Mayor Nomination

Councilman Bruce Teague

Delivered January 2, 2020
Iowa City, Iowa
 Over the past couple of months, I have had a lot of time to reflect on this

very moment. When I look around at everyone sitting here with me on the

Council, I see so much experience, varied wisdom, passion, and commitment to the

community of Iowa City. We are also able to witness the first ever women-

majority council. So welcome to Councilors Laura and Janice, you both have

made history by making John and I the minority! I know deep in my heart, that we

all share a vision of how great we want this city to become. We want to maintain

its greatness but also be progressive in order to achieve our city’s values. I am

proud of the work of this council, and it is inspiring to other communities; not only

in Johnson County but, across the state, the nation and the world like in Sudan

where Maz is from.

I appreciate this opportunity to speak and to be nominated for Mayor. By

being an elected city council member, all of us councilors have the right to seek the

role as Mayor. I am humbled and grateful for this moment; Susan and Pauline, I

know your love and compassion for this city. I applaud the work that you have

done. Thanks to both of you. We are all very fortunate to be able to seek this role

as Mayor and share our personal attributes.

One of the many skills I possess is the ability to weave together the talents

and skills of other people in order to reach our team vision. Councilors, we all

know that being Mayor is only a title. It does not give sole power to one
individual, nor does it place any of us above the other. I know this and I highly

respect it. I respect each of you as my equal always have and always will. Together

we are strong and what we achieve as a team over the next two years will forever

be remembered as a council.

Councilors, we are here to keep this community moving forward. Together,

with teamwork and equality, we can move this city forward through our shared

values of inclusivity. Our teamwork can solidify economic opportunity for all.

Our shared vision will lay the foundation for strong financial footing for this

generation and future generations to come. The work we do together will be an

example to our community and beyond.

My motto has always been and remains, “All Voices At the Table.” In the

role as Mayor, I will fulfill this promise. In council meetings, as the leader among

equals, I will ensure your voice is heard. I will continue to foster positive,

productive, and collaborative discussions amongst us. I want you to know you are

always welcome at our council meetings. I am willing and eager to meet with all

citizens one-on-one and face-to-face to share and discuss all matters. Councilors,

community members, and city staff, I need your voice to help me perform

successfully. I am open to new ideas and help to determine if it’s a voice vote or if

I need to say “roll call” Eleanor.

 As Mayor, I can relate to the community at-large. 26 years ago, I arrived in

Iowa City from Chicago. I was a 17-year-old high school senior who was failing

chemistry and in danger of not graduating. I was in complete shock when I arrived

and realized, “I wasn’t in Kansas anymore”. My parents allowed their son, who

got all F’s and a C in one semester, to move to Iowa City with his 19-year-old

sister. Many said that was the worst decision my parents ever made. Well,

because of Iowa City and my hard work, I graduated from West High School in

1994. From my youth, I have built strong relationships within this community. I

am proud to say the people of Iowa City have helped develop me into who I am

today. While being a young man from the inner city of Chicago, statistics showed

that I was unlikely to attend college. I graduated from Kirkwood Community

College with my nursing degree, and the University of Iowa with a BA in

Psychology with certificate in Aging Studies.

Councilors, many of you know my story and of course, I can’t tell them all

now but I am so proud of my journey. At the age of 19, working with end of life

patients through Iowa City Hospice, I realized the patients and their families

looked to me, as “a leader”. I discovered the innate gift I possessed to support

others and help them navigate whatever is going on their life.

Fifteen years ago, I took the leap of faith to leave a job, which I loved at

Mercy Hospital with good pay and health benefits to start my business, Caring
Hands & More (CHAM). I literally started it with no money. My office was in my

mobile home, in which I employed 3 individuals. Caring Hands and More serves

individuals and families with a variety of needs: including children, individuals

with disabilities, the elderly, and providing end of life care for patients. We have

assisted thousands to receive services needed in the comfort of their home. I

employ approximately 90 people primarily living in the Iowa City area. Through

leadership and collaboration in 15 years CHAM has acquired 3 offices and owns 6

of the 9 group homes we operate. I want you to take a second, to think about how

the people of Iowa City have helped me with attain these achievements. How many

others that look like me do you know with similar stories within our city? My

story gives hope and inspiration to people no matter who they are or where they

have come from

The past 15 months, as an elected city councilor have been “Awesome and

Amazing”. I’ve learned a lot. The 500-page packets that appeared to be gibberish,

now makes sense. Everything is now in perspective because of the support from

staff, the community members, and fellow councilors working with me to ensure

their team member succeeded. Every one of you know, I give extra praise to Susan

Mims for spending so much time with me. After the first meeting with Susan I

knew immediately the 1000 hours I spent preparing for the first meeting needed to

be tripled. I am happy to say I tripled my study time and I am proficient. No F’s

and C’s here. I also want to thank Geoff Fruin our City Manager and all the city

staff. Geoff, those weekly 7:30am weekly meetings, I have enjoyed because the

meetings allowed me to ask the 101 questions I had.

It has been 15 months since I have served on the council. I am truly

privileged; most Mayors get elected and start day one with no experience. Our

neighbors, University Heights, Coralville, and North Liberty Mayors are often

people within the community with a desire to serve with little to no institutional

knowledge. I have had 15 months of service sitting alongside our recently retired

Mayor Throgmorton, who also spent significant one-on-one time with me. I

quickly learned that if I asked one question, I was going to get a history lesson and

willingly soaked it all up.

Being an Iowa City resident for over 26 years I have gained practical

knowledge through so many interactions with the city. I have previously been a

Section 8 recipient, however, now I am proud to serve as landlord for many

affordable houses. I know Steve Raski and many in his department. I know what

it is to be a renter and now I am the owner of 10 properties. Being an owner

allowed me to become familiar with Mr. Stan Laverman the Senior Housing

Inspector. I now know what property taxes mean as it relates to our agenda.

Prior to council and since on council, I have had several interactions in

witnessing the superb work that Stefanie Bowers does in the Human Rights
Department, Traci Hightshoe, our Neighborhood & Development Services

Director, she and former city staff Steve Long, assisted me with technical support

regarding my CDBG and HOME application. I have been able to purchase 3

homes because of HCDC and ultimately the council approval of my application.

In 2006, I went before council requesting rezoning, which was denied. That

experience was quite scary for me. Although, in that case, I must thank God for

unanswered prayers which subsequently resulted in a “no decision”. It pushed me

to another level. Chief Matherly, of the Iowa City Police Department, whom I

have had so many interactions with through my line of work. I now know first-

hand of their hard work and dedication.

I have shared with many of you the knowledge I have gained during the

renovation process of Caring Hands & Multigenerational Center. I acted as the

Developer, Building Owner, and General Contractor. Boy! did I learn many

lessons that I would have never learned as a councilor. So, thank you to the

building Inspectors Tim Hennes and Terry Goerdt and their respective teams. I

would like to also thank Fire Marshall Brian Greer. When informed of the

requirement to install a fire sprinkler system which further required the installation

of a larger water main pipe, I was stunned. As one can only believe I learned about

city codes from a new perspective.

 If you ask me, why I want to serve as Mayor, I will first tell you, I have a

servant’s heart, a humble spirit and I am not on an ego trip. I am a collaborator and

can “Lead” council meetings as an “Equal”. I have institutional knowledge, both

as a council member and from real-life experiences. Being your Mayor is truly

meaningful to me. I will continue to be visibly present as often as possible in the

community

For 26 years, my life in Iowa City has been intertwined with all citizens. I

am relatable from the babies to our community seniors. I must acknowledge that

this year will be the 50th celebration of PRIDE and I am proud to be a member. As

Mayor, I would provide hope because of my ability to listen to all voices. My

attributes as a person and Mayor would be an inspiration to all. Iowa City will be

known as the “City of Hope”! The people of Iowa City can identify with the kid

with all those F’s and C’s. If the Mayor could thrive with those grades, so can I.

All it takes is a small amount of hope. I Humbly request your support of me, Bruce

Teague as the next mayor of Iowa City.