By Beacon Staff
The West Burlington City election isn’t contested this year, and Mayor Hans Trousil, who has been mayor since 1993, is not returning for another run.
The three council candidates took the opportunity to introduce themselves during a forum hosted by the Greater Burlington Partnership Thursday, Oct 21. So did Ron Teater, who is running unopposed for mayor.
Ron Teater
Best known locally for his tenure as principal of West Burlington High School, Teater has worked a variety of careers – and not always in education.
Bouncing around as a military brat in his younger years, Teater eventually moved to Iowa. He graduated in Centerville, and after finishing college at the University of Iowa, served his country in Vietnam.
“Here was home,” he said.
After retiring from West Burlington, Teater went back to work again as a teacher at Notre Dame for nine years. Then, he was a bus driver for Trailways. When that ended, he became the technology/communications director for First Christian Church in Burlington.
He’s retired several times.
“I don’t retire well,” Teater said with a grin.
Kathy Newberry
With three children currently in the West Burlington school system, Newberry has a vested interest in the city’s educational system.
She and her husband have lived in West Burlington for the past 15 years, and Newberry works at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center.
“I feel it’s important to invest in things that are important to you. I find value in our community. And I hope to keep it a thriving community,” she said.
John Johnson
Born in Keosauqua and raised in Kahoka, Mo., John Johnson attended a one-room country schoolhouse until seventh grade.
But, he’s spent the better part of his life in West Burlington. Johnson worked at General Electric for 36 years, where he met his late wife of 40 years. They had four children together, and Johnson has been running J&J Auto Sales since 1988.
Johnson also served on council for 10 years prior to this run.
“I just hope I can bring back some of that knowledge to the council,” he said.
Melanie Young
Appointed to the city council after former city councilman Al Waterman resigned in July, Young is seeking a full term.
Young grew up a farm kid in northeast Iowa, then worked her way south to the University of Iowa. She graduated with an ROTC commission and met her husband in the National Guard.
Young has lived in West Burlington for 23 years and retired from Federal Mogul Champion. She has no plans on leaving West Burlington.
“We could have lived anywhere. We wanted to live here,” she said.