As a member and coach of the U.S. National Rowing Team, I have been around some exceptionally mentally and physically tough people. I am voting for Brianna Wills for Iowa City Council because her strength rivals any world-class athlete I have known. […]
By Nolan Petersen, Iowa City There is no shortage of opinions about the upcoming city council election in Iowa City, but it seems there is a gap in the conversation: the identities of the candidates. With the field of candidates that is 80 percent white to fill a seat previously held by a black man, […]
In my 33-year career as a city planner I served in cities across the country: from Midland, Texas to Kansas City, Missouri to Windsor, Connecticut and Iowa City. I worked with scores of planning commissioners who volunteered enormous time for their cities’ betterment. Of all of these, Ann Freerks impressed me as being the most dedicated and thoughtful. […]
I intend to vote for Christine Ralston for Iowa City City Council. It took Christine less than five minutes at the farmers market to convince me that this brilliant and inquisitive soul, that I have grown to appreciate as a friend over several years, was the right person for this job. Our conversation included her briefly sharing her sensibilities about certain policies (her support for a higher minimum wage, her perspective on the use of TIF). […]
Early voting for the Sept. 4 primary in the Iowa City Council special election began on Wednesday, and voters will be able to cast an in-person vote at the Johnson County Auditor’s office through Friday, Aug. 31. Requests for mail-in absentee ballots for the five-candidate primary must be received by the Auditor’s office no later […]
Voters got an unusual opportunity to hear political candidates discuss the personal things that inform their public policy proposals during a forum at the Mill on Monday. All five candidates in Sept. 4 primary for the special election to fill the empty at-large council seat — Ann Freerks, Ryan Hall, Christine Ralston, Bruce Teague and Brianna Wills — participated in the forum organized by Daniel Boscaljon, as part of his new series of public discussions of important issues, Coffee with Dan. […]
I met Christine while she was a professional mediator. I watched her skillfully navigate tough disputes by guiding meaningful conversations. What struck me first was how well Christine listens: without an ego or a personal agenda, but with deep care and compassion. Since then, I’ve worked with Christine on other projects, especially in her art, her support of local nonprofits and as a champion of recent UI graduates. My experiences show Christine is more than just a smart person who listens well. […]
Ryan Hall ran a credible campaign for Iowa City Council last year as he came close to defeating an incumbent councilor. For the past year, Hall has continued to actively advocate for affordable housing, energy efficiency and a bus system to better accommodate second shift workers and those with special needs. He is now a candidate for city council in the Sept. 4 primary, and he has my vote. […]
It’s only appropriate that in a somewhat unusual election, the election’s first candidates forum would also be somewhat unusual. So, instead of the audience submitting questions and candidates reciting answers, the candidates will be asking questions and listening to answers of people attending the forum at The Mill on Monday. […]
When I first met Brianna Wills in 2013, she impressed me with her keen understanding of the inherent relationship between education and housing in our community. She never shied away from asking tough questions or standing her ground in a spirited discussion, but she was always interested in finding genuine solutions to problems.
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Brianna Wills works tirelessly for her community through a variety of service groups. Whether she is delivering Meals on Wheels, or serving as Parent Teacher Student Organization vice president or president, co-president for the Districtwide Parents’ Organization or the keynote speaker at Dance Marathon, Brianna is committed to making the lives of those around her better. […]
Ann Freerks announced on Thursday she is running for the vacant at-large seat on the Iowa City Council. Although it’s Freerks’ first run for public office, she’s no stranger to city government. Freerks, who has lived in Iowa City for 33 years, served on the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission for 17 years. Before that […]
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