Newton Independent

Nuisance complaints in Newton top 300

By PETER HUSSMANN

The City of Newton has received more than 300 complaints about various nuisance issues around town since the first of the year, a new city report indicates.

Nuisance complaint statistics show that the Newton Police Department has responded to 51 reports while the Newton Public Works Department has dealt with 255 complaints so far this year.

The report put together by City Administrator Tom Wardlow summarizes the actions and outcomes taken as a result of the complaints. The statistics are as follows:

Newton Police Department - 51 complaints

• 42 homeowners came into compliance after receiving a warning - 82.4 percent compliance
• 6 cases still active
• 3 homeowners were given a citation for not coming into compliance.

Newton Public Works Department - 255 complaints

• 174 came into compliance within the allotted time frame after receiving a warning - 68.2 percent compliance.

• 49 complaints were unfounded.
• 16 have court dates with no outcome yet
• 16 had some or all of the complaint passed to other departments.
• 5 are pending as notification efforts have been unsuccessful due to such situations as the death of the responsible individuals or foreclosure situations where banking firms do not respond to calls.
• 4 courts have made rulings.

Wardlow indicates that the city attorney has also been involved in an increasing number of nuisance-related cases but statistics are not available at this time.

Reporter's Notebook: Analysis of a sticky situation

By PETER HUSSMANN

Newton City Councilman Mike Hansen is in one of those damned-if-you-do, damned-if-you-don't situations that sometimes arise at the local political level. His boss wants him to hire her.

Sheri Benson is one of seven candidates hoping to be selected for appointment Monday to the unexpired term of Ron Foreman. While that alone poses no difficulty for Mr. Hansen, the problem arises when you consider Ms. Benson's role as a sitting school board member. In essence, Ms. Benson is Mr. Hansen's boss due to his employment with the school district.

And what compounds matters is that Mr. Hansen and Ms. Benson sit on the opposite sides of the labor contract negotiating table. And that is expected to continue due to Ms. Benson's decision to seek re-election to a four-year term at the Sept. 8 school board election. Her chances for election look good - there are four candidates for the four open seats.

Interestingly, individuals may serve on both a school board and city council at the same time. Iowa law does not prohibit it, according to officials with the Iowa School Board Association.

So you can see Mr. Hansen's dilemma. If he votes for her, it could be viewed as an attempt to gain some favor during the next round of contract negotiations. If he votes for one of the others, Ms. Benson might be viewed as holding some type of grudge the next time the two meet at the negotiating table.

____

If Mr. Hansen does not recuse himself from Monday's appointment vote, the winning candidate will have to receive assent from four of the five council members. And with so many seeking the seat - Lonnie White, Harold Martin, Richard Atwood, Dave Aldridge, Jeremy Heaberlin, James Klier, as well as Ms. Benson - garnering that many votes could take a few rounds of balloting.

However, if Mr. Hansen decides it might be best to sit it out, the winning appointee will need to get three of the votes from the four remaining council members.

___

Which brings us to another possibility. Even though the council has decided to appoint Mr. Foreman's replacement until the November general city election, voters dissatisfied with the selection could still petition for a special election. Such a petition would need to be filed within two weeks of Monday's appointment. That then would require that a special election for the seat be held just weeks prior to the November general election.

Candidate list grows for Newton school board

Newton Independent

As today's 5 p.m. deadline to file nomination papers to seek election to the Newton school board nears, it appears the candidates needed to fill the four open seats will be found.

Newton Superintendent Steve McDermott said today that a third candidate has now filed to seek election to a four-year term. Andy Elbert has joined incumbents Sheri Benson and Don Poynter in filing the necessary paperwork. McDermott said incumbent Dennis Combs filed his paperwork late this morning.

This year's election marks the start of a new state law that sets school board elections only in odd-numbered years and increases the term from three to four years. In order to meet that requirement, the Newton school board previously voted to extend the term of Donna Cook by one year until 2011 and shorten Greg Davis' term by one year. Davis, who has long held a seat on the board, does not plan to seek re-election.

Iowa Supreme Court won't hear Kellogg man's appeal

By PETER HUSSMANN

The Iowa Supreme Court denied to hear a Kellogg man's appeal of a one-year jail term handed down last year for driving under the influence of methamphetamine after he was involved in a head-on accident on a rural Jasper County road that left himself and two elderly Sully women severely injured.

In May, the Iowa Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction of Michael William Blythe by denying his claim that his lawyer was ineffective in handling the case by allowing inappropriate victim impact statements at the sentencing hearing. After that ruling, Blythe appealed to the Supreme Court which on Tuesday denied the request for further review.

According to the court records, Blythe was charged in connection with a Feb. 13, 2008 accident two miles north of Sully when he was driving on the wrong side of the road and hit a vehicle driven by Lucille Jansen. A third vehicle driven by Bradley Zegers was unable to stop and hit Jansen's vehicle. Blythe, Jansen and Neva Lanser, a passenger in Jansen's car, were all severely injured and transported for treatment to area hospitals. At the hospital, Blythe's urine sample tested positive for amphetamines.

TV report: Maytag retiree claims health care benefits will be lost

Newton Independent

A Quad Cities television station is reporting that a retired Maytag worker from Illinois claims that she was informed by Whirlpool officials that retirees would be losing their health care benefits by 2011. Whirlpool officials responded by saying they were investigating the claim. You can read the story here.

Four vying for council appointment say they will run this fall

Newton Independent

Four of the seven candidates seeking the short-term appointment to the vacant at-large Newton City Council seat say they plan to run in the November general election whether they are appointed or not.

That bit of information was gleaned from the forum held Tuesday by the Jasper County League of Women voters that allowed the candidates to introduce themselves to the city's constituency.

Richard Atwood, Harold Martin, James Klier and Sheri Benson said they all planned to run for the two years remaining on the seat in November. Klier is the son-in-law of Ron Foreman, who held the seat before his death in late June. Benson currently sits on the Newton school board and has submitted her nomination papers to seek another term in the Sept. 8 election.

Former Newton Mayor Dave Aldridge and Jeremy Heaberlin said they would not seek the seat this fall. Former UAW Local 997 President Lonnie White said he was as yet uncertain about his future city political plans.

The Newton City Council is expected to announce its appointment at the Aug. 3 council meeting.

Iowa Telecom reports drop in net income

Newton Independent

Iowa Telecom reported today that its net income for the second quarter fell to $2.9 million from $5.2 million during the same period a year ago.

The company press release on its second quarter earnings can be read here.

Extras wanted for rave party scene in movie to be shot in Newton

Newton Independent

This came in late today about the movie soon to be shot in Newton. I pass it along.

"Ever wanted to be in a Hollywood movie?  We want you. Underground Films needs extras for a rave party scene in "Underground," a horror film.

"Extras film dates for "Underground" are August 6th, 7th, 12th, and 14th. These dates could be subject to change. Shooting will occur in Newton, Iowa.  Food will be provided on set. Potential cast members must be 17 years old or older.  A 32" flat screen LCD TV will be raffled at the end of shoot to a winning extra cast member.

For more information, please e-mail us at undergroundfilmsextras@gmail.com and find out what's Underground.

Eben C. White
Extras Coordinator
Underground Films
undergroundextrascasting@gmail.com

Fox Engineering selected to do interim work

Newton Independent

Fox Engineering has been selected to conduct interim engineering work for the City of Newton until a new public works director is hired.

City Administrator Tom Wardlow notified the council that a selection committee sent out request for quotes to 11 firms with nine submitting proposals. The committee, made up of Wardlow, Bryan Friedman, Bob Main, Jody Rhone and Brian Laube, reviewed the proposals before whittling the list of submissions to two. Fox was selected.

Wardlow told the council that Fox will soon submit an agreement that will eventually come before the council for approval.

The city has also begun advertising for a new public works director due to the resignation of David Stewart. Applications will be taken until Aug. 28. The starting salary range is listed between $72,045 and $89,721. The individual selected must live within eight miles of the Newton city limits.

Iowa Telecom hit by 'phishing' scam

Newton Independent

Iowa Telecom fought a "phishing" scam over the Fourth of July weekend, according to a news report out of the Creston paper, the sister organization to the Newton newspaper.

Long-time Creston news reporter Larry Peterson explains that Iowa Telecom's e-mail network was infiltrated with "phishing scheme" were unsolicited e-mails go out giving the appearance to recipients the message is from Iowa Telecom seeking confirmation information on their accounts. The schemers then attempt to get financial information on those who reply to the fake e-mails. The scheme resulted in a number of e-mail delays and blocks due to the heavy spammer activity.

The Newton-based telecommunications company rectified the situation shortly.

You can read the report that ran in the Creston newspaper Monday here.

Newton school board has candidates for only two of four open seats

By PETER HUSSMANN

With two days to go until the filing deadline, only two of four open seats on the Newton school board have candidates seeking to fill them.

School officials said today that incumbents Sheri Benson and Don Poynter have filed nomination papers seeking re-election to four-year terms. Benson has also submitted her name for consideration for appointment to the Newton City Council seat left vacant due to the death of Ron Foreman.

The seat held by incumbent Dennis Combs is also up in the Sept. 8 election, as well as the seat held by Greg Davis, who has said he will not seek re=election.

This year's election marks the start of a new state law that sets school board elections only in odd-numbered years and increases the term from three to four years. In order to meet that requirement, the Newton school board previously voted to extend the term of Donna Cook by one year until 2011 and shorten Davis' term by one year.

Individuals interested in running for school board have until 5 p.m. Thursday to submit nomination papers.

Newton City Council candidate Lonnie White

Newton Independent

The Newton City Council invited residents interested in filling the unexpired term of Ron Foreman until the November general city election to submit written notice of their interest along with biographical information. The Newton Independent obtained copies of the information provided and reprints them in advance of Tuesday's 7 p.m. League of Women Voters of Jasper County's candidate forum. The council is planning to make an appointment at its Aug. 3 meeting. The information is being posted in alphabetical order.

"Request for appointment for council person at-large.

Lonnie White

I was born in Missouri and have lived in Iowa since 1952.

I have lived at (my current) address since 1971 and in Newton since 1968.

I am married to Peggy and have two grown children, Todd White and Melissa Wickliff and three grand children (I intentionally left a space between grand and children because they are all grand.) Both have lived in Newton all their lives.

I started at the Maytag Company on Aug. 5, 1968 retiring June 30, 2004. During my career at Maytag I worked in production for 13 years. I served as full time as union area rep for three departments for six years.

In 1987 I was elected as full time President for UAW 997 and served in that capacity for five years and at that time I was appointed by the Region 4 Director to serve as International Servicing Representative.

I held that position and serviced several different locals and also was the sub regional director for the Des Moines office for a number of years. I retired in 2004.

The reason I am requesting appointment to the position of council person at-large is for several reasons. Some are as follows:

I would like to give something back to the community and continue to try and get some good paying jobs in the community and hold the line on taxes.

Respectfully submitted,

Lonnie L. White"

Newton City Council candidate Ray Sutton

Newton Independent

Ray Sutton submitted information on July 20 at city hall pertaining to his interest in consideration for appointment to the at-large Newton City Council seat but has since contacted officials at city hall to indicate that he no longer wishes to be considered.

Newton City Council candidate Harold Martin

Newton Independent

The Newton City Council invited residents interested in filling the unexpired term of Ron Foreman until the November general city election to submit written notice of their interest along with biographical information. The Newton Independent obtained copies of the information provided and reprints them in advance of Tuesday's 7 p.m. League of Women Voters of Jasper County's candidate forum. The council is planning to make an appointment at its Aug. 3 meeting. The information is being posted in alphabetical order.

"Harold Edward Martin II

I am formally submitting my name for the at-large city council seat vacated by Ron Foreman's passing.

Originally, I am from Saint Albans, West Virginia. I graduated from Winfield High School in Winfield, W.V. in 1998. After graduation from high school I relocated to Addison, Ill., to attend college at DeVry University where I obtained my bachelor of science degree in telecommunications management in July 2001.

After the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, the company I was employed for had to close their Illinois offices. This was due to money lost from damage to equipment, buildings, etc., in their New York location. Therefore I was laid off in December 2001 and moved to Storm Lake, Iowa in October of 2002 to assist my mother and step-father with my elderly grandfather. In July of 2003 I moved to Urbandale, Iowa and started working for Mediacom Communications. I moved to Newton, Iowa in October of 2005 and was employed with Mediacom until March 2007 when I started working for Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company as a telecommunications specialist.

I feel that I would make a great addition to the Newton City Council. I am 29 years old and will bring a younger perspective and opinion to the many different decisions that come before the city council. I will offer the viewpoint of a younger generation and feel that I would be able to represent the youth in the city of Newton.

Newton City Council candidate James Klier

Newton Independent

The Newton City Council invited residents interested in filling the unexpired term of Ron Foreman until the November general city election to submit written notice of their interest along with biographical information. The Newton Independent obtained copies of the information provided and reprints them in advance of Tuesday's 7 p.m. League of Women Voters of Jasper County's candidate forum. The council is planning to make an appointment at its Aug. 3 meeting. The information is being posted in alphabetical order.

"To: Newton City Hall
From: James B. Klier
Subject: At-large seat on Newton City Council

A graduate of Lincoln High School In Des Moines, Iowa. Entered the U.S. Navy and retired in October 1995. Married to Colette and have two children, Stephanie, 19, and Jim Jr., 15./

A member of First United Methodist Church. Currently District Commissioner for Newton Babe Ruth League and coach.

Employed by the State of Iowa, Department of Iowa Homeland and Security Emergency Management.

I am applying because I have interest in keeping taxes low and taking care of youth and senior citizens.

Thank you,
James Klier"

Newton City Council candidate Jeremy Heaberlin

Newton Independent

The Newton City Council invited residents interested in filling the unexpired term of Ron Foreman until the November general city election to submit written notice of their interest along with biographical information. The Newton Independent obtained copies of the information provided and reprints them in advance of Tuesday's 7 p.m. League of Women Voters of Jasper County's candidate forum. The council is planning to make an appointment at its Aug. 3 meeting. The information is being posted in alphabetical order.

"Dear Newton City Council,

I would like to be considered for the open seat of Alderman at Large. My resume begins as a resident of Newton for the first 18 years of my life. I attended the Newton Community School system and graduated in 1989. In my years at Newton Senior High, I was involved in many activities from music to sports. After that, I went on to get my associate's degree at the Colorado Institute of Art. I then moved back home to work a summer for my father (Heaberlin Electric/Chuck's Appliances) and then a year for Oskam Signs.

In the fall of '92, I moved to Green Bay, Wis., to work for another sign company and eventually start my own company. Within three short years, I learned a lot about being a small businessman. After selling my business, I moved to the Chicago area in 2001 and worked for a small family sign company. This gave me the opportunity to get to know and understand how many different city councils operate. My position, as a project manager for Van Bruggen Signs, gave me the opportunity to study about 50 city ordinances in Chicago and its suburban areas. My job was to prepare a variance package and present it to zoning boards and city councils in efforts that my clients would be able to display the signage that would give them the exposure needed to be profitable. Through this, I came to understand city zoning laws, traffic patterns and general aesthetics that best fit that community. During this time at Van Bruggen, I also acquired my bachelor's degree in business with a minor in project management from Lewis University in Romeoville, Ill.

Newton City Council candidate Sheri Benson

Newton Independent

The Newton City Council invited residents interested in filling the unexpired term of Ron Foreman until the November general city election to submit written notice of their interest along with biographical information. The Newton Independent obtained copies of the information provided and reprints them in advance of Tuesday's 7 p.m. League of Women Voters of Jasper County's candidate forum. The council is planning to make an appointment at its Aug. 3 meeting. The information is being posted in alphabetical order.

"Sheri Benson

Sheri joined the Newton community in January 1998. She appreciates the opportunity to raise her two children in a community that encourages healthy living. Sheri is an active participant in the community. Currently, she is completing her first term of service as a member of the Newton Community School District School Board. Sheri volunteers for SCORE as a counselor, recently joined the United Way board and has participated with subcommittees for the Newton Transformation Council and the Newton Development Corporation. Prior to moving to Newton, Sheri served on her community hospital board, senior center board, participated as a community mentor, as well as being involved with the Jaycee Women and other civic clubs.

Sheri's values are based upon her faith journey. She is a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. She serves her fellow parishioners during Mass as hospitality and Eucharistic minister. She is actively involved in prison outreach at the correctional center and serves as chairperson for both the Stewardship Commission and Pastoral Council.

Newton City Council candidate Richard Atwood

Newton Independent

The Newton City Council invited residents interested in filling the unexpired term of Ron Foreman until the November general city election to submit written notice of their interest along with biographical information. The Newton Independent obtained copies of the information provided and reprints them in advance of Tuesday's 7 p.m. League of Women Voters of Jasper County's candidate forum. The council is planning to make an appointment at its Aug. 3 meeting. The information is being posted in alphabetical order.

"Richard L. Atwood

I have lived in Newton my entire life, except for threes years, September of 1953 to September 1956 while I served in the United States Marine Corp and was stationed in California and Korea. My wife, Phyllis, and I were married on Feb. 27, 1957, have three children, eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

I retired from the Maytag Company in December of 1993, where I worked for 27.6 years. The last 16 years I was superintendent of maintenance for the headquarters building and grounds. Prior to that I worked as a maintenance supervisor of skilled trades at Plant 2, as a maintenance planner and as a machine repairman in skilled trades.

For the past 40 months I have worked part-time as a custodian for Marsden Building Maintenance at Newton City Hall and at Farm Credit Services of America.

I was involved with the Loyal Order of Moose for several years and in 1991 was selected to serve on the International Council of the Second Degree of the Moose, known as the Moose Legion. I served on the council for six years and in 1997 was elected President, where I served for one year, then one years as Jr. Past President. The Second Degree of the Moose at that time had around 100,000 members and my wife and I traveled around the United States visiting and speaking at different gatherings of the Degree.

I would like to be considered for the open position of at-large city council member. My reason for asking this is to continue to provide a voice for the citizens and tax payers of Newton, as was done by the late council member Ron Foreman. Not that I could replace Ron, but to continue his type of thinking and involvement with the council and in city government.

Thank you for your consideration and time devoted to our city.

R.L. "Dick" Atwood"

Newton City Council candidate Dave Aldridge

Newton Independent

The Newton City Council invited residents interested in filling the unexpired term of Ron Foreman until the November general city election to submit written notice of their interest along with biographical information. The Newton Independent obtained copies of the information provided and reprints them in advance of Tuesday's 7 p.m. League of Women Voters of Jasper County's candidate forum. The council is planning to make an appointment at its Aug. 3 meeting. The information is being posted in alphabetical order.

 "I would be interested in an appointment to the Newton City Council for the few months prior to the November election.

My reasons for being willing to serve are:

1. I am interested in the big salary the council members receive.

2. Having sat on the council for eight years without the opportunity to cast a vote, I would be able to do so.

3. It would appear to me that the council would be wise to appoint someone who is not interested in running for a term. I feel so because an appointee then has an edge over others seeking the office due to a better knowledge of the workings of the council and much better name recognition. I have no desire to run for a full or partial term on the council.

Attached is my bio. Thanks for your consideration.

WSJ: 'Cash for Clunkers' clunks

Newton Independent

The much ballyhooed "Cash for Clunkers" program gets clunked by Wall Street Journal columnist Evan Newmark in a piece penned Friday.

Newmark argues the the $1 billion program is nothing more than a give-away to certain new car buyers and will do little to help the ailing U.S. auto industry. Designed to help get more fuel efficient cars on the road, the amount allocated will equate to only 250,000 new auto sales, 3 percent of the total U.S. auto production.

The federal government has set up a Web site explaining the program and if you really want to dig into it you can read the final rules adopted for the program.

A consumer information Web site also provides details.