MUSCATINE, Iowa — Scott Natvig, a 30-year resident of Muscatine, has announced he will run for Bob Howard’s at-large seat on the Muscatine City Council in November’s election.

Howard has announced he will not run this year.

“Muscatine is a great community with a long tradition of efficiently run local government,” Natvig said in a press release. “Of course, today’s depressed economic conditions make the balancing act between revenues and services much more challenging.”

His top priorities are strengthening public safety, encouraging continued development of the local economy, and maintaining fiscal responsibility and reasonable tax rates.

Natvig, 60, said that participating in the Muscatine Citizen’s Police Academy gave him an  appreciation of local crime issues and what the Muscatine Police Department faces on a daily basis. He endorses funding alternatives to restore the local Street Crimes Unit.

He served for seven years on the Board of Directors of the Muscatine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and said the Council needs to support the Chamber and the Muscatine Convention and Visitors Bureau.

He said the Council also needs to be aware of available state and federal resources and listen to the input from the people of Muscatine.

Natvig has served in many civic organizations, including the Muscatine General Hospital Board of Trustees, Leadership Muscatine Steering Committee, Muscatine Art Center Board of Trustees, United Way and Rotary Club of Muscatine. He also served as Elder at Our Savior Lutheran Church for more than 25 years.

He received a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Iowa State University and a master’s degree in finance from the University of Iowa and has worked in production management at Grain Processing Corp. for 30 years.

Natvig and his wife, Nancy raised three daughters in Muscatine. They expect their first grandchild in August.