New City Councilman Daryl Vegge, representing Ames’ 3rd Ward and many ISU students, has been very busy in his first few weeks.

Vegge, a tall man with a ready smile, describes his introduction to the office as, “Time- consuming, but in a fun way.”

Following his election in November, Vegge immediately began training to become better prepared as a councilman.

“One of the things I think the city has done is to help get me up to speed and educating me,” he said. “The city manager has taken me around on a two-day tour of different city facilities and departments, and has introduced me to city staff.”

His time also has been spent preparing him for what to anticipate at city meetings.

“I spent probably four hours with him and the city clerk, explaining procedures and what to expect in a council meeting and how things are done, how to bring up subjects,” said Mayor Ted Tedesco.

The 3rd Ward begins west of Jack Trice Stadium and stretches along the south side of Lincoln Way.

Several students live in the 3rd ward, which includes the majority of the greek houses and the Towers Residence Association.

“I think that probably the 3rd Ward has hands-down the largest student population, given the dorms, the apartments, and the greek system,” said Ann Campbell, Vegge’s retired predecessor.

Campbell took with her 16 years of experience in representing the 3rd Ward, which has many student-related issues.

“There were two Veishea riots in this ward,” she said. “I think that it’s a given with the number of students in the 3rd Ward that issues such as parking regulations and noise ordinances and upkeep of property become understandable issues.”

Vegge, who works in the service end of marketing at Sauer-Danfoss, already has been exposed to the responsibilities of the office in three official council meetings.

Besides calling on his recent council training, he has relied on experience gained as a two-term committee member of Ames Park and Recreation, he said.

“I think he’s done very well,” Tedesco said. “He’s done his homework and asked good questions. He’s not been shy about asking questions, and that’s important.”

Vegge, a Minnesota native, said his decision to serve on the council was a matter of both interest and timing.

“I was going to get back into coaching hockey, but I got into this instead,” he laughed.

Although his time on the job has been brief, he said it already has changed his perspective on the city he has lived in for 25 years.

“I think when I drive through the city of Ames, I look at things differently,” Vegge said.

“As a result of knowing some of the things that are going on, I drive out of the way to a certain property or a certain street just to get a better understanding.”