Giovannetti Won’t Seek Fourth Term, Committed to Remaining Active in Public Policy in 2013 and Beyond

          URBANDALE, Iowa – Polk County Supervisor E.J. Giovannetti, an innovative local government official since the early 1970s, said today that he will not seek a fourth term.

            “Words can’t begin to describe what an honor it is to represent my constituents. Even as when we faced some real challenges, I truly have enjoyed my time on the board of supervisors,” Giovannetti said. “It’s been a difficult decision but I know it’s the right one for me; I won’t be seeking re-election in 2012.”

The Urbandale Republican continued, “It’s important to me that my constituents know I’ll be working for them right up to my final day in office a little less than a year from now and that I’ll continue to work hard to represent their best interests on the range of county issues that affect them on a daily basis.”

Giovannetti was elected to the board in 2002, ending a five-year hiatus in his public service that began with his appointment to the Urbandale Planning and Zoning Commission in 1973. He was appointed mayor in 1977 and served in that position through 1997.  His current district consists primarily of Ankeny, Grimes, Johnston, Sheldahl, and Urbandale.

“I’ve been blessed and extremely proud to oversee not only the growth of Urbandale, but also one of the best counties in the United States,” Giovannetti said. “I haven’t decided yet what my next role will be but I guarantee I will remain very active on public policy issues, especially in the realm of intergovernmental cooperation,” he said.

Giovannetti has served as a chairman and member of the Greater Des Moines Civic Center, chairman of the Iowa Municipalities Workers’ Compensation Association, president of the Urbandale Economic Development Association, a member of Affordable Housing Task Force, member of Greater Des Moines Partnership, member of Team Ankeny, past member of the National League of Cities Committee on Finance, Administration, and Intergovernmental Relationships, member of Board of Directors of Bishop Drum Care Center, Mercy Clinics Board of Directors, chairman and member of Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau, and chairman of the Polk County Housing Trust Fund.

He also serves on the board of Choose Des Moines Communities, Des Moines Arts Festival, Downtown Events Group, Polk County Housing Trust Fund, Mid-Iowa Association of Local Governments (MIALG), Mid-Iowa Development Fund, Des Moines Wastewater Reclamation Authority (WRA), Metropolitan Advisory Council (MAC), Polk County Risk Management Committee, Civic Center Executive Committee, Central Iowa Drinking Water Commission, and Endow Urbandale. He is also an alternate to the Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO).

Giovannetti, a native of northern California, has been in the private practice of law with Hopkins & Huebner, P.C. since 1970. Prior to that time, he served as Assistant Attorney General, Counsel for Legislative Research Bureau, and Deputy Industrial Commissioner, all with the State of Iowa. He has two adult children, Beth lives in New Orleans and Mark lives in Ankeny with his wife Chris and daughter Emily.

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