At first glance, and upon further analysis, Peter Orazem is the clear and logical choice for the at-large seat on the Ames City Council. Peter brings a level of enthusiasm, commitment to purpose and willingness to get his hands dirty with messy problems or complicated data — a rarity among public servants.

Key elements in making fair and just decisions are a lack of bias, the setting aside of personal emotion, no undue reliance on authority figures — whether it be those of party or creed — and impeccable collection of factual data. Peter’s approach to decision-making is an almost perfect match.

I have known Peter Orazem for over 25 years, nine of those as his department chairman at Iowa State. He has always been the ideal departmental, university and community citizen.

Peter Orazem is a problem solver whose approach is driven by data. He approaches problems with no preconceived position or bias and is relentless in collecting information to uncover and discover the truth. His intense interest in a variety of Ames city issues has arisen from statements made in the press and public meetings which his intuition told him were inconsistent with his understanding of the data, or where there was insufficient data to make concrete statements on either side of the issue. Whether it be zoning and growth in Somerset, the erosion of the property tax base due to non-optimal short and long-run planning, the effects of screening and non-screening of potential participants in subsidized housing programs, or relative stagnation in employment in Ames compared to Iowa City or West Des Moines, Peter has addressed issues by asking, “What data do we have, and how can we use it to guide public decision making?” In a number of cases, he has volunteered to collect the data himself, when others have seemed reticent to verify the truth of a proposition by an appeal to the numbers.

Peter is an exceptional university citizen. He has been and currently is involved in activities across the campus, both official and unofficial. Within the department of economics, Peter has served as director of graduate education, director of undergraduate programs, chair of recruiting, director of the Office for Social and Economic Trend Analysis and a host of other positions.

Peter served as an associate dean for budget and personnel in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, managing a budget of more than $50 million. Peter has been a member of the Graduate Council, a member of the University Budget Advisory Committee and the Committee on Lectures. Although these all demonstrate the confidence leaders place in Peter, the real labor of love is Phi Beta Kappa. Peter has done more than any other single person to promote and enhance Phi Beta Kappa on campus for the past 15 years. When he discovered many students were not joining this most prestigious of honor societies because of high initial dues, he went on a fundraising campaign, reaching out to individuals and departments so that the honor came with no bill payable notice.

Peter reaches out far beyond the boundaries of Iowa State. He was a delightful Cub Scout leader, the kind every mother would want. We probably spent too much time at work before and after scouting activities sharing ideas about what I was planning for my troop, he was planning for his den and then seeing who could top one another with the worst example of execution. I have always admired Peter’s commitment to his religious beliefs and charitable service. You always knew of his devotion, while never feeling any compulsion to feel the same.

Peter Orazem will bring caring, responsible citizenship to the Ames City Council. Peter is an independent thinker who has no personal political agenda. He will not vote with the crowd or against them. He will frame problems carefully, collect data religiously and work tirelessly to improve the city in which we live.

Arne Hallam

Associate Dean

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences