Bettendorf City Council member Greg Adamson announced this week that he will not seek re-election to the council in November.
Mr. Adamson has represented the Fourth Ward for 16 years after retiring as a captain with the Bettendorf Police Department and serving on the force for 31 years. He also spent seven years on the Bettendorf Park Board and was an essential part of creating the Bettendorf Veterans Memorial in 2003, which is located in Veterans Memorial Park, 1645 23rd St.
“Public service has been a cornerstone of my life and it has truly been one of the greatest honors of my life to work on behalf of the people of this great city,” said Mr. Adamson in a news release.
“This decision follows a diagnosis of a serious medical condition – non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) – that has greatly impaired my eyesight,” he said.
“Given these challenges, I feel I can no longer serve the citizens of Bettendorf with the full dedication and effectiveness they deserve – and that I have always strived to provide over the past 16 years,” he added.
Mr. Adamson also spent four years on the Scott County Board of Supervisors and 26 years in the U.S. Army and Army Reserve. He moved to Bettendorf in 1970, shortly after leaving active duty in the U.S. Army.
‘Incredible public servant’
“I have known Greg almost my entire 51-year career with the city,” said Decker Ploehn, Bettendorf city administrator. “We were detectives together, and then he became a lieutenant, and I worked for him. Then I became the chief, and he worked for me, and then I became city administrator, and he ran for city council, and I now work for him again. In all that time, Greg has been an incredible public servant for our community.”
Bettendorf Mayor Bob Gallagher said “It has been an honor and privilege to work with Greg during my time as Mayor. Greg always comes to meetings well prepared. He is a great champion for Bettendorf and the citizens he serves.”
Mr. Ploehn said “In true Greg fashion, if he could no longer serve at 100%, he felt it best to step away.”
He added “He eats, lives, and breathes Bettendorf and his affection for his community has only ever been superseded by his family, to whom he is deeply devoted. I, for one, will miss his friendship on the city council, but know that I have been blessed to have served with him all these years and witnessed his guidance and goodness for our community.”
Mr. Adamson’s term on the council ends on Dec. 31.
