The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

8 aim for council spots

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Eight candidates seek to fill 4 spots on the Iowa City City Council.

By Jake Slobe
[email protected]

The filing period to become a candidate for the Iowa City City Council ended Aug. 27, leaving eight candidates bidding for four seats.

The City Council consists of seven members; four represent the city at-large, and three represent districts. The next council election will be held Tuesday, November 3. Openings on the council will be for two at-large seats and seats in Districts A and C.

Here is a brief look at the eight candidates who will be running:

At-Large:

Rockne Cole

  • Graduated from the University of Iowa College of Law and is a local attorney.
  • Candidate for City Council in 2013 but failed to win a seat.
  • Strong supporter of Johnson County’s recent minimum-wage proposal.
  • Proposed re-thinking mass transit strategies, stating the need to identify high volume routes and add additional buses during peak hours.

 

Jim Throgmorton (Incumbent)

  • Throgmorton is finishing a four-year term on the council as District C representative and is now running for an at-large seat.
  • Has stated he will continue to support a more open government while increasing the investments toward city resources in order to benefit lower-income residents.
  • Has a Ph.D. in regional and urban planning from UCLA and taught at the UI.

 

Tim Conroy

  • Graduated from Wheaton College in Massachusetts and is a local realtor.
  • Stated he is excited to listen to the concerns and interests of Iowa City citizens.
  • Member of the UI Museum of Art Member’s Council and the Iowa City Downtown Rotary Chapter.

 

  • Michelle Payne (Incumbent)
  • Currently serving her first term on the council and seeking a re-election for a second term.
  • Works as a program manager at MidAmerican Energy and also serves on the Iowa City Economic Development Committee and the Johnson County Municipal Planning Organization.
  • Supported adding one hour of free parking downtown and lowering lowering property-tax levies.

 

District A:

Rick Dobyns (Incumbent)

  • UI clinical professor of family medicine and is also a family physician.
  • Previous achievements while on the council include advocating economic recovery in Iowa City and establishing a coalition among the council to help respond to concerns of racial inequality in Iowa City.

 

Pauline Taylor

  • Graduated from the UI and is currently a nurse at the UIHC.
  • Founding members of Service Employees International Union Local 199.
  • Has proposed the need for racial equality for and affordable housing.

 

District C

Scott McDonough

  • Owner of the design and construction company McDonough Structures Inc. and a graduate of the UI Tippie College of Business.
  • Wants to see a strong, broad economic landscape in Iowa City.
  • Board president for the Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity. Also has served on the Johnson County Affordable Homes Coalition.

 

John Thomas

  • Former member of the Iowa City Planning and Zoning Commission. Term ended in May.
  • Says he will push for more accessible government as well as improving the city’s private investment.
  • Is a strong advocate for improving Iowa City’s schools and has served as coordinator for the North Side Neighborhood Association.

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