Meet the Candidates: Volga City Council

The six candidates who will appear on the ballot for five available seats on the Volga City Council in the Nov. 4 in city/school elections include Rhonda Fry, Parker Klingman, Darren Nading, Crystal Nicholson, Tyler Phillips and Tom Whittle. The candidates recently shared their thoughts about key issues with Times-Register reporter Kaitlyn Kuehl-Berns. Darren Nading and Tom Whittle did not provide a response. Visit elections.claytoncountyia.gov/ for more information on candidates and when and where to vote.

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Rhonda Fry

Q: What do you think is the biggest issue facing Volga, and how would you address it?

A: Volga needs to find ways to bring more people and businesses into town. I left Volga after high school and moved back in 2021 after both my parents passed. I was used to living in a large community and going less than three miles for any shopping needs. Volga is a retail desert. Luckily we are blessed to have a wonderful little convenience store with gas pumps. But it would be great if we could support more! With the recent upgrade to fiber optic internet and the current revitalization happening along the main street into town, Volga’s putting a fresh foot forward. I hope to work with county and state development groups and the Shaping Volga Endowment to create opportunities for people wanting to make a change and help them see how Volga would be the perfect place to build their home or business.

Q: What do you see as Volga’s greatest strength, and how would you build on it?

A: I hope to harness the community’s willingness to come together and help one another to create more avenues for businesses to move to town. We also have great parks and green spaces that offer awesome recreational opportunities—and I would like to find ways to continue adding worth to those areas so they aren’t just grassy fields that need to be mowed.

Q: How would you decide the city’s budget priorities, and what areas need the most focus?

A: The town has recently focused its energies to improving water delivery, rebuilding Washington Street and helping homeowners clean up their properties. We need to continue improving the rest of the community’s residential streets, find funding to replace the aging bridge on Oak Street and ensure water delivery and waste treatment will still be viable for the next 50 years. If Volga is to grow, it will need to have this infrastructure in place.

Q: How can the city help make Volga a welcoming place that keeps residents here and attracts new families and businesses?

A: It’s easy to see that Volga has great things happening—a beautiful new public library space and city hall chambers, the opera house has new ownership and is undergoing renovations and improvements, there is a new custom meat shop starting construction and the previous city hall/library is under full renovations to house a new health and wellness business. People are working with the city to improve the curb appeal of their properties. The city council always has its ears open and welcomes new voices at every meeting. I intend to continue looking for opportunities to listen and lend a hand where and when needed.

Q: What do you see as the city council’s role in collecting input, communicating with residents and representing the community?

A: It is important for elected officials to listen and gather input from residents—otherwise they are not representing the community, just their own interests. When new items are being discussed or decisions that impact a large number of residents need to be made, members should make some time to get input outside of council meetings. Whether it be at the park, at the gas station or a quick phone call, a few minutes of time can ensure people’s voices are heard. I appreciate that Volga’s mayor sends regular letters with updates and happenings and as a council member will encourage that practice to continue.

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Parker Klingman

Q: What do you think is the biggest issue facing Volga, and how would you address it?

A: The biggest issue I see our community facing is the ever-shrinking forms of income for small towns. As funding sources become harder to access, it puts more strain on residents when rates have to increase to make up for the lost revenue. As for a solution, I feel it is the council’s duty to be as responsible as possible with our funding and do our best to get the most bang for our buck when using taxpayer money.

Q: What do you see as Volga’s greatest strength, and how would you build on it?

A: I think our community’s biggest strength is its people. We have a great group of residents who take pride in keeping Volga going and are always willing to help put the community’s best foot forward.

Q: How would you decide the city’s budget priorities, and what areas need the most focus?

A: In my opinion, we should do our best to stretch our dollars to continue supporting day-to-day expenses while still allowing enough in the right areas to steadily address larger projects—such as the new Main Street—with the least impact on the citizens of our community.

Q: How can the city help make Volga a welcoming place that keeps residents here and attracts new families and businesses?

A: The biggest thing we can do to attract families and new residents is to make our town look presentable and show that our citizens take pride in a safe, clean community. Just because we live in a small town doesn’t mean it has to look any different from anywhere else. It’s the council’s duty to ensure people are doing their best to maintain their property and take the initiative to help our little town shine—and that effort alone makes a big difference.

Q: What do you see as the city council’s role in collecting input, communicating with residents and representing the community?

A: Being a council member means listening to all points and perspectives and making decisions that help the majority of the community feel their voices are heard. It’s also important to be open to new ideas and opinions—just because something has been done one way forever doesn’t mean change isn’t a good thing.

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Crystal Nicholson

Q: What do you think is the biggest issue facing Volga, and how would you address it?

A: One of the most pressing issues facing Volga is maintaining and improving our infrastructure—especially roads, water systems and public spaces—while staying within a responsible budget. As a small community, we must be strategic with our resources. I support pursuing state and federal grants, collaborating with neighboring towns and prioritizing projects that have the greatest long-term impact. I also believe in transparent planning so residents understand how and why decisions are made.

Q: What do you see as Volga’s greatest strength, and how would you build on it?

A: Volga’s greatest strength is its people—our strong sense of community, volunteerism and pride in our town. Whether it’s local events, beautification efforts or supporting neighbors in need, our residents show up. As a council member, I want to continue supporting community-led initiatives, encourage youth involvement and make it easier for residents to bring forward ideas and get involved in city projects.

Q: How would you decide the city’s budget priorities, and what areas need the most focus?

A: Budgeting is about balancing immediate needs with long-term sustainability. I believe in a transparent, data-informed approach that includes community input. Essential services like public safety, infrastructure and utilities must remain top priorities. At the same time, we should invest in quality-of-life improvements—like parks, community events and small business support—that make Volga a place people want to live and stay.

Q: How can the city help make Volga a welcoming place that keeps residents here and attracts new families and businesses?

A: We need to continue building a community that feels safe and full of opportunity. That means maintaining clean, attractive public spaces, supporting local businesses and promoting Volga’s unique charm. I also believe in strengthening partnerships with schools, churches and civic groups to create a welcoming environment for new families. Marketing our town’s assets—like our natural beauty and small-town values—can help attract both residents and entrepreneurs.

Q: What do you see as the city council’s role in collecting input, communicating with residents and representing the community?

A: The city council should be a bridge between residents and city operations. That means listening actively, being accessible and communicating clearly. I support using multiple channels—public meetings, social media, newsletters and informal conversations—to keep residents informed and involved. As a council member, I see it as my responsibility to represent all voices in the community and make decisions that reflect our shared values and goals.

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Tyler Phillips

Q: What do you think is the biggest issue facing Volga, and how would you address it?

A: Growth and sustainability. Over the past few years, Volga has done a great job investing in our infrastructure with renovations to the city’s water system and, most recently, the paving of Washington Street. Without the residents in town, these projects wouldn’t have been feasible. But now it’s time we focus on bringing younger families into town, showing them what we’ve done and what we’ve got to offer, and hopefully convince them that Volga is a great small-town community for raising a family in.

Q: What do you see as Volga’s greatest strength, and how would you build on it?

A: The people. The perk of small communities like this is that everyone knows everybody. When my wife and I moved to Volga in 2018, it wasn’t long before we got to know the people in town and for them to know us. Everyone here has been more than willing to lend a helping hand if needed. It’s the people that made me want to get more involved and why, in 2020, I joined our town fire department and am now running for city council.

Q: How would you decide the city’s budget priorities, and what areas need the most focus?

A: I feel the council has done a great job putting money into the city’s infrastructure over the last few years. I would like to see that continue. We’ve come a long way with the water projects and streets, and I would like to see those continue to improve.

Q: How can the city help make Volga a welcoming place that keeps residents here and attracts new families and businesses?

A: A couple of years ago, they started—or rather, brought back—Volga Day, with a parade and tractorcade, 5K run and fun events and games for kids. Events like these, with proper advertising, I think are going to be the biggest booster for the community.

Q: What do you see as the city council’s role in collecting input, communicating with residents and representing the community?

A: I feel that’s really the council’s sole role. The council is elected by the residents to work for the residents and should be there to carry out the community’s overall wishes and desires. It’s their job to make sure the city taxpayers’ money is being used in the best, most sustainable way.