DYERSVILLE, Iowa -- Roger Gibbs wants Dyersville to take after one of its neighbors in its economic-development approach.
"I believe we need, just like everybody else, the success Dubuque has had," Gibbs said. "We need to piggyback off Dubuque and Greater Dubuque Development (Corp.)."
Gibbs, a first-time political candidate, will take on incumbent Molly Evers for the Dyersville City Council at-large seat in the Nov. 3 municipal election.
An advocate for economic development, Gibbs said he would treat his council seat like a chair in a business room.
"The city is a business, and I have some business sense," Gibbs said. "My leadership skills are excellent, and I have team development strengths."
Both candidates discussed their thoughts on Dyersville's sex-offender ordinance, which bans all offenders from residing within city limits.
Gibbs doesn't see any reason to differ from Mayor Jim Heavens' stance that the ordinance should remain unchanged, despite a new state law passed in May that prohibits such
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"The ordinance is fine as it is," Gibbs said. "I like Mayor (Jim) Heavens' standpoint."
Evers has been against the city's ordinance since it was passed in 2005, and wants the council to give more consideration to the issue.
"This raises concerns about the possibility of a lawsuit being brought against the city, and that could prove costly to the taxpayers," Evers said.
"It seems to me, as a matter of common sense and practicality, that we need to take another look at this in order to be in accord with current Iowa law."
Evers said she is committed to a "cautious, careful and slow approach" to the city's fiscal items.
"I am not afraid to vote no when a no vote is in order, even when I stand alone in doing so," Evers said. "I bring common sense to that table, as well as a practical, open-handed and fair approach to government."
Seeking office for the first time, Brian Cassidy touts his youth and leadership skills in his bid to unseat Ward 1 Councilman Robert Platz.
Cassidy, a former assistant track and field coach at Loras College, was a member of the Dyersville Imagine 2020 Steering Committee and the former general manager of the Dyersville Golf and Country Club.
"I feel that we can attract a younger, fresher work force," Cassidy said.
Cassidy, a Monticello, Iowa, native, believes his outsider status could help newcomers transition to the community.
"I want to see Dyersville as a welcoming community," Cassidy said.
Platz did not return the TH's requests for candidate information.
