I'm going to try to keep this short, as all of my picks are surely unsurprising to anyone who reads this regularly. I also think that its worth mentioning that the lack of challengers really does send a message that Davenport residents are satisfied with the direction the city is headed. When controversial items like the stormwater fee pop up, everyone wants to run for city council. When things are smooth sailing, people are content to stick with the status quo. Here are my picks, including quick blurbs about the uncontested races as well.
Mayor - Bill Gluba is a bit too much of a politician for my tastes, but he certainly is an enthusiastic cheerleader for Davenport. He deserves reelection.
At-Large - Gene Meeker and Jason Gordon. Meeker has done a good job of being the voice of experience and dignity on the council, so he certainly deserved reelection. Ian Frink has been my favorite Alderman during his time on the council, and I am sorry to see him go. He appointed Jason Gordon to the Parks Commission, and recommended him for city council as well. I'm going to trust Ian and believe that Mr. Gordon will be the most similar successor. Despite the crazy conspiracy theories about his political connections, if he can gain the respect of liberal Shelley, he can't be much of a right wing activist.
1st Ward - Nathan Brown has been a great alderman, both in representing the wishes of his ward, and being open to both sides of the amenity/infrastructure debate.
2nd Ward - I don't really know much about either of these guys. I wish Cooper was running again. For an endorsement, I will go with Bill Edmond, just because he's done a reasonable job during his partial term. I may not agree with some of his votes, but his ward probably does. At least he talks less than Hamerlinck...
3rd Ward - Bill Boom, of course. I've been a Boom supporter for years, and he's done an excellent job in his 2 years on the council. His supposed lack of responding to service request-type issues is more than made up for his big picture and teamwork skills on the council.
4th Ward - Nobody? Ambrose is a product of his time, but that time is the past. Its disapointing that he didn't have a challenger.
5th Ward - Audra Cornwell. I was able to meet her a few weeks ago, and she seems to have a good grasp of the issues facing Davenport. Bill Lynn has been considerably less terrible these past 2 years, but that doesn't eliminate the things he did in the past. Getting rid of the rental inspection department, bringing in slumlord-friendly ordinances, and consistently siding with the anti-downtown crowd aren't signs of a good Alderman. I don't know that his Libertarian agenda truly represents the wishes of the 5th ward.
6th Ward - Even though I sometimes forget his name, Jeff Justin has done a fine job on the council.
7th Ward - Barney Barnhill just keeps hanging in there. His years of experience on the council and good voting record have earned him another term.
8th Ward - Mike Matson, who recently received an award for his work with the ROTC, has been an asset to the council. With the importance of the Arsenal, hopefully his military connections can benefit all of us.
Complete Un-Endorsement: Keith Meyer. While he may well have been one of the best Alderman ever at responding to requests from his constituents about graffiti, potholes, etc, there is a lot more to being on the city council than service requests. Actively working to derail development, constantly speaking negatively about his city, arguing with city staff, and turning the council chambers into a circus are things we do not need from an Alderman. Give him a job tracking down potholes and graffiti throughout the city and maybe we can all be happy.
As far as Predictions, I will take all of my picks except for Cornwell. I hope she wins, but Lynn has been reelected when he deserved to lose too many times already. That will be the race to watch Tuesday, in my opinion.
33 comments:
What about Cornwell having a big-o sign along River Drive? That is one ofthe big issues this time around. And don't forget the Boom shirts. You have to consider that stuff.
I'm sure Cornwell would make a good alderman, but I'm going with Lynn. I don't see him as anti downtown just because he won't rubber stamp everything down there. Fisher had one of the at large guys who said he would put off the splash park to get the west end sewer built. I do not see that as anti downtown. Same thing with the "slumlord" stuff. Maybe I would do it different, but I don't think he was the lone vote on it. Same thing with Meyer.
I do think the big race is for 5th ward. I found the trash talk was a little down from previous elections, but there was also less what the candidate was going to do if elected.
Nitrous55
I think if people want to put a large sign in their yard, that is the property owners right as long as it is a temporary sign, and doesn't obstruct anyone's view of traffic/safety issues.
As far as the Boom shirt. (not shirt(s). That is such a non-issue. He has worn that shirt to EVERY council meeting for several years now. It's NOW an issue? Playing politics at election time, that's ALL this is.
Nice election prediction's QCI. I think you are right on the money!
The Duke
Disclosures are out:
Gordon: $13,228
Ortiz: $5,716
Meeker: $1,380
Cornwell: $5,640
Lynn: $3,300
What I found interesting, is $2,500 of Lynns $3,300 is from two people. The PAC that worked against Promise and $1,500 from a guy Iowa City who owns apartments in town. Can a PAC created for one thing give money for a different thing? Cornwell had pages and pages of individual donations... Interesting!
I would love to see Meeker & Gordon win at large, Cornwell in the 5th, and Boom in the 3rd.
All of those have people have good chances of winning, but not having a mayoral race at the top of the ticket will hurt turnout. Don't forget to vote Tuesday, people!
The lack of interest is good as it's a sign of success on the council, but it's bad for voter turnout. I hope people are still paying attention.
Funny thing driving by the 200 block of East Central Park is a Bill Lynn sign along with a First Financial "Rent to Own" sign. Funny how QCRAP'ers stick together. Both of Lynn's properties (Bridge and W 13th St) should be torn down.
How can Meeker only raise $1380.00 in cash, but do a $7500.00 city-wide mailing? This is why we (the city)gives $100,000 to Davenport 1?
The Times had it right with Ortiz!
I love to see all of the pouting on QCI"s blogs! I love reading these comments, how commical and lacking in facts that will greatly improve the city of Davenport! I love to hear the so-called experts! Hiding behind empty names and empty promises!
I will do the same!!
How come you experts didn't run?
Let me guess? MOMMY WONT LET YOU!
Take it easy Nitrous.
Do you think the Times really supports Ortiz or do they know Gordon will do o.k. and just want Ortiz to take votes.
5:52,
My tongue was planted firmly in my cheek about the signs and shirts. I don't care for them, but I also don't care if others have them. Though I do think it goes against "green" thinking.
The rest is how I feel about Lynn, Cornwell and Meyer.
Nitrous55
I'm working out of state until next month, so I have already voted. I did what I always do when Ambrose runs unopposed, I write in “Anyone but Ambrose”.
Qci... I agree on your choices except that
I think the times was right to choose Lynn,
even though I am no fan of the landlords
or the qcrappers. The guardian angels have
helped lower the crime rate and the fire
department seems to be doing a better
job of cracking down on slumlords then
that old group of housing inspectors did
and there doing it witha lot less
employees.
Now that the new quarter a million dollar concession stand, bathroom at the skatepark has been tagged( the bathrooms have long been taggged) maybe the City should hire Image to sit on a box and watch the place. The place is really ugly.
11:11'
The Fire Department Inspectors are the same folks from the Neighborhood Enhancement Office. You where made to think that the fire boys took it over but it's not true at all. Same folks, just less of them. Now the city is struggling to fix the inaccuracy that resulted from spreading out the NEO's duties. Proof that Lynn was doing the dirty work of the slumlords.
What are these inaccuracies?
Nitrous55
How can Meeker only raise $1380.00 in cash, but do a $7500.00 city-wide mailing? This is why we (the city)gives $100,000 to Davenport 1?
PLEASE SOMEONE ANSWER THIS?
The $1380 raised may just be money given. The rest Meeker put up. The story stated Boom put in $500 of hims own money. Maybe Meeker is willing to put in more of his own money. How do you know that the mailing cost $7500?
Don't bite my head off, just offering a suggestion and asking a question.
Nitrous55
I certainly can. The problem is neither of the numbers you mention appear to be real. He took in way more than $1380, and I see no $7500 city-wide mailing.
According to his campaign filings here he took in over $4000 in the period ending on the 21st, and took in your $1380 just in the 8 days between that filing and the 29th filing. But again, I see no mention of a $7500 expenditure of any kind. And of course, none of this has anything to do with the $100k.
qci the d1 backer and excuse machine. qci please call any candidate and ask how much a mailing like the one he did cost to be made and mailed city wide! or better yet call any printing company and get a bid! you are flat out of your mind and really have know idea then how much it costs to run a campaign these days! and once again you are are wrong if we as a city took the $100,000 away would they still give the same amount to their candidates? There also are no in-kind contributions on either filing of his! So either d1 paid for it and didnt report it as such or he missed filed and will be reported for not disclosing that expense! I feel sorry for the other candidates who are going up against the city's chamber of commerce to win a seat in davenport elections!
Back to the ol' "Its all a big conspiracy against me" whine again, I see.
You’re out of touch on the 4th ward QCI, Ambrose is my Alderman and he is awesome. If you consider having guts, caring about your constituents and helping them out is 'past our time' I can see why you have never been elected.
Obviously he must represent slightly more than half the people who vote, since he keeps getting reelected. Judging from some of his 1950's views on different types of people, he probably doesn't represent the ward as a whole though.
qci please move to the 4th ward and run against him if he is so bad and you are so great! oh wait that means your parents would have to move since you still live with mommy and daddy in their basement! grow some balls and step into the political arena! he would crush your sorry as.!
you are ducking the questions also that 10/31 9:42pm ask you dont duck the questions or you might not like the answers you will have to give! i want to hear the answers also!
The thing is, is that its hard to debate people who are borderline crazy. D1, which doesn't even exist anymore, doesn't give money to candidates. You people who think everything is a big Illuminati-type conspiracy or something, don't believe that. So how can I argue my side when your side doesn't agree on things most people feel are facts?
Instead of using real facts for your debate, you make up untrue "facts" ($7500 mailings, me living with my parents, etc) and then expect me to somehow refute them. Or maybe you know that they're not true and you're just a liar. Hard to say.
8:53:
When you express a belief that is false, fanciful or derived from deception, you are delusional.
At the least, your comments are false and certainly fanciful. Are they derived as a deception as well?
Here's a RINGING endorsement for Mr. Meyer-you want this again?
Posted on Cruisin' 2 by himself.
# Keith Meyer Says:
November 2, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Roger,
Would an effort like the following on the part of the Administration make you angry? It is all lies.If it hadn’t been you can be sure there would have been lawsuits. At the time of this memo I had only been on the Council a month and a half.
City of Davenport
City Administration
226 West Fourth Street. Davenport, Iowa 52801 Telephone: 563-326-7763 Fax: 563-326-7736 http://www.cityofdavenportiowa.com
CONFIDENTIAL
Memo February 18,2003
To: Alderman Meyer Subject: Workplace Harassment
Attached please find a copy of Section 3.21 of the Administrative Policy that deals with workplace harassment. This section of the policy was provided to all Council members at the January 10, 2004 protocols session with Corporate Counsel Thee noting that Aldermen are covered under this section of the Administrative Policy.
I am supplying this second copy to you and asking that you read it and adhere to the policy. To date, six women in City Hall have expressed concerns to me regarding your interactions with them or their office mates. Some have expressed concerns that you disrupt and interfere with their work performance, another expressed distress that you used your position as Alderman to intimidate and one of these women advised that you touched her on several, separate occasions.
Your personal conduct and conduct as an Alderman is beyond my purview. But I have a responsibility to City employees that I will not disregard regardless of your position as an elected official.
I ask you to adhere to the letter and spirit of the policy. What you may intend to be friendly conversation or gestures can be received as inappropriate and harassing behavior. Physical contact is to be avoided in all circumstances.
I hope this confidential communication resolves this matter. Should employees continue to report instances of inappropriate behavior, I will have no choice but to take further actions to protect employees and shield the City from liability.
If you would like to discuss this matter, I am available at your convenience for a confidential discussion. If you would prefer to have a peer Council member included in any such discussion, please advise.
via sealed envelope in Council mailjbox
I find it hilarious that someone making making "living with your mommny" jokes expects themselves to be taken seriously when making wild claims about fund raising.
Is is so hard to believe that through living and doing business in Davenport for over 3 decades that a man might be able to raise some money? Why is a massive conspiracy theory needed to explain how someone can raise money to the tune of what it costs to produce some mailers and commercials.
You make it sound like there's just no other way it could be possible. It just HAS to be that every auditor, chamber member, bank, local skate boarder, and copy editor in town get together and conspire to move money around in total secrecy in an effort to beat your favorite guy and out fund raise him.
Get a grip. Good lord. Please also note that your fascination with this "everyone's out to get me B.S. doesn't buy you a pass from actually stating what legitimate governance changes or policies your candidate would actually make.
God forbid Davenport have an honest, intelligent , independent Council member like Keith Meyer.
Every few months, Ambrose is quoted as explaining why he's against something going on. He'll say something like "I haven't heard one person in my ward in favor of it."
It's great now that he's on email. Now, I can just dig up the email I sent to him pleading with him to support whatever the issue is, and I can re-forward to him and ask him to explain why he claimed not to have heard it from any of his constituents, when I have proof he did.
Before he was on email it was just too big of a hassle.
How about those who just know that D1 paid for the mailings, just call a press conference and show the proof? It's not that hard. Grow a pair.
Nitrous55
Do you think that it is just a coincidence that things improved on the council as soon as Keith was removed?
And it's also not a coincidence that he got absolutely destroyed Nov. 3rd.
He and his fans can scream conspiracy all they want, but the election yesterday just made it crystal clear: no conspiracy is needed to hold you down. People simply don't like your policies and conduct. Period. The numbers speak for themselves.
I would compare it with Niky Bowles getting last place in the 2005 Mayoral primary. The whole "slow down progress" thing doesn't play well outside of a few low-numbered wards. It would have been closer if he'd gone for a rematch with Bill in the 3rd, but I think he still would have lost. Things have just been going too well since he's been gone.
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