A vote for Bob Polwarth

While you might have seen letters in support of schools from city council candidate Bob Polwarth, many Des Moines voters don't know him well, so I'd like to offer a glimpse into the character of this smart, but quiet man.

Bob has degrees in history from WSU and construction estimating from the UW.

As a student of history, he tends to view events philosophically; as a project manager on public works projects, he sees the realities of what it costs to maintain municipal infrastructures; and as a homeowner, he knows how city amenities both cost and serve he and his family.

He often says that the business of government is not business, but governance, and is suspicious of those that claim that a city can operate without adequate funding, and is grown up enough to know that financial shortfalls cannot be made up by rolling back taxes.

Bob is used to reviewing, approving and implementing budgets and schedules, is comfortable with zoning laws and permit processes, so he understands many of the complexities that escape those that constantly whine, but never substantiate, that Des Moines is a hard place to do business.

Above all, Bob can work with any council member present or prior. While active with the 33rd Democrats, he has no history with local politics, so lacks both enmity and patronage from any side.

We need Bob to help change the disparaging tone of politics in Des Moines and to work with all council members, whoever they are, in January 2006.

Cass Prindle

Des Moines