An abrupt resignation left the Paullina Deputy Clerk unfilled for the second time in less than a year. Council filled the position in July by appointing Steve Heeren to the position. Heeren resigned his City Council position, up for reelection in November, to accept.
Following Heeren’s resignation from the council, it was decided to appoint to fill the position rather than hold an expensive special election with the actual election just 2 months away.
Three qualified citizens demonstrated interest in filling the spot. Out of the three John Funkhouser won council’s vote. He was sworn in at the regular city council meeting on August 18.
Funkhouser says he has been interested in giving this kind of service for a long time. “I’ve thought about serving many times. My evening work schedule was a problem. Now, I have someone who works with me. It sorta fell into place.”
Funkhouser is a Paullina Library Board member and served as a deacon for the Presbyterian church and now is an elder. Although he has joined just one council meeting, he said, “It’s what I expected. I’ve been through easy meetings. I ‘ve sat through tougher ones. This is pretty much what I expected.” Budget meetings, a pastor search are two responsibilities of boards that he notes as being tougher. “Those are pretty difficult meetings, figuring out how to bridge the gap,” he clarified about what he considers difficult. He went on to say that he is aware of the difficulties of being a councilman; displeased members of the public, budget among the challenges.
Funkhouser admits that he has a lot of other obligations besides his job. He is active in the church, with the library and his children’s’ activities. “We make time for things we find important,” he said, adding, “I was surprised to get the call even to be asked (to fill the vacancy).” For him, getting fully comfortable for his new spot “is a process.” He is beginning the conversations about being on the ballot to be elected for a full term. “We’ll see how the next meeting goes,” he said.
He adds, “Even though I am relatively new to the community I want to make the community better. I am open to suggestions. Anyone who has ideas can tell me and I will bring it to Council.”
Funkhouser, originally from Nebraska, has lived in Paullina for 19 years. He is married to Stacy (Wallin). They have two children, Aaron, 20 and Kaitlyn, 12. For those 19 years he has been employed by Iowa Department of Corrections, 3rd Judicial District as a Residential Officer at the South Residential Treatment Facility (RTF).