Letter: Vanorny is proven progressive

For years, Ashley Vanorny has done her utmost to be a servant to the public, but this has not been contingent on being elected to office.

She began her professional career as a youth worker at Four Oaks, is actively involved with the Junior League of Cedar Rapids and is a perennial participant in every official proceeding that is of any consequence to local governance. She also has a broad academic background, which includes healthcare administration, political science, psychology, and criminal justice. So, she is prepared to faithfully carry out her duties of office.

Her personal family history, though, is one characterized by farming and the toil of union-affiliated workers, which has made the tragic qualities of the human experience as plain as day. So, she will not fall victim to the bigotry that sometimes comes with higher educational attainment. In practice, this would mean that she would not be a fair-weather friend of affordable housing projects and supporting the prudent use of public funds to protect against a 100-year flood.

Of particular importance is her vehement opposition to the recent attempt by the Cedar Rapids City Council to use 'pedestrian safety” as a pretext to draconian measures to crack down on panhandling, making offenders liable for as much as 30 days in jail and a fine.

In sum, she will be a constant and indefatigable progressive that serves the interests of everyone of good conscience, and all that deserve mercy.

Scott Roland

Cedar Rapids