Candidate Q&As 2023: Ron Bookout for Newton City Council, at-large

Name: Ron Bookout

Age: 51

Occupation: Member and advocate for Wounded Warrior Project and Patriot Assistance Dogs

Elected offices held: None

Office seeking: Newton City Council, at-large

1. Introduce/Reintroduce yourself to voters and explain why you are running.

I’m Ron Bookout, a long-time resident of Newton, and candidate for the open city council at-large seat. I want to be part of making Newton a great place to live, work and raise a family. I currently serve fellow veterans through my work on the Wounded Warrior Project and Patriot Assistance Dogs, which provides service dogs at no cost to qualified veterans. I’ve previously worked as an emergency medical technician in ambulance and emergency room settings. I’ve done volunteer work as a child advocate and was a Behavioral Health Intervention Specialist in Jasper County and surrounding areas. My educational background includes a BA degree from Grandview University in Criminology and an Associates Degree from DMACC. I graduated from Newton High School in 1990 and then enlisted in the Army where I served as a medic. It would be an honor to serve my hometown, and I ask for support on Nov. 7th.

2. Housing continues to be a priority for Newton, a city whose population has remained relatively stagnant for several decades. How do you think the city should approach new housing?

We have made progress in recent years to attract new residents to Newton. New housing is a key part of these efforts. If I am elected to the city council, I will work to promote existing new housing programs and expand those efforts. Newton is an attractive community for families, and having affordable, quality housing available is necessary to bring them to our community. I will work with builders, realtors and homeowners to improve Newton’s new housing market.

3. Street projects are frequent goals for the city council every year, but some people in town say more work is needed. How do you feel about the city’s current processes when it comes to street repairs and replacements?

Maintaining our roads and bridges will be among my top priorities should I be elected. I will listen to residents’ concerns about our infrastructure and work to make sure our tax dollars are spent effectively.

4. One of the goals of Newton’s new comprehensive plan, Envision Newton 2042, is to make the city a compelling destination for residents and visitors. How do you think the city should go about accomplishing this goal?

The best ideas for making our community a great place to live, work and raise a family come directly from our neighbors. I applaud the efforts of those who put together Envision 2042 and look forward to working with them should I be elected. Newton is a compelling destination for residents and visitors, but we can always make improvements. I’m particularly interested in hearing from residents on how we make our parks, bike trails, disc golf and other amenities even more attractive.

5. Newton Police is attracting new recruits and putting them through the academy, but many decide to leave for higher paying jobs. How do you think the city gets out of its role as a pipeline? What are ways the city can retain officers?

We must do all we can to support local law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line to protect us, everyday.

If I am elected to Newton’s city council, I will work to further improve existing recruitment programs. While I’ll keep a close eye on taxpayer dollars, I recognize public safety must be among our top priorities. I will work to ensure we find the best new officers and keep seasoned officers on the job. I recognize the value of their experience and believe it should be rewarded. Further educational opportunities and advancement should be available to all law enforcement personnel.

6. Council goals from 2022-2024 and the $1.6 million park bond passed by voters show an increased focus on city parks. How do you think the council should handle its parks system and the amenities that come with them?

Newton’s parks are a strength of our community and are attractive to folks considering moving to Newton. We can continue to build on the park amenities Newton currently has to offer. We definitely need input from citizens on what they feel would be beneficial to the city parks and recreational opportunities. While meeting voters, I’ve heard some residents emphasize the need for improvements on bike trails and disc golf courses to name a few examples. I will work with staff to provide Newton residents with the best parks possible while spending taxdollars efficiently.

7. Property taxes continue to be a concern for residents, especially after another round of increased valuations means they may have to pay more. How do you think the city should maneuver its levies and its use of property taxes?

Property taxes are a concern for city residents since many properties were over-charged in recent years. Newton is ranked 84th of 100 Iowa cities, Jasper County is ranked 569th of 3,143 counties in the United States. Iowa ranks 14th in the nation for the highest property taxes. We can do better by keeping spending down while providing the necessary services our citizens deserve. As I’ve knocked on doors, I’ve spoken to many taxpayers who are concerned about their property values and want to see their dollars used more effectively. I will keep these conversations in mind should I have the opportunity to serve on the city council. My reference for tax-related information is www.tax-rates.org

8. How will you keep politics out of local government?

I believe it is in everyone’s best interests to keep partisan politics out of local government. I will be accessible, and listen to residents’ concerns. I look forward to knocking on more doors in the coming weeks and hearing ideas about how we make Newton an even better place to live, work, and raise a family. It would be a great honor to serve my neighbors on the Newton City Council.

I ask for your vote on Nov. 7th!