Letter of Interest_Douglas Ropa7 March 2011
City of Dubuque
City Clerk City Hall
1300 Main St.
Dubuque, Iowa
Dear Dubuque City Council:
The vacancy created with the passing of Dubuque Fourth Ward City Council member Dirk Voetberg
signals an unfortunate loss of a dedicated, devoted civic leader for my ward and the broader Dubuque
community. Over the past several weeks, I decided to seek appointment to the late Dirk Voetberg's City
Council position, and I see this as an opportunity to serve the Fourth Ward and to contribute to the City of
Dubuque.
As a Dubuque homeowner since 2004, sometimes I believe myself to be a "Welcome Dubuque" transition
success story in my own right. Dubuque is a city I love, and I love the people. The city's services,
resources, work ethic, arts, culture and relationships between neighbors are a case study in solid
leadership and vision. This, in my view, is an essential ingredient for public service: to truly care about
one's constituents, to listen to their concerns and to serve various neighborhoods equitably and fairly.
There are growing educational, vocational and civic priorities for the city, however. Several major areas
that concern me are education, adult literacy and public transportation.
As someone with over 10 years of experience in U.S. public education in northeast Iowa, I believe that
more community members would benefit from improved access to education, advanced work skills
training and adult literacy programs, and that part of this solution should include more resources allocated
toward public transportation.
At a recent City Council budget meeting, the Telegraph Herald reported that the city had cut public
transportation funding, and I view this news as unfortunate. Many of our nation's greatest cities operate
effective, efficient and valued public transportation systems. As a potential City Council member, I would
seek new sources of revenue to bolster our public transit and busing system to improve constituents'
access to institutions of higher learning. If funding is the problem, could we work with IBM to address
public transportation needs, or are there grants that could supply additional fmancial resources toward this
goal?
With the importance I place on educational opportunity, improved access to adult literacy programs and
enhanced public transportation for Dubuque community members, I understand my City Council role to
be one of active listener. As a representative of Dubuque's Fourth Ward, I will listen to City Council
colleagues, city employees and representatives, and the residents who comprise my diverse ward. I look
forward to meeting you on Saturday, March 12, and the opportunity to serve the City of Dubuque.
espectfully,
Douglas J. Ropa
1190 University Ave.
Dubuque, IA 52001
(563) 580 -8693 (cell)
RECEIVED
11 MAR -7 AM 8: 12
City Clerk's Office
Dubuque, IA
Douglas J. Ropa
1190 University Avenue
Dubuque, IA 52001
Cell Phone: (563) 580 -8693
E -mail: dougropa @q.com
EDUCATION
May, 2006 to August, 2008 University of Dubuque
Master of Arts in Communication
Leadership and Management focus
Dubuque, Iowa
M.A., 2008
August, 1990 to December, 1995 Albion College
English & Anthropology /Sociology
Albion, Michigan
B.A., 1996
EXPERIENCE
August, 2008 to present
August, 2000 to present
August, 1998 to May, 2000
CURRICULUM VITAE
Adjunct Instructor, Communications
College Composition and Research
Northeast Iowa Community College
Peosta, Iowa
Marketing Assistant
Northeast Iowa Community College
Peosta, Iowa
Reporter/Photographer
The Galena Gazette
Galena, Illinois
Curriculum Vitae
Douglas J. Ropa
Page 2
EXPERIENCE (cont'd)
October, 1997 to July, 1998
January, 1996 to July, 1997
July, 1993 to August, 1993
May, 1992 to August, 1992
Publications & Recreation Manager
Apple Canyon Lake Property
Owners Association
Apple River, Illinois
Activity Assistant
Bayside Terrace Nursing Home
Waukegan, Illinois
Reporter/Intern
The Chicago Defender
Chicago, Illinois
Assistant Field Manager
Massachusetts Public Interest
Research Group (MASSPIRG)
Boston, Massachusetts
ASSOCIATIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS
Galena/Jo Daviess County Convention and Visitors Bureau, 1997 to 1998
Dubuque Area Writers' Guild, 1999 to 2005
Northeastern Press Co- Adviser, Northeast Iowa Community College, 2005 to 2006
VOLUNTEER WORK
Dubuque Community Days of Caring
Secretary, Northeast Iowa Community College Senate, July, 2009 to August, 2010
Senator, Northeast Iowa Community College Senate, August, 2010 to present
Curriculum Vitae
Douglas J. Ropa
Page 3
AWARDS AND HONORS
Webster Scholar, 1990 to 1991
Poem in Formal Structure, First Place, Byline Magazine, 2004
Leading From Within program recipient, 2006 to 2007
Created Peosta, Iowa's first contemporary road map.