The Jefferson mayor believes last year was a progressive year and there are lots of projects left to be completed.

Mayor Matt Gordon says two highlights of 2021 were animal-related, including the new animal shelter and a solution to the City’s feral cat problem. He tells Raccoon Valley Radio the new animal shelter, which is currently under construction along Highway 4 in the Greene County Development Corporation west business park, was sorely needed due to the state that the current facility is in.

“The facility that we currently have is way outdated and just in horrible shape. Anything that we did was going to be better than what we have currently. But what we’re going to have built is going to be a great addition to the community.” 

As for the feral cat issue, Gordon likes the idea of using the trap-neuter-release (TNR) program for a couple of years to see if that will decrease the feral cat population, but the amended ordinance that was approved by the city council also holds those who feed and shelter feral cats responsible for their health and safety as well.

Another major project that Gordon is hopeful to see come to completion this year is the City offloading its last owned downtown building. Before Gordon took over as mayor in 2020, he served on council when the City owned multiple downtown buildings. Gordon points out while it may seem like an unpopular choice to some residents that the City purchased some of these buildings, he feels it was necessary.

“We had many buildings with roof issues that would’ve ultimately led to the building needing to be torn down. I believe we are one of four cities in the state of Iowa that has an intact downtown and I would like to keep it that way.”  

Gordon believes 2022 will include the completion of the animal shelter and more downtown buildings will be filled with businesses, along with making a decision on what to do with the library’s expansion plans.