Letter of Interest_Chad WitthoeftDear City Council Members,
I feel it is my civic duty to serve my community, and would be honored to carry
the remainder of Dirk Votberg's term as city councilman for the 4' ward.
Eight years ago my wife and I decided to return to eastern Iowa. Dubuque stood
out among all the places we visited with its commitment to education, history and the
values we grew up with in Iowa. With a deep commitment to community, as a physician
and an educator we not only chose to move to Dubuque, we wanted to be near downtown.
485 Arlington became our first home. We were very pleased with our home and the
rehabilitation of the neighborhood.
I deepened my relationship with the fourth ward by opening Isabella's in the
basement of the Ryan house. It's not always easy occupying an iconic historic Dubuque
building, so I did my best to make the structure open to the public, and my business a
cultural hub. Little did I know I would be carrying on a tradition laid out by
Ruth Nash in the Rocco Buda, and Frank Licciardi in the Redstone.
Around this time a friend approached me to join the Dubuque County Fine Arts
Society. The organization was going through a transition after the death of Ruth. Shortly
after joining I found myself sitting as the president.
Many people thought Ruth's organization was gone. We had sold Ruth's house, a
move that was financially vital to the future of the organization. I wasn't afraid to make
some unpopular choices for the good this organization. Today the Dubuque County Fine
Arts Society still plays a vital role in Dubuque Fest, The Elisha Darlin Awards, Old
Home Enthusiast's House Tours, Dubuque Area Writer's Guild, The Loras One Act Play
Contest and Voices from the Warehouse. Through this and my business I gained a lot of
knowledge about community organization and management.
In 2007. Dirk Votberg approached me to host a fund- raiser at my establishment for
his city council bid. I agreed, on the condition that if he in fact won, he would host a town
hall style meeting once a month in my business. He agreed and he never missed a
meeting. He was a man of his word, The heart of the city of Dubuque is the Fourth Ward
and if chosen, I would follow in Dirk Votberg's commitment to this city and her people.
RECEIVED
11 FEB 25 PM i2: 54
City Clerk's Office
Dubuque, IA
Chad Witthoeft
430 Alpine
Chad M. Witthoeff
430 Alpine Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
Home Phone (563) 582 -3224
Email chadandlaura@mchsi,con-k
Email cwitthoeft @gmail.com
EDUCATION
1988 -1992 Bachelor of Arts, English
University of Iowa
1993 -1996 Master of Arts in Teaching
Secondary English Education
University of Iowa
EXPERIENCE
1996 -1998 Regina Educational Center
English Instructor
Professional Responsibilities
- Department Chair, English
- Curriculum Development
- Speech Coach
1998 -1999 Washtenaw Community College
Writing instructor
1999 -2002 Washtenaw Technical Middle College
Transition English Instructor
- Developed charter English curriculum
- Wrote text for curriculum
2002 -2003 Northeast Iowa Community College
English Composition instructor
2002 -2005 University of Dubuque
- Adjunct Professor
2008- Spring Clarke College
- Adjunct Professor
2005 -2008
Owner/ Isabella's at the Ryan house L.L.C.
2010
Volunteer Work:
2003 -2008
2008 -2009
Loras College
- Adjunct Professor
President of the Dubuque County Fine Arts Society
Treasurer of the Dubuque County Fine Arts Society