Candidate Q&As 2023: Lonnie Appleby for Mayor of Newton

Name: Lonnie Appleby

Age: 54

Occupation: Freelance court reporter and weekend Domino’s employee

Office seeking: Mayor

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

Hello, everyone. Lonnie Appleby here. I’m running for mayor because I believe that we are in need of change (and a lot of it).

Many of you know my story from two years ago, when I ran as a write-in, so I’ll be brief (well, brief for me!) A lifelong resident of the Newton area, I spent a handful of years in Des Moines after studying court reporting at AIB. I then returned to Newton and bought a home. George Moore once stated, “A man travels the world over in search of what he needs and returns home to find it.”

I’m running again because -- well, I never really stopped because you never stopped. You never stopped asking if I was running again, never stopped asking, “Would (you) be on the ballot this time?” Most of all, you never stopped sharing concerns. You’ve shared concerns that you still love Newton, but it doesn’t as readily reflect that love; concerns about roads; concerns about feeling the city has abandoned downtown; concerns about runaway spending (the city charges more in taxes than the school district -- unheard of here in Iowa); concern that the Chamber of Commerce and the Main Street program (along with other senior Newton administrators) moving not only off the square but to the fifth floor of the old Maytag office building, hidden from public view.

I believe, and most everyone I speak to believes, it is time for a change in local leadership. Both of my opponents have voted for multiple failing projects, tax increases, and huge increases in fees. They also pushed for and passed disappointing new restrictions on free speech at council meetings. I think we can all agree that these folks need to hear more from us, not less.

While I did not take office last time, I learned much during and after, so I chose to stay involved. That’s why I’m running again Nov. 7.

We need to have every voice treated as important, whether paid for their opinion or not. We must encourage people to respectfully speak their mind and not arrest them for voicing their opinions. Both of my opponents silently sat by while free speech was surprisingly violated to the extent that the courts had to intervened, while a mayor, city attorney and six council members sit in silence and complicity, then battle in court, and lose that case.

Newtonians are ready to have their town back, and I am ready, willing, and able to be a proud part of that process because we owe that to the town we love.

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?

The population of Newton, while remaining fairly the same, should be a concern for all of us. When you look at similarly sized communities around us, their populations and growth are booming. I graduated in 1987 from Newton, and our population was roughly 15,000. Ankeny had a population in 1990 of 18,590. If you jump ahead to 2021, Newton is still right around 15,000 and Ankeny has skyrocketed to 70,287. In 1990, Grimes, Iowa, had a population of 2,677. Jump to 2021, Grimes has grown to 15,949. In 1990, Altoona had a population of 7,390. In 2021, Altoona was home to 20,705 residents. I understand their proximity to Des Moines is more favorable than Newton’s, but Newton has to be more competitive in not only housing choices, but housing prices.

I think it would serve Newton well to hold conversations with government bodies of these towns and find out what they are doing so much better than we currently are.

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?

Some of the roads in Newton are, as many of us can probably agree, in need of major repair. Most recently, after several delays which cost the taxpayers more money, Union Drive is finally being redone. I have seen some of the progress, and it looks amazing.

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?

(Editor’s note: Newton News incorrectly referred to Envision Newton 2042 as Envision Newton 2024 but has since corrected it for publication.)

This question asks about Envision Newton 2024, I am assuming it is intended to be 2042? Either way, I think 2024 is where we really need to focus our efforts. Our downtown is a prime example. Bit by bit, our downtown and its charm has seemly become less and less a priority. We do still have wonderful shops to this day, but we have just recently lost some also. It’s not easy out there; but I’m not sure focusing on the 2040s should be the priority when so many current deficiencies need attention.

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?

First off, it’s not all bad news to know that other police departments like to hire away Newton police officers. Hopefully, that means we have an outstanding local pool of talent from which they draw. If the chief has ideas, I am open to his expertise to retain officers. I admit I don’t have a helpful, conclusive answer now; but know I am always listening and learning.

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?

I think the city parks are handled very well currently. We are expanding activities at Aurora Heights with the addition of pickleball courts. Maytag Pool is being repaired and renovated. Newton parks have many things to offer for those interested in strenuous exercise, light exercise or even just having a nice lunch under a shady tree. Newton parks are welcoming and kept up very well according to what I see.

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 continue to increase at an alarming rate. It seems to be a balancing act with some misdirection thrown in. While the city lowered the tax levy/millage rate, they increased spending by 6.15%, a full half a percent more than the school district’s increase. Jasper County actually listened to the concerns of local businesses and residents and lowered their tax ask. So the question becomes why isn’t Newton trying to do the same? We seem to have a two-tiered taxing system at work, whereby those willing to do new projects are given forbearance and assistance at the expense of those already being taxed (many of whom are living and keeping their businesses alive paycheck to paycheck).

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

When allowed to openly function, our local government is an amazing creation. It is the level of our own governance where we all can make a difference, where all our voices can be heard. As mayor, I won’t be in any position to change the world. Heck, the mayor doesn’t even get to vote -- that’s the purview of the city council. But the mayor does get to set the agenda. And I will assure you that the current system of self-anointed “gatekeepers” will change. We need to end special access for the few and ensure that all voices are heard and not intimidated. Newton has always been such a special place. Let’s change where we’re going and change who’s navigating the course. I’m here because I chose to come back home, so let’s talk.