Letter: Vernon is true advocate for Cedar Rapids

Thirty years ago my wife and I moved, with some trepidation, from Los Angeles to make a new home in Cedar Rapids. One of the very first people that we met was Monica Vernon. Our own welcoming committee, Vernon was then and always has been very proud of her hometown of Cedar Rapids.

As her family and ours grew, we witnessed the passion she has for education, service and community. This passion and her can-do attitude was exemplified when as mayor pro tem she was a leader helping Cedar Rapids through flood recovery after the devastation of 2008. Yet, this is not surprising to those of us who know her. She was one of the first of our neighbors to roll up her sleeves and help my family when the 1993 flood damaged our home.

Through these 30 years, my wife and I, and our own three children have been fortunate to call Vernon's family our friends. A true advocate for Cedar Rapids, she understands the city, its priorities and the challenges the future brings. Please join me in voting for Vernon for Cedar Rapids mayor this Nov. 7.

Steven Keane

Cedar Rapids