Carberry challenges incumbents Rettig, Etheredge for two Supervisor seats

JOHNSON COUNTY - Some sarcastically call it the 'People's Republic of Johnson County,” referring to the strong Democratic political leanings here.

So it surprised some when John Etheredge of Lone Tree, a Republican, was elected to the Board of Supervisors in a special March 2013 election - the first Republican in 50 years.

But he takes the political differences in stride, referring to himself jokingly as the 'People's Republican of Johnson County” as he campaigns for re-election against two Democrats, incumbent Supervisor Janelle Rettig and challenger Mike Carberry, an environmental activist.

Etheredge, whose priorities include improving secondary roads and supporting farmers, said he knows he needs more support from Democrats this time around if he hopes to win one of the two seats in the contest. Voters will go to the polls on Nov. 4.

The candidates must contend with needs in one of Iowa's fastest growing counties, such as road work, social services and how best to develop land.

Rettig, who was elected during a January 2010 special election and re-elected to a full four-year term in November 2010, said following the land-use plan and managing costs associated with growth are at the top of her priority list.

'How do you deliver services to a growing population when your revenue stream is not necessarily increasing?” she said.

Much of the development happening is through University of Iowa or tax increment financing (TIF) districts, she said. In either case, demand on county services is increasing, but revenue is not, she said.

One solution Rettig proposes is to work to increase fees for county services, such as restaurant inspections, marriage licenses and mandated public health services.

'The state should allow us to charge fees that reflect what it takes to deliver that service,” she said.

Carberry, who has worked as a consultant for environmental causes, said sustainability is at the core of his pitch to voters.

Carberry supports infill development and developing outward from city boundaries instead of building in the middle of cornfields.

'How we grow is very very important, and our current land-use plan is a bit flawed,” he said. 'It pushes all the growth into the north corridor development area” from Iowa City limits to the Linn County line and from Highway 1 to the Iowa River.

Carberry criticized in particular a move to rezone 91 acres of agricultural land for 70 homes along Newport Road, north of Iowa City.

In that case, Rettig was one of four supporting the measure. Retting said rules should be applied evenly, and if an application meets rules and regulations, it would be questionable to deny it. Etheredge cast the lone dissenting vote.

'That's the most beautiful area of the county,” Carberry said. ' ...

The way the Board of Supervisors is moving they'd rather plant house than plant crops.”

He proposes a moratorium on rezoning and replanting.

Etheredge meanwhile said one of his goals is supporting farmers.

He said he wants to put the county's 150-acre poor farm back to use as a place smaller farmers can get portions of the land to grow crops to support the local foods market. Carberry also supports such a plan.

'I want to help people get back to the roots of Johnson County and identify their history,” Etheredge said.

Candidate Bios:

Mike Carberry

' Age: 53

' Political party: Democrat

' Hometown: Iowa City

' Current occupation: Professional environmental and sustainability advocate, owner of Green State Solutions

' Political experience: Immediate past chairman, Johnson County Democrats; long-time central committee member of the Johnson County Democrats; lobbyist

' Highest Education: Bachelor of business administration, University of Iowa; Certificate in Non-profit Management, Iowa State University

John Etheredge

' Age: 30

' Political party: Republican

' Hometown: Lone Tree

' Current occupation: Johnson Count supervisor

' Political experience: None

' Highest Education: Associate of Applied Science, Kirkwood Community College

Janelle Rettig

' Age: 49

' Political party: Democrat

' Hometown: Iowa City

' Current occupation: Johnson Count supervisor

' Political experience: Natural Resources commissioner, Iowa City Airport Commission, assistant to Rep. Jim Leach, assistant to Illinois State Rep. Dave Hultgren

' Highest Education: Bachelor of arts, Knox College, Galesburg, Ill.