For those who do not get the Daily Democrat or do not have on-line access to it, I am coping the information I sent them below, that appeared in Tuesday, October 22nds paper. Their questions are in all-caps and I have left out their explanation of what they are looking for, for an answer. 1. BASIC BACKGROUND: Bob Morawitz for Fort Madison Council 2nd Ward 1405 Avenue D Fort Madison, IA 52627 Married to Beverly Gobble 5 Stepsons, 13 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren EDUCATION: 1. Graduate: Burlington Community High School, Burlington, IA, 1974 2. Course work: Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 3. Course work: City Colleges of Chicago 4. Graduate: Southeastern Community College, AA, 1984 5. Journeyman Wireman: 5-year Apprenticeship (1986-1991), International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 13, Burlington, IA. OCCUPATION: 1. 25+ years member and officer, executive board and pension committee member of Local 13 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Currently a Master Electrician, employed by Seither & Cherry Co., Inc., Keokuk, IA as the Electrical Maintenance Foreman on the BNSF Mississippi River bridge in Fort Madison, IA. 2. Real Estate Sales, held real estate sales and broker licenses in Iowa and Illinois. 3. Drafter/designer for Beling Engineering Consultants, Burlington, IA 4. Machinery Repairman 2nd Class Petty Officer, United States Navy, 5-years active duty, discharged Dec. 1979. COMMUNITY SERVICE: 1. Currently Serving on the Fort Madison Historic Preservation Commission. a. Worked on the team that researched, surveyed, documented and photographed the properties in the downtown to obtain the National Register of Historic Preservation designation as a Historic District. b. Worked on the team that researched, surveyed, documented and photographed the properties in the residential area between Old Settlers Park and Central Park to seek the National Register of Historic Preservation designation as a Historic District. 2. Previously served on the Fort Madison Board of Electrical Examiners until the Board was disbanded when the State of Iowa took over electrician licensing. a. While on the Board, I initiated action to revise the Fort Madison electrical code to be more in line with the National Electric Code. b. While on the Board, I initiated action to revise the Fort Madison electrical licensing requirements to bring them up to the requirements used in other southeast Iowa jurisdictions in which we had license reciprocity agreements with. This action allowed Fort Madison to retain these agreements and permitted Fort Madison licensed electricians to work in these areas without further testing or buying additional licenses. It also allowed Fort Madison licensed electricians to obtain Iowa state licenses without taking the state test. My wife, Beverly, and I are involved in many groups, organizations and causes throughout Fort Madison, Lee County and the state. Some of them include (and where I say I, it is generally we): c. Served as one of the Ambassadors from Fort Madison to our Sister City of Prum, Germany on the first group visit in 2000 and the visit in 2010. d. Current members of the Old Settlers Park Association. 1. I have worked on several projects in the park including the gazebo, shelter house, basketball court, playground, benches and concerts. e. Current members of the North Lee County Historical Society. f. Current Members of the Fort Madison Area Arts Association. g. Current and/or past supporters of: 1. Fort Madison Public Library 2. Fort Madison Main Street 3. Lee County Sheriffs Reserve 4. Great Prairie Area Education Agency 5. Old Fort Player 6. Lights, Camera, Action of Fort Madison. 7. And many more 2. MOTIVATION FOR RUNNING: I am seeking office because I see great potential in Fort Madisons assets that are not being exploited to increase tourism, small business development and improve our quality of life. A lot of people in the 2nd ward dont believe they have an ear or a voice on the city council, I want that to change. Everyone should feel comfortable expressing their concerns to their councilmember and know that they will be listened to. 3. TOP THREE PRIORITIES: A) Review and alter the current streets improvement program. This is my highest priority because the city already has funding in place and a list of streets that includes many brick streets which have never been overlaid with asphalt. Part of the improvements include removing long segments of brick and replacing them with asphalt. The reasons I have been told for doing this is because it costs less upfront and no one in the streets department has the training or experience to reset the brick work. I believe this is short sighted as the long term costs of installing and maintaining asphalt or concrete are 20% higher than repairing and maintaining the existing brick streets. Fort Madisons original and historic streets are an important part of the character and charm of our city. They are one of the things that make the biggest positive impression on visitors. When many towns are spending large amounts of money to restore brick streets they have already removed or covered up, it is short sighted for Fort Madison to destroy one of our greatest assets because it is easier. Not having trained personnel to maintain the brick streets and no intention to get the training, just tells me what the future of our bricks streets will be, short. B) I have heard numerous requests to get something for the kids to do. The city has allocated $25,000 for each park in town, for improvements. This will barely cover the deferred maintenance and leave nothing for improvements. These funds are not fixed for each park and can be moved to other parks as needed. The Parks Department does a good job with what they are given, in money and direction, I want to make sure that the needs to the kids get the greatest priority and that we dont have a bunch of cookie-cutter parks, I also want to create a climate for, and assist others in, developing businesses or organizations that cater to the needs of our young people. What we do for our children reflects on the image of our city and the quality of life we have here. C) I would like the city to clean up and make improvements on Avenue H from the Mississippi River bridge to 18th Street. Four of our entrances to the city end up there and I think it is important that we make a good impression on our visitors and tempt them to stay and explore the rest of the city. I would like to see a plan drawn up and cost estimates for creating a railroad quiet zone and improved access from the Steve Ireland Memorial depot and Riverview Park to the Downtown Historic District. I would like to see the original fort site developed into a National Historic site with an accompanying museum and interpretive center. I would like to give the BNSF railroad some of the citys land on the east side of the bridge so that the bridges emergency generator can be moved, and the area it occupies now, made into an observation platform for visitors and rail fans to observe the operation of the bridge and train movements. All of these improvements would increase our tourism trade and benefit our downtown merchants. 4. IF THING WERE DIFFERENT: A) I wish that the city council had put more effort into finding a way to make a centralized skate park possible. I think it sent a bad message to the kids of Fort Madison that the city is not working for them, too. Our children are our future, they need to be a priority, whether it is education, recreation or job creation. We need to do what we can to make Fort Madison the best town they dont want to move away from. 5. IM THE BEST CHOICE BECAUSE... A) I think everyone in the 2nd Ward should have a voice on the council and someone who will really listen to their concerns. The people of Fort Madison deserve someone on the council who will work hard and take the initiative to find long term solutions. I have been through four downturns in the economy since I left high school and know what it is like to have pull up my boot-straps and start over on a different path. Ive gotten where I am by hard work, determination and the help of many people. I want to use my diverse experience, knowledge and sense of fair play to make the town I chose to live in the best it can be.
Posted on: Sun, 27 Oct 2013 17:25:40 +0000
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