Fighting for people, not with them, to move forward

Linn County! What an amazing place to live, work and raise our families.

Currently, construction is underway for the new Public Health and Child/Youth Development Center, additional land has been added to Squaw Creek Park, and the $40 million Water and Land Legacy Bond for our county parks system was passed by you, the voters. All this accomplished while lowering your Linn County property tax bill. I'm proud of these accomplishments, and I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to serve as your District 1 supervisor.

I believe we need to direct more money to flood protection, mental health, and reducing crime; and we must do it all with tighter budgets, without further burdening taxpayers.

It is essential that we secure flood protection for over $150 million in county infrastructure that sits on May's Island in downtown Cedar Rapids. We must work together as we are seeing rising waters threaten us with greater frequency. I believe so strongly in the need to protect taxpayer assets that I vow to keep flood protection a top priority.

As a member of the opioid steering committee, there aren't words to adequately express the urgency of the crisis facing us. The time for collective action in combating the opioid epidemic is now if we want to achieve the goal of reducing deaths. We must work together to create an Access Center for crisis intervention for those suffering from mental health issues and chemical dependency. While recognizing the origins of some problems are systemic and run deep, we need to offer solutions that provide hope to future generations.

As an active Reserve Linn County Deputy Sheriff for 40 years, I understand the importance of supporting and working together to reduce crime; that's why I voted to add nine new deputies to the sheriff's department this year.

Being entrusted to provide spending oversight of your resources is a responsibility I don't take lightly. I have voted against raising supervisor salaries while supporting essential services.

I refuse to run solely on the status quo and what has been done, and I will continue to fight for people, not with people, to reach sensible solutions.

I'm a Linn County native, born and raised in the Oak Hill Jackson neighborhood, providing a voice for all of District 1.

To keep Linn County moving forward, I ask for your support and vote on Nov. 6!

' Jim Houser is a 'no party” candidate for Linn County Supervisor, District 1

All candidate guest columns in the Linn County Supervisor, District 1 race:

' Jim Houser

' Stacey Walker