Ames City Council Runoff for Fourth Ward to be Decided Tuesday

A runoff election between Chuck Jons and Victoria Szopinski for the Fourth Ward seat is Tuesday.

Both candidates received about 42 percent of the vote on Nov. 8. Jons received just five more votes than Szopinski, 381 to 376. A third candidate, Frank Jeffrey, received 139 votes, according to official results posted at the Story County Auditor's Office.

Whoever wins Tuesday's runoff election will take their seat during the midst of the city's budget planning process.

The candidates were asked for their views on economic, environmental and social sustainability during an Oct. 27 candidate forum.

Szopinski said, “Well as a citizen of the world I believe in making sure that we are protecting our environment and that we're implementing as many sustainable practices as possible in all realms. I know that they're many individuals in our community who spend … time studying and trying to make sure those issues are understood and I want to participate in that.”

Jons said, “Sustainability is an interesting word. Unfortunately it means different things to different people, so that trying to obtain a consensus on sustainability will be a difficult task. I concur with the present City Council's attempt to address sustainability regarding our electrical facility, and I think over time the city council will move more in that direction of addressing sustainability on many fronts.”

Both candidates also said they would support plans to encourage more meetings and conventions to be held in Ames, which could generate more revenue.

Jons said he's seen more meetings and conferences move to Des Moines, mainly because they require bigger spaces. He would support a discussion between the city and the university defining an appropriate size and location for convention space in town.

Szopinski said the city might be missing the bigger spaces, but has conference expertise and that the city needs to continue to look at enhancing conference services.

The entire forum can be viewed here.

Polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday.

People can also vote in person at the Story County Auditor's office in Nevada until 5 p.m. today.

Voters can look up their polling place by clicking here and entering their address. Enter the town first to narrow results.