At-Large Race – Election Discussion

Ian Frink

Of course, we start with the incumbent.  Ian Frink has represented us as alderman at-large for the past two years.  Ian’s issues are City Services, Davenport Infrastructure, Public/Private Partnership, Low Taxes & Fees, Communication & Efficiency, and Solid & Professional Representation.  He has a few more, go to his website for the whole list.

Strengths- In his time on council he has been one of the most pro-active members of the council and has also managed to get along fairly well with all members, even those whose views he tends to disagree with.  He seems to understand the neighborhoods SOLO need revitalizing and is willing to look for different ways to bolster them. 

Weaknesses - I don’t recall him ever taking a tough stance on crime and I think the entire council could have done more to make the police chief concentrate efforts better.

Jennifer Olsen

Jennifer Olsen is a familiar name around town for those who follow politics.  She has been a strong neighborhood advocate for years.  Jenn’s issues are Common Sense Approach to Policy, Basic Services, Adopting and Enforcing Policy that Works, Restoring Trust in Staff and Allowing Staff to do thier Jobs, Working Together, and Community Input.

Strengths – Jenn seems to also have a strong understanding of what the neighborhoods of our city need.  She has accurately predicted the failure of past policies and, unlike others, has put out suggestions for improvements.  And, unlike Ian, Jenn actually lives in one of the areas of town which has experienced the trouble from bad landlords, crime, and lack of investment.  She knows what hurdles to overcome.  Jenn seems to have a good, common sense approach to issues.

Weaknesses – Jenn’s advocacy for neighborhoods in the past has won her some enemies in those who have nothing to gain by changing their ways.  I look to her, and any other neighborhood advocate, to be the target of negative campaigning.  What I wrote for the primary is in italics.  Hmmmm, can I call it or what!  What I didn’t predict however, is how irrelevant the items they came up with for their last minute mailer would be.  Her weakness turns to a positive as it has inspired many to vote when they otherwise wouldn’t have cared.

Gene Meeker

Gene Meeker at one point worked with D-One.  He has put together a website since the primary.  His issues page is just a regurgitation of his QCTimes Q&A.

Strengths – Gene has worked with D-One and likely has powerful allies.  He doesn’t support the casino moving into the Rivercenter.  He seems to have a very rosy view of Davenport.

Weaknesses – He seems to be out of touch with Davenport today.  He leads his website with his D-One experience in spite of a large number of people feeling D-One has not been doing their job effectively or listening to citizens.  He thinks we have been successful at providing amenities and basic services in Davenport.  While I appreciate his positive view, we can’t begin to fix problems if we intentionally overlook them.  I would realy like to know more about these neighborhood revitalization projects he says he’s worked on. 

Tina Gillispie-Clawson

Tina says her issues are crime, housing and infrastructure.  She has chosen to not have a website this time around but does have an e-mail address. 

Strengths -  Her QCTimes Q&A shows at least a superficial understanding of some of the problems facing Davenport, including the west side sewer tunnel, crime and housing.

Weaknesses – Tina’s lack of a website along with voter’s inability to recognise her name will weigh her down in spite of whether her ideas were viable or not.  I have, to this point, not received any mailers from Tina, and have not visited with her.  I do know she’s held some meet the candidate events (I didn’t get around to those as I would have liked to). 

I predict the winners will be Ian Frink and Jenn Olsen.  Jenn garnered the most votes for at-large in the primary.  Ian was almost tied with her. And I do think they’d make a good balanced pair.