The pace of the campaign is picking up fast. Tomorrow, Thursday October 25th, I will attend three events: The Human Rights Awards Breakfast, the Bicyclist of Iowa City (BIC) Lunch, and the League of Women Voters Forum in the evening. If I’m not at meeting a or talking to supporters I’m calling voters, planning neighborhood canvassing, and watching the days fly by. And sometimes sleeping.

I am very proud to say that I have won the endorsement of Local 1260 of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners, the Iowa City Federation of Labor, and the Iowa City Sierra Club. In practical terms, endorsements can mean additional donations and volunteers to help on the campaign. They mean a lot to me personally as well.

In political terms, endorsements are shorthand for where a candidate stands. Iowa City labor is a natural ally in my goals of improving public safety, expanding support for affordable housing, and promoting historic preservation. The Sierra Club and I agree completely on the importance of improving Iowa City's green efforts.

Most importantly these groups, like me, are here for the long haul. If I am lucky enough to be elected I will look to them, and many other community members for ideas, debate, and assistance. I have learned so much over the last several months, crisscrossing Iowa City, meeting people I might never have encountered otherwise, and discovering how passionately we all are about this town. It’s an impressive place.

I want to thank the Carpenters, the Iowa City Federation of Labor, and the Sierra Club, for their votes of confidence, and to acknowledge the other groups that spoke with me as a council candidate, tested my mettle, and proved to be terrific sounding-boards.

Now it’s time to back to the phone; my dialing finger isn't numb any more.