Batter Up?

Both the school board and city council races are around the corner in Iowa City and the surrounding communities and so far there are a very limited number of brave souls stepping up to run for the offices.

On deck for the next Iowa City city council is the hiring of a "permanent" city manager, looking at revenue projections and solutions to shore up a sagging tax base, and the usual issues that face the city council every year (re: crime, college students in the bars, etc.). No to mention the continued need for affordable rental housing and the needs for the poorer cousins in the community. So far Mark McCallum, Susan Mimms, and Terry Dickens have announced they will run for office. More on this can be found on John Deeth's blog.

As for the school board, there is the boundary issue where the existing and future schools are concerned, as well as the transparency issue of how business is conducted at ICCSD. Finally, there is the staffing issues for the coming school years in light of decreasing revenue at the state level. With possibly all three of the incumbent board directors opting not to run for re-election, there is a real need for candidates to step up.

In these stressful times, it may be difficult to attract civic-minded individuals to fill these elected slots, just as it is hard to find volunteers for non-elected commissions. Let's face it, the grief that a person has to be willing to deal with is significant, as well as the commitment of time-- and yet, it is crucial that fair-minded people do the work. If we end up with ineffective persons to govern, it is largely the fault of the attentive public for not putting themselves in the game.

City Council Candidate Cook Off

On Sunday 9/23 from 2 to 4 pm, progressive groups FAIR!, Sierra Club, and Johnson County Democracy for America will sponsor an at-large Iowa City Council candidate forum at the Iowa City public library in meeting room A. Tom Carsner from the Sierra Club will moderate. Questions form the public are encouraged.
The at-large candidates are Mike Wright, Brandon Ross, Matt Hayek, Terry Smith, and Dee Vanderhoef.

The forum will be broadcast on the Library Channel 10.

Rod Sullivan Running for Second Term

In Rod's own words

"you heard it here first: I am announcing today that I will seek reelection to a second term as County Supervisor.

There have been several significant accomplishments during my term in office. Since I joined the Board, Johnson County has:

* Passed a Human Rights Ordinance, the first County in Iowa to do so;
* Passed a Sensitive Areas Ordinance, the first County in Iowa to do so;
* Joined the Sierra Club Cool Counties Initiative, the first County in Iowa to do so;
* Created a Trails Committee and for the first time created a line item for trails in the budget;
* Created a Commission for a Livable Community for Seniors;
* Instituted a highly successful Earned Income Tax Credit program;
* Dramatically increased funding for Shelter House;
* Begun a program for upgrading gravel roads to chip seal;
* Started work on Oakdale Boulevard between 12th Ave. & Dubuque St.

Many of these topics had been languishing for years. I promised to champion these issues, and I have delivered. Meanwhile, Johnson County continues to provide outstanding day-to-day services.
There is much more to do, however, and I would like to be a part of it. My top campaign issues for a second term are:

1. Increased commitment to the Environment;
2. Positive updates to the County Land Use Plan;
3. Increased support for Human Services;
4. Improved Dust Control.

I hope I have earned your support as I pursue a second term. Serving as a County Supervisor is an incredible honor and privilege, and I truly appreciate the opportunities that have been given to me.
If you are interested in talking to me about my campaign or any County issues, the routine remains the same as the one listed below here every week
- feel free to contact me at 354-7199 or rodsullivan@mchsi.com.
You can also check out my new website: http://rodsullivan.org/. I look forward to serving you."

Rod is one of the truly progressive voices in Johnson County. He was one of the founder's of FAIR! and has done a great job. I forgive him that he supports Barack Obama, although an Edwards/Obama ticket looks like a winner to me.

A Gathering of Neighbors

Last night, my neighbors got together for an annual event at our local park our neighborhood association, a local church, and the city's parks and recreation department throws. We had over 120 people come with their kids and we ate hot dogs and hamburgers, hung out, and genuinely enjoyed the pleasure of each other's company.

Sometimes in the fray of politics and social activism I lose sight of "we, the people" because of the tensions that politics and issues create. However, I never lose faith that "we, the people" are going to be all right. Democracy, despite its imperfections, works.

When Tip O'Neill said that all politics are local, he must of been referring to events like last night. Good people wanting no more than to enjoy a night with people they know or want to know. Because a simple truth about all of us is we want to know we'll be okay. No matter how complicated the issues or conflicts may be, we all want to live in a good neighborhood.

Every issue has more tan one side, it is true, but it is the philosophy we take when we sit across the table from our adversaries that makes the difference between a "winner take all" conclusion or a result to which we all can agree occurs. Robert Frost said "Good walls make good neighbors," but in my realm of experience, breaking down walls is the better road.

And Then There Were Five

Some how this slipped by me, but it now means there will be at least one primary for the Iowa City council race.

From the P-C: Another contender has entered the Iowa City Council race.

Iowa City resident Tim Judd, 26, will run for one of two at-large seats in contention this election season. He will be up against Iowa City council member Dee Vanderhoef, neighborhood activist Mike Wright, MidAmerican Energy’s local operations manager Terry Smith, and attorney Matt Hayek. Iowa City Mayor Ross Wilburn and council member Regenia Bailey also will seek re-election in districts A and C, respectively.

Judd, who graduated from the University of Iowa last spring with a bachelor’s degree in political science and minors in sociology and psychology, is the youngest candidate so far. He grew up in Davenport.

“It doesn’t have anything do with age, only the issues,” he said Monday. “I feel like I have, in my time here, garnered a good perspective on what the city needs.”

Say Hello to SILO and Consider This 6% Solution

It's July 1st and the local sales tax went up an extra 1% in Linn and Johnson counties to upgrade schools. Since folks want to do good things to help improve people's lives (like better schools), I say instead of having the traditional "tax free" weekend as back-to-school approaches, let's give the "extra" 6% in savings from purchases to low-income families in Johnson county living at or below the poverty line who will feel more pinched than they already are with the new tax. Seems fair enough, don't you think?

This should help alleviate the sense that this is a regressive tax and do some good for folks who could really use it.

North Liberty Stays the Course

With slightly less than 14% of the registered voters turning out, North Libertarians voted down a change in government structure by an overwhelming majority of 77.4% to 22% (with 5 votes not counted). It seems cooler heads did prevail in this case. Perhaps this will rub off in City Hall?

North Liberty City Government It's Own Re"Ward"

Tuesday, North Liberty voters will have an opportunity to change their city government structure by enacting a ward system (wherein voters in four parts of the city elect council members to represent them) and the whole of the city directly elects a mayor and two at-large council members.

I have been thinking, as an outsider, what I'd do, if I were in a North Libertarian's shoes. I would think it would be tempting to change the form of government because of how dysfunctional it appears to have been in the recent past. A good question to ask is what would be gained by a ward system?

The single benefit I can see is it would allow true district representation--that is one person to represent the viewpoint of a ward. The downside is that the whole of the city's interests might not be served if pork barrel politics take place. For instance, if Ward A council member wants a park and Ward C council member wants unfettered development, there is likely to be horse-trading to accomplish these dissimilar goals--neither of which may be in the city's overall interest. It could reasonably argued also, that a ward system could lead to gridlock if council members dig in their heels over pet projects. Finally, regardless of where a person lives, the whole of the council does make decisions that effects everyone. Does it make sense for only people in one area of town to choose a representative for them when who they pick also is a vote for the whole of the city?

In cities like Chicago where there are aldermen, this form of government has been known to be very inefficient, not to mention corrupt.

Obviously the current form of government has its problems, but it is the result of personality and philosophy differences, no the form of government that is to blame.

If I were in North Liberty, I'd stick with the form of government and work on electing officials that will work together in a way that benefits the community.

At the very least, get out there and vote!

And Then There Were Four?

With Michael Wright set to announce his candidacy for an at-large seat on the Iowa City Council and Dee Vanderhoef and Terry Smith already in the running, the burning question is are there any other candidates in the running? The grapevine suggests that there is at least one more candidate lurking out there. Former Housing and Community Development Commission Chair and President of the Englert Theater Board, Matt Hayak is likely to announce his bid for the council soon. Hayak, an attorney and recent new Dad was responsible for leading the "scattered site" housing task group while on the HCDC.

At this time both Regenia Bailey and Ross Wilburn are seeking re-election in their districts without opponents.

This could be the first city council election without a primary since 1991 when Susan Horowitz, Randy Larson, Karen Kubby and Bill Ambrisco were elected to fill the A and C districts and two at-large seats.

A Tale of Two Cities - North Liberty?

Remember this is a blog, so I'm free to ask questions particularly when there could be ore going on than meets the eye.

The Press-Citizen reports (and I am truncating the story) "City politics in North Liberty would change if a petition filed Tuesday calling for city councilors to be elected by wards is adopted.

Dewayne Olney, a planning and zoning commission member who helped circulate the petition, said several residents in North Liberty were "fed up" with the current system.

"Not all parts of North Liberty have a voice on the North Liberty council," he said.

If they hold an election before Aug. 7 and the ward system is approved, the seven new seats would be up for election in the Nov. 6 general election. If there is no election before Aug. 7, the new government could not take effect until January 2010, [Tom] Slockett said.

Who could be behind this? I'm speculating, not accusing...just asking, who has the most to gain?

1) DeWayne Olney, a contractor, named in today's story lives in a potential (Deerfield) ward that current incumbent James Wozniak (also NL JCCOG Rep.) lives. Does he have backing from James Moody and Matthew Bahl?

2) Matthew Bahl, lost to former mayor Franker, genuine sore loser (re: city council door slamming incident)--not a fan of now former City Administrator Brian James.

3) Paul Osterholt, a former candidate for city council and a mover and shaker behind the scenes in NL politics. According to a letter sent into the Press-Citizen in January
"the person who brought the petition to keep a future election from ending up in the courts was former City Council candidate Paul Osterholt, whose 2005 campaign was financed in part by The Committee to Elect Matt Bahl, Robert Gardiner and Paul Osterholt. Bahl and Gardiner, of course, being the ones who kept the election in the courts on a technicality."

4) Rob Gardiner came in third to James Wozniak. See above.

5) Former mayor Clair Mekota, with development interests that were stymied during Franker era. Payback?

This begs the question, is it a question of open, representative government here or a power play?

Hey, Rob Daniels reporter for the Press-Citizen, keep digging.

Another One Bites the Dust in North Liberty

The Gazette reports--

Brian James resigned Monday as North Liberty's city administrator, leaving the city without two top officials after its mayor quit last week."I'm looking toward the future and wanted to move on with some other employment possibilities,'' James, 49, told the Gazette in an interview at his home.The City Council is to hold a special meeting at 6:30 Tuesday night to accept City Administrator Brian James' resignation. James, who was making $71,235 this year, said he was not forced out and had not received any indication the City Council was dissatisfied with him. He does not have another job lined up but his resignation is effective immediately. He said there was no particular reason he gave no notice. There were indications last week that James' job might be in jeopardy.

Hey, North Libertarians--What's in the water?

Franker Sense: North Liberty Mayor Resigns For "Legal Reasons"

The Press-Citizen reports that North Liberty Mayor Dave Franker, who won as a write-in candidate resigned today. Franker, who is a former school board member and was the 2004 district 2 Democratic Congressional candidate, made his surprise announcement at a news conference today. Flanked by his wife, Karen, Franker told reporters he was taking an internship in the Linn County Attorney's Office. The resignation is effective immediately, Franker said.

Council member Gerry Kuhl, who is mayor pro tem, will assume mayoral duties.

More in the C.R. Gazette

and the Daily Iowan

Is there more to this story?

One Against the Little Guy: Sonic Room

By a vote of 3 to 2, the Iowa City Board of Adjustment voted to support the rezoning of the soon to be former Coronet Apartment site to put up a Sonic Drive-in restaurant. Jerry Anthony, who is a member of the Housing and Community Development Board and one neighbor spoke against the project siting concerns about lighting, sound, traffic, and public safety concerns. The Board deliberated until 8:25 with members Alexander, Thornton, and Shelangouski supporting Southgate and its partner Nordstrom Oil (the Sonic franchisee) and members Wood and Wright voting against the rezoning exception.

As a result 34 units of affordable rental housing will be removed to make way for the drive-in/drive-thru restaurant.

A Shout Out to North Libertarians

N. Liberty OKs election law From the C.R. Gazette

The City Council voted 4-1 Tuesday night to stick with its current method of electing its mayor and council with a plurality vote. The council discussed whether to change the city’s election code earlier this year in the aftermath of the city’s controversial 2005 mayoral election, in which the writein candidate won with less than half of the vote. Tuesday’s vote was the first of three required to establish the voting law. Councilman Matt Bahl spent several months in court challenging his 2005 loss to Mayor Dave Franker, who received 366 write-in votes to Bahl’s 338. Bahl challenged whether a run-off election was needed because of conflicting ordinances in North Liberty’s city code. Council members Gerry Kuhl, Jim Wozniak, James Moody and Tom Salm voted in favor of the ordinance; Bahl voted against it.

Democracy is a funny thing, particularly when it doesn't go your way.

Keota legislator Greiner will not seek re-election

Note to the multi-talented Mark Nolte in Iowa's Fightin' 89th: Don't throw out your yard signs.


According to the AP, State Rep. Sandra Greiner, R-Keota, announced last week she will leave the Iowa House of Representatives after her current term expires and will not seek re-election in 2008.
‘‘After eight terms in the Iowa General Assembly, it is time for me to say goodbye and give other talented people the opportunity to serve,’’ Greiner said at the annual meeting of the Washington County Pork Producers.
Greiner was elected in 1992 when Republicans took control of the Iowa House for the first time in a decade. She authored landmark legislation to eradicate pseudorabies throughout Iowa. She also concentrated on water quality and soil conservation legislation while chairwoman of the House Environmental Protection Committee.
‘‘It has truly been an honor and privilege to serve the people of Iowa in the General Assembly,’’ she said. ‘‘However, the time has come to make way for new leaders, new ideas and new energy.’’
House Republican Leader Christopher Rants, R-Sioux City, said Greiner will be missed.
‘‘Rep. Greiner’s experience and leadership have been of great significance to all members of the Legislature,’’ said Rants. ‘‘She has been a tremendous asset to our caucus and the entire state of Iowa.’’