FIL-AM GAINS SEAT IN COUNCIL OF CARLISLE CITY IN IOWA 

20 November 2007 – The Philippine Consulate General in Chicago reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that Ms. Alma Reed, President of the Filipino-American Association of Iowa, has been elected as member of the Carlisle City Council on 06 November 2007. The city, with a population of 3,497, is located five miles southeast of Des Moines. It has a Mayor-Council form of government. The citizens of Carlisle elect a Mayor and five Council members for four-year terms.

The City Council is the legislative body and policy maker of the City through the enactment of ordinances and resolutions. It also adopts a budget to determine how the city will obtain and utilize its funds.

Ms. Reed is the first Filipino American elected in the City Council of Carlisle. Ms. Reed will be involved in the city’s municipal services, public utilities, health facilities and schools. As a new member, she will undergo training at the Municipal Leadership Academy starting next month. The classes cover topics like meeting procedures, municipal law, basics of city revenue and expenditures, city budget, personnel issues, land and zoning issues, community improvement, economic development, and financing methods.

She has been Chairperson of the Iowa Asian Alliance Advisory Board, a devoted volunteer on numerous community events such as the Asian Heritage Festival, Iowa Mosaic Diversity Conference, and on the planning committee for the “AdmirAsian” and “CelebrAsian” events within the Iowa Asian Alliance.

Ms. Reed was inspired to run for a seat in the city council due to her wish for the expansion of infrastructures for development, to promote the city and to encourage business investment in Carlisle. She also wants to educate the community regarding the different ethnic cultures in Iowa.

/Gary