City Council

Steve in his second term on the Newton City Council, as the representative of the 4th Ward.

His wife Mary and he retired from the teaching profession in 1998, having taught in the Newton School Disitrict for many years and served on numerous Newton Community Education Association committees. Steve is a life member of the National Education Association and the Iowa Retired Teachers' Association. During his tenure in Newton, he was a past president of the Newton Community Education Association, a member of the Iowa State Education Association's Professional Growth and Development Cadre, and served as the chairperson for Newton High School's North Central evaluation in the 1990's.

In civic affairs, he has been a two-time president of the former Newton Optimist Club, and holds a life membership in Optimist International. In 2000-01, he served as Distirct Lt. Governor for the Iowa District of Optimist International in Zone 8. Project Awake and McCann Village boards have also held his interest. He is a past president of the local Knights of Columbus and a past member of the Sacred Heart Parish Council. The ad hoc committee studying and recommending action on recycling to the Newton City Council and the committee raising money for the Newton Hike and Bike Trail were two other projects he undertook. Currently, he is a member of the Iowa Sculpture Festival and a member of the Newton Police Academy Alumni Association.

Steve holds an M.A. in English Education from Truman State University. Additional hours of postgraduate work have been completed at Iowa State University, the University of Iowa, Drake, and the University of Northern Iowa. Mary and Steve continue to be life-long learners by participating in senior citizen classes at Iowa State University and belonging to a local book club.

After retiring from teaching, they have managed their own home painting business, M & M Painting. Five children and sixteen grandchildren keep them "on the road" a great deal. Mary and Steve enjoy participating in Elderhostel programs all over the country, as well as reading, taking long walks each morning, being active in church life, and appreciating living in the heartland of America. "This is home! We will do what we can to make our community better. Our philosophy of life is to wear out, not rust out."

Jeff Price
First Ward
520 South 3rd Avenue W
(641) 831-9252

Jeff Price is a lifelong resident of Newton. Gradu-ated from Newton High School in 1998. He gradu-ated with a Business Finance degree from the
University of Northern Iowa.
After college Jeff worked in different Hy-Vee and Hy-Vee Drug Stores throughout Iowa. When the op-portunity came to work in Newton he jumped at the chance. Jeff has been working for Hy-Vee for the past 14 years.
Jeff is married to Amanda and they have two chil-dren Ella and Jackson.
Jeff is looking forward to putting Newton on the map as a place to live, work, and raise a family. He is excited for the challenges and opportunities that will lie ahead. Jeff also appreciates the constituents in Ward 1 for giving him this opportunity.

Michael L. Hansen is serving his third term as Council member for the 2nd Ward. Mike served the youth of Newton on the Babe Ruth and Little League baseball boards and has been an advisor for aviation and aquatic Explorer Scout posts. He is a licensed sports official with the IHSAA and IGHSAU and a member of the National Federation Officials Association (NFOA). A veteran, he served with the US Army Special Forces at Fort Bragg, NC. Mike is married to Brenda (Deaton) Hansen. They have 3 daughters and one grandson.

"I will work for lower taxes, responsible government spending, and the growth of the population and tax base with aggressive economic development policies and incentives.”

Noreen Otto
At-Large
919 South 5th Avenue West
(641) 791-0919

Noreen Otto has been a resident of Newton since 2009. She graduated with honors from both Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids and Drake Law School in Des Moines. She has worked in various legal and political jobs in the central Iowa area. She current-ly works in government relations with Hy-Vee, Inc. Her husband, Adam Otto is a partner in the Newton-based Otto Law Office.
Noreen is involved in the Jasper County Young Profes-sionals and sits on the Board of Progress Industries. In addition, she is a member of the alumni board of Mount Mercy University and was an international dele-gate for the American Council of Young Political Lead-ers.

Craig Trotter is a lifelong resident of Newton. Graduated from Newton Senior High in 1982. Earned a BA in Business Management from Central College in Pel-la, IA.
Craig worked at the Maytag Company for 17 years. His current employer is Ruan Logistics Corporation, where he is a Pricing Analyst. Craig’s been active in the Newton Little League for over twelve years and has served as president for three years. He is also involved in the Youth Sports Foundation or YSF, which is a tackle football league for 5th and 6th grad-ers. Craig’s been coaching a team for the past three seasons here in Newton. He is also a member of the National Youth Sports Coaches Association.
Craig is married to Suzy (O’Connor) Trotter and they have two boys, Sid who is a junior at NHS and Clay who is in 7th grade at Berg Middle School.

Dennis has previously served a full term on the City Council (2002 - 2005).

He managed Drugtown (Hy-Vee Drugstore) until his retirement in 2000. Dennis has served on and with many Boards and organizations since coming to Newton. " I have always believed you need to participate and serve in the community where you live, work, and play". Some of the organizations DJ is/has been affiliated with are the YMCA, RSVP, Chamber of Commerce, Rotary and Elks to name a few.

I believe lower taxes for everyone comes from a healthy, vibrant, productive city and county economy. We have had some set backs in the past few years but I will work hard and use common sense and imagination to help move Newton forward again.

A Newton resident since 1987, Dennis is married to Marlene with one son, Matt.