Crews Drops out of Cedar Falls Runoff Election

An upcoming runoff race for the mayor's post in Cedar Falls, will still have 2 candidates on the ballot, however one of them has now dropped out.

Current Cedar Falls Mayor Jon Crews announced today (Thursday) that he will be retiring, effective the end of this year.

In the municipal elections held Tuesday, none of the three candidates received the majority of votes needed to win, so a runoff election was scheduled for December 1st, between the top two vote getters: Crews, and Cedar Falls Board of Education member Jim Brown. Brown actually had about 700 more votes than Crews.

But the 69 year old Crews now says he has decided to suspend his campaign, and retire from office when his current term is done.

The 47 year old Brown, who is also a development manager for a local software company, will still have to campaign for the runoff; even though Crews' name will be on the ballot and he has quit the race, voters may still write-in another candidate.

An open letter from Crews to the public, announcing his retirement from political office, is copied below.

Letter from Cedar Falls Mayor Jon Crews

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

So, here we are with a December 1st run-off election. I’d be kidding if I said I’m looking
forward to extending my campaign efforts. If you’ve never run for office, you have no idea
of the stress and energy of placing your life on hold while seeking a majority of voter
support. Election cycles are all-consuming.

As the Media has pointed out, I have held this office for 30 years. The accomplishments
over those three decades is remarkable. We have set aside 1,250 acres of development
land, opened 169 businesses, and constructed 7 million square feet serving 7,500 jobs that
might otherwise have gone elsewhere.

Retail districts are thriving, our city-owned utilities, gas, water, electric, cable,
entertainment, and internet, are the envy of many cities twice or more our size. Our parks,
trails and recreational/leisure facilities have brought Cedar Falls awards and recognitions.

The operation of City government is a credit to our veteran staff leadership and their
commitment to citizen service. My management style has been to empower others to do
their best and to adopt policies that stimulate growth. I am so very proud to have been of
service to Cedar Falls. We are a city that is safer, more financially sound and better
managed than most cities our size anywhere in the country.

I have thought long and hard about the election results. Those who voted are to be praised.

Apparently, the majority of voters are looking for a new face in City Hall. Rather than
causing a lot of money to be spent on campaigns and possibly creating bad feelings and
division in the ranks, I have decided that I will step down at the end of this term.
I extend my best wishes to Mr. Brown. I pray that his commitment to the office of mayor
and to the citizens of Cedar Falls will continue the legacy of progress that has been set.

To every resident, whether supporting me or not, I wish you well. I sincerely thank you for the
wonderful opportunity you have given me.

God Bless you All,
Jon Crews
Mayor, Cedar Falls