Jonathan Grieder

As an elected official you have positions that folks vote for. However, new information comes up, new issues need to be solved and it’s critical that elected officials hear from their constituents. On really large issues like changing the entire structure of government that should be put to a popular vote. It’s that simple. Elected officials are elected by the people, but the people have ultimate power.

Friends we need to show up to City Council on Monday, October 5th at 5:30 pm. The ordinance to add a city manager is based off of legislation written for a city with a council manager system. That means they’re either on purpose or by lack of knowledge trying to change Waterloo’s form of government without a vote. That’s very concerning. So we have to show up and make ourselves heard! Monday, 10/5 at 5:30 pm at City Hall.

Tomorrow the Waterloo City Council will have a vote on a new city manager ordinance without replacing the current system. Instead they’re gonna add a $300,000+ position which will add to our tax bill. Here is the letter I sent to be read at Council tomorrow,

“Mr. Mayor and Council,

I am deeply concerned about the manager system that is being proposed. Under normal changes to the governing system of a city a vote would have to be taken by the public to support a change from a mayoral system to a manager system. However, it appears that an end-run is being done around the will of the voters. Instead of openly, actively campaigning on why this change is being done instead simply 4 folks will decide to make this change disenfranchising all of Waterloo's residents. This is incredibly disappointing.

Additionally, because we are going with the least democratic option we will have both a mayor and a city manager. As the Council and Mayor are aware every $10,000 the city spending translates to a 1 cent raise on property taxes. The average City Manager for a city of our size is $320,000 which is a 32 cent raise on property taxes. This on top of an ongoing budget crisis foisted upon us by the state. All with vague assurances that we will somehow save money, but with no clear plan how to.

A city manager is a gigantic bureaucratic waste which will lead to crossed wires on city leadership, cost stretched homeowners even more on their property taxes, and diminish the voice of voters in how our city is governed. I hope that the city council votes down this proposal and maintains the system that works.”

We 100% do not need an unelected bureaucrat who is unanswerable directly to the people with a salary 2-3x more than a mayor to run Waterloo. Leadership should be accountable to the people. A hand picked bureaucrat, often who come from somewhere else and have no stake in the community, isn’t that. In order to do this there will have to be a vote and I’ll gladly vote no.

Boesen said with budget constraints paired with the rising cost of doing business, having someone dedicated to daily operations is “not optional.” ⤵️ Find a link to the story in the comments.

I’m very glad the city adopted a moratorium. We need to use this 3 month window to develop a comprehensive Data Center Plan that addresses water and electricity usage, noise and heat pollution, how companies pay for the facilities, and how to manage demolition. We can do better.

On Tuesday, September 8th we will be gathering for a pre Council rally at City Hall at 4:45 pm and then attend the 5:30 pm meeting. A 3 month moratorium is up for debate. We need to PACK the chamber and voice that we need a moratorium and that a comprehensive Data Center Plan needs to be created for Waterloo. We need our officials to know we oppose this data center and that a plan needs to be in place. I look forward to seeing you there.

Just a friendly reminder; buy the school supplies, get some extra snacks for the classroom, thank teachers. They’re doing amazing work.

Update: This event is being co-hosted by Catholic Charities.

Local attorneys, Miryam Antunez de Mayolo and Gunda Brost, will share legal updates around TPS and asylum. Everyone is welcome.

Sunday, August 9th
3:30pm
Bethesda Haitian Church of God
1604 Hammond Ave. Waterloo