Candidate Q&A: James Stewart
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By Times staff | Tuesday, October 16, 2007 |
Office sought: Bettendorf alderman, 5th Ward
Why did you choose to live in Bettendorf?
I grew up in a large city, yet always desired the charm and sense of community of a smaller town. My wife grew up here in Bettendorf. After living in Grinnell, Iowa, for nearly seven years, we moved here for several reasons. We are a family of five and were attracted to the excellent school system. The Pleasant View and Bettendorf school systems provide the best available public education in the state of Iowa. As parents, my wife and I have been extremely satisfied with the high quality of educational services our children receive at Pleasant View Elementary and the junior high. In addition, Bettendorf and the Quad-Cities are big enough to furnish a large variety of entertainment options including restaurants, sports for the kids and minor league baseball and football. We particularly like the Duck Creek Bike Path. Bettendorf has been the right move for us. I continue to settle down into this community, a town that I am proud of, and look forward to many more years of sharing with family and friends.
Why are you running?
In the past, I have served as chief of medical staff and board member at Grinnell Regional Medical Center. Also, I have been extensively involved in varies civic activities in the local community. As a physician, I listen to the people of my community on a daily basis. Every day, my patients entrust me with their lives. I am compassionate, empathetic and carry out specific goal-oriented tasks on a daily basis. Yet, on the other hand, I fully understand that this town needs to be run like a business. The 5th Ward needs a genuine leader that will address their concerns and provide strong, intelligent representation in the council. I will be accessible to the people of the 5th Ward. I am looking forward to addressing the issues and meeting the challenges of the 5th Ward.
What is the single biggest issue facing Bettendorf?
Properly managing growth in Bettendorf is increasingly becoming a major topic of interest. The process involving the disappearance of vast open land areas and replacement with burgeoning neighborhoods needs to be carefully monitored and planned. The current proposed methods need to be implemented with the collaboration of both city and residents. This is particularly true in the northern parts of the 5th Ward. Input from both entities will ensure that our growing community will remain inviting and unique. For example, including the proper proportion of public parks, bike paths and other recreational opportunities is important in order to retain our ability to remain a quality destination point for generations into the future. Also, we need to continue to make certain that this growth is balanced with the appropriate availability of city services such as fire, police and emergency personnel to name a few.
What is the city’s greatest asset?
The people of Bettendorf by far are its greatest asset. For the most part, this community consists of individuals who respect and care about their fellow man. Bettendorf is a safe place to live with a low crime rate. Civic pride is strong. We still retain a down-home, Midwestern charm. As a people, we are informed and literate with a nearly 40 percent college-educated populous. Over 92 percent of us have a high school degree. The citizens of this town continue to make Bettendorf a great place to live.
Is the fire department sufficiently staffed? Is the current build-up plan sufficient?
The city’s need for additional full-time firefighters is an obvious objective we need to fulfill. This measure can be accomplished by utilizing a comprehensive plan that will allow for the hiring of additional firefighters over a predetermined period of time. As a result, we can continue to provide a quality public service for our citizens and “hold the line” on taxes.
A mayoral candidate is campaigning largely on the belief that the riverfront needs to be returned to the public, rather than developed for industry, such as at QCA Pools & Spas. What is the best use, in your estimation, of the remaining riverfront?
After attending several council meetings in the past, it is my understanding that the public has been and will continue to be involved in the riverfront development. Also, it is my understanding that a plan is already in place that addresses this issue and the public has played a major role in its development. The use of the remaining riverfront land needs to be thoroughly configured with input from both city officials and citizens of Bettendorf.
Is the city’s relationship with the Isle of Capri good for taxpayers?
Historically, the Isle of Capri has played a key role in providing additional tax revenues for the city. It is imperative that the citizens and city officials of Bettendorf continue to nurture this symbiotic relationship such that both groups benefit. I look forward to the development of the events center despite some concern of a $10 million shortfall due to declining gambling revenue. I’m confident that the proposed development agreement will satisfy both parties involved and the economic benefits will materialize with the creation of satellite businesses in the area and further expansion of our tax base.
In what areas, if any, would you like to see the city focus more effort on redevelopment?
Bettendorf appears to have experienced significant success with the Duck Creek Mall redevelopment, as evidenced by the increase in the assessed property value to nearly $30 million. Now is the time to concentrate our efforts on the Joevan site. Also, I like the continued focus of renovation on the downtown area. Redevelopment of these two key areas will only increase our tax base for further improvements of the city’s fire, police and emergency services.
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