The Seventh Ward – Election Discussion

The Seventh Ward is currently represented by Barney Barnhill. 

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.  He also only garnered 50% of the vote in the primary, not a huge amount for an incumbent. 

Marcia Patch

Unfortunately, Marcia has chosen not to have a website so the informatin I have about her is limited.  Maybe her supporters can fill some of this in . 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.  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 still find many haven’t heard of Marcia.  She is hopefully out knocking on doors daily to get her word out.  She only received just over 20% of the vote in the primary.

Summary

I was slightly wrong in my primary prediction in that I thought Jim Davis would edge out Marcia (he received the lowest amount of votes in the ward).  But I still think that if anything, I underestimated the 7th ward’s resistance to change.  I think Barney will once again make it through. 

The Sixth Ward – Election Discussion

Thankfully for me, the rest of these wards will go much quicker since I’ve already posted much of the information on the candidates from the primary.  I want to have all the wards done by Friday.

The sixth ward was represented by Charlie Brooke who sadly passed away.  The winner of this ward may take office immediately as a result.

Dale Gilmour

Dale is also born in Davenport, he went to college here.  He is self employed as a distributor of electrical wiring maintenance products.  His issues are, Communication with Residents, Skate Park (charge admission, build fence, no managed graffiti, Isle of Capri (holding them responsible), Make Downtown Safe & Attract Businesses Downtown, Attract Jobs to Industrial Park, Sewers for Industrial Park.

Strengths – Dale does want to attract jobs and make public safety a priority.  Improving the sewer to the industrial park makes sense, as does attracting businesses there.

Weaknesses – Dale seems to be against some of our most unique aspects.  While there is a definite crowd which is anti-skate park/ anti-sky bridge, anti-amenities, I don’t think the sixth ward has an over abundance of people with those views.

Jeff Justin

Jeff has been with MidAmerican Energy for 27 years and is currently in management. He grew up in Davenport, went to college in Iowa and has been very active in the community.  His issues are Collaborative Leadership, Economic Development to Expand Tax Base, Support for Public Safety Personnel, Infrastructure Improvements, Focused Improvements to Central City, Support for the East Village.  He has more issues, go to his website for more information.

Strengths - Jeff talks about all of the right issues.  He seems to have an understanding of what people want to hear.  He is also already a professional leader and lord knows we need professionalism on our council.  I really like his emphasis on attracting new businesses.

Weaknesses – I don’t see a lot of room for negativity on this candidate but I’m sure posters will fill that part in.

Summary

In the primary Jeff Justin had double the support of Dale.  Of course, 40% of the vote went to other candidates so where they vote will decide the ward.  With the history of the type of candidates the 6th ward supports I believe Jeff Justin fits better into the mold and will win the race.  (Note to all Dale Gilmour fans, this does not mean I am in any way endorsing Jeff Justin or rooting for him, I am making a prediction based on the information I have).