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there was a connection between my politics and the incivility I had to endure for many itizens tuning into City Channel 4 years." As the sometime sole representative hav� long been witness to displays of of progressive viewpoints, she recalls feeling antagonism, rancor and discord, not in any alone and isolated on the council, "politi local reality TV show, but in the frequently cally and personally." aired city council meetings. The Iowa City Kubby notes that between 1989 and 1999, City Council is sometimes more noted for she served with a lot of people and noticed the tenor of its debates than for the issues a pattern among them. First, councilors with which it grapples. would try to ignore her, then they'd shower With four city council seats at stake in the her with hostility and rudeness. Only after Nov. 4 election and a diversity of candidates these successive "stages" would she receive a doing the cake walk, observers see a chance sense of respect and acceptance from fellow to change the discordant dynamic of the council members. . council for the better. In 1999, Steven Kanner and Irvin Pfab To mince fewer words, a majority of con were elected to fill Kubby's shoes one for servative voices on the council has histori cally coalesced to oppose progressive ideas. each, given her legacy. Getting two progres sive candidates on the council was consid Will the Nov. 4 election bring about a more ered something of a coup. But what hap favorable climate? Progressive activist Karen Kubby says of . pened? Kanner isn't running for re-election and Pfab was delivered the rude awakening her lO-year tenure on the council, "I know
of being the first incumbent candidate defeated in a primary election in 25 years. "I don't think Kanner and Pfab ever got past the first two stages:' says Kubby, adding that she found success by not arguing with everything she thought was wrong. Kanner and pfab, conversely, were widely perceived as being less willing to compromise and "pick their battles." Still, why in a town as supposedly "liber al" as Iowa City, is the council so chronically dominated by conservatives? At-large candi date Brandon Ross sees it in terms ofecono my, pointing out that a council position is a half-time job that pays only $5,800. "If someone of low or middling income, or a single mother, wants to serve on council, it's impossible:' he says. "So we always get a great majority of well-to do business owners, retired persons and wealthy housewives."
Vicki Krajewski 81
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