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Tri States Public Radio and NPR News will provide you with updated stories from all of our local and national elections between now and November. The NPR News element below will be updated constantly, and will sometimes provide live coverage and audio from important events leading up to the November elections. You can find all of our local coverage after the jump.Election 2012 News From NPR

Fort Madison To Replace Late Mayor

The Fort Madison City Council could soon make a decision as to how it will fill an unexpected vacancy.  The vote could come as early as Tuesday night.

City Manager Byron Smith says Fort Madison has two options.  It could appoint someone to replace former Mayor Steve Ireland or to hold a special election.

Ireland died on March 20 at the age of 53 in Fort Madison Community Hospital.  He had entered hospice care just prior to his death.

Smith says there is a limited amount of time the city has to act to fill the vacancy.  He says state law requires a new mayor be in place within 40 days.

The city council would require residents to submit resumes if the panel chooses to make an appointment.  There would also be interviews with the council.

Residents could also call for a special election if an appointment is made.

At-Large Alderman Brad Randolph will assume Ireland’s duties in his role as Mayor Pro Tem.  Ireland appointed Randolph to the post.

Ireland was less than three months into his 4th term as mayor.  The position is part-time in Fort Madison.

 

SKATE PARK

Supporters of a new skate park in Fort Madison will have to look for another location.

The city council has voted down a proposal to build a skate park in Victory Park.  The small park is situated between 23rd and 24th Streets from Avenue “G” to Avenue “H.”

The Bad Blood Skate Team is a group of teens and young adults who made the request as part of an application for a $25,000 grant through pro skater Tony Hawk’s foundation.

City Manager Byron Smith believes public input played a factor in the 4-3 vote.  He says several neighbors approached aldermen before and during the recent meeting to express opposition.

Smith says the city council could re-examine its decision if a different location is found.

There is already a skate park in Ivanhoe Park, which is on the west side of Fort Madison.  It is rather old, though, as it was built around 20 years ago.

The 25,000 square foot skate park proposed by the Bad Blood Skate Team would be primarily concrete so it could be used by skaters, skateboarders, or bicyclists.

Jason Parrott is a former reporter at Tri States Public Radio.