Support Teague and Alter for Iowa City Council

Many people have asked who I support in Iowa City’s forthcoming city council election. Three people are seeking to fill two at-large positions: Bruce Teague, Megan Alter, and Jason Glass.

In my mind, there’s no question but that Bruce Teague deserves re-election. Called upon to serve as mayor just months after first being elected to the council, he has responded to the extraordinary events of the past two years with considerable grace under pressure. I don’t know whether Teague will continue being mayor next year, but whoever the council elects will benefit from having Megan Alter at his or her side. She’s smart and knowledgeable, clear about her values, and well-connected with leaders in diverse parts of the Iowa City community. And she knows how important it is to make major council decisions only after engaging in dialogue with people holding diverse perspectives. This kind of active listening and engagement is very important for a community which has been changing as much as ours and which confronts a range of difficult and interconnected challenges that fall well outside the purview of conventional city planning and management: the pandemic, racial justice, affordable housing, climate action, and child care. I’m voting for Teague and Alter, and encourage you to do so as well.

Jim Throgmorton

Iowa City