Nick Taiber is seeking to renew his service to the citizens of Cedar Falls. In his inaugural run in 2009, he ran a spirited campaign to inject new ideas, energy and experience. In 2019, he vows to double-down on his commitment to Cedar Falls and work to unify our city in a common vision with independent, thoughtful and visionary leadership.

For decades, Cedar Falls' traditional neighborhoods have pushed back against the tide of single-family-to-rental conversions. Councils have tried occupancy restrictions, nuisance expansions, enforcement, people-carrying-capacity calculations, moratoriums, conversion incentives and so on.  While the actions are noble in their intent, the impact is hardly discernible. Added residential density around the University is the surest solution for traditional neighborhood concerns.

It has been a good run Cedar Falls. I count 8 years of gratitude for the privilege of serving the citizens of our great city. With each new day, whether I was in Cedar Falls or a distant land, Cedar Falls was top of my mind. I look back and am reminded how many people helped me on this journey from the first campaign to my last days on the job, from citizens to staff to friends and family, you know who you are, you know I am grateful beyond words.

In 2014, Cedar Falls City Council took a visionary step to modernize public safety services. Under a public safety model, police and fire services are operationally aligned in tactical response, leadership, strategic planning and fiscal management. We are incorporating cross-training, technology and strategy to improve our capabilities. In the old way, police and fire each operated in their silos with minimal interaction, their own bureaucracy and manpower. Cedar Falls is young in its journey, but public safety services are already measurably better and costing less.

Every day is a new day my Cedar Falls friends! While undercurrents of political dissatisfaction seem to exist no matter your political leaning, we can take comfort knowing Cedar Falls is on a solid path. In 2016, we welcomed Mayor Jim Brown and Councilman Tom Blanford to the chambers of 200 Clay Street. We launched the most ambitious road and infrastructure project in the history of our city, University Avenue. We rose above ominous flood waters. We inked an historic agreement for public-private golf operations. We advanced Public Safety modernization. We processed a record level of building permits. On the other side of good, we expanded the government control over our lives from misguided rental code expansion to denying backyard chicken freedom. But on a whole, I am proud of our city's continued progress.

Rejoice, the election is over. And while some may not like all the outcomes, we are resilient. Our greatness doesn’t come from our government, it comes from the people. The day our nation’s mood is set by political outcomes, is the day government has become too big, too high stakes. For my race, I am beat up and spit out, disappointed, yet grateful to have the opportunity to run. I offer reflections on my Independent bid for Iowa House District 59 in the words to follow.

On Sunday (9/11/2016) I embark on Ironman 3.0. In any ordinary year, an Ironman commitment will throw a person's life out of balance. Admittedly, I am out of balance, swinging my arms on the edge. But I’ve always liked being on the edge, this feels normal. This year, my Ironman pursuit is blurred by the other priorities in life… from work obligations to city council, from Self-Help International to family commitments... this is what I love, operating at capacity. Oh, and that Iowa House thing! I do my training when others are sleeping (before dawn and way after dusk), my days are occupied by work, my evenings are dedicated to door knocking, at night I catch up on council and IA House duties. Family fills the gaps. I would rather redline than look back with regret.

When a politician uses phrases like 'job creation' and 'improve our economy', ask for their credentials to speak on the topic. Heck, ask what they know about economics, capital markets, and workforce development. Ask them if they have worked with local, state or foreign governments to establish or grow businesses. In my professional life, I build businesses for CPM Holdings and wear many hats. One day, I might be closing a multi-national acquisition. Every day, I make at least one pot of coffee. I know business.

I abhor driving, it is drudgery. But it just so happens that my two boys, Julian and Roman, really like soccer and hockey. By and large, these programs are run out of Waterloo's excellent Young Arena and Sportsplex facilities. In our just-in-time society, that means driving. Couple the drive with the maze of one-way couplets, pointless four-way stops, and endless traffic signals in downtown Waterloo, it is the stuff of road rage. There must be a better way. Enter MET transit.

Balanced Incentives: my next musings on Cedar Falls Business First (still looking for a better name). In this post, I want to refocus our incentives to support a broad-based approach to business creation, incubation and attraction. Grab a cup of coffee, energy drink or cocktail and let's sort this out together.