Cedar Falls Mayor Jon Crews Seeks 15th Term

Cedar Falls Mayor Jon Crews will seek re-election this fall, for what would be his 15th term.

"I believe the city needs to have strong, experienced leadership to guide us through the next few years. I have the experience, the desire and the vision to continue serving as your Mayor," he said in a press release. "The support I have received during my years in office has made me one of the most grateful residents in our town. I ask for your continued confidence and I pledge to do my best to continue our forward momentum.”

Crews, 66, was first elected as mayor in 1971 at the age of 24. He served eight years. After a hiatus, he again was elected mayor in 1987, serving six years. His most recent stint as the head of the city's government began in 1999.

A University of Northern Iowa graduate, he also has taught at UNI, worked for Deere & Co., MCI-WorldCom, Omega Cabinets, and served as Black Hawk County Treasurer.

In 2011, he won re-election over challengers Frank Darrah and Larry Quigley, taking 59 percent of the vote.

Here is his full statement:

During a recent meeting with Cedar Falls residents, Mayor Jon Crews announced his intentions to run for a 15^th term as Mayor of Cedar Falls. In making the announcement Crews said “Cedar Falls is my hometown and I have greatly enjoyed the opportunities voters have given me to serve them.

 Cedar Falls is in good financial condition and we have grown our tax base in residential and commercial properties year after year. The industrial parks and commercial districts have made us the envy of many other cities.  They have provided employment opportunities for our residents and have continued to fuel our economy.  Cedar Falls offers an attractive quality of life that has local, state, and award-winning national recognition.

It has been a privilege to be a part of an efficient government team that has successfully navigated through economic and environmental challenges. We have come back from the floods of 2008. I have watched our community grow closer. Our partnerships with business, schools, UNI, CFU, and civic organizations work in harmony in planning and growing our community.

In the next few years Cedar Falls will face retirements in senior staff leadership, financial challenges in holding the line on spending and taxes, fulfilling our long-range plans and maintaining our streets, refuse collection, police and fire safety. The voluntary community support of the Blue Zones initiative will make Cedar Falls healthier and more attractive to newcomers.

I believe the city needs to have strong, experienced leadership to guide us through the next few years. I have the experience, the desire and the vision to continue serving as your Mayor. The support I have received during my years in office has made me one of the most grateful residents in our town. I ask for your continued confidence and I pledge to do my best to continue our forward momentum.”

Mayor Crews is one of the longest serving mayors in the state and has been at the helm while Cedar Falls has become the envy of many other communities that have been unable to do as well in attracting new jobs, new business and new residential growth. Mayor Crews can be contacted at: jon.crews3@gmail.com or 277-2054. He has always taken pride in his ability to provide open access to all residents of Cedar Falls and regularly invites public comment.

Follow @CedarFallsPatch on Twitter, on Facebook and through our newsletter for future city government news updates.