Although he enjoys serving his community, J D B…

By News Dept.

Boyd steps down after 16 years of service to Kalona

Although he enjoys serving his community, J D Boyd is stepping down December 31 as Mayor of Kalona. That will end his 16 years of service in community administration.

“Kalona has been good to me and I’ve always wanted to do my part for the community,” said Boyd, 69.

His part has included 16 years as city councilman and mayor. He served eight years on the council in the late l960s and early 1970s.

Boyd was serving his third term on the council and as mayor pro tem when he was appointed mayor in July of 1994 to fill the unexpired term of the late Cleo Troyer. He was elected to a full 4-year term in 1995.

Boyd said he thinks Kalona will continue to prosper and see a steady growth because of its location and people.

“Kalona is a nice place to live,” he said. However, he expressed some concern the poor farm economy is having on the city.

Reflecting on his years of service, Boyd said he has been part of a lot of growth, improvements in streets and water service as well as the law enforcement agreement with Washington County. He was of the main supporters of contract law enforcement during his first term on the council. “It is just too expensive to have our own police force,” he stressed.

“I’ve sure enjoyed the support and cooperation the police, firemen and city employees and council members,” he said.

Boyd listed the defeat of the local option sales tax as the major disappointment of his administration. “I still think that would have been a good way to finance the jail,” he said.

Boyd said he enjoys serving as mayor, but finds his deteriorating hearing to be a detriment.

His service to the community includes 36 years as a volunteer fireman, from November of 1960 to November of 1996. As mayor, he also severed as the city’s representative E-911 Board, Safety Board and the County Conference Board, Kalona Development Corp. board and the board of the Iowa City Area Development (ICAD).

Boyd said he plans to continue to keep his interest in city government and be an active member of the Kalona Optimist Club. He is past president and charter member of the Optimists. He also served as secretary-treasurer of the Kalona Community Club for a number of years.

He is on the Church Council of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Richmond.

“I wish the new mayor and council the best,” Boyd said. He now plans to spend more time with his coin collecting hobby and with family.

Born and raised in Roundwood, Texas, about 150 miles west of Dallas, Boyd has adopted Kalona as his hometown and enjoys being part of it. His sister Mathine, married Clifford Whetstine of Kalona who was stationed at an Army base near Roundwood.

“Clifford and Mathine convinced me to come visit them in Kalona and I wound up staying,” Boyd noted. (His complete name is J D Boyd as his parents only liked the initials of the doctor who delivered him.)

Boyd did floor covering work for Reif’s Family Center for 43 years and still helps out part time. He and his wife Carol, met when they both worked at Reif’s.

They have three adult children and four grandchildren. Their children are Sonja Triggs, Lake Lottamnna, MO.; Gregory Boyd, Iowa City; Rhonda Boyd, Kalona; Ronald Boyd, Kalona; and Diana Kvach, Robbins.