Michael P. Libbie

Closing Remarks - Election Day 2017

From the very beginning of this Windsor Heights City Council Campaign my goal has been to look forward and past the negative drum-beats of those who are angry. Moving forward has always been a hallmark of my life and moving forward is what I want to do as your representative on the City Council.

I believe I have the ability, experience and strength to help Windsor Heights grow and prosper. How? Take a look at this short video and let's work together to create a thriving community "In the hear of it all".

 

Vote Tuesday, November 7th.

Thank you...for your trust and for your vote.

Michael

Let's Not "Fall Back" Thirty Years

Hope you enjoyed the extra hour of sleep!

Welcome to the day in which we set our clocks back an hour. I have to confess this always gets me and I have to think out loud, "So, when does it get lighter and/or darker?"

I know...it's just me.

This whole "Fall Back Day" got me to thinking about the Windsor Heights City Election that happens on Tuesday. Will our community make the decision to fall back twenty or thirty years or will our citizens decide to move forward? 

It's an important question that only people here can answer.

I know how difficult it is, for some, to change. Many of the same people who don't want sidewalks didn't want the Windsor Heights Community Center, Colby Park, The Town Center, better bike trails...the list gets long. What is worse is that many of those individuals running on the "Just Say NO!" ticket have never served one minute in service to our community. 

How do you do that?

My hope is that the people of Windsor Heights send a clear, progressive message that you want to move forward. You want to increase mobility for all our citizens, you want to lower our property taxes by creating a larger commercial footprint, you want to increase senior living opportunities and you want to live and work and volunteer in a community that offers a high quality of life.

On Tuesday let's not "Fall Back" decades. Let's say "Yes!" to the great possibilities that are in our future.

To get there I humbly ask for your support and vote on Tuesday. It matters.

Michael

My campaign website is MichaelLibbie.com my cell phone is 515-570-2220, my email is MPLibbie@gmail.com

Thanks for reading...let's do this!

"We Want Transparency in City Government!"

This evening as I knocked on door number 1,026 a man told me the only thing he is concerned about is "transparency in city government". Well, me too so I asked the next question: "Tell me, is your concern that the Windsor Heights City Council is not or has not been transparent in their dealings?"

"Exactly, we don't know what is going on there and they rammed sidewalks (yes, again) down our throats!"

I hear this a bunch. Now, to be clear, I was not on the Windsor Heights City Council when they voted to add sidewalks to several areas of our community. However I think sidewalks do three very important things:

• Provide a safe mode of transportation for pedestrians and for vehicles;
• Increase the value of the property;
• Create a community that is open to more than just cars as a means of getting around.

That said...my new friend was concerned about "transparency".

Let me see if I can help... The City of Windsor Heights offers lots of ways to engage and know what is going on. For example:

• Windsor Heights Living Magazine - Each month there is two pages of information in the magazine;
• Water Bill News Letter - Each month the city has inserted into the Des Moines Water Works bill a newsletter;
• Ten in Sixty - Where city officials welcome citizens to a monthly open forum to discuss what is on their mind;
• Email News Letters - While I'd like to see better numbers (and I suggested a way to increase those email numbers years ago) the city sends out regular pieces of information via e-mail;
• Twice Monthly City Council Meetings - I go and take part on behalf of the Windsor Heights Chamber and it's where I get plenty of information about "what is going on";
• Windsor Heights Web Site - The new and improved site offers visitors information in easy to find areas if you spend the time looking.

Can it be better?  Sure, we can improve on just about anything. But to suggest there is no transparency?

So my question is this: I have no "inside track" and I have never sat on the Windsor Heights City Council so how come I know what is going on in my community?

From the beginning I have promised to listen and to communicate...heck, I do that for a living. I can tell you that while we may not always agree it does not mean that I'm not listening. That is, my friends...being transparent.

My cell phone is 515-570-2222 my email is MPLibbie@gmail.com my campaign website and blog are at MichaelLibbie.com.

Thanks for reading!  

Oh The Stories in Windsor Heights!

One of the benefits of knocking on doors and talking with voters are the stories I hear. Because I'm not working from a list and simply
going door to door (now at 968) I'm running into all sorts of people. Let me share two stories with you.

I was knocking on Forest Court the other day and came across Rev. Harold Varce and his wife Virginia who graciously invited me in from the cold. I had met Virginia several times over the years but had missed meeting Harold. What a delight. I spent an hour listening and learning from them both. Harold had served for 17 years as the executive director of the Des Moines Area Religious Council and was a former United Methodist pastor. We have a great number of friends in common based on my years at Friendship Haven. After a bit I asked Rev. Varce a pointed question, "Tell me, there is so much anger in this community how do we heal?" We talked about anger and disappointment and listening and learning. Then Virginia got up and brought me back a copy of a Des Moines Register story from 1989. It was about Harold and his upcoming retirement. She said, "You seem to be a learner, I think you will find your answer in this article."

And, I did. I the article he says, "Let the leaders lead and involve the lay people in planning programs and carrying them out." Involvement yet not "compromise principles".

A few days later I knocked on the door of retired nurses JoAnn and Leona (and their dog Micah). They purchased their home on 73rd Street in 1963...1963! They told me they are all in for sidewalks in Windsor Heights because they enjoy going from place to place in safety and then they talked about buying their home. You see, back in 1963 every bank in the Des Moines Metro required that a man sign the loan papers. "It didn't matter that we were both employed. Every bank turned us down because they wanted a man to sign the paperwork. We finally went to one bank, looked the president in the eye and said that we were quite confident that we can take care of ourselves!" JoAnn and Leona tell me they became the first women in Polk County to buy a house on their own.

Knocking on doors isn't easy but it's been made a treat listening to some great stories. Thank you all!

The election is November 7th. I humbly ask for your vote.

To learn more my website is MichaelLibbie.com my cell phone is 515-570-2220 and my email is MPLibbie@gmail.com if you would like to help support my campaign with a donation you can send that check to our home 2009 80th Street, Windsor Heights, Iowa 50324.

I'm off to knock on some more doors...thanks for reading!

 

Walkable Communities, Healthy Communities and Economic Development

There has been lots of talk about what is a "walkable community" and how does that fit into the future of Windsor Heights. Along with that discussion there has been conversation about a potential re-design of University Avenue. I want to share with you this conversation from a recent radio broadcast on Insight on Business the News Hour where I visit with Kent Sovern from AARP-Iowa. Listen to what he says about building for the future and what that has to do with healthy communities, economic development and more...

Walkable Communities and Econ Development

Thanks for listening.

Should you wish to comment, you can do that here or give me a call my cell phone is 515-570-2220 my email is MPLibbie@gmail.com my direct line at my office is 515-331-3207 and my campaign website is MichaelLibbie.com 

 

Two Days In October

As I run for a seat on the Windsor Heights City Council I am impressed at the number of candidates who talk about economic development. "We need economic development" or "I will work for economic development". It all "sounds good" but what time and effort have they invested in learning more about economic development trends, business trends, education trends, technology trends?

This past week I spent two days at the 2017 TrustBelt Conference. National leaders in economic development, future studies, technology, government and education met to share, discuss and talk about ways in which we might remake our cities and towns. During that time I was able to listen to some of the best minds in the business and forge relationships with people who are on the front lines of economic development.

That is what you do if you are committed to more than simply "talking". 

I went to learn and interact and then bring back solid ides that will help create a vibrant commercial and enterprise zone in Windsor Heights.

The images that are here include Rep. Dan Kildee (D-MI) who talked about reinvesting in Flint, Michigan and growing business in a blighted area. Rebecca Ryan an international leader in future studies who speaks to issues of small business development and what we should prepare ourselves for in the coming years.  Mark Modzelewski who spoke to me about how to grow business in our cities and towns with the people who are already there...rather than chasing the next "new shinny object". I visited with Leila Aridi Afas the director of International Public Policy at Toyota, Peter Zelihan the author of The Accidental Superpower about energy and energy delivery and the future of technology. (He grew up in Marshalltown.)  And there were many others.

This is what you do. You don't just "talk" about economic development you go out, learn, focus and bring back solid ideas that, while they may sound strange, are already working in communities all across the nation...and world.

So here if my challenge to you: The next time a candidate starts to talk about economic development ask him or her what they have done, in the past two weeks, or month or year to become knowledgeable about the issues that confront us. Go ahead...ask and then base your decision on the answer.

I just shared with you what I've been doing for two days this week.

My Cell Phone is 515-570-2220, my email is MPLibbie@gmail.com my website is MichaelLibbie.com and my DIRECT phone at my office is 515-331-3207. 

Should you be motivated to help my campaign with a donation my mailing address is Michael Libbie, 2815 100th Street, Box 382, Urbandale, Iowa 50322.

Thank you...again! 

On The Job Training?

Last week there was a candidate forum sponsored by the Windsor Heights Chamber of Commerce. The nine candidates for Windsor Heights City Council were there, in front of up to 300 people, ready to answer questions posed by the Chamber and by the audience.

Well, sort of.

I heard "I will listen to the voters in my office at City Hall" and "I will create committees to look at business development" and "I will make it a priority to plan for infrastructure street and sidewalk repair" and my favorite, "I will work and provide plans to provide economic development for our community."

I disparage no person who seeks to become a public servant but one would think you might have some working knowledge of the position that you seek rather than doing On The Job Training.  Let's look at each of those public comments:

"I will listen to the voters in my office at City Hall." - Uhm....there is no office for City Council Members at City Hall. Perhaps it would be better said, as I did in a post several weeks ago, to set up Coffee Chats and Discussion & Drinks at our local businesses;

"I will create a committee of business people, elected officials and staff to look at business development." - Well, we already have one it is called the Windsor Heights Development Committee something that I have served on for three years;

"I will work and provide plans for street and sidewalk repair." - Actually there is already a 114 page document that details specific plans street by street and another document that provides detailed funding sources for infrastructure including streets and sidewalks;

"I will work and provide plans for economic development for our community." - The document is called Destination Windsor Heights. It was prepared by business leaders, citizens, city staff and elected officials. It provides detailed economic districts and ideas for everything from quality of life to business development to housing and was voted on and accepted in February 2017.

And it is all available at City Hall or on the City of Windsor Heights webpage.

I offered clear and responsible answers to the serious questions that face our community. While I applaud the efforts of each city council candidate in their desire to serve I would think it might be a good idea for them to actually work on the issues, be knowledgeable about what we have and then be sincere and deliberate with their answers.

On the Job Training is something we can't afford to do...not at this critical time.

My cell phone is 515-570-2220, my email is MPLibbie@gmail.com, my website is www.MichaelLibbie.com and you can find me on Facebook Michael Libbie for Windsor Heights City Council and on Twitter @MichaelLibbie.

If you would like to support my campaign with a donation...that would be awesome! People for Libbie, 2815 100th Street Box 382, Urbandale, Iowa 50322 (Office mailing address)

Thanks for reading! 

 

 

 

 

Closing Remarks Windsor Heights City Council Forum

Not everyone could be at the Windsor Heights City Council Public Forum sponsored by the Windsor Heights Chamber of Commerce this week and while the entire piece is available to listen and see on their Facebook Page. I created this recording from those remarks. 

I am running FOR something not against something. Here I mention just some of the people whom I've met as I've knocked on 679 doors in this community. Listening to what they have to say and what is important to them. While some of you believe sidewalks are the most important topic I believe that listening and taking positive action for all our citizens is the correct way to set policy.  To listen, please click the player below.

Closing Remarks 17 Oct 2017

Thank you, again, for reading and now listening. The election is scheduled for November 7th. I would sincerely appreciate your support and your vote.

If you would like to reach out to me my Cellphone number is 515-570-2220 my email is MPLibbie@gmail.com and my website, where you can find this blog and others, is MichaelLibbie.com

Thank you...again! 

Make No Little Dreams

When I was just starting my career with Friendship Haven, at that time the largest continuing care retirement community in Iowa, I was tasked with raising hundreds of thousands of dollars and overseeing a multi-million dollar investment portfolio. In my first months; I was a failure. I understood Wills, trust documents, annuities but I just could not find the message that matched the existing or new donor base.

Ninety days in Dr. Clarence Tompkins, the founder of Friendship Haven, came to my office and asked how things were going. "Not well Dr. Tompkins. I'm supposed to ask for money and I am but I'm not finding success." He looked at me and said the words that changed my life: "Never ask for money, just share the dream and make that dream theirs."

He then made it his mission to come to my office every day for weeks to school me in the dream of what so many had built for others. He would end each session with a paraphrase of Daniel H. Burnham the architect of Chicago: "Make no little dreams because they lack the power to stir the soul. Better to dream great dreams; so great that when accomplished people will rise up and call them blessed." In the years I served in that position I relished in the success of the dreams of others which in turn made my job so...simple.

There is a City Council Candidate Forum tonight in Windsor Heights at 6:30pm it will be held in the Community Center at Colby Park. You can assume that I will call on those memories and that I will share the story of what can be. You see, I think it is far better to work FOR something than against.

Thanks for reading.

My website is MichaelLibbie.com my Cell Phone is 515-570-2220 and my email is MPLibbie@gmail.com

 

 

So, What Do You Think?

Knocking doors and listening to voters can get circular.  Here's an example:

One of my "Big Ideas" is to create for Windsor Heights something that every town of 4,900 has...a Main Street. (Image is just a rendition of a possibility.) The commercial center of activity. I figure it would do several things:

• Increase our Commercial Footprint - By bringing more businesses to Windsor Heights we can help take the burden off of homeowners and their high property taxes;
• Decrease our use of Automatic Traffic Cameras - People hate them, business owners dislike them and I get it. So...on this vision of a new Main Street because we've used traffic calming to slow down cars we can get rid of the speed cameras;
• Become a Destination - When we create a Main Street and because we're right in the center of the Metro we can become a destination point for others around the Metro if we choose great shops and restaurants;
• Increase Pedestrian Travel - For those who like to walk from shop to shop or have dinner at one location and dessert at another we can walk from place to place.

I was having this conversation with a resident and made these four points. He said, "I don't think that will work. We should just increase the speed on University to 30 miles per-hour."

I countered, "So, how will that action help lower your property taxes?"

He said, "More people will come here to shop because we no longer have traffic cameras."

Me: "How will more people shopping here help reduce your property taxes?"

He countered, "Because more money spent means more tax revenue."

Me: "Except we don't have a Local Option Sales Tax. If we did then perhaps those dollars could be used to lower your property tax but, it's very difficult getting that done."

My new friend said, "Well, I don't like it we should just raise the speed limit."

Sometimes...ya just can't win.

Thanks for reading and if you have a BIG IDEA share it with me. I'm listening.

My email is MPLibbie@Gmail.com and my ONLY cell phone is 515-570-2220 (and I answer) and if you are motivated to help the my campaign with a donation send that check to People for Libbie, Box 382, 2815 100th Street, Urbandale, Iowa 50322 (Office mailing address)

Thanks again and let's do this on November 7th!