FORT MADISON – Fort Madison Mayor Matt Mohrfeld swore in mayor-elect Melinda Blind on Tuesday night before rapping the gavel one final time at City Hall.
Mohrfeld is wrapping up his sixth year as Mayor and pointed to the staff in remarks on his way out.
“When I came on, COVID started and, in that uncertain time, people didn't know where to go. In Fort Madison the water kept pumping; the Police Department kept going; the fire department kept going; wastewater kept going; the streets kept going,” Mohrfeld said.
“You don't think about that. These are not work-at-home jobs and we walked through that. We had a gap in city manager and, I gotta tell you the staff at that time, that was governing by committee, did a fine job. We were able to get somebody hired but I can't say enough but when I talk about the staff, I go back to all levels.
“That person that is out there right now at the water plant. That person that's right now in a squad car. The person right now that's at the fire station eating supper and this weekend the people out there working on the streets, and we got good feedback from them.”
Mohrfeld said he’s learned that the city isn’t one business, contrary to what many people think. He compared it to an octopus with many tentacles and it takes so many good people to get things running the way they should.
“I'm just so proud that I have been able to work with them,” he said.
Mohrfeld looked back all the way to the restoration of the historic train depot in downtown Fort Madison that was more than a dozen years in the works.
“It needed finished and it wasn't an easy finish. But it was finished, you know. That was a pride moment to step off that train and cut that ribbon, it truly was. And now I go down there and have the good fortune a couple of times to give tours to some class reunions,” he said.
He also referenced the city’s new dog park and pickleball courts and then taking “a big step” with moving forward with the city’s new fire station under prior Chief Joey Herren and current Chief Chad Hannum.
“When I came on, Joey says we have to update our fire station. We go down there and look around it's like, ‘yes, we do’ and it's, like, 'why haven't you done that?' And he says ‘I've always been shot down and I said ‘Joey it's time to move forward’ and he did. Then Chad brought that to the finish line,” he said.
After talking briefly about the consolidation of the public works department in a new facility, he said the citizens’ support has been something he will take with him.
“When we look at it - great things have happened and that is because the citizenry backed it. The staff is tremendous and the council that really stood behind it and had the vision to do all those, I can say I have really loved being mayor and I did commit that it was going to be three terms and I am going to miss it,” he said.
“You're in good hands with Melinda, but thank you so much. It's been an honor serving.”
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