FAIR!'s Progress (2002 to mid-2004)

Origin dates back to late 2001, when a few people began discussing the possibility of creating a new progressive coalition focused on local politics and policy. The discussions were partly inspired by the success of Progressive Dane in Madison.

By April of 2002 we had adopted a name and set of guiding purposes for the organization.

In August we sponsored a public talk by Matt Rothschild, editor of Progressive magazine.

In September we sponsored a public talk by Brenda Konkel of Progressive Dane.

In October of 2002 we held our first public membership meeting. In it we conducted a visioning exercise and discussed local issues and strategies to promote a progressive perspective in eastern Iowa. About this time we also opened up a P.O. box, started a FAIR! email list, and prepared a membership brochure.

We started a few "working groups/action teams" to focus on important local topics; e.g., local economic development, transportation, parks, local culture. This led to a TIF teach in and to adoption of a FAIR! local economic development policy in February.

In January of 2003 we adopted a set of by-laws and a month later we elected our first officers and steering committee.

Also in January we co-sponsored (w/1000 Friends) a public talk by Sam Edwards, a legislator from Tennessee.

We endorsed the school bond referendum in February.

In that same month we sponsored a public talk by Dennis Kucinich, and we adopted a resolution concerning the war in Iraq.

In May we adopted a policy for considering endorsements to local office, and we issued a position statement about Iowa City budget cuts (which appeared as a guest opinion in the Press-Citizen).

We sponsored a party at Karen Kubby's house in June, and we adopted a policy concerning local governance that same month.

By August we had established a web site.

In September we elected a new set of officers and steering committee members to serve for one-year terms.

From September through November we considered whether to endorse candidates in the School Board election and in the elections to the Iowa City and Coralville City Councils. We decided to endorse Mary Vasey for the School Board, to endorse none of the Coralville candidates, and to endorse three candidates for Iowa City, including Regenia Bailey. We sponsored an informal reception for IC candidates, and we made a major door knocking effort on behalf of endorsed candidates in the Iowa City election. This included wearing new FAIR! t-shirts and displaying FAIR! signs.

In March of 2004 we sponsored a well-attended social gathering at the Mill.

In April we co-sponsored (with 1000 Friends) a town meeting on growth in the north corridor, and in May we co-sponsored (with the Hawkeye Chapter of the Iowa Civil Liberties Union) a panel discussion about the jail and related issues. These events were televised and very well attended.

In June we sponsored a well-attended potluck picnic at Happy Hollow Park.