Stick with experience at City Hall

Cedar Rapids voters will help shape how Iowa’s second-largest city addresses its housing shortage, downtown revitalization and long-term flood control when they head to the polls Nov. 4. Two contested City Council races — including the mayor’s office — will help set that course.

In the race for mayor, incumbent Tiffany O’Donnell and Myra Bradwell are on the ballot. Also, District 1 Council member Marty Hoeger is being challenged by Sam Wilson, a non-profit partnership coordinator.

For mayor, The Gazette endorses O’Donnell.

Bradwell failed to fill out a candidate questionnaire, which is major part of our endorsement process. O’Donnell completed a survey and receives our support.

O’Donnell was a visible and accessible mayor during her first term. She led the charge on numerous initiatives, including the effort to build a casino in Cedar Rapids. O’Donnell views the project as part of transforming downtown into an events and entertainment destination, following the many workers who didn’t return to their downtown offices post-pandemic.

O’Donnell said her top priorities for Cedar Rapids include “smart growth” that supports both existing businesses and new ventures, a stubborn shortage of affordable, gap, and market-rate housing, and what she calls “quality of place.”

O’Donnell said quality of place includes, “Specifically, activating our river and greenway, investing in arts, culture, downtown and public safety,” O’Donnell said.

“I’m proud that under my leadership, Cedar Rapids secured record levels of public funding for both the east and west sides of the river, progress that had eluded our city for years,” O’Donnell said regarding flood protection.

In District 1, it’s Hoeger’s experience vs. Wilson’s unique vision for city government.

“My campaign is guided by three pillars: increasing health and housing stability, aligning with best practices of animal welfare, and cultivating a safe and sustainable community,” Wilson said in her survey.

“Homelessness, Neighborhood stabilization, Affordable housing options for all citizens. Flood Control System Economic growth for existing and new companies to the community,” Hoeger wrote when asked about his priorities. Hoeger has worked in his previous terms on the city’s development committee, prioritizing neighborhood development.

In the end, we decided to stick with Hoeger’s experience. He gets our endorsement.

Asked about how to address the city’s housing shortage. Hoeger said, “We have a role to work with our leaders at the state level and national level at HUD to identify our housing needs and create programs that assist in making housing affordable. There are many current programs in place that we can and do tap into.”

Hoeger also said he would ask key questions when the city faces a request to provide financial assistance to a project.

“How does this project benefit the community around it? What public purpose will this project benefit our community? What gap exists to make the project successful? Each of these criteria should have weighted guidelines and should be measured consistently from project to project,” Hoeger said.

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