Letter of Interest_R.R.S. StewartR. R. S. Stewart, H(563) 583 -4419 /C (612) 501 - 9747
countessl4 @hotmail.com / stew0220 @umn.edu / rrs3z @virginia.edu
3 March 2011 Dubuque, Iowa
Dear Honorable City Council Members,
I am interested in serving the citizens of Dubuque by being considered for appointment to the open
seat of Dirk Voetberg, a person who set a high standard for community service. While no one can replace
Mr. Voetberg, I do believe I have some skills that would make me a good City Council member.
• Good analytical and problem solving skills. I research and gather important details before reaching a
decision and have demonstrated this by my work on the Human Rights Commission and work for
other organizations.
• Knowledge of city organization and processes. With my Master of City Planning and the work I did
as a graduate student, I understand how a city operates. I have lived in different cities around the U.S.
and Europe, understand the problems they are facing at this time and various approaches for solving
these problems.
• Strong Advocate of Sustainability. Ever since I was a teenager, I have been involved in sustainability
activities in the various communities that I have lived. I am definitely "green" and aware how
development and sustainability can both be achieved.
• Strong Advocate of Historic Restoration and Development: My Master of Architectural History and
Certificate in Historic Preservation as well as the work I did for the Dubuque County Historic
Society and the University of Virginia give me a sound background in this area. I am currently
turning my Master's Thesis into an article for the International Journal of Interdisciplinary Social
Sciences.
• Knowledge of the political system. Since cities rely heavily on money from the national, state, and
county governments, it is important to have good contacts with elected officials at all areas. I know
our elected officials and how to approach them. From my involvement in University government, I
have extensive knowledge of Robert's Rules of Order.
• Good Communication Skills. I have good verbal and written communication skills, with a Bachelor
Individualized Studies in Architectural Conservation, Mass Communication, and Women's Politics,
and writing experience as a guest columnist for the Telegraph Herald since I was in High School; a
Columnist for The Minnesota Daily, the largest student -run newspaper in the country with a
circulation of 31,000. My columns were transmitted across the country by the U -wire system and one
was chosen for inclusion in America Now, a college textbook on writing about contemporary issues; at
UVa I contributed to The Declaration.
• Community Knowledge. Since I was born here, I have a sound background in Dubuque history,
diversity and needs and I have become more aware of Dubuque's needs through the Human Rights
commission and the Transit Board of Trustees. If appointed, I will have community meetings in the
4th Ward to reach out to the area I would represent.
• Fiscally Conservative. I know how to read a budget and more importantly, how to live on one and
can apply that knowledge to city needs and the impact of the recession
• Time. With my job as a substitute teacher, I have the flexibility and time the position of City Council
demands.
• Pride in my City. I love Dubuque —its beauty, its energy, its people, its outstanding fine arts, its
outstanding education systems and universities, and its "culture ".
• Young Professional voice: My appointment would add the voice of a young professional to the City
Council, a segment which is not represented now on the Council.
As a lifelong resident of the Fourth Ward, I appreciated Mr. Voetberg's exemplary public service, and am
saddened by his death, both for his family and for our community. It would be an honor to be appointed to
the open seat that Dirk Voetberg held and I would work very hard to earn the respect of the Fourth Ward. I
would like to do my best to serve Dubuque. Thank you for considering me.
Sincerely,
R.R.S. Stewart
R. R. S. Stewart, H(563) 583 -4419 /C (612) 501 - 9747
countess14 @hotmail.com / stew0220 @umn.edu / rrs3z @virginia.edu
460 Summit Street, Dubuque, Iowa, 52001- 6651
Job Experience:
Substitute Teacher, Dubuque Community School District 1Sepeember- Present
* Follow instructions left by regular teacher for preparing class activities, establishing clear
objectives for all lessons, communicating those objectives to students, and instructing through
lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in that day's subject
* Establish and Enforce rules for behavior and procedures maintaining order among students
Legislative Clerk, Iowa State Representative Charles Isenhart, 11 January -31 March 2010
*Coordinated State Representative's daily schedule and prepared confidential correspondence
*Utilized Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and Publisher to increase efficiency in serving the public
*Researched background information and other relevant information for bills and amendments
*Managed virtual and traditional contacts with approximately 30,000 constituents in Dubuque
Supervisor: The Honorable Representative, charles.isenhart @legis.state.ia.us, 563 -557 -1261
Co- Curator /Research Assistant, Village to Grounds: Architecture after Jefferson at UVa, 24
February - 26 September 2009, *Wrote first drafts of building descriptions; culled Special
Collections for items to include in exhibit; arranged to scan some items for facsimiles of; verified
digital orders; compiled DVD of images for each of 9 sections in exhibit to send to display
designers; with another research assistant, did a spatial comparison of male and female
residence halls built at UVa in the 1950's; arranged for transfer of items borrowed from an
Architect for exhibit; and wrote exhibit labels; attended fortnightly meetings of 6- person exhibit
team to plan retrospective of various architectural cycles in184 years since Jefferson grounds
completed and 100th anniversary of completion of McKim, Mead& White projects. Supervisor:
Mercedes J.Quintos Procaccini, Exhibits Coordinator, mjq3k@virginia.edu, 206 - 618 -2990
https : / /explore.lib.virginia.edu/ exhibits / show /architecture- after - jefferson
Teacher, Summer Enrichment Program (SEP) 1 May 2009 - 31 July 2009
* Adapted teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and
interests in two classes I designed and taught in the Summer Enrichment Program run by the
Curry School of Education at UVa for middle and high school students. In morning class,
"Architectural Literacy" for 7th & 8th graders., students learned how to analyze & appreciate Built
Environment as the result of artistic, cultural & natural forces by exploring disciplines of
Architectural Interior & Landscape History & Design; and Environmental, Neighborhood,
Regional, Rural & Urban Planning using drawing, photography, and model making. Afternoon
course, "Ways of Seeing" for 5th & 6th graders, introduced how art influences perception.
Students worked with drawing pencils, charcoal, colored pencils and crayons, oil pastels,
watercolor pencils, crayons, and paints, Acrylic paints, tempura paint, collage, and clay.
Supervisors: Amy J. Germundson, SEP Academic Coordinator, ajg5w @virginia.edu, 434 -982-
2849; Julie M. Baird, SEP Director, jsb9a @virginia.edu, 434 - 924 -7177
Inventory Assistant, Computing Office, 12 September 2006 - 10 February 2009
* Organized and updated the computing inventory for UVa's School of Architecture using
CocoaMySql and other database management software; Verified inventory with physical
investigation of computing resources to adjust errors; and arranged for proper disposal
Jake Thackston, Server Administrator / Senior Engineer, jat5c @virginia.edu, 434 - 924 -3122; Eric
Field, Technology Instruction Specialist, emfield @virginia.edu, 434 - 924 -4033
Teaching Assistant, Architecture 101, 26 August - 15 December 2008
* Led a discussion section of 10 first -year undergraduates with two other T.A.s. Over the course of
the semester we reviewed 11 exercises, graded a midterm and a final exam, looked over our
students' sketchbooks twice, and had one -on -one meetings with them. Supervisor: Professor
Peter Waldman, William R Kenan Jr Professor Of Architecture, pdw7e @virginia.edu, 434 - 924 -6464
Brochure Researcher, Dubuque County Historical Society, 22 May - 17 August 2007
* Gathered historical data from sources such as archives, court records, diaries, news files,
photographs, books, pamphlets, and periodicals to put together five walking /driving tours
R. R. S. Stewart, H(563) 583 -4419 /C (612) 501 - 9747
countessl4 @hotmail.com / stew0220 @umn.edu / rrs3z @virginia.edu
* Employed by DCHS in conjunction with City of Dubuque Planning Office, worked with other
organizations that were partners in the grant funding these tours of Historic Dubuque
* Volunteered with DCHS during the summers of 1999, 2004, and 2005. Projects included
conducting identifying, labeling, and conserving shoe, maps and other delicate collections.
Tacie Campbell, Curator, tcampbell@rivermuseum.com, 563 - 557 -9545 ext.204
Mentor, Architecture, the Weisman, and You, 2 -6 August 2004, 1 -5 August 2005, 31 July - 4 August
2006, Communication and Volunteer Retention Intern, Girl Scout Council of Greater Minneapolis,
31 May - 29 July 2005, Columnist, The Minnesota Daily, 2 September 2003 - 28 April 2005
Education, Awards /Honors, Scholarships:
State of Iowa, Middle -High School Substitute Authorization, 25 January 2010
Presenter, "Brooks, Pratt, &the Romantic Picturesque at UVa'; Jefferson, Palladio, &the Fine
Arts in America Symposium; 21 November 2009
University of Virginia, Master of Architectural History / Certificate in Historic Preservation, 18
May 2008; Master of Urban and Environmental Planning, 30 December 2008
Virginia Fellowship, 2006 -07; Dupont Fellowship, 2007 -08; Grinnalds Quasi Endowment, 2008
National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasia Scholarship, 2001 -02, 2006 -07
University of Edinburgh, visiting student, fall 2004, fall 2005, spring 2006
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, Bachelor of Individualized Studies, 12 May 2006
Architectural Conservation, Mass Communication, and Women's Politics.
National Scholarship, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, 2001 - 2005
Bronze Pin, National Residence Hall Honorary - Golden Chapter, 2003
Dubuque Senior High School, Dubuque, Iowa, class of 2001
Andrew Vernon Student Leadership Scholarship, Dubuque Senior High School, 2001
Leadership Activities and Volunteer Experience:
Commissioner, Dubuque Human Rights Commission, appointed 21 December 2009
Rules, Nominations & Volunteer Chair / Office Manager, Dubuque County Democrats, 11 January
2010 - present; Member, American Planning Association, and Society of Architectural Historians;
September 2008 - present; U.S. /ICOMOS, February 2008 - Present; Student Planning Association,
September 2008 - August 2009; Webmistress, Society of Architectural Historians - Thomas
Jefferson Chapter, May 2007 - August 2008, www.arch.virginia.edu /SAH/
Praticar, Kloster Eberbach, Rheingau, Germany, June - July 2007, During each of the
five weeks, I shadowed the Architectural Director of Large Projects, a Landscape Architect, an
Engineer, an Archaeologist, and an accountant as they oversaw the Restoration, Renovation,
and Preservation of a former Monastery - now a conference center for the state of Hessen.
Attendee, Team 007 Meetings, June 2005 - October 2007,
Team 007 was a group of people helping to prepare for the 2007 National Trust for Historic
Preservation Conference to be held in the Twin Cities. I started attending their meetings the last
full summer I lived in Minneapolis /St. Paul and continued to attend meetings whenever I was in
the Cities until the conference was held in October 2007.
Residence Hall Association (RHA) at UMN September 2001 - May 2004, Feb. - May 2005
Intern, Scottish Parliament, February - April 2006, I assisted Dr. Elaine Murray, MSP for the
constituency of Dumfries, and did a Post Occupancy Evaluation of the Holyrood Parliament
Building. Elaine. Murray .msp @scottish.parliament.uk
Ordinary Representative, Edinburgh University Student Association, October 2005 - May 2006,
I attended Student Representative Council meetings every three weeks and served on the
Welfare Subcommittee.
Treasurer, Edinburgh University International Student Centre, September 2005 - May 2006,
The ISC is a lounge where international students can gather, and also a series of committees
organizing events and trips around Scotland. In addition to keeping the books, the Treasurer
R. R. S. Stewart, H(563) 583 -4419 /C (612) 501 - 9747
countessl4 @hotmail.com / stew0220 @umn.edu / rrs3z @virginia.edu
does much of the work a secretary and Vice - President would do, from co- chairing meetings of
the core committee to meeting with university officials and overseeing general operations.
Dubuque References:
Linda Lucy, Dubuque District Assistant to U.S. Senator Tom Harkin
306 W. 6th St, Room 315, Dubuque, IA, 52001
563 -582 -2130, Linda_Lucy @harkin.senate.gov
M. L. Neuhaus, J.D., Professor & Director, Loras College Communication & Fine Arts Division
Mediation, Mock Trial, Pre -Law Advisement
1450 Alta Vista Box 161, Dubuque, IA 52004 -0178
563.588.7521, MaryLynn.Neuhaus @loras.edu
Donna L. Smith, Attorney at Law / Former Dubuque County Supervisor
3400 Asbury Rd. Dubuque, Iowa 52002 , 563 - 582 -7510, donnasmithlaw @aol.com.
Charlottesville References:
Ethan Carr, Associate Professor, Department of Landscape Architecture
School of Architecture, University of Virginia, Room 106, Peyton House
164 Rugby Road, Charlottesville, Virginia, 22904,
434 - 243 -2343, ec2h @virginia.edu
Taught LAR 512: Modern Landscapes: Renaissance to Present
Fraser D. Neiman, Adjunct Professor, School of Architecture & College of Arts and Sciences
Department of Archaeology; Director of Archaeology at Monticello, Specializations:
Historical archaeology, archaeological theory, quantitative techniques, vernacular
architecture; 434 - 924 -7033, fn9r @virginia.edu
Taught ARH 585: Methods in Historical Archaeology
Daphne Spain, Outgoing Chair, Department of Urban and Environmental Planning
School of Architecture, University of Virginia, Room 227, Campbell Hall,
115 Culbreth Drive, Charlottesville, Virginia, 22904,
434 - 924 -6430, dgs4g @virginia.edu
Taught Plan 607: Urban Theory and Public Policy, and was on my thesis committee,
Richard Guy Wilson, Commonwealth Professor of Architectural History
School of Architecture, University of Virginia, Room 111, Campbell Hall,
115 Culbreth Drive, Charlottesville, Virginia, 22904,
434 - 924 -6462, rgw4h @virginia.edu
Taught ARH 800: Methods in Architectural History, ARH 989 Arts & Crafts, was my thesis advisor,
and the Village to Grounds Curator
Minneapolis References:
Thomas Fisher, Dean, College of Design (formerly College of Architecture and Landscape
Architecture), University of Minnesota
Room 101, Rapson Hall
89 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55455,
612 - 624 -1013, fishe033 @umn.edu
Mentored me through the College's mentor program
Robert Mack & Todd A. Gover, AIA,
MacDonald & Mack, Suite 712, Grain Exchange Building
400 South 4th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55415
At CALA 612- 624 -7866, At MacDonald & Mack 612- 341 -3121, 612 -341 -4051,
bobm @mmarchltd.com, toddg @mmarchltd.com
They were my instructors in Historic Preservation and Historic Building Conservation.