Tom Wieseler Mount Vernon Mayor
Biography (where did you go to school, hobbies, job/profession, experience, family):
My wife, Vicky and I have been married for 47 years. We have 3 children and 10 grandchildren. I’m a 1975 graduate of Creighton University and spent 43 years as a general manager in college dining, and eventually district manager. After a few months retired, I spent five years working at Mount Vernon Bank and enjoyed both careers immensely. I enjoy Mustang sports, reading, LBC classes, travel and personal fitness.
My experience in governance includes 27+ years and nine elections on the Mt. Vernon School Board with 10 years as president. For six of those years, I was a District Director for the Iowa Association of School Boards. For over 20 years I was a member and officer of the Booster Club. For the LBC I was involved from inception, through fundraising to completion. I was on the Parks & Recreation Commission for six years and chair for several. For many years, I’ve been a member of the Mount Vernon School Foundation, and in my early years I was a coach for traveling teams in basketball and baseball. I serve as a volunteer in several capacities at my church and chaired a major capital construction campaign there.
I ran and served six years as a City Council member, been mayor for two years and am enjoying learning so much about a variety of topics as well as working with the citizens of Mount Vernon.
Give us your assessment of the city. What is going well; what would you like to see changed?
I’m a little biased, but I feel that things are going well in Mount Vernon. We are lucky to have a college with 1,100 students in our community. Having a thriving main street that has storefronts staying full is huge. The school district continues to excel, which is also definitely an asset for our town.
Mount Vernon has come out of the derecho and COVID-19 fairly well. I feel we have a great City staff in all departments with strong leadership, led by Iowa’s City Manager of the Year, Chris Nosbisch. The Council works well together and with City staff.
What I would like to see changed is to be quicker to get from idea to concept design to project completion. In my first career if I thought something needed be done, I just did it. With civic governance we need to be sure there is adequate public vetting with multiple readings and consultant input to completion. I wish developers-both residential and commercial would move faster on their plans in Mount Vernon.
Why are you running? Is there a specific issue you plan to champion?
My specific issue for running focuses on providing quality, affordable childcare for all our residents. This may only impact 5 percent of our citizens directly, but it impacts 100 % of our citizens indirectly. Until there are more resources dedicated in this area, it will impact entry level hiring, work force stability, population growth, affordable housing options and economic development. More work needs to be done here. It’s an equity issue. It’s not welfare.
For me a sign of progress is reflected in new streets poured. This fall that should increase by a block in the Spring Meadows addition. Next summer there will be more streets added in Stonebrook and off Virgil and Rachel in southeast Mount Vernon. Reinvigorating the sidewalk project and the radio read water meter project are some items I would like to get completed.
If you are elected, what would you like to see happen during your term of office?
The main projects here are road updates. We have started a 3-year cycle to improve Highway 1 with the DOT completing in summer of 2026. The first phase is the rework of the 30/1 roundabout which is almost done. City engineering and then DOT resurfacing will follow.
The other large road item is the Streetscape project for main street. Bids are being accepted now for a consulting partner to assist us with the process. Along with this main street project will be a unique lighting project for our downtown area where we will be partnering with Alliant.
Outside of street projects, I’m looking forward to full occupancy of the two new public works buildings and police station. I’m still investigating a drop off site for food compost.
Where would you like to see more or less money in the city budget spent?
Our tax rate is reasonable right now with the first increase in 23 years just happening. The big project to finance is the pool. The current site has surpassed its expected life cycle. To bond for the full amount is unrealistic. Council just decided to implement some short-term fixes at the pool now with the intent of a new pool as a long-range goal.
Anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I still have a decent work rate and interest in all the components of City governance. I want to continue to engage with a variety of City areas but still recognize my proper role with staff. I want to be a cheerleader for Mount Vernon by being articulate but not verbose, have firm opinions but not be obstinate, to be visionary but not impractical and prudent but not timid.
I ask for your vote for mayor of Mount Vernon Nov. 7.
Mark Andresen Mount Vernon City Council
My name is Mark Andresen, and I am running for City Council of the great city of Mount Vernon. I am a proud Iowan who grew up in Ankeny and graduated from Iowa State University with a hotel, restaurant, and institution management degree. Service has always been a main passion of mine, whether it’s been me working throughout my childhood, working in my field of study, or working with various groups and boards serving the community. I spent 12 years in Florida and Connecticut where I worked in and managed restaurants and high-end hotels. I excelled in managing and motivating staff and providing elite service. I was selected to help other hotels within the company identify issues within their properties and put plans in place to make them more successful. The passion to always improve has given me the drive to run for city council.
I have a daughter in fifth grade at Mount Vernon Middle School. We made a move from Connecticut to come back home four and a half years ago. We have three generations living in Mount Vernon, as my parents live in this wonderful town as well. Our family enjoys using our parks, going to games and performances, as well as attending our numerous festivals and activities. I have made it a point to attend nearly every city council meeting for the past three years, often being the only citizen there. It has been a pleasure getting to know our council members, mayor, police chief, city administrator, as well as everyone else involved with our city administration. We are all so lucky to have great community members serving on different boards and committees.
I am proud to be a member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment. I am running for city council because I am excited to keep our town the best town that I have lived in. Our uptown is special. We all know this. I really want to make sure that uptown is protected, and that our local businesses succeed. The Bypass has always been a contentious topic. There is a terrific opportunity to help that area grow, while keeping uptown a priority. Mount Vernon is a main street town, so I am excited to be a part of seeing and ensuring that we grow in both areas, because there is a great opportunity to enhance and accentuate the Mount Vernon experience.
We are fortunate to have the city manager of the year award winner as our city administrator. I read our city meeting packets and they are well thought out and have given me vast knowledge of the past, present, and future or Mount Vernon. As we grow in population, the budget is getting more difficult to navigate. Our needs are always going to keep growing along with our wants. As we approach 5,000 people, it’s time to really focus on the commercial growth of Mount Vernon. We have the bypass area that can become home to some great businesses. We need more options for dining and commerce. This will provide these services for us and bring in people from other towns to spend and see what Mount Vernon is all about. It truly is a win-win as more money comes in to add to our budget. Let’s face it; it caught a lot of people off-guard hearing that we’re ten years away from having the ability to build a pool. Poor planning years ago put us in the position where we must live with not only that, but also at spending perhaps two million dollars just to keep the current pool operating for the next ten years.
I am always looking to the future and planning for it early. It is much easier to spend wisely if you get the thoughts together and the wheels in motion early. I’ll make sure we complete ongoing/past due projects so we can focus on the future.
I am running to be a Mount Vernon City Council member because I will ensure that we continue to grow, while supporting what we’re known for and what attracts people here. This is a special town. I look forward to ensuring that our children, parents, and all of us thrive and continue loving our great town.
Thank you for considering me. I will ensure that Mount Vernon remains the best town that anyone would want to live in. I always welcome input from members of the community I serve.
Craig Engel
Mount Vernon City Council
Biography (where did I go to school, hobbies, job/profession, experience, family)
I first came to Mount Vernon in the fall of 1984 as a Cornell College student, then returned in 1996 to make Mount Vernon home. I have a master’s degree in higher education administration from the University of Iowa. Most of my work-life (26 years) was with Ruffalo Noel Levitz – a higher education consulting firm based in Cedar Rapids. At RNL, I worked with over 300 colleges and universities as a consultant as well as leading the Enrollment Services division for 13 years. In the latter role, I supervised a full- and part-time team of over 75 professionals; managed a multi-million-dollar expense budget; oversaw the delivery of two-thirds of the company’s revenue and one-third of the sales; served on the corporate leadership team; and was a part-owner of the company. I retired in 2020 as Senior Vice President. I enjoy reading, cooking, singing in several choirs and golfing. I am married to Catherine Quehl-Engel (34 years) and have one child – Ru (27 years), who lives in Scotland, UK.
My Assessment of the City of Mount Vernon (what is going well; what would you like to see changed?)
In my 19 months on the Council, I have discovered that the city is well run, in good fiscal shape and has an excellent team. In addition, the city weathered Covid and the derecho, and has a good understanding of what the priorities are for the next 12-24 months. If there is one area that I’d like to see given more attention, it is a longer-term vision of where Mount Vernon would like to be in 5-10 years.
Why am I running? Is there a specific issue you plan to champion?
Several years ago, a Mount Vernon community leader said to me, “we all need to step up at some point and take our turn helping this community that we love.” When I retired, I made a list of the things I wanted to do, and one of the items was to become more involved in the community – whether that be offering my time as a volunteer, or my experience in a leadership role. Among the issues that I hope to focus on is how to leverage the relationship between the three largest employers in Mount Vernon (the City, Cornell College and the MVCSD); and long-range planning (5-10 years out).
If I’m elected, what would I like to see happen in the next four years?
By January 2028, I would like the City Council to assist in the identification of additional childcare options; quality and affordable housing for younger families and seniors; a decision of what the swimming pool project will include, and we will have a long-range plan.
Where and how would you like to see money in the city budget allocated?
Organic growth is good, but if Mount Vernon wants to proactively influence growth in new housing construction and new business development, additional resources will likely be necessary. In addition, there are times when resources must be allocated to benefit the greater good of the community (or to obtain other goals), even though these allocations may appear expensive, or not directly impact many citizens (e.g., childcare center; swimming pool).
Anything else I’d like to share?
Leaders are asked to do many things, but in my mind, there are three broad areas that the City Council needs to focus on: 1) Articulate the vision for the community; 2) ensure the city has the human and financial resources to live into that vision; and 3) support ideas and initiatives that shape the culture of Mount Vernon. If I am elected to the City Council for a full-term, these principles will guide me during my decision-making process.
Scott Rose
Mount Vernon City Council
Biography (where did you go to school, hobbies, job/profession, experience, family):
I moved to Mt. Vernon with my family in 1983. After graduating from MVHS in 1993 I attended Loras College where I earned my BA in Communications Studies. In 2009 I moved back to Mt. Vernon and in addition to being a father to two daughters, have been involved in civic life here ever since.
Parks & Recreation Board Chair — ‘09 — ’15
Chalk the Walk Committee Chair — ‘10 — ’14
Community Center Committee — ‘10 — ‘15
City Council — ‘16 — Present
Currently Mayor Pro-Tem and Council representative to the Public Safety and Police Advisory Committees
Give us your assessment of the city. What is going well; what would you like to see changed?
My assessment of the City is that we are thriving! From the construction and success of the LBC to the establishment of the new Public Works facility on Bryant Road; the succession planning within city staff and our efforts to recognize and celebrate diversity, Mt. Vernon is well positioned to prosper moving forward.
We continue to grow from both a population and business standpoint. We’ve successfully managed big changes — the acquisition of Hwy 30, the move to Republic Services for waste management, the pandemic and derecho to name just a few.
Keep working on:
Like every city, we’ve got huge challenges ahead. We’re working on a community-wide update to our water meters. The aquatic center study has been completed which means we’re making decisions with solid facts to determine the future of aquatics in town for the first time in years. The RFP for an overhaul of Main Street was just released and we’ll be reviewing those proposals soon.
Why are you running? Is there a specific issue you plan to champion?
In short, I’m running because the work isn’t done. Our efforts to celebrate diversity continue to come under attack. Our continued growth has priced young families and seniors out of the majority of housing in town. Parents are finding it exceedingly difficult to secure available, affordable child-care for their kids.
During my time on city council our community has accomplished great things. Now is not the time to sit back. We have tremendous opportunities in front of us and I can’t wait to press our current advantage and help position the city to continue to thrive in the future.
If you are elected, what would you like to see happen during your term of office?
There is no magic bullet but a re-examination of our zoning for Additional Dwelling Units can be part of the solution for many of the issues we face. Allowing residents to build an apartment above their garage or a “tiny-home” on their property can help alleviate our lack of housing for both low to moderate income families as well as those seniors who would prefer to age in place.
Where would you like to see more or less money in the city budget spent?
The city budget provides very, very little wiggle room and the vast majority of our expenditures are already spoken for. I think we’ve done an excellent job of meeting the needs of the community while keeping a healthy reserve, allowing us a greater ability to be proactive when opportunities present themselves and weather the inevitable storms.
Anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I’ve been incredibly lucky to serve on the Mt. Vernon City Council for the last eight years. My initial election in 2015 and subsequent re-election in 2019 were humbling experiences. I’d ask for your vote to allow me another four years to continue the work of representing our community in facing the challenges ahead.

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Mark Andresen