Mayor: Nick Glew

I support the Central Corridor Project. It is a critical investment in the future of Marion. It is the result of more than three years of collaboration with business owners and residents alike. We have worked together to understand the opportunities and concerns.

Today, we have new businesses moving to our Uptown. We have developers ready to invest more than $20 million into the Corridor. We have a plan that limits impact to existing businesses, which we must protect. We have a plan that does not close Seventh Avenue.

This project is about opportunity. We must provide the infrastructure (roads and sewers) that allows the heart of our community to thrive and attract new business for the next 30 years.

As construction begins in 2012, we have a plan in place to complete these improvements without increasing property taxes. This is a project designed to stimulate the growth and vibrancy of our corridor. It is a project not just for today and not just for one or two businesses. It is a comprehensive plan for the long-term success of our entire community.

As your mayor, my top priorities are fiscal responsibility, community development, economic vitality and community engagement.

The No. 1 job of your city council is to effectively manage the budget. If it is not affordable to live here, we will fail. Marion is financially sound, with a bond rating higher than ever. Our employee per capita ratio is the second lowest in the state for any city greater than 20,000 people. As mayor, I will continue to focus on fiscal responsibility.

Second is community development. The 2011 community survey supports more money for streets. Improving our sewers will mitigate flooding and backups into older parts of the community. We must plan for major street arterials such as Tower Terrace Road. This roadway is allowing Marion's largest private employer to construct a $4.5 million corporate headquarters, while adding 20 engineering jobs.

As a founding member of the IMAGINE8 process, I remain committed to these resident-initiated projects. These include a community recreation center, enhancing library services, recreational trails, and parks.

Third is economic vitality. We are the safest city (over 10,000 population) and one of fastest-growing communities in Iowa. As our nation faces tough economic times, Marion remains a bright spot. We are planning today for tomorrow's prosperity. We are partnering with private land owners and the Marion Economic Development Company to create shovel-ready sites for businesses to expand. This is how we create new jobs and reduce the tax burden. It is critical for our community, schools, businesses and residents.

Finally, we must focus on community engagement. As we move Marion forward, communicating with residents allows us to move forward together. We must explain how building North 35th Street saves us the need to construct a third fire station for more than five years. We must communicate how the Central Corridor Project is attracting millions of dollars of new construction along Seventh Avenue.

We need to be proud of the partnership among our city, schools, hospitals and the private sector that will provide a cutting-edge recreation facility for our residents, make Marion a regional destination for sports tourism and become a model for public-private partnerships.

This election is about leadership. As your mayor, I will stay focused on leading our community down a path of steady and continuous improvement. Marion is where I live and raise my family, it is where I work, and it is filled with people I am humbled to serve.

Nick Glew, at-large member of the Marion City Council, is seeking the mayor's position. He and his wife, Erica, have one daughter. He is president of the Marion-East Cedar Rapids Rotary Club and is involved several community organizations. Comments: nick@nickglew.com