Gazette's endorsement for District B, Iowa City Council

You might think that three terms on the Iowa City Council would be plenty.

But after serving 12 years, Council member Connie Champion still has things she wants to do.

And she's got the experience, temperament and background to tackle the pressing issues: violent crime, shrinking city revenues and the upcoming search for a new city manager.

That's why we endorse Champion for re-election in District B.

That's no knock on Champion's opponent, real estate agent Mark McCallum. He has valuable experience on city's Historic Preservation Commission and as a board member of the Iowa City/Coralville Convention and Visitors Bureau.

But Champion especially has the history and perspective the city needs to navigate a difficult road ahead.

With more than a decade of experience and a practical, no-nonsense style, Champion should continue to play an important council role.

She has no illusions about how difficult it will be to make necessary budget cuts in the next fiscal year.

“It's naive to think that we don't go through the budget with a fine-toothed comb every year,” she said.

Champion also has a thorough understanding of other particularly complicated city issues.

When talking about escalating violence on Iowa City's southeast side, she focused on variables the city can control - like supporting neighborhood groups and hiring more police officers for patrol and scattering low-income housing.

Champion, co-owner of a downtown Iowa City clothing store, also offers realistic suggestions when discussing recent violence and disorder in that part of town.

In her previous three terms on the Council, Champion has proved herself a competent and thoughtful councilor.

We're confident that the self-described “person with common sense” has more to offer and encourage voters to return her for a fourth term.