Carri Holst

Carri Holst, incumbent candidate for Traer City Council, is seeking your vote and is looking forward to serving another term to represent Traer and its citizens. She was originally appointed to the council to fill the remainder of a term left open when a former councilperson moved away. A Traer native and proud graduate of North Tama Class of 1981, Holst feels she brings the unique perspective of knowing the history of the town paired with the experience of having lived and worked in other areas of the country.

Ms. Holst has worked for Morris Insurance Agency/State Farm Insurance since returning to Traer in 2002 to give her daughters the opportunity to experience the value a small school district offers along with the benefit of living in a tight-knit community. She is a past board member of the Traer Community Foundation and Chamber of Commerce. She currently serves on the Tama County Emergency Services Board and Traer Economic Development Corporation, and is Music Director at United Presbyterian Church.

Asked why she serves on City Council, Holst replies, “What better way to serve and help the community I grew up in and plan to grown old in? It’s important to step up and do your part to support where you live and work.” City Council meetings are open to the public and Holst says she would like to see more community members attend the meetings. “Many months the only faces we see at the meeting are the other City Council members, our Mayor, and other city employees. We are always interested in hearing input and questions from the citizens and knowing what they are concerned about, proud of and interested in.”

Community Protection is one of the committees Ms. Holst currently serves on the Council and is an area that has been a priority for her. She says, “Rural communities are losing their ambulance departments due to state rules and regulations, lack of volunteers and funding. It is vitally important that our community keeps an eye on legislation and ensure that we continue to meet the expectations of service and response.” While Traer currently has adequate facilities to house our emergency services fire and ambulance we are very close to needing new facilities to “fit” the next generation of equipment. Exploring a new emergency service facility for Traer is an area Holst plans to work on going forward, noting that space for law enforcement would be included.

Holst plans to continue working closely with members of City Council, Mayor, Traer Municipal Utilities and city departments on other projects in Traer streets, recycling, community protection, economic development and ensuring we are a welcoming community for new residents.

“Traer has a lot to be proud of,” Holst says. “We have businesses, amenities and a school district that other small towns in Iowa have lost. It’s important that we all continue to support what we currently have and create opportunities for growth in all areas.”