Ammerman resigns from city council, Kuester fills vacant spot

GRUNDY CENTER – Former city council member Mike Ammerman resigned from the council on March 31, leaving the council with a vacant seat to fill.
In his letter of resignation, Ammerman stated the reason for his resignation was that he didn’t want his position on the council to interfere with his business – J&E Specialty Meats in Grundy Center.
In the letter, Ammerman wrote that resigning from the council wasn’t something he wanted to do, but something he had to do. He said that even the loss of one customer would affect his business more than it would another small business.
Ammerman said that he enjoyed his time on the council, and wished the other council members the best.
Ammerman was first appointed to the council in January of 2014, and his term did not expire until December of 2019.
But, just three days after his resignation, the vacant seat left by Ammerman was filled by Jason “Butch” Kuester, was approved for the position and swore in by Mayor Brian Buhrow at Monday night’s city council meeting.
Kuester is a Grundy Center native who works at Lon’s Plumbing and Heating in Reinbeck.
Aside from his duties as a council member, Kuester will also serve on the Public Safety committee led by Police Chief Doug Frost.