Iowa City candidates talk to students at forum

This was something different for an election that's a little different.

Five City Council candidates squared off Tuesday in what organizers said they believed was the first ever city election forum sponsored by the University of Iowa Student Government.

The organization's involvement makes sense considering that two candidates are UI undergraduate students, a rarity in local elections.

Those two are Jeff Shipley, 21, the UI Student Government's liaison to the council, and Dan Tallon, 20, a member of the Iowa Army National Guard.

They are vying for two at-large seats with Susan Mims, 52, a financial planner with Heartland Investment Associates, and Terry Dickens, 54, co-owner of Herteen & Stocker Jewelers.

District B candidate Mark McCallum, 49, a real estate agent, also was present. He's challenging incumbent Connie Champion, 69, who was not at the forum.

The election is Nov. 3.

Naturally, the forum - which was attended by about 25 people, nearly all of them college-aged - addressed topics that affect students.

That includes downtown violence and binge drinking. Tallon, Shipley and Dickens said they thought the police were too focused on writing tickets to underage people in possession of alcohol.

“They're putting way too much emphasis on this crime that's not against property, not against a person,” said Tallon.

Mims said having a greater police presence downtown would deter fighting.

Dickens agreed and said going after underage drinkers “becomes too much of a baby-sitting process” for bars that have already checked identification at the door.

McCallum suggested a “venue ordinance” that puts the bar entry age at 21 and older while allowing 19- and 20-year-olds in establishments with kitchens or venues for performers, like live music or comedy acts.

The candidates also discussed the relationship between the city and the UI, with all five saying it could be improved.

“Only by increasing those communications on a really regular basis can we make progress,” Mims said.

Issues about the broader community also were discussed, including the budget.

Shipley suggested selling space on downtown pillars, privatizing parking ramps and seeking voluntary funding, like fees and fundraisers, as ways to boost the city's coffers.