10 candidates share their visions for North Liberty

NORTH LIBERTY — The 40 or so North Liberty residents at a candidate forum Monday night wanted to know candidate ideas about growing the business base, infrastructure and public safety facilities to match the city's rapid population growth.

Three people are running for mayor and seven for City Council in an April 25 special election. The council term lasts through 2019. The mayor's job will be on the ballot again in the November municipal election.

Marisa Keeney, 45, said she hasn't decided who to vote for and felt the forum, sponsored by the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce at the North Liberty Community Library, was informative.

Keeney said she's looking for candidates who have an understanding of the city's most pressing issues and the experiences that make them qualified for city office.

For her, she said, the most important issues are that North Liberty is prepared for continued growth and that the schools there — part of the Iowa City school district — get the support they need to be successful.

The City Council opening came about after former Mayor Amy Nielsen was elected to the Iowa House of Representatives. She resigned, and the council appointed council member Terry Donahue as mayor, meaning he had to resign his council seat. After that appointment, mayoral candidate Matthew Pollock filed a petition triggering the special election.

Polling is 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. April 25 at the North Liberty Recreation Center, 520 W. Cherry St., with early voting available at the Johnson County Auditor's Office.

MAYOR

During the forum, Donahue emphasized his 'personal values' of integrity, honor, honesty and courage. He said that while everyone has their own interests or beliefs, the North Liberty community is 'supposed to be one.'

'Our community should at no time be judgmental of any group of individuals,' Donahue said. 'Our community is one that accepts the fact that people move here for a reason, and we must move ahead and recognize those reasons, those needs, those wants, by all people who are here.'

Current council member Chris Hoffman touted his roughly 10 years of experience on the council and his deep roots in the community — with family, friends and jobs all in the city. He said after his second year on the council, he realized that one day he wanted to run for mayor.

'I've been a part of every decision and dollar spent in North Liberty since 2008,' he said. 'I've helped entire neighborhoods go from concepts on paper to reality in backyards. I've helped businesses stake their claim and grow and prosper in North Liberty.'

Pollock said he wanted to run for mayor because he 'saw a need for someone to voice the opinions of the people.' When he went to a council meeting, he said, the only ones who attended, besides the council, were a newspaper reporter and himself.

'As a member of the community, I just want to make sure I was there consistently to express my opinion and to express the opinions of the people I talk with,' Pollock said. 'When the mayor's position became open, I wanted to make sure I forced the special election so that way people could voice their opinion.'

CITY COUNCIL

The seven council candidates introduced themselves and answered questions about promoting business growth, supporting co-ops and creating affordable senior housing.

Jessica Beck said she believes the council should 'accurately represent' the community, many of whom are young families and first-time homebuyers.

Jennifer Goings said she's running because she can 'fully accept' that challenges come with the seat.

Nic Gulick said he sees North Liberty as a 'blank canvas,' with a lot of opportunity if the community comes together.

Gerry Kuhl touted his 15 years of experience on the council and said he has a vision that includes public safety and transportation, among other issues.

Sarah Madsen said she decided to run because North Liberty deserves a 'diligent and thoughtful leader,' which she believes she could be.

Mike Mbanza said he founded the nonprofit, Path of Hope, and now he's running for office to simply help people.

Faraz Shah, citing concerns of economic disparity, said he wants to ensure the city's growth provides inclusivity and equity for all its residents.

Here is a look at the candidates running for North Liberty City Council and mayor in an April 25 special election:

MAYORAL CANDIDATES

Terry Donahue

Age:

70

Professional experience:

Rehabilitation counselor and supervisor for the state of Iowa, economic development director for Union County, associate warden for administration at Iowa Medical and Classification Center in Oakdale.

Political experience/community service:

Current mayor and former North Liberty City Council member and mayor pro tem; city of Creston council member for nine years and mayor for 14 years.

Key issues:

Manage needs of growing community (water, sewers, road construction); focus on public safety, such as the needs of police department and switch fire department from volunteer to paid.

Family:

Married to Robbie.

Chris Hoffman

Age:

43

Professional experience:

Business developer for Moxie Solar.

Political experience/community service

: North Liberty City Council member for two years; multiple boards or committees, such as UNESCO City of Literature.

Key issues:

Create emphasis on environmental issues (water conservation, recycling and reuse programs, efficient utilities); encourage development of North Liberty identity and sense of community; improve roads and water quality.

Family:

Married to Valerie; two daughters.

Matthew Pollock

Age:

28

Professional experience:

Marketing and development for nonprofit Horizons.

Political experience/community service:

North Liberty Community Pantry committees, Meals on Wheels, Go the Distance for Crime Victims 5k.

Key issues:

Increase activities for families (dog parks, running trails, bike paths); improve traffic infrastructure.

Family:

Married to Tiffany; one son, one daughter.

COUNCIL CANDIDATES

Jessica Beck

Age:

29

Professional experience:

Johnson County general assistance program services.

Political experience/community service:

Coordinator for Project Homeless Connect & Stand Down.

Key issues:

Finalize a schedule for building a new police station; promote creation of more affordable before- and after-school programs; support access to social services.

Family:

Married to Eric; two daughters.

Jennifer Goings

Age:

33

Professional experience:

Pharmacist, outpatient pharmacy manager for Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids.

Political experience/community service:

Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce new business ambassador.

Key issues:

Attract and retain new businesses; improve infrastructure and transit; improve police station and provide more resources to first responders.

Family:

Single.

Nic Gulick

Age:

29

Professional experience:

Realtor

Political experience/community service:

Big Brothers and Big Sisters.

Key issues:

Help create and provide continued support for small businesses; build community.

Family

: Married to Samantha; one daughter.

Gerry Kuhl

Age:

74

Professional experience:

Retired certified public accountant, founder of Kuhl Phillips & Jans Inc.

Political experience/community service:

North Liberty City Council member for nine years, acting mayor for one year; active in Lutheran church and multiple boards or committees, such as State of Iowa City Finance Committee.

Key issues:

Complete widening of Highway 965; build new police station; hire full-time fire chief, a youth services coordinator and a senior services coordinator; improve transportation system.

Family:

Married to Marilu; two adult sons, grandchildren.

Sarah Madsen

Age:

38

Professional experience:

In-house attorney for TrueNorth Cos.

Political experience/community service:

Junior Achievement volunteer, Dance Marathon fundraiser, teaches financial literacy to Iowa City students, volunteers on political campaigns.

Key issues:

Improve infrastructure, including fire and police resources; improve connectivity of roads and neighborhoods; increase and improve parks and recreational opportunities; promote new commercial development.

Family:

Married to Shane; one son and one daughter.

Mike Mbanza

Age:

30.

Professional experience

: Founder, executive director of Path of Hope, immigration legal representative.

Political experience/community involvement:

District and state delegate for presidential candidate Bernie Sanders.

Key issues:

Be proactive with city's population growth and public safety (preventing gun violence and promoting police partnerships).

Family:

Married to Maryann, two children.

Faraz Shah

Age:

32

Professional experience:

Co-founder, co-owner and chief design officers for Flow Media.

Political experience/community service:

Encourages Corridor start-ups and entrepreneurs, supports Iowa fashion Project.

Key issues:

Build and promote diversity in North Liberty; create a richer culture; support the arts.

Family:

Married to Brittanie, one son and one daughter.

l Comments: (319) 339-3172; maddy.arnold@thegazette.com