O’Donnell: It’s time to stop being ‘OK’ with ‘OK’ in Cedar Rapids

On Nov. 2, we had tremendous voter turnout and 11,023 of you supported me to be the next mayor of Cedar Rapids! Voters from across Cedar Rapids — 36 of 44 precincts in all four quadrants — said they were ready for new, positive leadership to move Cedar Rapids forward, together.

For me, this election has always been about Cedar Rapids. It’s been my home for the past 20 years and the home of my husband Michael’s family for generations. We moved home in 2001 to raise our growing family in the place we knew would give our kids the support, opportunity and perspective to be successful in life. As we look forward, it’s our job to make sure Cedar Rapids is that place for generations to come.

Cedar Rapids is poised to do great things — with the right leadership. We lived through more than our share of “once-in-a-lifetime” challenges. We met each with courage, perseverance and optimism like we always do. Unfortunately, it also meant we haven’t moved forward like we should have as the second-largest city in the state. It’s time we stop being “OK” with “OK,” start expecting more and move forward together.

We need leadership who understands all of Cedar Rapids and seeks out ideas from people of all backgrounds. We need leadership who brings people together and builds coalitions. We need a mayor who knows where we’ve been and has a vision of where we can go together, and has relationships beyond our city to make sure Cedar Rapids has a seat at the table. We need leadership who can tell our story wherever it needs to be told. We need leadership who puts aside partisan politics and focuses on what’s best for Cedar Rapids. I am that leader.

Seven years ago, I left a 20-plus-year career in TV news to lead Women Lead Change, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing women business leaders. We’ve helped more than 20,000 women grow their careers and their stories inspire me. As the chief executive officer, I run our nonprofit like a business. I get up every day knowing that I have an organization that depends on my leadership. I have staff with families who count on that organization for a paycheck. Under my leadership the organization has tripled in size and scope. I couldn’t be prouder of my team’s work.

Over the last 20 years, I’ve demonstrated my commitment to our community through my work with organizations across the city. The list is long, ranging from NewBo City Market to Revival Theatre Company, The Iowa Children’s Museum to the Museum of Art, and more. And, most recently, ConnectCR and Hall-Mar Village.

I believe that the experience I’ve gained over a lifetime has led me to this moment. If you want to know what I’ll do over the next four years as mayor, look at what I’ve done for the past 20. Similarly, if you want to know how I’ll lead, look at how I’ve run my campaign. From the start I committed to running a positive, forward-looking campaign that is laser-focused on Cedar Rapids. No partisan politics, no special interests, no activist agendas.

My agenda is making Cedar Rapids the envy of the state and region, a hub for entrepreneurial innovation, a place to safely raise a family and a destination to enjoy that Fifth Season we’ve heard so much about! It’s about Cedar Rapids. It’s not up to anyone else. Let’s do it together.

I humbly ask for your vote again on Nov. 30.

Tiffany O’Donnell is a candidate in the Nov. 30 runoff election for Cedar Rapids mayor.

Opinion content represents the viewpoint of the author or The Gazette editorial board. You can join the conversation by submitting a letter to the editor or guest column or by suggesting a topic for an editorial to editorial@thegazette.com