Remember to VOTE on Tuesday, Nov. 7.

Telegraph note: With a contested race for Traer Mayor on the Nov. 7 ballot, the North Tama Telegraph sent out a questionnaire by email to both candidates who filed paperwork including the incumbent mayor, Peter Holden and challenger Kennan Seda. Below are the responses we received in time for publication. Mayor Holden did not return a questionnaire to the Telegraph.

Kennan Seda

Age: 65

Profession: Retired computer scientist.

Education: North Tama High School 1976; Iowa State University 1981 (B.S., Computer Science).

Seda's high school graduation photo.

Family: I am the oldest son of Marvin and Florence Seda. As of January 2023, both of my parents are now deceased.

1. What motivated you to run for Traer Mayor? For a photo, I submitted my high school graduation picture. Back then, I did not expect to stay in Traer. My parents gave me a set of luggage for graduation. It was time to explore the world. I am now in a similar situation and wonder if Traer would be a good place to retire.

2. What do you see as the primary roles and responsibilities of a small-town mayor in a community like Traer? To be a benevolent neighbor, friend and leader. To work with other community leaders to make Traer even better.

3. What are the biggest issues facing the city of Traer in your opinion and how would you like to see those addressed? The basic issues are still public safety, fire, ambulance, good schools and neighbors. In Berwyn, Illinois, I was very active in several organizations including neighborhood watch. Berwyn’s National Night Out program was featured nationally as a strong community where people worked together. I think that improving community policing and neighborhood watch basics would be one area that I would emphasize as mayor. I am probably the only candidate that remembers when Traer had a Police Department.

4. The North Tama Community School District is attempting to pass a bond referendum this election for much-needed facilities improvements. How important is the relationship between the school district and the city? What improvements or changes, if any, would you like to see? My parents’ house is near the school. I walk past the school almost daily. Many changes have occurred since my first day at Traer-Clutier Community Schools over 60 years ago. My father also graduated from Traer High School in 1945 during the Second World War. I am disappointed that such a basic need as an ADA compliant sidewalk at Walnut Street and Seventh Street does not exist. Last winter snow was piled up on the very sidewalk that I would need to traverse in a wheelchair to attend a Redhawks basketball game, for example. Traer and North Tama need to work better together.

5. If you received a $1 million grant to use for Traer any way you wanted, what would you do with it and why? Over the years, people have been very generous in contributing to many improvements like the nursing home, the library, the memorial building and more recently scholarships for students. I would like to use the money for mini-grants to enable projects big and small to succeed. Two projects that I have already suggested are the creation of a dog park and a community garden where the produce raised could be donated to the Northeast Iowa Food Bank.

6.What are some of your favorite things to do in Traer? We are blessed to have a great movie theatre and the museums are top notch. Cheering on the Redhawks is always fun. Family reunions in Taylor Park are great too. Playing pool “where everyone knows your name” is something individuals in Waterloo or Cedar Rapids do not experience. Traer is a great hometown.

7. Why should people vote for you? First I want to state to those that support Mayor Holden and his reelection, if I am elected Traer’s next mayor, Mayor Holden’s experience and opinions will be most sought and appreciated. I asking the voters to support me so that I may add to what has already been achieved. I would like to take the next two years of my life to make Traer even better.