Hiawatha City Council: Jacob Bryan

Hello Eastern Iowans! My name is Jacob Bryan. I am a resident of Hiawatha and a Systems Engineer at a local firm. I am a graduate of the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and hold a Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering. I am an Eagle Scout and currently involved with Scouting at the district level.

I am a firm believer in peace and as of late our local government seems to be enacting violent, coercive laws and measures to erode our rights.

In my opinion, coercive laws and measures do little to protect citizens' life, liberty and property. Instead, it appears the Hiawatha City government enforces a vision of a 'better” Hiawatha through oppressive means. The city seems to abuse zoning laws to allow certain businesses to operate or disallow ‘select' businesses to operate which they deem as 'not fit” for the city. The city is also acquiring the land of honest citizens through Eminent Domain laws to give the land to other private businesses! The city keeps little if any documentation or audio of city meetings available online, and when they do, they do not write out the full text of the amendments or laws in the meeting notes! The lack of accountability and transparency disturbs me and has gone on for too long!

I offer an alternative; a future with peaceful, voluntary and transparent government. My three main areas of reform are (1) property rights, (2) informed consent and (3) taking the approach of 'Minding your own business.” After all, sometimes the best solution is nothing at all!

In an attempt to resolve some of these issues, I plan to propose the end of all zoning laws and instead have a system where neighbors are informed of new changes to adjourning property and give input to the property owner. The hope is that the property owner has minimal if any impact on his/her neighbors property value. I plan to propose an end to Eminent Domain, post as many public documents online as possible, and end close door meetings among the city council and other staff members. My goal is to strive for peaceful solutions to local problems.

' More information: jake@jakebryan.me; http://jakebryan.me