There is only one contested race on the November ballot for the Carroll City elections, and that is in Ward Three. Jean Ludwig, who was born and raised in Arcadia and attended Kuemper High School, is the newcomer. Ludwig has been a resident of Carroll for 51 years, having left the area for only a short time to attend nursing school and work in Omaha, Neb. She is coming into politics now since her retirement as a financial advisor at Bank of the West. Over the years, Ludwig has been very involved in the community.
Ludwig is also the co-chair of the Republican Central Committee for Carroll County. She says she is running now because she wants to be a good steward for the community of Carroll. There was no specific project or issue that motivated Ludwig to run, but being retired is a big part of the reasoning, as she now has time to devote to studying those issues and projects. She says that in looking back over the recent past, she was pleased to see the council has worked quite efficiently, but she would like to see more critical thinking by some people instead of being a “rubber stamp of approval.” She wants to bring that to the seat.
Ludwig thought two projects in particular are good examples of public and private partnerships that she would like to see more often.
This, she says, makes the tax money go further and the involvement of groups and individuals establishes a sense of ownership. She sees some big money issues coming in the near future. Of course, Ludwig says, the library is a big project that needs to be done efficiently and effectively. Now that the bond referendum has passed, it is up to both the city and the library foundation to live up to their end of the bargain for the tax payers, she says. In addition she sees the city dealing with the added expenses of infrastructure projects and a new street maintenance facility. And when residents head to the polls, she wants them to know that she is going to listen to the people of Ward Three, as well as all other residents of Carroll.
Ludwig adds that she thinks we need to start looking at taxes in the long-term and to try to stay out of the minutia of every small project that is requested. Ward Three residents can expect to see Ludwig in the district, going door-to-door to meet the constituents, hear their thoughts and to ask for their vote. She is also available by email and cell phone, which are included below. Ludwig will be participating with all other Carroll city candidates in the Chamber of Commerce forum on Wednesday, Oct. 11. The election will be held Tuesday, Nov. 7, and absentee voting is expected to open either late this week or early next week. Stay tuned to Carroll Broadcasting as we bring you more from Ludwig’s opponent, incumbent, Clay Haley, in an upcoming broadcast.
Contact Jean Ludwig by phone at: 712-830-0399 or by email at: jnludwig@q.com
