If you are elected, what are your three top priorities?
1) Commercial development and growth – with a 100 % residential growth rate over the past decade, the city needs to focus on keeping the businesses that reside here, while continuing to attract additional commercial growth. A focus on commercial development will create jobs, increase community wealth, and will grow the tax base of North Liberty. 2) Infrastructure – It is imperative that North Liberty continues to meet the needs of the residential growth, and at the same time attracts commercial development via improvements to main roads into the city, such as Highway 965 and Penn Street, while also exploring additional options to relieve congestion on these main arteries. 3) Schools – The North Corridor needs to work with the Iowa City Community School District to find a site, set a timeline, and budget accordingly for the building of a third high school. If elected, I would push to have this high school built in North Liberty for the following reasons: the land needed to accommodate the school (40-60 acres) is available, the residential growth rate is the highest in the area, and a new high school would compliment the recent building of both the local elementary and junior high schools.
What identity, vision or community character would you like North Liberty to shape or strengthen over the next four years?
North Liberty’s strong sense of family has long been a driving force in the character of this community. Over the last several years, many young, working families have moved to North Liberty in search of good schools, a safe community, and a stable economy with growth potential. As a City Council member, I would strive to strengthen the voice of the young-working family and by doing so, work to develop North Liberty’s strong sense of community character in these newcomers.
What position should North Liberty take on additional growth, whether residential, commercial, industrial, or cultural?
I believe that North Liberty needs to continue to grow residentially, commercially, and culturally to maintain the city’s standing as a great place to live and conduct business. As a City Council, we specifically need to focus on commercial development as a compliment to the tremendous residential growth over the past decade. Without strong, knowledgeable leadership working with businesses regarding the benefits of building or locating in North Liberty, and the foresight to create a viable plan to support commercial growth, the increasing purchasing power of North Liberty residents and the associated benefits will continue to leave the community.
What is the single biggest issue of concern you see facing North Liberty today?
The single biggest issue facing North Liberty is the rate of continued residential growth without the expansion of educational facilities, public services, city infrastructure, and commercial development necessary to sustain the progression of the city. It is not only the responsibility of city officials to understand and plan for this challenge, but to also proactively implement workable solutions. With proper anticipation, North Liberty can meet these challenges head-on, and create a community that will continue to grow and thrive for years in the future.
How can North Liberty shape itself as an inclusive community, for newcomers and for the various ethnic, cultural and socioeconomic populations increasingly represented here?
Like many cities, the growth of our community has included newcomers of many ethnic and cultural backgrounds. As a City Council member, it is important to recognize the diversity within North Liberty, and the benefits that this diversity brings to the entire community. By embracing principles which welcome newcomers of all ethnic backgrounds, we can build an inclusive community that will continue to attract a diversity of cultures and bring the benefits of increased awareness and acceptance to the current citizens.
