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Sunday, May 19, 2013
Covering Dallas, Monmouth, Independence, Falls City and surrounding areas since 1868
November 13, 2012
Falls City Council
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MAYOR
Amy Houghtaling 91.21%
COUNCIL
Julee Bishop 29.53%
Terry Ungricht 24.34&
Alyssa Reynolds 23.07%
Tony Meier 19.61%
(top three elected to council)
FALLS CITY -- It seems there won't be much time spent on celebrating victory for the three candidates elected to the Falls City Council on Election Day.
All three candidates -- Julee Bishop, Terry Ungricht and Alyssa Reynolds -- said last week they were eager to start working.
They will face no shortage of tasks in the coming months.
"We've got some pretty heavy stuff to work on," Bishop said. "I hope we can come together and make this work."
On her list of "heavy stuff" is improving the city's sewer system, water treatment plant, transportation system and retaining the city's water rights.
Ungricht would add fostering better communication between the city and its residents as a critical task.
"I'm just kind of getting my feet wet and seeing what we can do," Ungricht said.
Reynolds, by far the youngest council member, wants to take on the monumental task of engaging younger citizens, something she believes is important in a small town like Falls City.
She describes her goal as "to have them be more responsible and voice their opinions more. They see things differently than older people, who are set in their ways. I want to get them to step up."
Bishop, who was elected to her second term, emphasized the importance of the community working together to meet citizens' needs. She said city government, churches and organizations, and the school district should strengthen their partnerships to find ways to better serve the community.
"We have a lot of capabilities if we reach out to each other," she said. "I'm really excited about that."
Bishop was the only incumbent running for re-election, so Ungricht and Reynolds will be newcomers to the council.
Tony Meier rounded out the four-way race to fill three open seats on the council.
At age 21, Reynolds will be the youngest to serve on the council in at least three decades -- and very likely longer.
"It feels good that people voted for me, older people who I look up to," she said. "It feels nice to have people believe in me."
Ungricht, who has served on the city's budget committee, was pleased voters in Falls City supported him.
"It feels great," he said. "I'm honored that they would trust me with the job."
Ungricht and Reynolds will replace outgoing councilors Henry Hughes and Erma Ferguson.
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