Urbandale Election Will Tilt Council West; Voters Will Decide How Much

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Regardless of the outcome of today's election, the Urbandale City Council will become younger and the west side of the city will have more representation.

Young challengers Creighton Cox and Tony Montgomery are challenging single-term incumbents Mike Carver and Tom Gayman.

There are three seats open. Mary Polson, a two-term councilwoman, is not seeking reelection. She has endorsed Montgomery, with whom she has worked on the Urbandale Community Action Network.

Both Cox and Montgomery live west of Interstate Highway 35 in Urbandale. Of the current five councilmembers, only John Forbes lives west of the interstate. Western representation will either grow to two or three of the five seats, depending on who is elected.

Montgomery said he's the only candidate who lives in the Dallas County part of Urbandale.

At ages 36 and 37, respectively, Cox and Montgomery also are significantly younger than current council members. They say they may reflect different constituencies because of their ages. 

Urbandale voters who have been following campaign forums and articles may have found it difficult to distinguish the candidates. The four have disagreed upon little in forums and published statements.

One slight area of difference, Cox and Gaymen have expressed less interest in expanding Urbandale's parks and trails system during tough economic times.

Here's a quick snapshot of some measurements of each candidate's distinctions and campaign health: 

Mike Carver, vice president of Ruhl & Ruhl commercial real estate company, is seeking a second four-year term.

Two top achievements: Carver said he's most proud of getting Plum Drive paved and open, a project he worked on before becoming a councilman. The street is a key commercial link between 86th Street and Northwest Urbandale Drive.  His second priority has been working with and supporting the birth of the Urbandale Community Action Network.

Campaign finances: Raised $9,940; spent $4,215.

Average contribution: $66.

Large contributors: Eric and Brad VanderLinden of Indianola each gave him $750; John Grubb of Urbandale and Raymond Gazzo of Coronado, CA, each gave him $500.

Yard signs: Carver estimated he has 350 to 400 yard signs around Urbandale.

Creighton Cox, executive officer for the Home Builders Association of Greater Des Moines, is seeking his first term.

Top two goals: Cox said he set his goals based on his survey of about 3,100 residents. Top is not increasing the city's property taxes and keeping a close eye on spending. Second is finding ways to increase staff in the city's police and fire departments. 

Campaign finances: Raised $4,578; spent $3,772.

Average contribution: $109. 

Large contributors: The Home Builders Association of Greater Des Moines PAC gave him $500; so did Kevin Johnson, 12035 University Ave., Suite 100, Clive.

Yard signs: About 300 out.

Tom Gayman, senior vice president of commercial leasing for R&R Realty, is seeking his second term.

Top two achievements: Gayman has positioned himself on the council as a budget watchdog, saying in campaign literature that he's the only council member to vote against raising property taxes in 2010. He's often been alone in his votes, but says he prides himself in presenting less expensive alternatives. He also pushed for more firefighters and EMS workers when a budget report showed that response times were slower than desired. 

Campaign finances: He raised $6,440; spent $4,251.30.

Average contribution: $83.

Large contributors: Ron Brown 4224 Merle Hay Road, gave him $500; so did Curt Leaverton, 4039 Greenview Drive of Urbandale.

Yard signs: He said he has between 300 and 350 signs around town. 

Tony Montgomery, vice president of customer service for Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, is seeking his first term.

Top two goals: Ensuring that the city stays fiscally responsible, while maintaining Urbandale's city services, is his first priority. His second priority is to continue to develop city parks and trails, particularly the Walnut Creek Regional Park on the west side of town.

Campaign finances: He raised $4,910, which includes at $2,100 loan; spent $4,615.

Average contribution: $65.

Large contributors: Joseph Carberry, of Los Angeles, CA,gave him $500.

Yard signs: He estimated between 300 and 400 signs placed.