FALLS CITY – Falls City’s new mayor took the oath of office Monday and finished his first meeting on the same note he campaigned on – honesty.

Mark Harkendorff, who has owned and operated Falls City Sanitation for 45 years, campaigned as write-in candidate in 2018 and again this year saying he would not change once in office and promising to make city government accessible by every citizen.

Harkendorff: “My biggest thing is honesty, everything above board. Not that it hasn’t been, but I want that to be known about me.”

 

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Harkendorff has lived in Falls City all of his life, except four years when he served with the  U.S. Navy Seabees in the Vietnam War. He is a former city council member and commander of the American Legion.

Harkendorff:  “I thought I’d like to continue serving so I picked the city, the mayor.”

He said neighborly-minded citizens is the strength of Falls City.

Harkendorff: “We have drug problems no doubt and I know well about that, but everybody knows almost everybody. Neighborhoods, you know, that kind of thing.”

The 1970 graduate of Falls City High School said he would like to see Falls City business grow, along with Falls City Sanitation.

Harkendorff: “I’m at an advantage because everybody needs to get rid of their trash, so it ain’t like some businesses you know. I got lucky there.”

Harkendorff defeated incumbent mayor Shawna Bindle 753 to 598.