As Democratic candidates for president endlessly cycle through the state, it can be easy to lose sight of the city council elections happening in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids on Nov. 5. Little Village sent questionnaires to all the candidates in order to offer readers a brief profile of each. […]
Iowa City Council
Letter to the editor: Megan Alter will broaden access in an at-large council seat

Iowa City has seen dramatic changes in the last decade. Many of us are proud to see a place we love growing a little more modern. But this growth brings concerns, too, mostly boiling down to one overarching question. Why does it feel like these changes are only for the benefit of a few? We take pride in being an inclusive place, but Iowa City has […]
Letter to editor: City council is a thankless job. Thankfully, Iowa City has Laura Bergus

I can wax on about policy positions, but that’s what campaign websites and candidate forums are for. So. Let me tell you about Laura, the human I trust. I met Laura more than a decade ago when I was working as a mediator, but I have gotten to know her as a community member and, later, a friend. There is much to wonder at […]
Letter to the editor: I’m supporting Laura Bergus for Iowa City Council

As early voting at the Johnson County Auditor ramps up this week, I’m excited to cast my early ballot for Laura Bergus for an at-large seat on the Iowa City Council. I have observed Laura as a leader helping area nonprofits drive strategic initiatives, as a pro bono advocate for a client who needs a voice in our often cumbersome legal system, […]
Get on your bikes and ride with Iowa City Council candidates

While question-and-answer sessions are a standard part of an election cycle, actual cycling isn’t. But the two will be combined for the Cruisin’ with the Candidates Bike Ride on Thursday evening, sponsored by Think Bicycles of Johnson County, Bike Iowa City and the Iowa City Bike Library. The event will feature all three candidates for the two […]
Adopt or shop: The specter of puppy mills looms over local debates about pet stores

How does a dog become a pet? The ways in which an owner may meet their new best friend are as varied as dog breeds, ranging from a meticulous, months-long quest to claim a corgi from a rescue organization states away, to a neighbor casually asking if you want to pick a pup from their mutt’s latest litter. But debates around dog ownership […]
Three candidates will be on the November ballot for two at-large seats on the Iowa City Council

The field of candidates is now set for the Iowa City Council election in November. Incumbents Pauline Taylor, who represents District A, and District C’s John Thomas are both unopposed, and there are three candidates for the two at-large council seats: Megan Alter, Laura Bergus and Janice Weiner. […]
Iowa City asked to approve a $9 million TIF for a Ped Mall-adjacent apartment complex
Janice Weiner is running for the Iowa City Council

On Monday, retired diplomat Janice Weiner announced she is running for an at-large seat on the Iowa City Council. “I’m running because public service matters,” Weiner said in an announcement video on Facebook. Weiner grew up in the Iowa City area and attended Iowa City West High School, before going on to Princeton University and Stanford Law School. After 26 years in the U.S. foreign service, […]