By Mike Carberry, Iowa City
President Harry Truman once said that if you wanted a friend in Washington, you should get a dog. The same could be said for politicians in Iowa City. I have lots of friends and acquaintances here in Iowa City who just happen to be elected to public office. I like them and actually consider some of them friends. I just don’t like the way they vote. I guess it’s time for me to get a dog.
Better yet, since I travel too much and local issues are so important, maybe a better option is to get a fresh set of city councilors. Candidates always tell you that they will represent the people and listen and represent them but once elected take the easy way out and take the direction given to them by city staff (also good people and many of them friends). Their constituency becomes the city staff and not the citizens of Iowa City.
A great example of this phenomenon is the rezoning of the former Kirkwood Community College property by the new owners Oral B for the future expansion of their toothbrush manufacturing facility. Many of the neighborhood residents opposed this rezoning because they have actually been harmed by the toxic fumes coming from the existing factory. The current factory is surrounded by residential neighborhoods and the residents have high incidents of health problems that are correlated to emissions from Oral B. I myself live approximately 2,500 feet from the factory and suffer from respiratory problems that came on within two years of me moving to the neighborhood.
The neighborhood brought their concerns to city council numerous times but only one city councilor voted against the rezoning. Six city councilors took the advice of city staff over the desperate pleas of the citizens holding inhalers. The three incumbents on this year’s ballot were among the six yes votes. They won’t have to live with that vote, but the residents close to Oral B will, myself included.
I therefore will be casting my three votes for Iowa City’s city council election for Newman Abuissa, Clara Reynen and Amy Hospodarsky. I have had long conversations with each of these candidates and feel confident they know who their constituents will be once elected to city council. Please join me. You can keep your friends, get a dog and live in a city where the city councilors listen to the people.
