Like the Blog Says, "Moving FORWARD"

I got a phone call this afternoon while I was in my department staff meeting. It was Mitchell Schmidt, a reporter from The Gazette. I've known Mitchell since he was a student reporter at the DI. I was surprised, however, when he said he was calling to ask for my reaction to a last-minute slate of candidates that included one incumbent, one challenger, three write in council seekers and a write in for mayor.

You can read the full article here:

Candidates emerge to challenge University Heights council

I will reiterate that I want this town to move forward. No one is more cognizant of how divisive One University Place has been to our town. I continue to try to heal those wounds, and look toward better times for everyone.

However, running a last minute campaign in hopes that the electorate will skip a non controversial election, and allow a small number of residents to slip into office is not the way for our city to get back together. And for announced candidates to throw in with this tactic is extremely frustrating.

I've been going door to door for 6 weeks. I was out again tonight, and will be tomorrow too, right up to Election Day. I continue to be humbled by the response I receive and am heartened by your faith in these efforts. Thank you. 

And I challenge everyone, continue to be the town that participates, by once again turning out a majority of the electorate in a year when a hotly contested Iowa City race may not break 10%

This race could be tight and your vote will certainly make a difference.

So in case we haven't hit you with it often enough, Here are some early voting times and places:

University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Fountain Lobby                              
200 Hawkins Dr.                                                                                   
Thursday, October 29 and Friday, October 30, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Iowa City Public Library

123 S. Linn St. I.C.

Thursday, October 29, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Friday, October 30, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sunday, November 1, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

And on Election Day November 3

St. Andrew's Church. 7 AM to 8 PM.

Parking is still available behind the church.

 

-Mike

A "Right Sized" Campaign for U-Heights

Until the 2011 special election no candidate in University Heights had ever had to file a finance report with the Iowa Campaign and Ethics Board, because no one had ever had spent over the state regulated $750 limit.



In a report filed today, November 3, 2011, WeR4UH has raised $3,290.00 for the 2011 campaign and through October 19th had  spent $1,593.00. Their major expenditure was for 300 yard signs.

In addition to the above, four separate committees for Hopson, Leff, Stewart, and McGrath have also been created. These individual groups, will not have to report if they EACH stay under the $750 limit. 

To see all contributors and expenses so far, download the filed
We Are For UH Election Report

For the 2011 Special Election the Committee to Elect Rosanne Hopson raised $2,535 and spent $2,500

To see all contributors and expenses, download the filed Hopson Special Election Report

We believe that spending  $5,825 dollars for two elections, plus potentially up to $3,000 more ( from the 4 individual candidates) in a single year is too much.

As this blog shows, the candidates of "We Are University Heights Moving Forward" have tried to be informative and creative in explaining the complicated issues in this city election to members of our community.

What may not be quite so obvious is that we have also made a conscious effort to be frugal.

The decision for the five of us to work together in this election was not taken lightly. When it became apparent that we were faced with an organized, well funded campaign, we made a commitment to form a single group and not exceed the $750 expense limit that would require documenting expenditures and donations. We did this, not because we didn't want to disclose this information, but because our belief was that spending the equivalent of no more than 75 cents per resident was appropriate. We also consciously limited contributors to University Heights residents.

Our biggest expense has been 50 yard signs at $6 each.

However, the cornerstone of our campaign effort costs nothing. We have been going out door to door to residents and talking with them, as campaigns in a small town should. When demand for yard signs exceeded what was available, we took and re-made old signs left over from earlier elections. We have printed our own materials.  We have used "free" media such as this blog to express, expand and illuminate upon the ideas and facts behind the issues. Through these efforts we have tried to give as much detail as possible in order for U-H citizens to make informed decisions.

We have tried to campaign in a cost-conscious way. These skills should come in handy as we govern in the future, given the city's tight budget. We hope that you appreciate those efforts.