​FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: David Supp-Montgomerie
​Tel. 954.383.4130
Date: 08/31/2015
Email: david-supp-montgomerie@uiowa.edu

Iowa Program for Public Life Announces Inaugural Event

Affording Coralville: How Can We Make Our Community More Livable?

“What does it take to make democracy work as it should?” A new university-community partnership suggests that high-quality conversations between citizens are part of the answer. The Iowa Program for Public Life (IPPL) at the University of Iowa, along with PATV Channel 18 and the Johnson County Affordable Homes Coalition, announced this week that a public discussion in Coralville about housing costs will kick-off a yearlong series of related discussions around Johnson County.

“Johnson County has the highest portion of residents paying half or more of their income on housing in the entire state,” said Jerry Anthony, Associate Professor in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning and the Public Policy Center. The discussion in Coralville will provide an opportunity for residents to voice their concerns and learn about the issue in a neutral, non-judgmental, and participatory setting. “We do not advocate for any particular solution; we empower citizens to speak to each other and decide for themselves what solutions are best for their community,” said David Supp-Montgomerie, Director of the IPPL. “The microphone at a city council meeting is important, but it is not the only way for citizens to engage in public problem solving,” Supp-Montgomerie added.

The “Affording Coralville” event is September 16, 5:30-7:00pm at the Coralville Public Library auditorium. Refreshments will be served.

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