting in a place with so much history and tradition, cultural diversity and outside-the-box ideas,” he said.
Smith says the friendliness of the small town is what he likes best. “I often put my 18-month-old granddaughter in a back-carrier and take her for walks. I am impressed that each and every time we cross a busy street, people stop and motion for us to cross. Each time that happens, I take pleasure in knowing my granddaughter is being raised in a safe and caring community.”
A former member of the West Liberty City Council, Elizondo considers it an honor to serve alongside others who put the best interests of the town first. “Former council members like Bill Cline and Marv Dalton set a tremendous example of how to negotiate with various entities and find the most positive outcomes for all,” he said.
“They provided a constant reminder that the work of the city’s governing body is less about photo opportunities and fancy titles, and more about the nuts and bolts that keep our electricity, sewer and water utilities in stable working order, our community safe through good relations with our fire and police officials, and our value-added offerings like public parks, the swimming pool and the public library strong,” Elizondo said.
Smith served on the Osceola City Council and was an Iowa State Representative for Marshalltown and surrounding area for 10 terms. For 5.5 years, he was the minority leader of the Iowa House.
“It’s been said that often converts to a church are the most devoted. I’m a lifelong Iowan who decided to make West Liberty my home, and I am glad I did,” said Smith. “This is a wonderful community and I want to offer my skills that have been developed over the years to ensure West Liberty continues to be a safe and vibrant community for people of all ages and all backgrounds.”
Smith promised that voters wouldn’t find a more devoted convert to the qualities of West Liberty. “I’m all in. I’ve been spending my time recently meeting with everyone I came across the community, including members of the fire department, local business owners, leadership at West Liberty Foods, school officials, local service organizations, and members of city government to get an all-encompassing understanding of our community’s needs so I am prepared to lead, should I have the honor of serving West Liberty as mayor.”
If elected mayor, Elizondo said he would make every attempt to protect the interests of West Liberty by cutting through the bureaucracy and negotiating in good faith for the benefit of all residents.
“I will hear your concerns with an open mind and present issues with as much transparency as possible. I will be as fiscally responsible with your money as possible, while striving to provide the level of city services and programming that keep us vibrant.”
“I won’t be afraid to make the tough decisions, but will always be guided by protecting our best assets and setting us up for future success,” he said, pointing out, “a vote for Joe Elizondo as mayor is a vote to return our city leadership back to fairness, honesty and stability. It’s time to bring those grassroots values back to the City of West Liberty.”
The candidate says it’s unfortunate he will not be able to attend the West Liberty Mayoral City Council Candidate Forum scheduled by West Liberty Rotary for Nov. 2.
“My daughter, Mya, is part of the West Liberty FFA state champion team in Ag Issues and Perceptions and will be competing for a national title in Indianapolis during that time. This trip has been planned since winning the state competition back in April,” he said. “While becoming the next mayor of West Liberty is extremely important to me, supporting my only child at a huge event in her life and has to be my first priority.”
Council race
In an uncontested race, incumbent Cara McFerren, 411 E. Third St., who is the present mayor pro tem, is running again for a four-year council seat along with Joshua Shiltz Costa, 413 E. Sixth St. Council members Omar Martinez and Dana Dominguez won’t see their seats expire until January of 2026. Ashley Smith has decided to leave the council in January, leaving a vacant seat that doesn’t have a candidate at this point. Smith and Shiltz Costa were both appointed to the board.