OAKVILLE , Iowa — Mary Lanz’s name wasn’t on the ballot for Tuesday’s Municipal Election but she received 27 write-in votes — which made her the top vote getter for the Oakville City Council.

“A neighbor thought I should run. It really had nothing to do with me,” said Lanz, 43.

She has lived in Oakville with her husband, Tom, since 1993. They have four children and extended family in Oakville.

A neighbor, Dale Whitaker, had told her that she would make a good candidate. He had also been telling others in town that they should consider writing in her name because of her dedication to Oakville.

“She is level headed, one of the original people from town and she is well known. Everybody knows the Lanz name,” Whitaker said. “I wasn’t putting the others down in any way. I just thought she’d be a good Council member.“

Whitaker’s wife, Kathie, agreed.

“I voted for Mary because she is a good hometown girl. She has Oakville’s best interest in mind,” Kathie Whitaker said. “It was hard to decide between her, Jackie and Melody, but Melody had expressed that she had too many other volunteer things going on so my vote went to Mary.”

Votes for Oakville City Council were: Daniel Crow, 22; Melody Crow, 6; Jacki Harlow, 6; Rich Petty, 10; Kirk Swanson, 9; Mary Lanz, 27 (write-in); Allen Gugelar, 14 (write-in); Other write-ins, 4.

Oakville Mayor Benita Grooms said she was happy to see so many people interested in the Council. She added that the turnout often depends on the issues the town is facing; and right now there are plenty.

Demolition of some garages and commercial properties, updating and repairing storm drains and street improvement are all at the top of the list.

Lanz said she will need some time to get up-to-date on issues because she has only been to one Oakville Council meeting.

“Since we started over there are less people to serve on the Council and everyone should take their turn,” Lanz said.