Kelvin Unemin - Marion City Councilor At-Large

10/14/2026

Iowa Amendment 1 — Explained!!!

Imagine 10 friends are deciding whether everyone should put a little more money into a jar to pay for things they need.

Right now, if 6 friends say YES and 4 say NO, the decision passes because more than half agree.

That's called a simple majority.

Now imagine someone wants to change the rules.

Under the new rule, even if 6 friends agree, that's no longer enough. You need at least 7 out of 10 to say YES.

That's basically what Iowa's Amendment 1 would do for certain state income tax increases.

But here's the interesting part:

✅ Want to LOWER income taxes? A simple majority is still enough.

❌ Want to RAISE income taxes? You now need a two-thirds majority.

So what are we voting on November 3?

YES: Change Iowa's Constitution to make it harder for lawmakers to raise certain state income taxes.

NO: Keep the current rule, where a simple majority can make that decision.

This vote isn't about raising your taxes today. It's about changing the rules for how elected lawmakers make tax decisions in the future.

And remember, once something goes into our Constitution, changing it again is much harder than changing an ordinary law.

Here's my question: If we elect lawmakers to make decisions on our behalf, should a majority vote be enough, or should certain decisions require a two-thirds majority?

I'll be voting NO on Amendment 1

I'm interested in hearing what you think.

08/25/2026

07/01/2026

As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation, here's one simple suggestion:

Take a few minutes to read the First Amendment.

Just 45 words, yet they protect some of our most fundamental freedoms: religion, speech, the press, peaceful assembly, and the right to petition our government.

Whether you agree or disagree with someone's views, these freedoms belong to all of us. They are part of what has allowed our country to debate, grow, and improve for 250 years.

Sometimes the best way to celebrate America is to revisit the principles that continue to shape it.

Happy 250th, America. 🇺🇸

06/19/2026

Juneteenth marks one of the most important moments in American history, the day when the news of freedom finally reached the last enslaved Americans in Galveston, Texas, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued.

It is a day to reflect on the cost of freedom, the resilience of those who endured slavery, and the generations who fought to expand the promise of liberty and equal opportunity.

Our nation's history is not defined by its challenges alone, but by the determination of people who worked to overcome them and move our country forward. Juneteenth reminds us that freedom is worth protecting, opportunity should be available to all, and progress requires both courage and commitment.

Today, we honor the past, celebrate freedom, and recommit ourselves to building stronger communities for future generations.

Happy Juneteenth.

06/05/2026

June is Pride Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the contributions, history, and experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals in our community and across our nation.

Strong communities are built on mutual respect, dignity, and the understanding that every resident deserves to feel valued and welcome.

As we recognize Pride Month, let us continue working toward a community where all people feel safe, respected, and empowered to participate fully in civic life.

Happy Pride Month.

06/05/2026

June is Men's Mental Health Awareness Month.

As men, many of us were taught to handle problems on our own, push through challenges, and keep our struggles private. While resilience is important, so is knowing when to talk, ask for help, and support one another.

Mental health affects fathers, sons, brothers, husbands, veterans, first responders, coworkers, and friends. It affects people in every profession, every neighborhood, and every stage of life.

Checking in on the people around us can make a difference. A simple conversation, a phone call, or a question like "How are you really doing?" may be exactly what someone needs to hear.

This month, let's continue breaking the stigma around mental health and remind the men in our lives that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

You are not alone.

05/25/2026

Today, we honor the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces who gave their lives in service to our country. Memorial Day is a day of remembrance, sacrifice, and gratitude.

We also recognize one of the earliest known Memorial Day observances, held in Charleston in 1865. Newly freed African Americans organized a ceremony to properly bury and honor Union soldiers who died in captivity during the American Civil War. Their act of remembrance helped lay the foundation for what would later become Memorial Day.

As we spend time with family and friends today, let us remember those who never made it home and honor the people who ensured their sacrifice would never be forgotten.

Their legacy lives on through our remembrance. You'll never walk alone.

05/12/2026

05/05/2026

Free community events are our favorite! Check out this summer's Music Under the Moon line-up sponsored by Veridian Credit Union and hosted by our teammates with Marion Parks and Recreation.

Join us!
• Saturday, June 20: THAT ARENA ROCK SHOW, a tribute to the greatest rock anthems of all time.

• Saturday, July 18: BEYOND THE BLONDE, Ultimate Pop Tribute; celebrating the powerhouse divas P!NK, Gwen Stefani and Lady Gaga.

• Saturday, Aug. 15: VEGAS MCGRAW, Tim McGraw Tribute; a powerful show that thrills and captivates audiences everywhere.

04/14/2026

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: This week, the City is transitioning to a new process for curbside garbage and recycling collection.

The change comes after a year of analysis following the move to automated curbside collection in the fall of 2024. With residents having access to larger receptacles, compaction rates in the split-body trucks were lower than anticipated, resulting in additional trips to the landfill and delays in service.

To gain efficiencies, the City is moving away from collecting both garbage and recycling in a single stop, and will begin using one truck to collect garbage and one to collect recycling.

This change will not impact rates or collection days for residents. It may result in services being provided at different times throughout the day.

Learn more at www.cityofmarion.org/automatedcollection