By Bill Cooney

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Today, voters in Iowa City will head to the polls and cast their votes among eight candidates vying for four open seats on the Iowa City City Council. The contentious election has three incumbents and five other candidates seeking four seats.
At Large: Two open seats

Tim Conroy is a local Realtor and graduate of Wheaton College in Massachusetts.

Conroy said he wants to focus on city services and affordable housing if elected to City Council.

Rockne Cole is a local attorney who graduated from the University of Iowa College of Law. Cole has advocated for historic preservation in Iowa City and has said he will focus on economic development for all residents.

Michelle Payne is finishing her first term on City Council and is seeking another term. She said she wants to focus on maintaining the city’s financial strength to continue services and ensuring an accessible and open government.

Jim Throgmorton a professor emeritus of urban and regional planning at the University of Iowa and has been a member of the council since 2012. He also served as a councilor for 26 months in the 1990s. He said he wants to focus on better connecting with members of the community.

District A: One open seat

Pauline Taylor is a former full-time nurse at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and graduated from the UI in 1974. Taylor said she would address racial issues in Iowa City as part of her campaign.

Rick Dobyns is the current incumbent for Disctrict A and is running to keep his seat on the council. Dobyns stressed the need for financial stability on the City Council in his campaign.

District C: One open seat

John Thomas is a member of the Iowa City Planning and Zoning Commission and a retired landscape architect. Thomas said in his campaign he wants to focus on the safety of streets and bike paths as well as improving the architecture of thoroughfares along neighborhoods.

Scott McDonough owns and works at construction design company McDonough Structures Inc. and also graduated from the UI Tippie College of Business in 1988. McDonough said he wants to focus on developing sustainable, affordable housing in Iowa City.

Here is a look at where votes can be cast, as well as one last look at the candidates:

Voting Locations around downtown Iowa City:

Petersen Hall

UI 

304 Grand Ave   

School of Art & Art History Building

150 Art Building West

141 N. Riverside Drive

UI Main Library

125 W. Washington St 

Mercer Park Recreation Center

2701 Bradford Drive   

Karro Athletics Hall of Fame

2425 Prairie Meadow Drive 

City Recreation Center (Lower Level East Entrance)

220 S. Gilbert St. 

Senior Citizens Center

28 S. Linn St.

Mann School

521 N. Dodge St.