Latest news with #RickJohnson
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Case: 'You start with dignity and respect'
OTTUMWA — The second Ottumwa mayoral candidate has formally announced a run, and maybe a historic one at that. Brenda Case, who spent almost 30 years working for the Iowa Judicial Branch, kicked off her candidacy Thursday on the steps of Ottumwa City Hall, looking to become what may be the first woman mayor in the city's history. But that is not why she's running. A long career in project management allowed her to help people from all walks of life, and now she wants to continue that effort in a new capacity. "I thought for several years that I could contribute something to the city, and I think I'm good at removing obstacles so people can get their jobs done," Case said. "I love my town. I could have lived anywhere in the state, but I picked Ottumwa because it's great. It's low-key and there's history here." Case joins Ben Foote as the only candidates so far to succeed Rick Johnson, who will not run for a second term as mayor. The mayor's seat and a majority of the city council seats will all be on the ballot in November. While Case said she could have picked anywhere to live, she has long admired Ottumwa's "do-it-yourself" strength, a community that pulls together to get things done. "What it really comes down to is we help each other, like the sandbagging during the flood, or people take chainsaws to downed trees. We make things happen, and we celebrate that," she said. "We have all these events like Juneteenth, Pride Day, Live After Five. We come together, even if we don't agree on everything, and that's what makes a happy life. "Two big things to me are dignity and respect. Everybody deserve it. You have to start there," she said. "I worked with the janitors, people who drove trucks, installed cables and carried lunch boxes. They were assigned to me at the judicial branch and then up to the Iowa Supreme Court. Everyone along that continuum has different needs, wants and ways to communicate, but you start with dignity and respect." While Case admires the spirit, she wants her candidacy to be grounded in facts. "I want to focus on what's really happening because there is development in Ottumwa and there are progress and changes, but it doesn't happen fast," she said. "There are things that just make life a little nicer, like the gardens, the renovation of this beautiful historic building (city hall). We need to stop and do those things, not just run from point A to point B to accomplish this or that." Ottumwa's form of government is a "weak mayor" system, in which the city council votes but the mayor does not. Case does not view the mayor's position as one of power, but rather one of influence. "Like you drop a pebble in water and it sends ripples out everywhere that makes a change in the world," she said. "The first thing I will do is get to know people. I'm not going to give any advice until I know what's happening, because there is always more than what you see on the surface. "There's a lot of work happening, but you just can't see. Long-range projects, but you just don't see it until the end. Until people get to know you and they trust you, you can't do any of it. That's my next step." Case also came up with a way for residents to meet her called "Mayoral Minute." It isn't developed yet, but she said it will be a way to get to know her personally, inform citizens how government works and simply educate on a variety of issues. "I think I'm going to share some things starting now, just because I want to," she said. "And I might amuse people now and then, because that's fun."
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Case 'ready to give back'
OTTUMWA — The second Ottumwa mayoral candidate has formally announced a run, and maybe a historic one at that. Brenda Case, who spent almost 30 years working for the Iowa Judicial Branch, kicked off her candidacy Thursday on the steps of Ottumwa City Hall, looking to become what may be the first woman mayor in the city's history. But that is not why she's running. A long career allowed her to help people from all walks of life, and now she wants to continue that effort in a new capacity. "I thought for several years that I could contribute something to the city, and I think I'm good at removing obstacles so people can get their jobs done," Case said. "I love my town. I could have lived anywhere in the state, but I picked Ottumwa because it's great. It's low-key and there's history here." Case joins Ben Foote as the only candidates so far to succeed Rick Johnson, who will not run for a second term as mayor. The mayor's seat and a majority of the city council seats will all be on the ballot in November. (This is a developing story and will be updated)
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Case 'ready to give back'
OTTUMWA — The second Ottumwa mayoral candidate has formally announced a run, and maybe a historic one at that. Brenda Case, who spent almost 30 years working for the Iowa Judicial Branch, kicked off her candidacy Thursday on the steps of Ottumwa City Hall, looking to become what may be the first woman mayor in the city's history. But that is not why she's running. A long career allowed her to help people from all walks of life, and now she wants to continue that effort in a new capacity. "I thought for several years that I could contribute something to the city, and I think I'm good at removing obstacles so people can get their jobs done," Case said. "I love my town. I could have lived anywhere in the state, but I picked Ottumwa because it's great. It's low-key and there's history here." Case joins Ben Foote as the only candidates so far to succeed Rick Johnson, who will not run for a second term as mayor. The mayor's seat and a majority of the city council seats will all be on the ballot in November. (This is a developing story and will be updated)
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Case joins Ottumwa mayoral field
OTTUMWA — The Ottumwa mayoral race to succeed outgoing mayor Rick Johnson has another candidate. Brenda Case announced her candidacy to run for the seat as Johnson's term expires this year and he will not seek re-election. Case has been highly visible in the community over the years, particularly for her volunteer work. Case will formally announce her candidacy Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at the Fourth Street entrance to City Hall. "We have thrived in the aftermath of floods, business and factory closures and economic downturns," Case said in a press release. "And we will continue to move forward together." Case has worked for the Iowa Judicial Branch for 28 years, crossing paths with residents of diverse skills, perspectives and backgrounds. She is a graduate of Buena Vista University with bachelor's degrees in psychology and sociology, and holds a certificate of project management from the University of Iowa. Through her work as a court-appointed special advocate, Case was twice honored with the Governor's Award for Volunteer Service. As a long-time resident of Ottumwa, Case is running because "of her strong belief in the strength, resilience, compassion and unity to be found in this scrappy river town," according to the release, but also recognizes deep division. "We are strong enough to offer compassion to those among us who are living in fear and want," she said. "We have the integrity to insist on due process for all people. We are, and always have been, Ottumwa tough." Case serves as the chair of the Ottumwa Historic Preservation Commission and is as a long-term member and past president of Hy-Noon Kiwanis. She's also been involved with the Ottumwa League of Women Voters, Ottumwa Community Players and other civic organizations. Case is the second person to announce a run for mayor, joining local architect Ben Foote, who announced his candidacy in April. This will be the first election to not feature a primary, so the candidate with the most votes will win. There also are three city council seats up for election in November.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
A modern-day version of ‘Pride and Prejudice' surfaces over city's LGBTQ+ recognition
The rainbow flag of the gay pride movement and the flag of the United States. (Photo by Getty Images) Jane Austen's novel 'Pride and Prejudice' focused on manners and goodness, two virtues sometimes forgotten today. Shortly before the novel was published, our Founding Fathers settled on the free exchange of ideas as one of the fundamental concepts they wanted to guarantee in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. But in 2025, there is an uncomfortable tug-of-war occurring over pride and prejudice, expression and oppression. That tug-of-war was on display during the Ottumwa City Council meeting last week. A similar debate is happening elsewhere around Iowa and across the nation over a variety of civic issues where opinions vary widely. The subject of the Ottumwa discourse was a proposed proclamation designating June as Pride Month there. The city made similar designations in each of the past five years with nary a peep of protest. But a couple of residents objected to the new proclamation when it came to a vote last week. What ensued was a refreshing, and polite, discussion among those residents, Mayor Rick Johnson and members of the council. No one called anyone a moron, lunatic, scum, loser, traitor or crook. Manners AND free expression prevailed. The Ottumwa discussion comes at a time when American colleges and universities are not so lucky. Whether assailed by the federal or state governments, these schools face pressure, if not coercion, to abandon policies and programs that encourage consideration of a wider cross-section of students, job applicants and voices. The discussion in Ottumwa came amid continuing controversy over rallies around the United States, where Israel's treatment of law-abiding Palestinians in Gaza has been loudly criticized — with the Trump administration drawing no distinction between peaceful events and events advocating violence toward Israel and Jews. The Ottumwa discussion also coincided with the decision by the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa to send warning letters to five cities — Carroll, Harlan, Mount Pleasant, Polk City and Webster City. In those letters, the ACLU said the cities must change their ordinances classifying performances by 'female impersonators' and 'male impersonators' as prohibited forms of adults-only entertainment. The ACLU said the ordinances are unconstitutional because they try to stop non-obscene forms of free expression that are protected by the First Amendment. That free expression is on display in popular movies like 'Mrs. Doubtfire,' when female comedians with short hair perform while wearing a suit and tie, or when men wear gowns and wigs in a Pride parade. 'These outdated ordinances go far beyond prohibiting objectionable or obscene conduct,' ACLU attorney Shefali Aurora wrote in the letters. 'To be clear, drag is not a synonym for obscenity.' Back in Ottumwa, Councilman Bill Hoffman Jr. spoke eloquently about retaining the Pride Month proclamation. His reasoning provides important insight for other situations where some disagree with the message espoused by others. 'If you don't like Pride Month, don't celebrate it. If you don't want to go to a Pride event, don't go,' Hoffman said, the Ottumwa Courier reported. 'When I ran for council, I promised to protect 25,579 people and their legal rights, and to take a proclamation off that celebrates people, to me is absolutely appalling.' Katie Howard, one of the opponents to the proclamation, urged the council to reject Pride Month. She said the council should follow the lead of the federal government's efforts to end diversity, equity and inclusion practices. 'Being gay may not be a choice, but being trans is, and you're celebrating everything,' Howard said. 'I'd also like to point out that mental health is not a choice. Colon cancer is not a choice. Being Black is not a choice. You're equating apples and oranges.' Councilman Dan Reid, the only person voting against the 2025 Pride proclamation, added: 'It's always my desire to try to treat everybody with respect, kindness and dignity. That's just my policy. That's why I felt like this proclamation is giving a specific select group of people a special month. It's just more honor than average.' Councilwoman Cara Galloway responded: 'Trying to remove this one after years of support doesn't really feel like a principled stand. It almost looks like discomfort with the LGBTQ+ community and inclusion. We can't ignore that LGBTQ+ youth are among the most at risk for mental health and suicide.' Mayor Johnson weighed in: 'If we don't continue to recognize and celebrate everybody that's part of the community, we're not living up to the goals and pillars' of the city's mission. Councilman Hoffman added, 'We're a diverse town and we should be proud of that. And anybody who stands at that podium should be celebrated. That's what we want. Differences of opinion are what make the town great.' Talk about sense and sensibility: The right to peacefully express one's opinions, whether those are shared by many or by a few, regardless of how government officials stand on an issue, lies at the heart of what makes the United States a nation of rights and freedoms. Randy Evans is a member of the Iowa Writers' Collaborative and his columns may be found on his blog, Stray Thoughts. Editor's note: Please consider subscribing to the collaborative and the authors' blogs to support their work.
