CR Council District 3: Gazette endorses McGrane

Cedar Rapids City Council District 3 is home to some of the city's most historic, tightknit and troubled urban neighborhoods. Representing it means hitting the streets, getting involved, connecting with residents and understanding their problems.

We think those necessities play to incumbent City Council member Jerry McGrane's strengths. And we believe he should get another term.

McGrane is the only member of the council directly impacted by the flood of 2008, which destroyed his home. That personal experience is an asset, as well as his time on the council as the city sought to deal with the aftermath of the disaster.

McGrane has been an active, engaged and accessible member of the council, with involvement in a long list of organizations. We agree with his effort to encourage city government to do more business with local firms.

And at times, McGrane has been willing to publicly challenge the status quo, urging the council to move faster. He is concerned about what he sees as the council's overly deferential relationship with the city manager.

McGrane's words, however, are only one step in pushing for change. We hope that in his next term, McGrane becomes a more effective, assertive advocate for his city and district. We'll be expecting more results.

Picking a candidate to support in this race was difficult.

Candidate Pat Shey took the unusual step of leaving his at-large council seat to run against McGrane in District 3. We admire Shey's command of important issues and ability to clearly articulate new ideas. But at this point, we think McGrane's experience makes his connection to the district stronger.

A third candidate, Kathy Potts, has been a passionate voice for residents she contends have been forgotten. But beyond leveling strong criticism of the council, she has offered few new ideas for how to change direction.