In wake of Councilperson Sheumaker’s resignation, LBNA calls upon city to hold special election

On Wednesday, September 6, city officials received a resignation letter from Ward 1 Councilperson Indira Sheumaker. The Lower Beaver Neighborhood Association thanks Councilperson Sheumaker for her service to the citizens of the Lower Beaver Neighborhood and Ward 1 and wishes her the best in her future pursuits.

Sheumaker’s resignation arrived six months after she last attended a city council meeting or work session. The LBNA in June called for her to resign after she missed more than three months of council meetings and work sessions and did not respond to numerous attempts to contact her, and the association will continue to call for accountability from elected officials.

The LBNA will also continue to advocate for issues that Councilperson Sheumaker highlighted. Des Moines needs to find a more effective approach to houselessness. The Des Moines Police Department must continue to press toward equitable policing. Mental health services must be improved and expanded. Food deserts must be addressed. Neighborhoods are in need of revitalization, and we must redouble our efforts to bring together our increasingly diverse community.

Under Iowa Code 372.13, the city council now has two options to fill the vacant Ward 1 seat: appointment or election. The LBNA calls upon the council to set a special election to fill the Ward 1 council seat. “A special election is the best way for Ward 1 residents to properly vet all of the candidates and choose the one they want,” LBNA President Jeremy Geerdes said.

A special election may be held in conjunction with the regular November election. This would largely mitigate the cost of the election, but it would need to be announced very soon. The deadline for candidates to file the necessary paperwork is September 21. Alternatively, a special election may be held at a later date.

Residents are encouraged to express their support for a special election by contacting the remaining members of the city council.

In the event of an election, the LBNA will organize a candidate forum to allow Lower Beaver residents to meet the candidates and explore their positions. Stay tuned for details as they become available.