Coralville mayor holds onto seat

CORALVILLE - Mayor Jim Fausett, who has led the city since 1996, held onto his seat Tuesday, beating his opponent by just 19 votes.

“We will continue what we've been doing with the Iowa River Landing and Costco – anything we can do to make the quality of life better for Coralville residents,” Fausett said.

Fausett had 792 votes, or 50 percent, and challenger John Weihe had 773 votes, or 49 percent.

Weihe, an optometrist who has served on council since 1996, said the vote was close because he and Fausett have similar views. He won't rule out a future bid for mayor.

Fausett, 79, a retired administrator in the University of Iowa College of Dentistry, was first elected to Coralville City Council in 1978. During his tenure, Coralville opened Coral Ridge Mall in 1998 and a half-dozen big box stores, more than tripling taxable sales from $155.3 million in 1996 to $549.7 million in 2006.

Incumbent City Council Member Mitch Gross, a West High teacher and coach, secured his position with 1,281, or 80 percent, of the votes cast. Jill Dodds, a child care provider, beat fellow challenger Lynn Snyder 55 percent to 42 percent.