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This from the Iowa City Citizen-Press

Iowa City Council to Vote Tuesday on Renaming City

(AP) July 4, 2007
Glen Stevens

The Iowa City council, in an effort to lessen the burden on residential property owners, is considering changing the official name of Iowa City to Wellmark City, thanks to a proposed contribution by the private, non-profit Wellmark Foundation (Not affiliated with Wellmark, Inc.). Said Mayor Ross Wilburn, "we'll finally be able to afford staffing the northeast side fire station and the police can get the forty police officers they need and tasers too."

City Manager Steve Atkins said, "This is an unusual move, but since I will be retiring to Arizona, I'm really not too worried how it turns out."

Council member Dee VanderHoef said, "I think this is very exciting and will protect our bond rating, which is fiscally responsible."

Another council member, Bob Elliott, who will be stepping down in November, said, "We can agree without being agreeable that this is a good move. I think it is fair that the Wellmark Foundation select the new city manager or be named by the Board of Regents."

Mayor Pro Tem Regenia Bailey questioned the move, but agreed that if it meant making Iowa City more of a cultural corridor destination, she would support it. "Iowa City is the most vibrant city of all the vibrant cities in Iowa," she said, "and calling it Wellmark City will make it even more vibranter--if that is a word."

Council member Amy Correia who wants more affordable housing said, "I have asked the Wellmark Foundation to consider taking over the City's public housing program so it may be as efficient as an HMO."

Longtime council members Connie Champion and Mike O'Donnell could not be reached for comment as they were allegedly taking a smoke break when the announcement was made.

Developers expressed their concerns, but were relieved to hear that they would have more TIF coming their way. Said Mark Moen, "The timing couldn't be better, I have a plan to build a 40 story condominium and hospital complex next to Starbucks. I know some worry that we'll close the Mill, but actually it will be relocated to the 40th floor of the complex to preserve it for the next generation." Glen Sider said, "I always hoped Iowa City would be called South Gate City, and if there weren't so many zoning and building regulations, it probably would."

This news was the second shocker in as many days as The University of Iowa College of Public Health may become the Wellmark Foundation College of Public Health.