After 16 years, Ann Campbell will step down as the City Council representative of the southwest side of Ames, where many ISU students live.

Campbell, councilwoman for Ames’ third ward, has been credited with helping the city and university stay on good terms.

“Ames has one of the best town and gown relationships, and Ann has been a contributor to it,” said Warren Madden, vice president for Business and Finance.

Ames Mayor Ted Tedesco said Campbell understood the relationship between the Ames and Iowa State.

“[Campbell] sees the importance of the university to the city and the city to the university,” he said.

Though Campbell herself is not connected to Iowa State, her father lent his name to Hamilton Hall. Carl Hamilton served as the head of the journalism department in the 1960s and later worked under ISU President William Parks.

Campbell was instrumental in the development of CyRide, the city bus system for Ames, and currently serves as president of the CyRide Board of Trustees. The smoking ordinance was another project Campbell has influenced, Tedesco said.

“Ann suggested we get together and try to work out some kind of a compromise so that each group could see the other’s side,” he said. “She was key to getting a compromise together.”

In Campbell’s maiden election, she ran against an ISU student and another Ames resident. Since then, no students have run for council representative for the third ward, Campbell said.

“It would be difficult for a student who wants to be a student [to hold a public office],” she said. “Time commitment varies radically. There are times when we meet every night for a week, and then there are things that are as much, if not more, time-consuming, like having cups of coffee.”

Campbell is sole proprietor of the Bulletin Board, a quarterly publication that highlights what is happening in Ames. She said she credits her job with the flexible hours she feels she needs as a councilwoman.

After 16 years, Campbell felt it was time to step down.

“It was hard decision, because I have thoroughly enjoyed it,” she said. “But I felt it was time for somebody else to fill the position.”

One application has been turned in for the open third ward council position so far, Deputy City Clerk Karen Thompson said. Candidates must be legal voters and residents of the ward for which they are running. Forms and information are available in the Ames City Clerk’s office. The deadline to enter is Sept. 20.