Newton Independent

Reporter's Notebook: Mission accomplished

By PETER HUSSMANN

When Doug Bishop told me of his plan to put together an Honor Flight trip just for Jasper County World War II veterans several months back, he was worried that when he announced it he might not be successful at raising the money necessary to pull it off.

I told him not to worry - too much - and that it would all come together just fine.

So for the next several months, Bishop and his group of volunteers went about putting together a memorable trip both for World War II veterans and a handful of Korean War veterans he was able to bring along because of their successful efforts. By all accounts, both the send off and the trip went smoothly.

That, in large part, was due to Bishop and the group's attention to detail. The "i's" were dotted and the "t's" were crossed. There were to be no surprises.

Well, that worked out pretty well until Wednesday evening's send off from the Community Center when Bishop received a huge surprise, thanks to his band of volunteers.

As Bishop was about to give the veterans some final details of that evening's dinner and Thursday's day-long trip to Washington, D.C., Honor Flight volunteer Al Lundberg walked over to Bishop and handed him a wrapped gift. The look on Bishop's face showed he didn't see it coming.

Bishop was choked up as he read from a plaque presented to him in recognition of his efforts at putting the only county-based Honor Flight in Iowa together:

"Whether you walk, run, or stumble ... never lose sight of the reason for the journey or miss a chance to see a rainbow along the way."

Another read only "Dream Big."

Well, Doug, you and your group certainly did that. Thanks for letting the entire community be part of your honorable effort. The success of the Jasper County Honor Flight shows what a community coming together can do.

__________

On a completely different topic, Jasper County watering holes are going to be featured in an upcoming issue of Juice magazine, the DM Register's entertainment-based weekly publication.

A reporter and photographer stopped by the Manhattan in Newton on Tuesday evening to take a few photos and talk to patrons. They reporters said they were traveling the county, having already been in Monroe and Colfax and headed to Baxter, after selecting Jasper County for the watering-hole feature by throwing a dart at a map on the wall.

It should be interesting what the big-city reporters have to say about the night life opportunities outside the metro.

__________

And one last thing. If anybody would like to forward me pictures of the Jasper County Honor Flight send off or photos taken by volunteers and veterans out in D.C., feel free. I can add them to the photo album on the site. Email me a phussmann@gmail.com

Have a Great Memorial Day weekend.

And check out this great piece pertaining to the divide in the country when it comes to the Memorial Day holiday. http://iava.org/blog/memorial-day-one-holiday-two-countries

Trinity Towers hit with FMLA lawsuit

Newton Independent

A former employee at Trinity Structural Towers in Newton filed suit against the company earlier this month claiming his rights under the Family Medical Leave Act were violated when he was fired from the wind tower manufacturer in March.

Joe Pulczinski of Jasper County filed suit in Jasper County District Court claiming that he was discriminated against by Trinity Towers after he was twice suspended and eventually fired for exercising his rights under FMLA.

The petition notes that Pulczinski has a son with cerebral palsy and asthma that lead him to at "various times throughout his employment" take "leave from work to care" for his son due to his "serious health conditions."

In addition, the petition states, Pulczinski's wife had surgery earlier this year that required him to take leave from work to take care of her.

Pulczinski, the petition claims, was suspended for two weeks in both December 2009 and February 2010 while Trinity "conducted an investigation into his use of FMLA leave."

The suit states he was fired from the company on March 5, 2010.

Pulczinski is being represented by the Fiedler Law Firm of Urbandale.

Attorneys for Trinity this week filed notice in federal court that the action was being moved from the state system to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa.

Ceremony to honor cancer survivors, remember those lost

Newton Independent

A special Luminaria Ceremony will be held at dusk as part of the American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Jasper County set for Friday, June 4, at H.A. Lynn Stadium.

The ceremony is in remembrance of those who have died from cancer and honors those who have survived.

"Each luminaria represents the life of someone who has battled cancer," said Jeff Pence, volunteer luminaria chair for the local Relay for Life event. "It is a beautiful sight when all the bags with candles are illuminated around the track. The Luminaria Ceremony is a moving way to remember loved ones lost to cancer and to pay tribute to cancer survivors."

Anyone wishing to make luminaria donation may do so by contacting Pence at 641-792-5125. Each luminaria candle is a minimum donation of $10.

Relay for Life will kick off a 6 p.m. with the traditional Survivors Lap, where those have successfully battled cancer are invited to walk with family and friends in a tribute lap around the field's track.

Throughout the evening, a number of family-oriented events are planned. In addition, individual teams may also hold creative fund-raisers as part of their efforts to raise funding for the American Cancer Society.

Individuals or groups still interested in organizing a team for the Relay still have time. Contact Dan Kelley at dankelley@mchsi.com

Further information on the event is available by calling Relay for Life co-chairs Roxann Wormley at 792-3833 ot Debby Pence at 521-9301. Individuals unable to attend but would like to do so may visit the Relay for Life website at www.relayforlife.org/jaspercountyia

Letter: I voted

To the Newton Independent:

I voted in the Democratic Primary today. I love to vote in the primary because no one can give me grief for voting straight Democrat. My ballot, along with my wife's, is in the mail.

I would love to see a woman as a Senator from Iowa, but we voted for Bob Krause to run against death-panel Chuck. Also voted for Joe Brock and John Parsons for Jasper County Supervisors.

Absentee voting is a great thing.

In that big Des Moines paper on Thursday, a guy with a famous name, Will Rogers, took on the religious right and he is a Republican. He called them scoundrels. The only question is which one of the three Republican scoundrels running for Governor is he supporting?

Olen W. Lambert
Newton

Keeping in Touch: Nothing ventured, nothing gained

By SEN. DENNIS BLACK
Democrat, Lynnville

I attended a meeting at DMACC on Thursday at noon, and following a conversation with a couple of ladies regarding the condition of First Avenue East, I decided to drive the distance from Fourth Street West to 25th  Street. As readers well know, excluding just a couple of areas, the worst conditions are currently from Fourth Street West to 14th Street East. I knew First Avenue was bad, but I quickly found out the abnormal winter and spring had substantially deteriorated First Avenue and was shocked to note the extent of the weather-related damage. I generally do not take this route when entering Newton. Frankly, that stretch of First Avenue is embarrassing. True, it's better than horse-and-buggy days, but not for modern vehicles. Frankly, I find it rather incredulous that IDOT would consider that stretch of state highway through Newton as "average."

So, I decided to stick my neck out and next week will drive to Ames after arranging a meeting with Department of Transportation officials regarding the potential of an overlay for that reduced distance. Now, keep in mind this is a shot-in-the-dark, and in fact may prove futile. However, nothing ventured, nothing gained. Also keep in mind that the suggestion will be to overlay this segment only in 2010, with the remainder from 14th Street East to 25th Street being completed in 2011.

My evaluation of the distance was that the first segment was in need of overlay as quickly as possible. We can live with the third segment for the year, but next year would be a "must." My hope is the state will go for the three-year approach, as they turned their back on finishing up the entire distance from 4th Street West to 25th Street East this year.

Naturally, I will report to the local media my success or failure at IDOT. I am aware that money is in short supply following the tremendous amount of road use tax funds needed to repair flood-ravaged roads in the eastern part of the state. But at the same time, a portion of the funds derived from the legislature's bonding of 2009 and 2010 for the I-JOBS program was to be used for "horizontal infrastructure." At least I'll learn just how serious "they" were in using that money for job creation.

Regarding a totally different subject, I want to express my gratitude to Doug Bishop and his organizing crew for the phenomenal job they did with the "Honor Flight" for WWII and a few Korean War veterans. I was asked to participate in the program, and did so by raising money, and by bringing Marine Sgt. Major Brad Kasal, a native of Afton, Iowa, back from Camp Pendleton, Calif., to present the keynote address. Sgt. Major Kasal is thought to be the most decorated soldier from the Iraq/Afghanistan Wars. Our friendship goes back many years, and he was honored to make it home and speak to the WWII veterans and others present. Sg. Major Kasal is the recipient of the Navy Cross, second only to the Medal of Honor, along with seventeen other decorations, including two Purple Hearts.

His deed of valor for the Navy Cross, the highest award presented to date to any living soldier of Iraq/Afghanistan Wars, came from forcibly entering a house in Fallujah, where three of his men were being held captive by insurgents. In doing so, he took seven AK-47 hits to his body, two of which virtually severed his leg. He was able to dispatch the three enemy with his 9mm side arm. However, one still managed to toss a grenade at Kasal's feet. The Sgt. immediately moved on his remaining leg and stood as a shield in front of his men. With the grenade to his back, the resulting explosion sent 42 shrapnel into his back, buttocks and leg. The lives of those Marines, several of whom were wounded, were saved by his selfless act of intrepidity.

Virtually drained of blood, Sgt. Kasal was moved to a nearby unit infirmary to receive five pints of blood. Following a week in a German hospital, he spent a full year in Bethesda Naval Hospital, and to date, has received over 20 operations. His leg was re-attached, and other than bits of shrapnel that continually move to the skin surface, his recovery is nothing short of a miracle.

Sgt. Major Kasal currently commands 6,000 Marines at Camp Pendleton. We were in communication on Thursday, prior to his flight back to California, and he committed to returning on Aug. 17 and 19 of this year to again serve as the keynote speaker to two additional Freedom Flights. These two are again being sponsored by Hy-Vee, Casey's and Prairie Meadows. I have been asked to assist in the coordination of these events, and thus urge any remaining WWII veterans who read this column to get in touch with me at your earliest convenience. Only then can I submit your name to accompany other veterans on this memorable trip.

Questions or comments? dblack@black4senate.com or call me at 515-975-8608.

Jasper County Honor Flight attendees get rousing send off

 
By PETER HUSSMANN

Francis Mulbrook sat on one of the buses that was to transport him and the 40 other World War II and Korean War veterans and their spouses or family to Prairie Meadows for a dinner in his honor. He'd been bit surprised by the hullabaloo that went on inside the Jasper Community Center as the veterans got their last minute marching orders in advance of today's Jasper County Honor Flight trip to Washington, D.C.

"Didn't expect all that," the Navy veteran said of the number of well-wishers on hand at the Center to thank them for their service to country.

Mulbrook spent three years in Navy in World War II, working on a ship ferry, transporting as many as 5,000 men and equipment at a time to battle zones in the South Pacific. His ship, the USS Freestone, took the first group of men and equipment to Nagasaki, Japan following the release of the second atomic bomb.

"When I got out of the service they just waved good-bye," he said.

Today's Honor Flight and Wednesday's send off hopes to rectify that.

"We couldn't wait for Hy-Vee or Casey's to write another check," Honor Flight organizer Doug Bishop told the veterans about why, 65 years after the conclusion of World War II, Jasper County residents came together to raise the funds necessary to honor the local men and women who served in World War II and Korea. "This is just a small way of saying thanks for all that you did. Thank you for your service."

What the veterans didn't know is that an even bigger tribute lay ahead.

While the veterans were loading onto the coaches on the east side of the building, motorcyclists from all over the state were gathering on the west side of the building to escort them to the dinner in their honor. The Patriot Riders were there. Musco Lighting, a large contributor to event as were the Jasper Community Foundation, Iowa Telecom, U.S. Bank, Larry Clement, Bill Talsma and Barney Bushore and Chris Evans from BC Motorsports, sent 31 riders all donning bright green shirts. Local riders, including Newton Mayor Chaz Allen, were on hand en masse. For what seemed 5 minutes, the motorcyclists (172 in all, according to a count by my wife) revved past the coaches headed on the trip toward Des Moines.

Led by an Iowa Speedway pace car, flashing lights and all, the coaches pulled out.

The procession headed east toward Rusty Wallace Drive. All along First Avenue Newton residents turned out to cheer on the passing buses. Signs of thanks, American flags and salutes greeted the Honor Flight veterans. All along the route to the interstate, groups of citizens gathered to greet the soldiers. Along overhead bridges on I-80 flag-waving residents saluted the Honor Flight attendees. A 20-foot sign hung from one bridge, saying thanks to the veterans for their service to country.

At Colfax, another throng gathered on Federal Avenue on the north side of the Interstate. Hundreds of residents and dozens of American flags lined the roadway as residents cheered the Jasper County veterans toward their recognition dinner. In Altoona, vehicles were stopped to let the procession move smoothly through the rush-hour traffic into Prairie Meadows. At the entrance, Jasper County Deputy Sheriff John Halferty stood saluting as the veterans rolled past.

The throng of motorcyclists quickly parked and assembled a massive flag-holding greeting line for the veterans to pass before as they made their way into the hall. The Jasper County Vietnam Veterans Color Guard was on hand, as well as members of the Wolf Pack regiment of the United States Marine Corps, donned in their full dress uniforms.

As the buses pulled up and the Jasper County Honor Flight attendees began to disembark, a huge ovation went up among the hundreds greeting them at Prairie Meadows. The clapping continued in honor of the veterans as hugs were given, hands were shaken and reverence bestowed upon the men and women from Jasper County being honored for their service to country.

Sen. Dennis Black, D-Lynnville, author of several Iowa-based military history books, introduced the evening's keynote speaker, Marine Sergeant Master Brad Kasal, an Afton, Iowa native who was bestowed the Navy Cross for his heroic efforts during fighting in Fallujah, Iraq in 2004.

The Camp Pendleton-based Marine told Jasper County's World War II and Korean War veterans that he jumped at the chance to be able to speak to them prior to their trip to Washington, D.C.

"When I was asked to fly out I jumped at the opportunity," Kasal said. "Growing up, I read the stories of the sacrifices made during World War II and that lead me to want to become a soldier. You deserve more thanks than can be given. You are true role models and true heroes. We owe you a debt of gratitude. You are everything that is great about this nation. I offer you thanks from the bottom of my heart."

The misty-eyed honorees and their spouses reboarded the buses as dusk began to fall. The outpouring of support so long after their service days had ended had tugged at their emotions leaving many just shaking their heads in awe.

"That was nice," Mulbrook said once back on the bus for the ride back to Newton. "But I didn't expect all that."

A well-deserved pat on the back in place of the wave goodbye.

Campaign 2010: Supervisor candidate Max Worthington

Editor's Note: For the past week, I've been printing responses from the seven individuals seeking their party's nomination for the two open seats on the Jasper County Board of Supervisors. Today we conclude with former supervisor Max Worthington, running on the Democratic Party ticket.

My name is Max Worthington and I am seeking election to the Board of Supervisors. I was previously on the Board of Supervisors for eight years. I also was a part-time charter coach driver for 25 years. I have been a member of the Democratic Party for 58 years. I helped facilitate and participated in church Mission Trips to El Salvador. Having been a farmer for 49 years, I understand hard work and the value of a dollar.

Because I believe having the previous experience as supervisors and having farmed most of my life, I am aware of the concerns of the people of the county. I am willing to do my utmost to serve the citizens of Jasper County. I will work hard to take care of all concerns in a prompt and orderly manner. I will listen to all the people and work toward a common goal of keeping the county a great place to live and work.

Appeals court affirms Oberhart's first degree murder conviction in 2007 Newton slaying

By PETER HUSSMANN

The Iowa Court of Appeals today rejected Tyler Oberhart's appeal of his conviction of first degree murder in the stabbing death of Jerry Pittman II in Newton in October 2007.

Oberhart, who was sentenced to life in prison for his role in the death of Pittman, contended his conviction should be overturned because of insufficient evidence provided at trial in Jasper County District Court that he had a "specific intent" to kill Pittman, that he was participating in a robbery at the time of the incident, that his counsel was ineffective and that his Miranda warnings were improperly given during the couse of the investigation, assertions rejected by the Court of Appeals.

Pittman, 19 at the time of his death in October 2007, was stabbed 29 times in the backyard of his home at 714 W. 3rd St. S. Three teens, including Oberhart, were originally charged with first degree murder. Ray Travis, pleaded guilty to second degree robbery and was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Justin Robuck received a 50 year prison term on a second degree murder conviction. The Iowa Court of Appeals rejected Robuck's appeal for a new trial in a ruling issued last November.

On the night of Oct. 5, 2007, Oberhart, along with Robuck, Travis, Courtney Hummel and Mishana Cornejo spent the evening partying together. Ealier in the evening Oberhart gave Pittman some Xanax pills in exchange for marijuana, which he later discovered were lawn mower clippings. At 3 in the morning, the group went to Pittman's residence "in order to scare him into giving them marijuana, return the Xanax pills or give them money," the ruling states.

The three male teens, all carrying knifes or other weapon, confronted Pittman in the backyard of his residence and an altercation ensued. Pittman struck Oberhart with a PVC pipe but he was able to wrestle it away at which time he told Pittman, "You better run."

Pittman was chased and tackled to the ground where Oberhart sat on his upper body with Robuck sitting on his legs. Both teens repeatedly stabbed Pittman. The autopsy showed Pittman died after suffering 29 stab wounds, three of which were to his upper body, striking his heart, lungs, diaphram and liver.

At trial Travis testified that Oberhart stood over Pittman's body and said, "You f***ed with the wrong guys," a statement confirmed by a neighbor awakened by the noise who testified she heard a similar statement.

Pittman was found dead in his yard by his father the next morning.

In his appeal, Oberhart challenges whether the state proved he acted deliberately and whether the altercation constituted a robbery.

"The evidence clearly illustrates that Oberhart went to Pittman's house with a wider intent," the court ruling states. "Travis testified of thei initial plan to scare Pittman into giving them Xanax, drugs, or money, and when Pittman failed to cooperate, their intent became to steal the items. Oberhart's demands on Pittman to give him the real marijuana, his threats, the violent stabbing of Pittman and later statements to his friends, "Why did you guys leave? We could have got money. We could have got drugs," all confirmed Oberhart's intent to commit a theft, both as he approached Pittman's house and as the attack unfolded."

The appeal also questions the agreement Travis accepted to plead guilty to robbery rather than face murder charges and his subsequent testimony against Oberhart on behalf of the state.

"We find the trial counsel was not ineffective for failing to object to Travis' testimony concerning his plea agreement because both sides utilized this testimony to inform the jury and to assess Travis' credibility as a witness to the murder," the court wrote.

Oberhart further asserts that his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to challenge the way in which his Miranda warnings were given. He contends a video of his confession should have been suppressed because he was read a juvenile version of Miranda that contains an implied promise of leniancy, thus his statement was not given voluntarily.

"While violations which constitute a forcible felony are excluded from the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, Oberhart had not yet been charged with a forcible felony when the questioning occurred," the court wrote. "Oberhart cannot prove counsel breached a duty by failing to make a meritless motion."

Oberhart is being held at the state prison in Anamosa.

Automotive eye candy to roll in to Newton

Newton Independent

More than half a billion dollars worth of chrome and automotive eye candy will roll in to the Iowa Speedway early next month as Newton hosts the start the 2010 edition of the Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour.

On Saturday, June 5, thousands of performance vehicles from across the globe will be on display prior to the start of the seven-day, seven-city tour that ends in Mobile, Ala.

Running from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., spectators will be able to view the cars and take part in a number of events planned at the Iowa Speedway. More than 3,500 performance vehicles are expected to enter the venue to sign up to be part of the event. Local hot-rodders can register on site for the day for $25. Spectators are free.

Following is a schedule of events provided by the Power Tour's media relations representatives:

• 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. - Event open to the public.
• 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. - Over 3,500 performance vehicles will enter the venue to sign up and be a part of the event. Over 1,500 Long Haulers will join the tour in Newton. Long Haulers are Power Tour participants who travel the entire seven cities in seven days, over 1,400 miles.
• 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. - GM Performance Division will show off some of their never before seen project vehicles and other GM creations including the 2010 Indy 500 Pace Car Camaro, 2010 Camaro Dusk, 2010 Camaro Synergy and many other hot concept and feature cars.
• 10 a.m to Noon, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. - Meet Chip Foose in the Magnaflow display. Foose is a nationally known car designer and owns his own automotive and product design development company called Foose Design. He was also the host of the TLC show "Overhaulin." He will be available to sign autographs.
• 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. - Giveaways and games from the event main stage.
• Noon to 6 p.m. - The Lucas Oil Dyno Challenge presented by E3 Sparkplugs is a national competition of horsepower and torque. Open to registered Power Tour participants.
• 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Austin Hatch Foundation's daily Pinewood "Muscle Car" Derby. But a derby car on site and compete for cash and awards. The Austin Hatch Foundation raises money and awareness for pediatric cancer.

The Greater Newton Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting a "Cruising In" event in downtown Newton on Friday, June 4.

Jasper County Relay for Life looking for some Locks of Love

Newton Independent

Organizers of this year's Relay for Life fund-raising event for the American Cancer Society are hoping to surpass the 113 inches of hair cut for the Locks of Love program at last year's Relay during the event slated for Friday, June 4, at H.A. Lynn Stadium.

Bethany Packheiser, owner and stylist at Be Beautiful Salon in Newton, along with co-worker Kendra Halferty, will be on hand from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at this year's Relay for Life to provide free haircuts and hopefully collect hundreds of inches of hair for donation to the Locks of Love program.

Locks of Love is a non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children 21 and younger with medical hair loss. The hand-assembled, custom-fitted hair prosthetics are provided free to eligible children nationwide.

The Florida-based charity notes that nearly 80 percent of the hair donations come from children.

Donated hair must be at least 10 inches long and free of bleach. Colored hair and permed hair is acceptable.

"Last year's Relay for Life had 113 inches cut for Locks of Love and we, along with Be Beautiful Salon, are hoping to exceed last year's inches at this year's event," said Relay co-chair Debby Pence. "So plan to get your hair cut and support this organization."

More information on Locks of Love can be found at www.locksoflove.org

In addition to the traditional survivors lap to kick off the Relay and the luminary display at dusk, a variety of family entertainment will be available including sketch artists, karaoke and a silent auction.

Relay organizers say there is still time to organize a fund-raising team for the event. Currently, a record 35 teams, representing Jasper County businesses, families, churches, civic organizations and groups of friends, are signed up to participate. To organize a fund-raising team, contact Dan Kelley, team coordinator, at 641-521-9260 or at dankelley@mchsi.com

Individuals unable to attend the Relay but who would like to donate to the American Cancer Society fund-raising event may do so by visiting the Jasper County Relay for Life website at www.relayforlife.org/jaspercountyia

Jasper County residents urged to show support for Honor Flight veterans today

Newton Independent

Newton and Jasper County residents are being urged today to line the route and show their support for a group of veterans set to be feted tonight at a dinner at Prairie Meadows in advance of their Jasper County Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. on Thursday.

Event organizers plan to leave the Jasper County Community Center on First Avenue East at 4:30 p.m. today, escorted by what is hoped to be a hundred motorcyclists, including the Patriot Riders group, for the trip to Altoona.

About 40 World War II and Korean War veterans from Jasper County and their spouses will be honored at the dinner tonight at Prairie Meadows in advance of the Honor Flight trip tomorrow to view the memorials in the nation's capital erected in their honor. The trip is being paid for through donations by community and area individuals and businesses.

Two bus loads of participants will head east from the Community Center and travel to Rusty Wallace Drive and then proceed south to Interstate 80 where Sheriff Mike Balmer and the throng of motorcyclists will lead the motorcade to Polk County.

Jasper County Honor Flight organizers are hoping local residents will turn out along the route to show their support for veterans, a tribute that coincides with the coming Memorial Day holiday.

"We hope to have the streets and bridges lined with individuals showing their support and respect for these veterans," Jasper County Honor Flight organizer Doug Bishop said. "These men and women gave up a large chunk of their lives in order to protect the freedoms that we hold so dearly. Please consider taking a small bit of time out of your schedule to show them that we appreciate their efforts."

League of Women Voters to hold Jasper County supervisor candidate forum

Newton Independent

The League of Women Voters of Jasper County is sponsoring a forum for the Jasper County Supervisor candidates in the June 8 primary.

The forum will be held beginning at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 3, in the council chambers at Newton City Hall. At 7 p.m., the four Democratic candidates running in the primary for the two open seats - Joe Brock, Dennis McDougall, John Parsons and Max Worthington - will provide opening statements and be questioned by League officials followed at 8 p.m. by the three Republican candidates - Denny Carpenter, David Mast and Bill Ward.

The public is invited to attend and participate in the forum. Those attending will be provided an opportunity to submit questions to the candidates.

The forum will be televised live and aired on the local government access cable television Channel 12.

The supervisor primary election is the only contested race in the June 8 primary.

Campaign 2010: Supervisor candidate Dennis McDougall

Newton Independent

Editor's Note: The N.I. has invited candidates for the Jasper County Board of Supervisors to introduce themselves to readers and give some information on why they are seeking public office. Today we hear from Dennis McDougall of Colfax who is running as a Democrat in the June 8 primary.

My name is Dennis McDougall and I am running for the Jasper County Supervisor as a Democrat in the June 8, 2010 primary election. Please vote. I am 62, married and retired. I bought my home in Colfax with my wife in 1993. This was the best move we ever made. Now my goal is to give back to the community and the people of Jasper County. I see no better way to use my talents than to devote full-time to being your public servant and to help build a brighter future for Jasper County residents.

From four years with a top-secret military clearance, six years of economics, political science and sociology in college and grad school and five years training and experience in community organizing, I became politicized many years ago. I learned of local politics, organization building, funding and grant writing. I learned of power and strategies for change. But, I put those things aside for income and to raise my family. I worked in small business, social services and retired as a letter carrier.

I see ominous indicators that our way of life here is threatened now. We have an unemployment rate 30 percent higher than the state rate, higher even than the national rate. Our property values are eroding, local home sales and prices are falling, our revenues are decreasing, gas and energy costs are increasing. Or farm owners are aging, we are not replacing our manufacturing and wage earnings, our schools are going broke and we must wonder why our children will want to build their families here in decades to come.

We must grow and develop Jasper County. We cannot simply cut more and forget what we value; and bury our heads and hope "the powers that be" will take care of us. This is not the time for business as usual, to elect people to sit on boards and "rubber-stamp" each other's agendas. We need people who will fight to get us our fair share. Our incomes are going out, and we need to go after our share of the pie. Too often we hear "our hands are tied." Too often we allow others to tell us what we need, what we will get and then allow them to limit what we can do about it. We must fight for our future or what we have now will decay. Societal changes are coming and we must define what future we shall have.

I intend to bring people together to do just that: people from business, agriculture, health and education, from labor, from management, from the neighborhoods and the county. Are we not well situated: on I-80, close to population centers, with available land, property and a ready and able workforce? Money is out there. We need to target it and go after it: public and private, for profit and non-profit, for investment, for education and for development. There is grant money of all sorts. The sources must be identified, the proposals must be assembled. We must be open, creative and imaginative. I will bring people together to do this. We can do it, and we must not fail to do it.

Campaign 2010: Supervisor candidate Denny Carpenter

Newton Independent

Editor's Note: The N.I. has invited each of the seven candidates for the Jasper County Board of Supervisors in next month's primary election for a chance on the ballot for the two open seats to introduce themselves and tell readers why they are seeking public office. Today we hear from former Jasper County Supervisor Denny Carpenter, a Republican.

My motivation for seeking a seat on the Jasper County Board of Supervisors is to serve the people in Jasper County, and to provide them with the best possible services at the lowest possible cost to them; to always be looking for ways to streamline county government without eliminating services or employees; to seek new businesses in Jasper County and expand economic growth; to serve the people of Jasper County and not politics, and be fiscally responsible to them with their tax dollars.

I'm a lifelong resident of Jasper County. I live on an acreage two miles east of Reasnor. I'm a graduate of Newton High School and the American Institute of Business and have taken many classes at DMACC.

I served on the Board of Supervisors January 2003 through 2006.

I was employed in the Jasper County Engineer's Office for 36 years prior to retiring. I'm familiar with the needs of the Jasper County in terms of roads, bridges and other infrastructure and how the Secondary Roads Department functions.

For 35 years I prepared, maintained and moved the voting machines and equipment for each election for the Jasper County Auditor's Office. Since 2003 I have continued to help the Auditor's Office by moving the voting machines and other necessary equipment to the voting precincts, at no charge to the county.

I served six years in the Iowa National Guard. While I was in the Guard, I was a tank commander and a mortar section leader.

I serve on the Habitat for Humanity board.

Letter: Beauty contests are stupid

To the Newton Independent:

Well, whoop, di, do.The news media is all abuzz about how a Moslem girl has won Donald Trump's beauty contest. What a crying damned shame.

I don't have a daughter, but if I did I would do everything a father can rightfully do to keep her from participating in such a stupid contest. All over the world there are Moslem girls doing wonderful things more important than any beauty contest.

For a long time now, I have had an adopted daughter in my heart who I love dearly. And I have no idea what her religion is and don't care. Her name is Rehka Basu and she writes for that big paper in Des Moines. I think she is pretty but she could be ugly as a wart hog and I would still love her as a daughter because of who she is and I don't mean because she is a famous big paper writer but because of who she is as a person.

I have only met her once but I have been reading her writings for many years. It is impossible for anyone to write so much for so long and not reveal who they are.

Someone, I don't know who, said the mind is a beautiful thing. I believe that. Pageant's like Trump's do harm to all women because beauty is not in the outer layers of the body but in the brain.

Olen W. Lambert
Newton

Jasper County's unemployment rate falls, but still among state's highest

By PETER HUSSMANN

Jasper County saw nearly a half point drop in its unemployment rate in April, state officials said today, but still remains in the top nine counties in Iowa in the percentage of jobless people.

Iowa Workforce Development released county statistics today on April's unemployment rates that showed Jasper County at 9.2 percent, down from 9.6 percent in March.

April's jobless rate in Jasper County is the lowest it's been this year. The county recorded a 9.8 percent rate in January followed by a 9.6 percent recording in February. In April 2009, the jobless rate in Jasper County stood at 7.3 percent.

Nine counties in Iowa recorded rates in April above 9.1 percent lead by Henry County in far southeast Iowa at 11.3 percent. Adjoining Lee County had a 10.5 percent unemployment rate last month, the state statistics show. Allamakee County in far northeast Iowa had a 9.9 percent rate.

Even with the .4 percent decrease, Jasper County had the highest unemployment rate in central Iowa in April. Story County had the lowest rate at 5.1 percent followed by Poweshiek at 6.6 percent, Polk at 6.9 percent, Marion at 7.9 percent, Marshall at 8 percent and Mahaska at 8.6 percent.

Today's statistics showed that there were 1,640 people recorded as unemployed in Jasper County in April, the lowest point of the year, compared to 1,730 in January, the highest. Total employment levels also increased to the highest point of the year at 16,150 compared to a low point of 15,970 in January.

Iowa's statewide average unemployment rate inched up to 6.9 percent in April from its 6.8 percent rate the month before. Iowa Workforce officials attributed the increase to previously discouraged workers re-entering the labor force.

The U.S. unemployment rate in April stood at 9.9 percent.

 A county-by-county map of unemployment rates in April can be seen here.

News report outlines TPI's wind energy venture in Sioux City

Newton Independent

The Sioux City Journal on Sunday printed a story about TPI Composites and its proposal to build a wind turbine production facility in western Iowa.

Though TPI has not decided whether to move forward with the project, the state last week granted the company millions in incentives as assistance to help move the project forward.

The story also outlines how Sioux City and Woodbury County would likely provide incentive assistance noting that the plant may possibly be constructed by the county and leased to the Scottsdale, Ariz.-based firm. The story indicates that Opus Northwest out of the Minneapolis area constructed and leases the facility in Newton back to TPI though shortly after operations began Opus sold its interest to Blue Dog TPI Properties LLC, a firm based in the Boston area.

The Sioux City story indicates should TPI move forward with its plans in western Iowa, it would produce a new generation of wind blades.

The day before TPI received the state awards, it announced that its workforce levels in Newton would drop to 233 after another layoff. The facility manufacturers wind blades for GE.

You can read the story here.

Enos leads GOP campaign finance race in Senate District 21 primary

By PETER HUSSMANN

Wes Enos holds the campaign finance edge in the three-way Republican primary race for Senate District 21, state reports filed last week indicate.

Enos, the former political director of former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee's Iowa caucus effort, reported cash contributions of $3,405 for the reporting period, far outdistancing his two rivals in the primary, Joe Pirillo and Michael Adams Jr.

And Enos' political connections to the former presidential candidate were shown in two donations that amounted to about a third of the total. Enos reported a $500 campaign donation from Huckabee himself and another $500 contribution from Huck PAC of Little Rock, though the donation was returned and itemized as an expense "due to the timing of the original contribution," the report states.

Enos reported total expenditures of just more than $1,800 leaving him with about $1,600 in cash on hand heading toward the June 8 primary.

Pirillo, who previously ran as a Democrat in a primary challenge to the Iowa Senate district's incumbent, Dennis Black, reported cash contributions of $600 with expenditures totaling approximately $400.

Adams reported cash contributions of just under $400 with expenditures totaling about $390, leaving him with $10 cash on hand. He also reported in-kind contributions of $215, most of it for web design services.

The three will face off in the Senate District 21 primary race for the right to face Black in the November election. Though Senate District 21 encompasses nearly all of Jasper County and just the southeast portion of Polk County, all three Republicans hail from the Des Moines area with two from Bondurant and one from Altoona.

Black, a Democrat from Lynnville, reported campaign contributions of $6,650 for the reporting period and another $11,885 from in-kind contributions. He recorded expenses of just more than $2,000 leaving him with $18,600 in cash in hand as heads into the fall election. Black is not opposed in the primary.

While there is no contested primary for Iowa House District 41, incumbent Rep. Paul Bell, D-Newton, and his November Republican challenger, Gabriele Swersie of Newton, filed campaign finance reports that show Bell with a significant monetary lead.

Bell reported campaign contributions totaling $7,350 for the reporting period and expenditures of about $2,700 leaving him with approximately $12,900 heading into the fall campaign.

Swersie reported contributions of $2,470 with nearly half of the total coming from Newton resident Claudia Springer's $1,000 cash contribution. He reported only $75 in expenditures.

Campaign 2010: Supervisor candidate Joe Brock

Newton Independent

Editor's note:I've asked each of the Jasper County Board of Supervisor candidates seeking the Democratic and Republican Party's' nominations for placement on the November ballot to introduce themselves and give some reasons why they are seeking office. Today we hear from Joe Brock, a Democrat.

My name is Joe Brock. I am 51 years old and a 1976 graduate of Newton High School. My family and I operate a grain and livestock farm seven miles southwest of Newton. My wife, Kristi, is a 1981 graduate of Newton High School and works as a loan specialist for MetLife Home Loans in Newton. Kristi worked at home for 12 years while raising our three children. We have three boys, twins Joseph and Ragan are 16 years old and are students at Newton High School and Will is 14 years old and a student at Berg Middle School. My mother, Miriam (Hank) Brock, lives at Park Centre and continues as a partner in the farming operation at the age of 86.

During the years Kristi was home with our children, I worked in several different areas of construction. With that experience, I would bring a much needed construction background to the Jasper County Board of Supervisors, in addition to my experience in farming and small business management.

My entire off-farm income most generally went toward paying health insurance premiums which Kristi and I paid for out of our own pockets for 26 years. I certainly realize from our own experience how devastating health care costs can be and how quickly you can be without coverage that threatens the collapse of a small business or depletes your personal finances.

I was raised in a family that promoted public service, basic fairness for everyone and a belief that we all have a worth no matter the bottom line of your financial statement. Also, I believe everyone deserves respect, to be treated in a polite manner and even though there will be (and should be) disagreements, you can do it in a friendly and open forum.

I've been involved in politics over they years, helped others get elected and helped with campaigns that sometimes ended in defeat. I encourage everyone to get involved in a campaign regardless of your political stripes and help a candidate or run for office yourself. You can do it and your community needs you. As far as my own candidacy, with farming, livestock and three teenagers to chase this wasn't exactly the time I envisioned myself running for office. I don't need a job, I have more than enough to keep me busy. I lead a life on the farm that I love, find rewarding, offers opportunity and quite frankly am very happy.

But the last couple of years it became evident to me these are the reasons I want to become involved. I want to give back to the community that has offered me so much. I will strive to give not only to my children but all children a place to call home, raise a family and have a job with pay that is an improvement over the previous generation. I don't believe in going backwards.

I have the full support of my family for this endeavor and quite honestly would not have done this without their support. They know their Dad will have to miss some of their events and that they will be taking on more of the farming responsibilities.

I want to be involved in the decisions of Jasper County. I believe I have something to offer as a result of my life experiences and I pledge to work effectively with whomever the voters choose if I have the honor of being elected to the Jasper County Board of Supervisors.

Fund-raiser for Emerson Hough appeal successful

Newton Independent

Event organizers of Friday evening's fund-raiser to assist with the legal efforts to appeal the decision of the Newton Community School District Board of Education to close Emerson Hough Elementary School said more than 400 people turned out and helped raise more than $6,000.

Those attending were given tours of the building, dined on a hot dog/hamburger dinner, purchased baked goods, perused the items available in the silent auction and entertained by Newton's 8 Track Band.

A formal appeal of the school board's decision to close Emerson Hough was filed with the Iowa Department of Education. Citing the case load surrounding an expected July hearing on the matter, the department's administrative law judge recently transferred the case for hearing to an administrative law judge with the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals.

The Smith Law Firm of Des Moines, attorneys for appellant Jennifer Mouchka, a parent of a student at Emerson Hough, has suggested hearing dates during three weeks in July. Following the hearing, the administrative law judge will issue a proposed order that will need the consent of the Iowa Board of Education before becoming final. That decision could come in late July, though it is more likely to be heard at the state school board's September meeting. The board does not meet in August.