Endorsements for Johnson County supervisor

In Johnson County, five candidates are vying for two seats on the Board of Supervisors, including Republicans Jammie Bradshaw and Phil Hemingway, no-party candidate Eric Heick and Democrats V Fixmer-Oraiz and Supervisor Jon Green. Our endorsements go to Fixmer-Oraiz and Green.

Fixmer-Oraiz’s campaign has the backing of an impressive array of organizations, unions and local elected officials past and present. Fixmer-Oraiz’s top priorities include advocating for “safe, affordable and decent housing,” with a focus on the struggles of mobile home communities dealing with dharp rent increases imposed by out-of-state owners.

Fixmer-Oraiz would champion “Inclusive economic development.”

“Our Black, Latinx, and immigrant residents are increasingly calling our county home and want to start businesses. We can create a more inclusive business community by reducing barriers and establishing multilingual, culturally competent county offices,” Fixmer-Oraiz wrote in our questionnaire.

Climate sustainability and resilience is another priority for Fixmer-Oraiz. “We need to plan for a future where we are resilient in the face of floods, tornadoes, and public health pandemics. As an environmental planner, I have the experience to lead our preparations,” Fixmer-Oraiz wrote in our questionnaire.

Fixmer-Oraiz opposes the use of eminent domain authority to take land for carbon capture pipeline projects, citing the risk of environmental damage and harm to residents.

Green also opposes carbon capture pipelines, which he calls “greenwashing boondoggles,” while also putting strong local pipeline regulations in place should the Iowa Utilities Board approve the projects.

“The proposed pipelines would do little to nothing to mitigate our climate woes, they will only siphon federal tax credits into the already deep pockets of those proposing them,” Green wrote in our questionnaire.

Green contends the county’s lack of debt puts it in a unique position to help drive the development of affordable housing, along with local government partners. Green believes the county should require builders in unincorporated areas of the county to use modern septic systems and wells.

As a rural resident and former mayor of Lone Tree, Green understands the natural friction between the needs of urban residents and those living in rural areas and small communities. “As a former mayor I understand Johnson County has access to resources well beyond most of our municipal partners, and I am a strong proponent for sharing those resources when appropriate,” Green wrote.

Green said he would support a new jail, but only if the new facility remains at current capacity. He opposes the purchase of a new armored vehicle requested by the sheriff’s office, basing part of his opposition on a lack of policies that would govern the vehicle’s use.

Beyond our endorsed candidates, we also think Republican Phil Hemingway is a strong candidate, given his extensive budgeting experience acquired as a member of the Iowa City School Board.

(319) 398-8262; editorial@thegazette.com