Lepley challenges incumbent Westergaard
Both candidates have vast political experience
Two candidates are running for the Ward 2 seat on the Des Moines City Council, Chelsea Lepley and incumbent Linda Westergaard.
The Des Moines Register asked each candidate to respond to questions on why they’re running and the issues facing the city’s northeast side. Their answers may be lightly edited for clarity or length.
The election is Nov. 7.
Chelsea Lepley AGE: GREW UP: CURRENT HOME:
41
Des Moines Capitol Park neighborhood, Des Moines Master of Public Administration, public policy; Bachelor of Arts, English education
EDUCATION: POLITICAL EXPERIENCE:
Served on boards for affordable housing, neighborhood association, Parks and Recreation, and community service organizations. Managed electoral and issue campaigns for 20+ years. Worked in Iowa Senate for three sessions. Trained candidates and civic leaders through the New Leaders Council, 20/20 Vision Project, Camp Wellstone, and Democratic party. 2020 precinct caucus chair. Served on ISU Government of the Student Body.
Linda Westergaard (incumbent) AGE: GREW UP:
71
Union Park neighborhood, Des Moines.
CURRENT
Des Moines
EDUCATION: HOME:
Des Moines North High School, class of 1970; also attended community college and the University of Iowa
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE:
Des Moines City Council Ward 2, 2016-present. Current and past board positions include Des Moines Zoning Board of Adjustment, Polk County Housing Trust Fund, Neighborhood Finance Corp., Rebuilding Together Des Moines, Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, Des Moines Performing Arts, Public Art Foundation, Wastewater Reclamation Authority, Fourmile Creek Watershed Management Authority, JOPPA Advisory Committee, Northeast Neighbors and Friends, Douglas Acres Neighborhood Association, Des Moines Area Association of Realtors (past president), committee member of Iowa and National Association of Realtors.
Why are you running? Chelsea Lepley:
It’s time for a change at City Hall. I respect the years of service already given by current council members, but it’s time for new voices and new perspectives. I want to improve transparency & access – it should be easier to understand what the council is deciding before all the decisions are made, not when we read about it later in the Register. We need better relationships and communication between residents and City Hall. A lot of residents feel not only unheard but unwelcome, and that’s not right. I’ll take a more inclusive and respectful approach to resident engagement.
Linda Westergaard:
I am running for City Council to represent all residents of Ward 2. I am dedicated to improving our neighborhoods and I will make sure that our streets are repaired, aging storm sewers are replaced, additional flood protection is added along Fourmile Creek, and sidewalks are installed, especially along school and DART routes. I will continue to focus on fiscal responsibility, making sure that the city budget addresses core services and eliminates unnecessary spending. I am proud of the things we have accomplished and look forward to making even more progress in the next four years.
What is the biggest issue facing your community and how would you address it? Chelsea Lepley:
A lot of eastsiders and northsiders feel our neighborhoods have been overlooked. We want the same access, amenities, and opportunities as people on the west side. We want more food and retail options, fewer empty lots and self-storage places, easier public transportation, and safer streets and sidewalks. I’ll ensure equitable maintenance and repair schedules and resource parity with other parts of the city. We also deserve to live without the headaches of industrial smells – I’ll fight to make those businesses better neighbors. The people of Ward 2 are resilient – we deserve the resources to make sure our neighborhoods are resilient, too.
As I listen to the residents of Ward 2, the most common concern I hear is that of public safety. I am dedicated to supporting and respecting the hard-working men and women of the Des Moines Police Department and Des Moines Fire Department and I will do everything I can to see that they have sufficient staff, resources, and training to do their jobs and keep residents safe.
Linda Westergaard: How would you work with community leaders, developers and stakeholders to improve access to affordable housing in Des Moines? Chelsea Lepley:
I’ve been working to improve access to affordable housing for the past decade as a concerned citizen. As a Polk County Housing Trust Fund board member, I chaired the policy committee and spearheaded creation of its first formal policy agenda. I look forward to implementing those policy recommendations as a City Council member. The best way to improve access to housing is to make more available. I’ll work with current and prospective residents, providers, and funders to make it easier to build more types of housing. I’ve already started meeting with developers to learn more about their obstacles and concerns.
Linda Westergaard:
I believe that everyone deserves an affordable and safe place to live. I will fight for common sense zoning regulations and will work with developers as well as nonprofit housing agencies to expand housing opportunities in existing neighborhoods and create new multi-family housing options in our commercial corridors. There are too many blighted properties throughout Des Moines and I will work with neighborhood leaders and nonprofit partners to either rehab these homes or tear them down so new homes can be built.
How do you envision the future of public safety in the city and would you support a citizens’ review board that would provide some oversight to the Des Moines Police Department? Chelsea Lepley:
The future of public safety goes beyond police and first responders – a lot of other things contribute to a community’s sense of wellbeing. People don’t feel safe without stable homes they can afford, well-maintained streets and sidewalks, reliable crisis response services, healthy food and water, and resilient infrastructure to handle severe weather. Des Moines is our home, and everyone deserves to feel safe in their home. I do support a community review board (CRB) to facilitate communication and strengthen the relationship between DMPD and residents. State law somewhat limits CRBs, but I’m confident we can balance compliance with effectiveness.
The future of public safety in Des Moines includes a carefully selected, fully staffed, and professionally trained police department. Response times will be reasonable depending on the type of call. The current neighborhood based service delivery model with dedicated neighborhood officers has been successful and should be continued and expanded. I support the current method of police oversight which is managed through a rigorous internal review process and, if warranted, referral to the Des Moines