Unfinished business at the polls

The 2009 election season isn't over yet in Cedar Rapids. Two important events just around the corner deserve your attention and presence in the voting booth or completion of an absentee ballot.

On Tuesday, voters in precincts 1 through 11 - southeast and southwest Cedar Rapids - will decide who serves the remaining year representing Iowa House District 33, a seat left vacant by state Rep. Dick Taylor's resignation just a month ago.

The race provides an interesting contrast between two young candidates making their first stab at elective office. Both are Cedar Rapids natives. Kirsten Running-Marquardt, 32, the Democrats' nominee, has experience working on Democratic Party campaigns and lately as Rep. David Loebsack's district representative.

The Republicans' choice is political newcomer Josh Thurston, 27, who says his combat experience in Iraq helped spur his desire to serve. Both candidates see flood recovery issues as a priority but differ on how the state has performed so far and what needs to be done.

One week after that election, a runoff event will help shape Cedar Rapids leadership.

All registered voters in the city can weigh in on one at-large seat yet to be decided. Don Karr, longtime businessman, has been critical, like Mayor-elect Ron Corbett, of the city council's extensive use of consultants during flood-recovery planning. He was a founding member of the Small Business Recovery Group.

He faces Aaron Saylor, a young Realtor who in his five years as a local resident has served on several resident committees and task forces that make recommendations to the council.

Then there's the District 3 runoff that pits incumbent Jerry McGrane, retiree, against businessman Pat Shey, the current at-large council member who switched to the district race. Their campaigns have clashed at times, trading jabs about meeting attendance, advertising tactics and voting records.

If you won't be able to get to the polls Nov. 24 and Dec. 1, absentee ballots are available at the county elections office at Linn County West, 2500 Edgewood Rd. That office also will be open until 5 p.m. Saturday.

The 2009 city election needs closure so local government is clear on voters' expectations. And District 33 needs a voice in the Legislature, where critical decisions on the state's budget crisis must be made during the 2010 session.

Those issues surely deserve a few minutes of your time.