Kennan Seda. NORTH TAMA TELEGRAPH FILE PHOTO

TRAER – The North Tama Telegraph sent candidate questionnaires to both candidates running to be the City of Traer’s next mayor as part of the Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025 city-school election. Incumbent Mayor Pete Holden did not return a questionnaire, while challenger Kennan Seda’s response is featured below. Traer’s office of mayor is a two-year term.

Kennan Seda

Age: 67 years young

Education: Traer/Clutier, North Tama, Iowa State (B.S., Computer Science), Morton College, Knowledge Systems Institute

Occupation/Profession: Computer scientist

Family: Oldest son of the late Marvin and Florence Seda

1) Why are you running for mayor of Traer?

I think that elections and democracy are important to our country. It is good to stop and ask if there are new ideas out there.

2) In general, do you feel like Traer is headed in the right direction, and if not, how would you propose reversing that course?

I think that generally Traer has a history where everyone can get involved in making it better. I have talked with some of our newer residents and would like to give them a seat at the table and encourage them to get involved. Their input and enthusiasm would be welcomed. I of course remember the days when there were more students in our school and more businesses in town. Everything (almost) was in Traer.

3) What are the biggest issues facing the City of Traer in your opinion and how would you like to see those addressed?

Fire, ambulance and law enforcement are very important to small towns. We need to continue to promote shopping locally. I hope that our school improvements encourage young families to move here. I also see the need to keep our seniors in town with more affordable housing options.

4) Do you believe the city’s current strategies to attract new residents and/or businesses are working, and if not, how would you recommend changing them?

At one time, there was a very concerted effort to promote a “Move to Traer” campaign at various events in eastern Iowa; however, I do not know if anyone is actively promoting this. I could say the same thing about our business community. We need to better publicize our business opportunities.

5) Do you have any ideas/plans for how to revitalize sections of the downtown business area that are currently vacant and/or in need of rehabilitation?

This is one area in need of attention. There are communities that seem to have a better business plan especially for new businesses. We need to learn from them. We could use help from the county and the state. There are outside groups that concentrate on economic development planning. For example, the city owns areas that would be a great location for senior housing but are under utilized.

6) What are some of your favorite things to do in Traer?

I stated two years ago that it is nice to be somewhere where “everyone knows your name” especially when you have a very ethnic name like me. It bothered me as a child when my mother would pronounce our name differently in Waterloo when we were shopping. Many newcomers to Traer note that it is easy to be known and treated as an individual.

7) Why should people vote for you?

I am willing to give Traer 110% of my time and talent to keep moving forward. I want to publicly thank Mayor Holden for running again so that voters will have a choice in our community’s future. I ask for your questions, comments and hopefully your support on November 4. Thanks also to the North Tama Telegraph for this opportunity to state my case. Please note that there is a candidate running for school board that has the same last name as me. This might cause some confusion.