Gage Miskimen - Marion City Councilman

11/26/2025

With the National Weather Service forecasting more than 8 inches of snow across the area from Friday into Saturday, the City of Marion is coordinating its response.

Please note:
☑️The previously announced schedule changes for garbage/recycling and yard waste collection remain in effect.

☑️The Recycling and Yard Waste Drop-Off facilities will be closed on Friday due to the holiday and closed on Saturday due to the anticipated snowfall.

☑️The City of Marion aims to have all streets cleared within 24 hours of the snow stopping. The Public Works Department will focus on Priority One and Priority Two routes first, using all 22 pieces of equipment at its disposal.

☑️Winter Storm Parking is expected to go into effect as more than three inches of snow is in the forecast. Start planning now for the likelihood of no on-street parking. Temporary parking will be allowed at several area parks.

☑️Stay in-the-know by signing up for text alerts or emails from the City of Marion. Indicate your preferences at www.cityofmarion.org/text

Find additional details at https://www.cityofmarion.org/Home/Components/News/News/8485/17

11/15/2025

I was happy to get an invite from Angelica Vannatta for Marion School Board to join United Way’s Civic Circle panel this week, alongside a group of people who genuinely care about this community.

We talked about public service, getting involved in the community, and why it matters. I was asked how we encourage young people or people who consider themselves “non-political” to take part.

We all hear or say a lot: “I don’t like politics,” or “I’m not political.” But that’s not really the issue. People don’t dislike politics…they dislike watching leaders devolve into online arguments and performative fights.

And the truth is: you can’t be non-political. Your sidewalk is political. Your grocery bill is political. Your rent or mortgage is political. Even if you try to avoid it, public decisions still shape your everyday life.

Pick a couple issues you care about and jump in: volunteer, read more, join a board or commission, run for something. It’s not always easy work, but we all already have a stake, so it’s important we all have a hand in shaping the places we call home.

11/11/2025

It’s become a meaningful tradition to start Veterans Day with meeting my dad for the Marion Hy-Vee Veterans Breakfast.

I’m grateful for his service and for all the veterans and active duty members in Marion who continue to shape this community with their leadership and example. Thank you all for your service.

11/07/2025

Update on this: My colleagues on the city council and I have given direction to move forward with this. City staff will provide more details about how we can maximize our impact and exactly where to allocate funds to, but we will be allocating between $10k to $20k toward food pantries at the end of the day.

This funding will likely come from our hotel/motel tax, which is even healthier than expected so far this fiscal year.

Our official vote and plan will come at the next round of council meetings later this month.

The Marion City Council will discuss supporting local food pantries during this Thursday’s meeting.

With food pantries’ busiest months approaching plus the added challenge of SNAP delays, local pantry leaders have told me more families will need help.

I’ve shared some background and context here (link in comments):

11/05/2025

The Marion City Council will discuss supporting local food pantries during this Thursday’s meeting.

With food pantries’ busiest months approaching plus the added challenge of SNAP delays, local pantry leaders have told me more families will need help.

I’ve shared some background and context here (link in comments):

11/05/2025

Congratulations to Councilmembers Grant Harper and Sara Mentzer on their re-elections to the Marion City Council.

And congratulations and welcome to Councilmember-elect Kelvin Unemin. I look forward to working alongside him to serve our community.

Each of us on the council brings our own strengths and perspectives to the table, but I believe we all want to continually build a better community for residents.

11/03/2025

I’m proud that Marion is stepping up alongside HACAP to support food pantries and families who could use a little extra help right now.

If you’re able, please consider donating whether you’re an individual, a business, or community group. Community is built on neighbors looking out for neighbors.

Thank you to everyone who has donated through other avenues as well. It all makes a difference.

We can’t Reach Higher without lifting others.

11/01/2025

It’s November 1, which means Library Office Hours are back! *airhorn noises*

Come by the Marion Public Library (voted best library in the country by the Gage Miskimen Foundation 4 years in a row! Wow!) and say hi, ask questions, or even yell at me. (It is $5 per word to yell at me, but the funds will go to a local nonprofit and yelling is frowned upon in libraries.)

I’ll be at my little table from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

10/28/2025

As of November 1, the USDA announced that SNAP benefits will not be distributed due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.

That means roughly 131,000 Iowa households who rely on this program will be without assistance at the start of the busiest month for food banks and food pantries.

To help connect residents with resources, I put together a quick flyer listing Marion’s food pantries, hours, and contact info. (Please let me know if I’m missing any!)

If you have the means, please consider donating to these locations. Small contributions go a long way and even more families will need these resources soon.

For those outside Marion, but still in Linn County, you can view the full Linn County Food Assistance Resource Sheet here:https://gis.linncountyiowa.gov/web-data/lccs/community-resources/Food-Assistance.pdf

10/10/2025

It was so fun participating in America Reads this year and getting to hangout with many young Marion residents!

I had the joy of reading in six different classrooms at St. Joseph Elementary, Wilkins Elementary and Indian Creek Elementary.

The students asked many great questions about the new Central Plaza, the aquatic center, automated garbage trucks, and had some requests to deal with cars speeding in their neighborhoods. 👀😅

09/24/2025

You may notice a new decal on Marion city vehicles: 988, the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline.

This was a small idea I brought forward, and I was proud to secure funding from HOPEwalk CR so it could be done at no cost to taxpayers.

The goal is simple: visibility. Whether someone is struggling or someone you love is, 988 is the quickest way to connect with trained help 24/7.

I’m grateful to city staff and our community partners for helping make this happen. Every reminder matters.

Coinciding with National Su***de Prevention Month, the City of Marion has added 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline decals to 18 vehicles in its Police, Fire and Public Works departments.

The 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

“Marion is proud to be the first city in Linn County to add this life safety message to some of our fleet,” said Mayor Nick AbouAssaly. “This is a simple way for us to bring awareness to a life-saving free mental health resource that is available to our residents.”

The decals and installation costs were funded by a donation from HOPEwalk CR.