Bruce Teague for Iowa City Council: We have much more to accomplish

Over the last two years we have experienced tremendous challenges together. I have faced many difficult decisions as your mayor. With each decision, I have relied upon my deep faith in a higher power and in our community. I sought your guidance, listened to many voices and acted with courage.

When I first ran for council in 2018, I campaigned on the vision of Iowa City being a “Human Rights City.” I asked you to imagine with me: What does it mean to be a safe city where every resident has their basic needs met? What can we accomplish if Iowa City is a supportive city where every resident is free to be their awesome and amazing self?

No one could have anticipated the ways our commitment to those values would be tested. The pandemic highlighted economic vulnerabilities and strained our infrastructure. The murder of George Floyd caused us to reckon with racism and its impact on every aspect of our community. Our trust in each other was tested.

Two life-changing crises, and we have just begun to chart our path forward. We’ve marched, cried, sung, yelled, celebrated, disagreed, spoken out, stayed apart, come together. As your mayor, it’s been my responsibility to keep everyone safe and engaged in the face of overwhelming fear and uncertainty. I hope my actions have demonstrated how important you are to me.

Because of you, I’m energized to continue our ambitious work together. We have much more to accomplish on social justice, policing, COVID recovery, sustainability and climate action.

I’ve never been more certain that we can achieve an Iowa City that is a beacon of collaboration, innovation and prosperity. I hope I’ve earned your trust and the chance to serve you for another four years.

Bruce Teague is a candidate for Iowa City Council.