By Joe Younker, Iowa City
Next month Iowa City will hold a City Council special election. Our Council faces a number of serious challenges, including housing, redevelopment and budget pressures, among others. To meet the challenges with workable solutions, Council members need to be thoughtful. They need to build consensus.
One candidate, Ross Nusser, fits the bill. Nusser is committed to achieving more affordable housing, expanding mental and behavioral health resources, supporting local food initiatives and building a better Iowa City for all. Importantly, Nusser has a record of meeting challenges through collaboration and thoughtful action.
Nusser’s opponent, Oliver Weilein, does not. In fact, according to his social media feeds, Weilein prefers violence against the government to thoughtful action. Posts show him glorifying violence against police officers (“Don’t let your dreams be dreams” superimposed on an image of a police car being overturned) and declaring January 6 as “one of the funniest days of all time.”
I don’t know if he is being serious in his social medial posts, but the issues before Council are too serious to take a chance on Weilein.
On March 4, voters in all of Iowa City’s districts can vote in the Council special election. I will be voting for Nusser. I hope you’ll join me.
