Four vieing for spot on council, community to vote to elect two

1. Why do you want to serve?
    Nick Colton: Imperial has a quality of life that is tough to beat. I want to protect our rural small-town while keeping our local taxes in check. Over the last four years, serving two of those as Council President, I have worked to make sure the city runs efficiently and spends taxpayer money wisely. I am running to keep bringing common-sense, steady leadership to the table, so Imperial stays an affordable, great place to raise a family and do business.
    Owen Swanson: I hadn’t paid enough attention to what was happening in our community for quite some time. Once I slowed down professionally, I began to realize that I needed to reimburse this community for opportunities it has offered me.
    Kristen Malone: First off I would like to thank Imperial and the Imperial Republican for giving me the opportunity to share my vision for our community. Running for City Council in a town like ours isn’t about political ambition—it’s about stepping up to protect the place we call home and ensuring our children and grandchildren can afford to build a life here too. Here is where I stand on the issues and why I am asking for your vote. Imperial is not only my home but the community my family and I chose to invest our life and future in. I believe we need proven, business-minded leadership to guide our growth while protecting our rural heritage. I see a town with incredible potential, but right now, our families, farmers and small businesses are facing real hurdles with a lack of transparency from city leaders, infrastructure complications and affordable housing. I see too many of our young people moving away to bigger cities because they simply don’t see economic opportunity here. We live in a wonderful town with deep agricultural roots, but to keep it vibrant for the next generation, we need conservative, common-sense solutions brought to the table—ensuring tax dollars are spent efficiently, our infrastructure keeps pace with modern upgrades and our town remains safe, affordable, and prosperous for years to come. I want to ensure we build a local government that is not only fiercely accountable to its taxpayers and restores faith in public leadership but ensures our city leaders work directly for the people who live, work, and farm Imperial. We can only do this with absolute honesty and openness, that the residents of Imperial deserve.
    Jan Elliott: I care about Imperial and consider it a privilege to serve this community. I believe our residents deserve leaders who listen, communicate openly, ask thoughtful questions, and remain accountable for the decisions they make. I strive to be a voice for our citizens and ensure their concerns, ideas, and priorities are heard. While serving on the council is not always easy, I believe that being involved, working together, and making a positive difference are essential to the success of our community.
2. What qualifications or experience would you bring to the position?
     Jan Elliott: 11 years of service on the Variance Board, 12 yr on Citizens Advisory Committee and the past four years on the City Council, also as liaison for the Council for the Library, Cemetery, Planning Commission and Variance Board. I am actively involved in the Imperial Chamber of Commerce, where I served as Treasurer for 5 years and currently serve as a board member.
Professionally, I worked 8 years at Chase County Schools as the Accounts Payable Clerk, gaining experience in budgeting, grants, accounts receivable/payable. My husband and I have operated a communications business for the past 18 years. Together, these experiences have provided me with a strong background in local government, financial management, business operations, and community leadership.
    Nick Colton: I bring four years of hands-on experience on the Council, two as Council President, and a seat representing Imperial on the League of Nebraska Municipalities Executive Board. In my day job as VP of IT at ALLO, I manage large enterprise budgets and initiatives. That private-sector discipline carries into city business by evaluating projects, questioning expenses, and making sure our city budget is responsible, balanced, and sustainable.
     Owen Swanson: I have experience in city government from serving on the zoning commission and variance boards many years ago. I served on the volunteer fire department for five years as well. My past employment involved assisting with making decisions for the betterment of the organization.
    Kristen Malone: I bring a unique combination of municipal construction knowledge, small business experience and high-level economic development expertise. I majored in construction management with a focus on municipalities, my internships gave me the knowledge and background to understand infrastructure projects properly without wasting taxpayer dollars. I spent 15 years as a commercial real estate agent, commercial property manager and commercial project manager in Las Vegas, where I specialized in researching tax breaks and grants that helped me successfully relocate large-scale and small businesses to Las Vegas and Clark County, Nevada. I worked closely with the city of Las Vegas and contractors to ensure the development and infrastructure for area shopping centers, warehouse flex space and office space were constructed properly and to code. Furthermore, I have built a track record of building up rural communities by starting and selling multiple small rural businesses, giving me deep insight into what it takes to help a local economy thrive.
3. What do you hope to contribute in this role?
     Kristen Malone: My goal is to inject true transparency and common-sense planning back into our local government. I will ensure that every budget item, zoning change, and development plan is open to public scrutiny so that voters always know exactly where their hard-earned money is going. By making major city decisions out in the open where residents can see them, we can restore trust in our local elected officials and foster a unified community that works together on sensible development without losing our small-town identity. Too often, rural councils get stuck in a reactive loop—only fixing things when they break. With my professional background, I can bridge the gap between our town’s traditional rural values and the modern development we need to keep Imperial viable. I want to shift us toward long-term planning that aggressively secures state and federal rural development grants, allowing us to modernize our infrastructure without placing the tax burden solely on the shoulders of our local property owners.
     Jan Elliott: I bring valuable experience gained through years of public service. I have learned that good decisions require time, careful consideration, and a willingness to listen to different perspectives. I will continue to listen to residents, ask difficult but necessary questions, and seek solutions that are in the best interest of our community. I am committed to being a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars and to promoting transparency, accountability, and collaboration
    Nick Colton: Practical problem-solving. As President of the Senior Services Board, I worked alongside the Mayor, the board, staff, and our community to turn Imperial Manor around from losing money to being completely self-sustaining. That same hands-on determination has helped guide how we have tackled issues on the City Council over the last four years. I want to keep that focus going: tackling challenges early, making smart financial decisions, and keeping our essential city services reliable.
    Owen Swanson: I will commit to educate myself in the policies, procedures, and requirements of the City. A personal trait that I pride myself in, is making every effort to be informed on matters that need decisions. I will use this trait to make impartial actions for the entire community.
4. What immediate priorities would you address if elected?
    Owen Swanson: In my opinion, I feel that there is a lack of cooperation or camaraderie between the City and Chase County governing entities. I would like to put my efforts into improving this relationship.
    Kristen Malone: If elected, I will target what I have heard from the community is our most critical issues with four immediate priorities:
• Restoring Transparency & Trust: I will advocate open-door city administration policies and clear public reporting to rebuild faith in our city leaders and elected officials.
• Affordable Housing Development: I will work to streamline local zoning codes and incentivize sensible, affordable housing development so our local workforce, teachers, and young families can afford to live here.
• Small Business Growth: I will utilize my real estate and commercial development background to create an environment where local entrepreneurs can grow, helping to fill vacant downtown spaces and open commercial lots and expand our tax base.
• Street Repairs & Infrastructure Management: Using my background in construction management, I will audit our current road maintenance projects to ensure we are using long-lasting, cost-effective methods to fix our streets right the first time.
    Jan Elliott: One of my top priorities would be continuing to strengthen the relationship between the City and County so we can work together more effectively for the benefit of our community. I will continue to advocate for responsible use of taxpayer dollars and support efforts that encourage clear communication and cooperation among the council, city staff, businesses, organizations, and residents. Strong partnerships and open communication are essential for moving Imperial forward

    Nick Colton: 1. Workforce and Family Housing: Keep building on what we started with the Rural Workforce Housing Grant, continuing progress in areas like the Cornerstone development so people working here can actually find homes here.
2. County Collaboration: Partner with the County on joint economic development projects and business growth where it makes sense for all.
3. City Operations: Provide the steady guidance and council oversight needed to stabilize administrative operations, support our newer city office staff, and keep municipal projects moving forward efficiently.
5. What distinguishes your candidacy from others seeking the position?
    Nick Colton: A proven track record of getting things done locally, paired with a statewide voice for our town. As Council President, I focus on working with people to solve problems rather than talking in circles. My recent election to the League of Nebraska Municipalities Executive Board gives Imperial direct input on state-level policy that affects towns like ours. That, combined with over two decades of private-sector executive experience, gives me the background to manage city operations effectively.
    Owen Swanson: I feel that everyone running in this election bring good intentions and attributes. I will commit to use my experience of serving on previous city boards, experiencing living in the community most of my life, and my efforts to always educate myself on the decisions at hand.
    Kristen Malone: What sets me apart is that I have actually done the heavy lifting required to manage municipal projects, recruit businesses, and build local housing. I am not just talking about street repairs; I studied how municipalities build them. I am not just talking about small business; I live it every single day at our local downtown restaurant. I talk to the farmers, the teachers, the retirees, and the young parents who make up the backbone of our community. I don’t just look at city issues through spreadsheet data; I hear about the real, everyday challenges our neighbors face. My background allows me to look at Imperials challenges through the lens of a developer, an entrepreneur, and a conservative taxpayer all at once, ensuring we achieve affordable growth without losing our treasured small-town identity.
    Jan Elliott: I bring decades of community service, experience in local government, and firsthand business leadership. My service on both the Variance Board and City Council, along with my involvement in the Imperial Chamber of Commerce and other community and church organizations, has given me a broad understanding of the needs and opportunities within our community.
My accounting background has strengthened my understanding of fiscal responsibility, while 18 years of business ownership have taught me the importance of accountability, problem-solving, communication, and follow-through.  These experiences have prepared me to serve effectively and responsibly.
6. Are there other issues you would like to address?
    Jan Elliott: I cannot overstate the importance of teamwork in building a stronger community. As a rural community, we all play a role in helping Imperial remain a thriving and progressive place to live, work, and raise a family. While we may not always agree, it is important that we listen respectfully, consider different viewpoints, and work together toward solutions that benefit everyone.
Our community is strongest when we support one another and remain committed to creating opportunities for future generations.
    Nick Colton: Keeping our local economy growing while taking care of the amenities that make Imperial home. I strongly support continuing our local Economic Development Program (LB840) on the ballot so we have the tools to support local businesses. At the same time, we need to maintain our parks, library, and community facilities for local families, all while keeping a sharp eye on city spending so we do not place an unfair burden on property owners.
    Owen Swanson: The upheaval of the City Administration office personnel is a matter that concerns me. I think the council needs to understand what occurred so a similar situation can’t occur again. Everyone involved in City government and employment need to be held accountable by themselves as well as by citizens.
    Kristen Malone: Yes, we must aggressively address affordable housing while simultaneously strengthening our agricultural backbone and Main Street small businesses. If we want our town to survive, we need to implement sensible zoning laws that allow for starter homes and modest housing options for young families and agricultural workers, while protecting our parks and community centers so our youth have safe places to gather. Furthermore, by streamlining local regulations, supporting entrepreneurship and driving smart business recruitment, we can successfully expand our commercial tax base—which ultimately takes the unfair property tax burden off the shoulders of our local homeowners and agricultural landowners.
7. What is your current occupation, and how long have you held that position?
    Kristen Malone: I am a small local business owner and property investor, actively managing a portfolio of commercial and residential properties in our rural community, alongside owning and operating our local Subway restaurant.
     Jan Elliott: My husband and I own Prairie States Communications. I am CFO and manage the office and oversee daily operations, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, scheduling, and customer service. This role requires strong organizational skills, financial oversight, communication, and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
    Nick Colton: I am the Vice President of Information Technology at ALLO Communications, where I have worked for 23 years. Over that time, I have had the opportunity to help our company grow from a small local startup into a major regional provider. In my role today, I lead our enterprise technology operations, including finding practical ways to use tools like Artificial Intelligence and automation to streamline systems, support our staff, and improve customer service.
    Owen Swanson: As I mentioned before, I have slowed down professionally. Currently, I am semi-retired, about 1 and a half years, after being involved in agriculture my whole life. I oversee family ventures in and around our community.
8. What would you like voters to know about your personal life or family?
    Owen Swanson: Claudette, my wife, has raised our three children, Danielle, C.J., and Michal, to be responsible and respected adults. I helped her a little bit! We have been blessed with 10 amazing grandchildren, as well. Community service has always been part of our family’s commitment as my father and grandfather served the City of Imperial in positions on many boards and committees.
    Kristen Malone: My family is the absolute foundation of my life, and they are the entire reason I am running for City Council. My husband, Casey, and I have been married for 19 years this December, and we are raising  two wonderful Longhorns here at our local High School.  Whether we are helping out at the Lions Club, attending church on Sunday, or cheering from the bleachers at high school football games on Friday nights, our lives are completely woven into the fabric of this town. Every single day, Casey, the kids, and I are out interacting with our neighbors and listening to your concerns. This town has given my family everything, and I want to ensure it remains a safe, transparent, and affordable place where our children and future grandchildren can choose to build their own lives someday.
    Jan Elliott: Family and community are very important to me. I have four sisters who live in the area, and we have a lot of fun together. My husband, Rick, and I have been married for 28 years, and are blessed with four grown children, all of whom are married, and seven grandchildren. I am a straightforward and dedicated person who believes in honesty, transparency, and accountability. I am willing to address difficult issues and have tough conversations when necessary because I believe people deserve truthful and open communication. At the same time, I strive to approach challenges with a positive attitude, focus on solutions rather than problems, and work collectively toward outcomes that are best for our community.
    Nick Colton: Imperial is where I have lived for much of my life and where I have raised my family. I value spending time with my family and kids. Having lifelong roots in Imperial means I deal with the same day-to-day realities as my neighbors, and it keeps me grounded in doing what is best for our community’s future.