The Seventh Ward

The seventh ward currently is represented by Barney Barnhill. Barnhill has been in office for quite a few terms.

Barney Barnhill

As stated above, Barney is the incumbent. He has been a fixture on the council for many years. His issues are Economic Development – bringing in new jobs and businesses, Public Safety – new officers and expand Nets, Save Taxpayer Dollars, Attract Businesses to gateway corridors through tax incentives.

Strengths - Barney has been around for years and has a large following from the older voters, the type who like to pick a candidate once and leave them. His issues are some of the main ones for Davenport and he lists some of the same ideas as many other candidates to address them.

Weaknesses- He’s been in office for a long time and has survived in spite a
call to “Clean the Slate” many times. He is a very likeable guy but doesn’t seem to have any new or original ideas. He isn’t putting forth new and thoughtful programs.

Jim Davis

Jim “Doc” Davis is a Davenport native and a chiropractor. His issues are Spending, Administration (working together), Gangs-Violence-Drugs-Crime, Cameras, Enhancing the Riverfront, West End Development.

Strengths - Davis doesn’t just talk the talk, he walks the walk, quite literally. He has made it known he is with the Guardian Angels. His support for citizen involvement is good to hear. His ideas are different at a time when people are looking for change.

Weaknesses- His ward has a lot of older neighborhoods with an older population who tends to shield themselves from change, whether it’s needed or not. Some of his ideas are pretty lofty, although it is good to see someone thinking outside the box.

Marcia Patch

Marcia is another candidate who has chosen not to have a website. I haven’t seen an e-mail address for her either. My analysis is based on her QCT Q&A.

Strengths - Marcia has some interesting ideas as well. I like that she talks about making people keep up their properties to minimum standards and no other candidate I’ve come across is talking about that. She also talks about standing up for our existing businesses to retain them. Again, a good idea.

Weaknesses- I hate to continue beating the drum for websites and e-mails but so many people look to the web these days for their information. In talking with people of the 7th ward I find many haven’t heard of Marcia. She is hopefully out knocking on doors daily to get her word out.

Eric Swanson

Eric is the non-candidate of the seventh ward. He has no website, he has no e-mail address I could find, he has not filled out the QCT Q&A. There is little doubt he won’t make it further. It just begs the question, why bother to fill out the paperwork and get the signatures to run, 2 elections in a row, if you don’t want to campaign?

My prediction is that Barney will make it through the primary. Eric Swanson will not. I think it will be a tight race between Marcia and Jim. I see Jim edging out ahead, but could be wrong.