Show Notes
Want to help guide your city into the future, be a city manager. That's how Matthew Schmitz, city manager of Independence, sees his job. Tim Kasparek of Tiffin, says as mayor, he realized that his vision for his city may not be shared by everyone. But he says, as long as you just do your best for your community, the city will move forward. IowaLeague.org Iowa League of Cities on Facebook Iowa League of Cities on YouTube Iowa League of Cities on LinkedIn Executive Producers: Katie Wheeler, Brad Cavanagh, David Martin, David Snyder, Jim Ludlow Hosts: Brad Cavanagh, David Martin Producers: David Martin, Jason Stershic Editor: Jason Stershic
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Steve Richardson, mayor of Indianola, is the new president of the Iowa League of Cities. He discusses the differences in Iowa's cities and talks about how they interact with each other. And he talks about how each makes Iowa, well, Iowa. He added that his experience serving in the Iowa state legislature will help him as he leads Iowa's cities this year. And Mayors Brad Cavanaugh and Richardson talk about the relationships you build through the League. IowaLeague.org Iowa League of Cities on Facebook Iowa League of Cities on YouTube Iowa League of Cities on LinkedIn Good Government Institute Executive Producers: Katie Wheeler, Brad Cavanagh, David Martin, David Snyder, Jim Ludlow Hosts: Brad Cavanagh, David Martin Producers: David Martin, Jason Stershic Editor: Jason Stershic
For the past year Christina Eicher has been focused on Iowa's small cities. As outgoing president of the Iowa League of Cities, representing smaller cities has been her focus. She leaves after a year with a better understanding of smaller cities and says she provided a voice for those cities among Iowa's bigger cities. Listen to how she managed being League president while also serving as a city clerk and a city councilwoman. IowaLeague.org Iowa League of Cities on Facebook Iowa League of Cities on YouTube Iowa League of Cities on LinkedIn Executive Producers: Katie Wheeler, Brad Cavanagh, David Martin, David Snyder, Jim Ludlow Hosts: Brad Cavanagh, David Martin Producers: David Martin, Jason Stershic Editor: Jason Stershic
Two people I always check in with are together in this episode. Travis Goedken is the city manager of Decorah, and Becca Bixler is the mayor of Inwood. Both agree that having an impact on your city is the best part of the job. Both say there are extras on the job you don't always see coming, like being on different boards, more meetings and talking to more people. Both of them, however, love their jobs and providing the best government they can. IowaLeague.org Iowa League of Cities on Facebook Iowa League of Cities on YouTube Iowa League of Cities on LinkedIn Executive Producers: Katie Wheeler, Brad Cavanagh, David Martin, David Snyder, Jim Ludlow Hosts: Brad Cavanagh, David Martin Producers: David Martin, Jason Stershic Editor: Jason Stershic
Be prepared, that's the advice of Tom Wieseler, mayor of Mount Vernon and Nick Otis, new city council member in Polk City. Both city leaders say they came into the job knowing what the job entailed, so when they finally got elected, they were prepared. Although, as the mayor will tell you, he was not necessarily ready for the complaints about chickens. IowaLeague.org Iowa League of Cities on Facebook Iowa League of Cities on YouTube Iowa League of Cities on LinkedIn Executive Producers: Katie Wheeler, Brad Cavanagh, David Martin, David Snyder, Jim Ludlow Hosts: Brad Cavanagh, David Martin Producers: David Martin, Jason Stershic Editor: Jason Stershic