A call for more change in Cedar Rapids

Change is always around us — and within us. Whether fast or slow, change is often inevitable. In fact, my most meaningful growth experiences — personal and professional — have come along when I embraced change with grace. That could be said of Cedar Rapids also.

This week, Tamara Marcus announced she is running for the City Council District 3 seat. A former Fulbright scholar and recipient of multiple fellowships, Tam serves as the first Sustainability Program Manager for Linn County. At the beginning of 2020, she was preparing to head to Sweden to pursue her research in environmental change. But with the pandemic, those plans changed. Instead of continuing her Ph.D. research on location, she returned to Cedar Rapids, where she had graduated from Kennedy High School, before completing college and beginning postgraduate studies.

I am grateful that the disruption afforded me the opportunity to work alongside Tam, who also serves as president and co-founder of Advocates for Social Justice (ASJ). My involvement with the grassroots organization came when ASJ leaders and City representatives were deliberating seven “demands” to bring about racial equity. Initial discussions were tense, but ultimately, in less than one month, City Council unanimously approved a resolution supporting all seven items.

I then became part of the ASJ subgroup that worked with city staff over several months to design a Citizen Review Board ordinance, which in February, the City Council also approved unanimously. I witnessed Tam’s tenacity and diplomacy and was impressed time and again with her command of issues new to her. She also was instrumental in building widespread community relationships to advance the work of ASJ.

I want to be clear that the District 3 seat is one of three seats that will be up for reelection in November. The incumbent is the venerable Dale Todd. Over the years, Dale has served the city as council member, commissioner of parks and public property, and dozens of community groups. Dale is admired and rightfully so. In fact, he has been very supportive of my family. Dale also coached me on engaging in local initiatives when I came back to Cedar Rapids. Considering the change that is underway with matters of social equity and the issues of our local economy and environment, I am convinced it is time for a change in District 3.

I am supporting Tam and would love to see Dale support her also. Tam possesses the intellect, civic experience, and community orientation to anticipate the needs of Cedar Rapidians. My favorite definition of leadership is “leadership is influence,” which I have adapted from author John Maxwell. In a very short time, Tam has not only influenced me, but many others throughout our region. I am proud to recognize her as part of a movement of young adults who are committed to accelerating the pace of change.

Anne Harris Carter of Cedar Rapids is a community volunteer.