by Mari Radtke
Roxy Pottebaum ran for Paullina City Council in a field of four vying for two seats. Other candidates were incumbent John Funkhouser, former Councilmember and Mayor John Ihle and Mark Wilson. Funkhouse, who was appointed to a vacated seat in September was also elected to his seat.
“I am excited. I’m looking forward to addressing issues already brought to me. I will find out if these issues are addressed or if they are new,” she said when asked about her goals as a councilperson. She plans to work hard on city nuisances. She wants Paullina to be cleaned up and beautified. She knows she has to learn the process of bringing issues to council for any kind of action.
Roxy retired a few years ago. She spent her career in healthcare. Initially, she was an Assistant Manager at Orange City Health System. She and her supervisor were in charge of doctors, nurses and receptionists in Orange City. She dealth with issues and concerns and complaints. Her job was to discuss and evaluate with those involved.
Following many years with Orange City Area Health System she served as the Care Plan Coordinator at Pride Group in Primghar. She assessed the needs of residents, worked with all the other caregivers: The director, aides, staff, dietary, nursing and others. She also worked with Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals. The goal that drives the creation of each care plan if for a resident to be able to move out of the facility. “It was a team effort,” she said. She led the team to make sure each part of th eteam did their work. “I loved that place.” Roxy added, “Care plans are approved by each member of the team. A resident could then be moved to a waiver home,” she explained.
Roxy is interested in any committee of the City Council. She wants to improve her understanding of the requirements before taking on too much.
“I’m anxious to learn how the city works. I don’t know a lot about the city and how it runs,” she said. The knows she will learn about how issues are legally handled and where ongoing issues are in the process. But she is ready to take issues back to the team before definite answers can be given.