Mayors get together for GCRO Mayoral Challenge

MARION - For the last three years, to supplement the Greater Cedar Rapids Open, mayors from Linn County have come together for something other than urban planning or setting policy.

The GCRO Mayoral Challenge pits mayors - or a proxy, in Hiawatha's case - against each other in a putting contest at Hunters Ridge Golf Course for a bit of friendly competition.

“This is probably as much fun as I've had playing golf,” said Robbins Mayor Ian Cullis. “To bring all the mayors out because this is the Greater Cedar Rapids Open, I think it's added a little friendly competition between the mayors.”

The competition pitted Marion Mayor Allen “Snooks” Bouska, Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett, Hiawatha chief of police Dennis Marks, Swisher Mayor Tim Mason, Ely Mayor Jim Doyle, Mount Vernon Mayor Scott Peterson and Cullis against each other in a four-putt challenge. The golfer who was cumulatively the closest to the holes was declared the winner.

Cullis came in the two-time defending champion of the Mayoral Challenge, but was bested this year by Peterson, who was in the competition for the first time. Peterson laughed when asked about winning the competition and whether he'd like to continue to compete.

“Sure (I'll come back), if I'm invited,” Peterson said with a smile. “I don't know if they'll bring me back or not.”

More than just a fun competition, the Mayoral Challenge gives the mayors of the Corridor a chance to meet for no reason other than to enjoy themselves, as opposed to their monthly meetings where they all gather to discuss serious issues.

“I think the advantage of mayors talking is sometimes we feel like we're facing certain challenges (in our cities) or having contentious discussions about certain items, and you find out from other mayors (at an event like this) they've gone through that,” Peterson said. “You find out you have a lot in common.”

Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett echoed Peterson, saying an event like this shows citizens of the various towns that all the communities can work together.

“We get together about once a month to discuss policy in the area, so it's nice to get out of a crusty room and be outside and visit with them,” Corbett said. “A lot of times people see the communities fighting back and forth, but that's just more of a minority of the time. Most of the time we're working together.”

Maybe the best part of the Mayoral Challenge for the mayors - other than getting them out of the office - is getting their competitive juices flowing.

“Most of the time we go to meetings and there's an agenda. This is just a casual atmosphere,” Cullis said. “There's always a bit of trash-talking. It's just fun, friendly competition.”