Chamber committee backs 3 C.R. council candidates
Reprinted from The Gazette, Thursday, October 18, 2007, page 3B

By Rick Smith
The Gazette

CEDAR RAPIDS — The Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce’s political action committee, Linn Area BizPAC, has endorsed Tom Podzimek, Chuck Swore and Monica Vernon in the three City Council races on the Nov. 6 ballot.

The Hawkeye Labor Council earlier endorsed the same three candidates, at-large incumbent Podzimek, incumbent Swore in west-side District 4 and challenger Vernon in east-side District 2.

In endorsing Vernon, Linn Area BizPAC noted that both she and incumbent Sarah Henderson have shown a commitment to economic development, fiscal conservatism and a pro-business agenda.

The group, though, said it was siding with Vernon because of her belief in teamwork, her years of community service and her overall community vision.

Vernon is past chairman of the Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors.

Linn Area BizPAC said Swore has been willing to ask tough questions and Podzimek brings ‘‘a thoughtful approach’’ to city government. Linn Area BizPAC supports the Highway 100 extension, construction of a new federal courthouse, property-tax relief and downtown revitalization.

Nancy Bruner, P. Thomas Larson and Larry Sharp are competing against Podzimek; Henderson and Robin Tucker against Vernon; and Kathy Rickertsen and Chuck Wieneke against Swore.