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Smith not running for re-election

Manawa’s mayor stepping down after eight years

By Holly Neumann


Smith

Manawa will soon elect a new mayor.

John Smith, the city’s mayor the past eight years, said he will not seek re-election.

“I believe that the year 2020 may have changed many thought processes for a lot of people,” he said. “With us (Smith’s Manawa Steak House) running at about 35% financial capacity during the year, I realize that I need to focus on my business, my family, myself and my health.”

Manawa has become a destination in recent years instead of only being known as the home of the Mid-Western Rodeo, according to Smith.

“We have discussed this several times that Manawa needs to become a destination location rather than a drive-thru location,” he said. “In order to do that, we had to change the minds of the people, that we could be something different, something special.”

This has happened, according to Smith.

“If you look at the downtown shops and the beauty that has been created, you will see that we’ve changed peoples’ minds and it shows,” he said. “A lot of the businesses that were unoccupied when I became mayor have now been remodeled and are gorgeous properties.”

Smith said he is also proud of the city’s residents.

“We have some very special groups of people in our community that help promote our city,” he said. “To be honest with you, a lot of the people on those committees don’t live in our city; however, they realize the importance of a strong downtown to the rest of the businesses in the city as well.”

Smith said he never made a decision as mayor that benefitted him personally or financially.

“Did I ever make decisions that hurt me or my business?” he asked. “The answer to that is yes. My wife and I have lost tens of thousands of dollars in sales every year since I’ve been elected mayor. I guess the reason for that is when you make decisions that don’t make people happy, it becomes personal and they will not support you any longer.”

Smith offered advice to the next mayor.

“Take your time to listen to your constituents, but also make sure that you do your own investigating before decisions are made,” he said.

He recalled spending his first three months reviewing city ordinances and state statutes regarding his position within the city.

“I listened to the city clerk, the Department of Public Works supervisor, police chief, fire chief, ambulance director, rather than jumping in and trying to change things,” he said. “I wanted to see if the way things are being run was actually good for the city.”

Smith thanked voters for their support over the past eight years.

“I would like to thank everyone who I have worked with over the years and those who helped guide me,” he said. “My appreciation extends out to the townships and the residents of those townships because many of them thought of me as their mayor and that it’s probably one of the biggest compliments one person could ever receive.”

Smith feels that the next person leading the city needs to have a plan for the future and future growth.

“It’s very important that we do not move backwards as a city,” he said.

Smith also encouraged voters to take their time to listen to and learn about the candidates.

“Take time to learn who they are and what their thought processes is for the future of the city,” he said. “Take time to reference back to where the city was and who was part of that process.”

Any candidates wishing to run for the office need to have their paperwork filed by 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 5.

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