Meet a Waukee Candidate: Chris Colter

On Nov. 8, Waukee voters will decide who should serve on the Waukee City Council and as mayor of Waukee.

There are two seats up for grabs in the election. Casey Harvey is seeking re-election, while newcomers Shelly Hughes and Chris Colter hope to nab a spot, as well. Mayor Bill Peard is running uncontested after challenger Daniel Pettit withdrew from the race in October.

Today on Waukee Patch we profile the third of three candidates running for the Waukee City Council.

Name: Chris Colter

Age: 50

Occupation: Works part time at both Biaggi's and Gorilla Graffiti and is a full-time dad of three.

Address: 1400 S.E. Florence Drive, Waukee

E-mail: ccolter69@gmail.com

Phone: 515.720.1925

Social Media: www.facebook.com/pages/Chris-Colter-for-Waukee-City-Council-C4/190578027669270

Chris Colter has lived in Waukee for 17 years and watched as this once small town grew into a booming Des Moines suburb.

Over the years, Colter has actively participated in Waukee's growth, working on everything from the Waukee Parks and Recreation Board, the Board of Adjustment, the Library Board of Trustees and even serving as the Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce president and attending the Waukee Leadership Institute. It should come as no surprise then that Colter is poised and ready to take a seat on the Waukee City Council.

"I've put a lot of time and effort into learning about this community and its citizens, from working with the City Council to the chamber and being involved on several boards," Colter said. "I think I'm prepared and have the experience to take a position that will lead us in the next phase of growth."

Colter said the Alice's Road corridor will be a huge boon for Waukee, making the city a hotspot for new business. Attracting those businesses will be on Colter's to-do list should he get elected.

"My goal is to be an advocate for the community and work on a good, solid marketing program that gets the word out that Waukee is a great place to locate your business," he said. "We want people to know that Waukee is open to providing a high level of business and making people feel welcome in the business community."

Colter says it will be critical of whomever nabs a seat on the Waukee City Council to be open to listening to residents when it comes to next steps in deciding Waukee's future. He said in his experience going door-to-door, not everyone feels that their concerns have been addressed or their voices heard.

"On a micro level, there is some frustration with the local sidewalk ordinance and how that has been executed," he said. "The larger issue is understanding what people want and how they feel and whether they trust the city to be upfront and above the board on everything as it relates to them. The citizens just want to be heard, respected and communicated with on the issues."

If elected, Colter said he will continue to be an advocate for the people of Waukee. Above all, he hopes that those who choose to vote (or not) for him, do so because they've done their research and understand where he and the other candidates stand on the issues.

"I hope everyone is doing their homework and learning about all the candidates," he said. "I think we spend a good deal of time knocking on doors and working hard to be prepared to lead the community. I hope voters will prepare in the same way."