Keokuk, IA – Stephen Bloom is a journalism professor from the University of Iowa.
He recently wrote the article, Observations from 20 years of Iowa Life, for The Atlantic magazine.
In it, he questions Iowa's role in selecting the next president of the United States, in particular, focusing on traits he feels are common in rural areas.
Bloom takes aim at river towns early on in the article.
He described Keokuk, in particular, as a "depressed, crime-invested slum town."
Mayor Tom Marion says he completely disagrees with that assessment.
"And I would be glad to invite Mr. Bloom down here to Keokuk," says Marion, "we will show him around, show him the grand, old homes overlooking the river, we will show him the only national cemetery in Iowa and the first one west of the Mississippi. Some of the assets we have here."
Marion says negative statements, even when written "tongue-in-cheek," can have a direct impact on Keokuk's efforts to recruit businesses and gain residents.
He says he has spoken with other mayors who have expressed frustration and anger regarding the statements about Keokuk and the other river towns.