Municipal elections are a reminder all politics is local

I became so wrapped up in federal elections and candidates that I nearly forgot local elections are in November - forgetting the Tip O'Neil adage: 'All politics is local.”

My local political complaint against present Iowa City Council members: My community, Towncrest, has no outbound bus shelters, yet has the highest count of joint-related and wheel-chair-bound disabled people. We have to wait at bus stops - standing, without shelter, year-round.

I have requested and been promised said shelters since 2016.

It is not only my community that needs these shelters. Think of Highway 6 Mall Route; and Gilbert Street Broadway and Lakeside Routes.

With climate change inclement weather is increasing and people need shelter if they are to use public transportation. And the fact that as downtown and other areas increase in population, cars cause too much congestion.

Votes and real estate taxes come mainly from the communities and the middle and working classes who take public transportation to work. And they deserve better service as well as a safe covered place to wait.

Discrimination: There is no bench at Washington and Gilbert Streets on the outbound buses side but two in front of Gabe's Bar.

Not all bus stops need shelters. Some only require benches. But where I wait, the closest shelter is four blocks away on the inbound Towncrest Route and the closest bench is 3 blocks away on the outbound.

Mary Gravitt

Iowa City