The year started with reactions to the new Trump administration — some involving careful city council deliberations, one involving fire — and such reactions continue throughout 2017. The year also saw elections for the school board, followed very quickly by a major change in leadership after the new board was sworn in. There were also city elections. In Cedar Rapids, voters had to choose a replacement for Mayor Ron Corbett, who decided to run for governor, instead of reelection. Iowa City made history by electing Mazahir Salih to the city council, the first Muslim to serve on the council and likely the first Sudanese-American woman elected to office in the entire country. In a preview of what is to come in 2018, Iowa City native son and LGBTQ activist Zach Wahls announced a run for state senate just before Christmas.
2017 elections
Posted inCommunity/News
Voters will choose between Vernon and Hart for Cedar Rapids mayor on Tuesday
Voters choosing between Monica Vernon and Brad Hart in Tuesday’s run-off election for mayor of Cedar Rapids will find the candidates have much in common. Both list improving flood protection, fixing the city’s streets, fostering economic development and working with neighborhood associations to strengthen communities as priorities. At a candidate’s forum, neither expressed any current interest in serving more than one term, and both said they would not have run if Mayor Ron Corbett had sought reelection. Vernon and Hart even use the same phrase (“can-do”) on their campaign websites to describe the spirit of Cedar Rapids.
Posted inCommunity/News
The 2017 elections brought a historic win, a surge of write-in votes, a mayoral runoff and more to Johnson and Linn counties
The morning after winning a seat on the Iowa City Council, Mazahir Salih was up early working to support one of the causes she believes in. She testified before the Johnson County Board of Supervisors on community IDs, even though she’d barely had any sleep.
Posted inCommunity/News
Get out and vote: Iowa City Council candidates vie for District B and two at-large seats
Three candidates are running for two at-large seats and two candidates are running for the District B seat. Polls are open until 8 p.m. in Johnson County. Find your polling station on the county website.
Posted inLetters
Letter to the editor: Susan Mims is ‘a strong leader who deserves Iowa City’s continued support’
Susan Mims is a leader we need in Iowa City.
Posted inLetters
Letter to the editor: ‘Vote Hall for sensible use of TIF’
Ryan Hall has a campaigned on a number of issues that I wholeheartedly support: family friendly neighborhoods, strong local foods policy, transparency and a strong local economy, which is essential for everyone to thrive. But I was most impressed by his approach to tax increment financing policy.
Posted inLetters
Letter to the editor: ‘We need Susan’s talent and leadership’ on the Iowa City Council
I would like to express my complete and enthusiastic support to re-elect Susan Mims in the Nov. 7 City Council election.
Posted inCommunity/News
‘This is about a movement’: District B candidate Ryan Hall wants to bridge the gap between students and others in Iowa City
University of Iowa undergraduate Ryan Hall said he believes his candidacy for the District B city council seat can help bridge what he sees as a gap between students and other residents of Iowa City. “A lot of the struggles that students are going through—the affordable housing crisis, paying way too much of the little money that they have trying to put a roof over their head—also effects our poor and working class in Iowa City,” Hall told Little Village. “So, if we bridge those gaps with the students and the residents of Iowa City to find solutions and build up the movement that is needed to build the voices, [and] the power of our local people really effect change.”
Posted inLetters
Letter to the editor: Susan Mims plays an ‘indispensable role’ on the Iowa City Council
No one works harder than Susan Mims. She plays an under appreciated and indispensable role on the city council — progressive on the issues, yet watchful over our tax dollars and mindful of the threats posed by cuts in state and federal funding.
Posted inLetters
Letter to the editor: Mazahir Salih and Ryan Hall are ‘two dynamic progressive leaders’
Elections are not only about policies of each candidate. Others have identified their progressive platforms. I want to focus on their character.
Posted inLetters
Letter to the editor: Iowa City Council candidate Ryan Hall ‘will bridge that gap’ between city and university
Iowa City and the surrounding areas are something of a “company town,” and the “company” is the University of Iowa. They are our lifeblood, and students have always, and will continue to, provide boundless energy, excitement, ideas and money to our area.
Posted inCommunity/News
Eight candidates vie for the Cedar Rapids mayor’s office in the Nov. 7 election
There are eight candidates vying for mayor of Cedar Rapids, ranging in age from 27 to 71 and representing a variety of backgrounds and professions. Here’s a brief look at your options when you enter the voting booth on Nov. 7.
