Louise From named University Heights mayor

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS - Former council member and mayor Louise From was appointed University Heights mayor on Monday night by a majority vote of the City Council.

From previously served 10 years as the city's mayor and another 12 as a council member. She is expected to remain mayor until after November's municipal election and a new mayor is elected.

However, voters could force an election now by filing a petition, with 69 signatures, within the next 14 days.

From was selected from a pool of four candidates. Residents Nick Herbold and Erin Sheffield and council member Dotti Maher also applied and were nominated to the position.

The vacancy occurred after Wally Heitman resigned as mayor last month, citing personal reasons.

While Heitman didn't share those reasons, he'd hinted at leaving before after a public records dispute with City Council member Susan Quezada last year.

One topic of discussion was whether From intended to run for mayor in November's regular election.

Mayor Pro Tem Jerry Zimmermann said he'd support From if she promised not to seek election, which sparked debate among some of the roughly two dozen residents in attendance.

Zimmermann, calling it a political statement, said this promise would be a good compromise for those who want to 'turn the page” in University Heights.

From agreed her commitment is to serve no longer than the 10 months remaining on the term.

'I think she could walk into this position and do it well,” Zimmerman said. 'But I think the nature of the history and where I think this should go is with a new group of people who have a vision.”

During her presentation to council, From cited her experience in city government.

'The work of mayor takes considerable time, experience and expertise,” From said. 'Unfortunately, it is not a position that allows for on-the-job training.”

Council members Mike Haverkamp, Jim Lane and Zimmermann voted in favor of From's appointment. Quezada voted for Herbold. Maher, who'd put her name forward for the mayor's job, abstained.

University Heights, with a population of approximately 1,000, is a city tucked inside Iowa City, west of the University of Iowa campus.

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