LAURIE GOODRICH

I have been a 30-year resident of Coralville and embrace the task of seeking a City Council seat. I believe this will provide me the chance to give back to the community that has provided so many opportunities to our family as well as all families in Coralville.

My immediate family consists of my husband, Jim, a daughter and two sons, their spouses and five grandchildren. Since 1984, I have been employed by a college sports ministry, and I also worked part-time as an administrative assistant at the City of Coralville from 1998-2007. While working at City Hall, I had the opportunity to gain an insight to many areas of city government along with responsibility for editing the “Coralville Connection” and as the city coordinator for the annual Coralville 4thFEST.

I have been a member of the Parks and Recreation Commission since 2009, served on the Coralville Riverfront Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee in 2011 and am currently on the Coralville Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee.

This spring, I noticed that only a few residents attended the open house for the comprehensive plan's kickoff meeting. Consequently I made a fair-minded effort to reach into the community by using five take-home packets to engage individual focus groups including college students, seniors, church attendees, educators, and neighborhoods in giving feedback to the committee. I continue to meet with residents, business owners and city department heads to search out an authentic view of things that are going well in Coralville and some of the challenges our community faces.

It is my belief we Coralville citizens can make realistic plans for our bright future.

As we plan, an important issue is debt. I believe the City Council should establish a debt management policy to be used as a guideline for moving forward. It should include paying down debt and establishing reserves. Also, I believe, the City should continue to review all steps previously established to address all points Moody's and Springsted refer to in their reports and determine plans for implementing improvement and evaluating progress.

I am very happy and proud to be a Coralville resident and I believe the mayor, City Council, city administrator and city staff are continually devoted to the wonderful quality of life we experience in Coralville. I would count it a privilege and honor to be elected to a Coralville City Council seat.

Comments: laurieagoodrich@gmail.com