Newton Independent

Guest Editorial: Prime Growth Opportunity with Proposed Legislation

By CRAIG HAMILTON
Executive Director
Jasper County Economic Development Corp.

The Iowa Legislature is considering a new economic development tool that will positively impact the area around the Iowa Speedway. Known as House File 2480, this bill creates a bonding tool that would directly benefit Newton, but also develop new destination sites anywhere in Iowa.

The risk is on the private sector and not on any government entity or individual taxpayer. Site developers must provide an attractive destination site that will gain the confidence and purchasing of bonds by investors.

The legislation, if approved, would allow a city or county to establish a bonding district. Four cents of the state sales tax nickel would be used to retire bonds issued to support these projects. There's no real risk to communities. Neither of the two local option taxes - the ones that go to schools and local governments - would be touched in retiring the debt. The bonds would not be backed with local property tax revenues either. In fact, the additional sales taxes from new shopping and attractions would increase the revenue that supports schools and communities.

The bill is designed for large projects that generate at least $50 million in capital investment, 200-plus new jobs and $25 million or more in new taxable sales. The public will have a voice in the decision. That's because a local referendum is required to establish the district and then the Vision Iowa Board must approve specific projects.

Modeled after a program that spurred development around the Kansas Speedway, the STAR (Sales Tax Anticipated Revenue) Bonds there have turned empty land into new retail areas generating millions of new dollars annually, as well as jobs and increased property values.

In today's extremely competitive economic development environment, it often takes this kind of boost to help a community stand above the crowd. HF 2480 is just the kind of legislation that will strengthen Newton and Jasper County for the long-term. With more than 10 million cars per year traveling on I-80, this is a prime opportunity to capitalize on what Jasper County offers.

It's a win-win situation. Contact your Senator and Representative in the Legislature. Tell them you support HF 2480. Then, if given the opportunity, vote yes to establish such a district in Jasper County.

Editor's Note: A subcommittee of the House Ways and Means Committee will discuss the proposed legislation at a meeting at the statehouse at 11 a.m. Monday.

Letter: Who has a solution?

To the Newton Independent:

Here in America, after most of us get through our teenage years and other wildness, we only wish to have a comfortable and peaceful life, especially in our retirement years. This, I believe, is coming to an end.

I keep looking for someone to blame and/or a great leader or miracle to solve all of the unpleasant things that are robbing our American society. The finger pointing goes on and on, blaming political parties, companies, unions or individual leaders of our country or state.

Some say the Democrats are the positive way for us to follow while others believe the Republican party has those positive answers for all of our American woes. Most of us know the propaganda and name calling solves nothing. Or do we?

As for me, I repeat an old quote again: "Common sense is not common any more." But let me add this quote or question of mine: "Is there anyone out there who really has the solutions to our America's and world's problems?"

I doubt it. Yet doing nothing or ignoring it is not acceptable. The sticking-one's-head-in-the-sand does not help solve a thing.

There is always more to say. Buckle up, we are going to have a long, hard road in the years ahead.

James Wilson McKinstry
Newton

Letter: Support the Newton Independent

To the Newton Independent:

To my fellow readers,

I enjoy and rely on Peter Hussmann's "Newton Independent" coverage. I also believe strongly in his statement, "Journalism is a Public Good Worth Supporting."

For a long time I have enjoyed reading and posting on his site for free. Then I started thinking, I pay for my Newton and Des Moines papers, plus several other magazines. Why should I not support and contribute to the Independent?

So, from this point on, I will. I hope others will join me in thanking our editor and staff, Peter Hussmann.

Peter, thank you for everything you deliver to our computers and minds.

P.S. If I have a garage sale can I mention it on your site? And if I can, what would be a fair price per word for another ad? I also wonder if our political leaders would be willing to pay a dime or two for campaign space? How many hits do you get on your site per day?

Peter Hussmann's address is:

313 W. 2nd St. S.
Newton, Iowa, 50208

James Wilson McKinstry
Newton

Letter: Keep Grant on the $50

To the Newton Independent:

Good God Almighty. As I have said before, there is no "seen it all," only what is next.

According to that big paper in Des Moines, some people want to replace U.S. Grant on the 50 dollar bill with the Great Communicator Ronald Reagan. What a dumb idea.

U.S. Grant was real and what he did was real. The legend of Ronald Reagan is 90 percent myth, like the stories he told of the bomber pilot in WWII that came from a movie. There are more fibs that he told but I won't go into them now.

As for him defeating the USSR, pure myth. Russia was in decline long before Reagan took office. They could not feed their own people and then they got embroiled in a war in Afghanistan they could not win.

I could go on but just take a look at the financial situation of America and it is my contention that most of it can be traced back to his presidency and the Bush who tried to act like him.

Olen W. Lambert
Newton

Letter: Set an example for politicians

To the Newton Independent:

When I submit a letter or a thought to any "news source editor," it is my hope they print it, or at least read it. My motives are simple - it is my hope that I might stir the thoughts and imagination of my family, friends, neighbors and enemies.

Yup, I know it sounds like preaching and maybe I am.

Yet, I would like to suggest neighborhoods consider helping each other and even have a once a year gathering. And for those who are old and need help, please do not let your pride keep you from asking a neighbor or friend for assistance. This includes transportation to a doctor, lawn mowing, snow removal or just needing someone to visit with.

As for me and my neighbors, we do have a neighborhood gathering of sharing a meal of food and laughter. Plus, we are ready to help anyone with an illness or other trouble beyond the normal smiling and waving at each other.

It is my opinion too much of the time "we the people" point fingers and/or wave at one another in a false way. "We the people" might be able to set a great example for our politicians to follow.

Shangri-La - I doubt it.

James Wilson McKinstry
Newton

Letter: Is there no other solution?

To the Newton Independent:

What a sad, sad situation. Money is scarce so state and local governments are all looking to cut their budgets. Schools and teachers are on the chopping block and it is a sad thing to see.

Everyone says that they love their children and how important their education is yet when money is scarce up go the schools and teachers on the chopping block. Is there no other solution?

Olen W. Lambert
Newton

Letter: Why aren't we screaming?

To the Newton Independent:

Mr. and Mrs. Taxpayer, why do we write to the editors, argue and/or discuss on blogs? Do we ever accomplish anything or is it just our nature to write books, columns and such? And why are politics and religions such hot subjects? Why does the United States and we the people spend money we don't have?

It seems our local and U.S. government, plus we the people, could use some tutoring on money management, or in other words, staying within a budget. I wonder too, who might be qualified to establish and teach budget and money management?

Then, too, perhaps we and our governments could use a little tutoring on anger management. We should be able to play nice and be fair with one another. Why is war needed to establish peace?

Finally, why do our two main parties, Democrat and Republican both, claim to love America but will not work together for the good of our nation? Why do our politicians allow lobbyists in the same room with them?

I read in different places that our U.S. Treasury borrows to fill the gap between revenue and outlays and debt is soaring. In fiscal year 2010, the budget office projects that the public debt will increase by $1.75 trillion. In other words, roughly $15,000 per household. Some say by 2015 the cumulative rise in debt will exceed $6 or maybe $7 trillion.

OK, if we would all chip in $15,000 and send it straight away to the IRS would the United States' budget be in the black? Not hardly, only if we gave this donation every six months, I think.

All of these stimulus packages, like $19 million to Whirlpool from our nation's treasury (or borrowed money) and the $6.5 million from our state are good examples of increasing our debt for generations to come. I ask, if you had been asked to give donations to Whirlpool would you have done so? Iowa's population is about 3 million people so you can see about what your share would have been.

Don't you think we should be doing a better job at home and be screaming like a smashed cat to our President and all of the other political leaders in our country?

James Wilson McKinstry
Newton

Letter: Whole community should be concerned about school issues

To the Newton Independent:

The Newton Community School Board will meet Friday night, Feb. 26, at 6 p.m. at the Newton High School Center for Performance. Discussion will focus on the current budget crisis the district is facing.

Things being considered to meet this crisis are the closing of one elementary building and up to $1 million in reductions in programs at the Berg Middle School and Newton Senior High. These changes could be implemented by the fall of 2010.

Each person in our community should attend and listen to the board's discussion. Don't have a student in school? Not your problem? This is an issue we should all be concerned about, regardless of whether we have a student in school or not.

A strong school district with quality education offerings, excellent facilities and strong athletic programs are vital to businesses wanting to locate in our community and for attracting young families to locate in our community. Our schools are something we should all always be interested in and concerned about.

The school district has held public meetings at all elementary buildings and taken questions from the public. The school board members have not spoken at these meetings. This is our chance to hear their thoughts and questions.

I hope you will join me at this very important meeting.

Fran Henderson
Newton

Letter: Incentives for Whirlpool is theft from taxpayers

To the Newton Independent:

I will not waste my time with putting together a long letter of objection to this stealing money from the taxpayers and giving it to the selfish and perhaps criminal Whirlpool company.

There will be many Maytag workers die early because of the acts of Whirlpool's purchase of Maytag in Newton, Iowa.

Mark my word Whirlpool will still one day walk away from Iowa with our tax and insurance money stuck in their pockets laughing all the way to their banks.

It is sometimes said to put the interests of the community above the interests of the individuals, but this is usually only done on the principle that the community exists for the benefit of the individuals who participate in it, so the best way to serve the interests of the individual is through interests of the community.

We voted our politicians in to defend our country, communities and each individual, but I think they are thinking more of self, party, money and power. Even our politicians are burying America!

James Wilson McKinstry
Newton

Letter: Save more of the historic character of children's shelter

To the Newton Independent:

It is important that I explain in detail why I asked for a delay in demolition of most of the interior and some exterior of the children's playground shelter and restroom area to install two handicapped toilet stalls.

I do not wish to prevent the installation of the two stalls and some needed improvements. I did question the following:

1. The cost of "updating" is $50,000 because the boys toilets are being moved to the south end of the shelter rather than utilizing the 12-foot by 10-foot-6-inch room adjacent to the north wall of the present girls and boys restrooms. Sewer and water lines are already in that area. This could also reduce some altering of exterior walls. I was advised park staff wished to keep this adjacent space for storage - presently a small tractor mower. Is that practical?

2. The city can have time to check with the State Historical Society of Iowa to determine if the present plans would alter the status of the building, which has been presently labeled as "contributing to historical status." (The swimming pool is now listed as non-contributing.) The council received a copy of a letter rom Jack Porter of the State Historical Society of Iowa stating that historical buildings are normally exempt from ADA compliance. They also offer help in planning changes.

I presented the council with copies of the building floor plan and available adjacent space months ago, suggesting it be considered. The present plan will alter exterior doorways and windows. Parks Director Denny Slings stated it would not be a problem. Perhaps he is right - or not.

3. My work to place Fred Maytag Park on the National Registry of Historic Places began last year when the newly formed Newton Historic Preservation Commission stated they were beginning training and would not take on a project for about a year. I have worked with the assistance from a workshop manual and Des Moines staff. The conclusion may be determined in June of this year.

4. The following statement from the State Historic Preservation office was read to the council: "Once Fred Maytag Park is listed on the National Register, it would be eligible for a Historical Resource Development Program (HRDP) grant. It would also be eligible for a Historic Sites Preservation Grant (HSPG). This grant may have funding reduced, but was continued in 2009."

I presented the council with a list of all items in Maytag Park that have been classified as "contributing to historic status" and those that do not.

Again, my effort to delay was not to prevent handicapped accessibility for children, just to do it more economically and with less trauma to a historic building. This issue should be open to discussion at the public hearing on the budget, March 1.

Joyce Moen
Newton

Letter: Has Iowa dropped the ball?

To the Newton Independent:

Alert! Alert! Did anyone note the headlines? Has Iowa dropped the ball?

"One judge says minors can strip since it's 'art'"

"The Iowa Court of Appeals on Wednesday dismissed the state's request for a review of the issue. The request followed a judge's 2008 decision that Clarence Judy, then-owner of Shotgun Geniez, didn't violate the state's public indecent exposure law. Judy was charged after a 17-year-old girl stripped on stage in the southwestern Iowa club in 2007."

Have we fallen asleep that we can no longer protect our children in a "state" that once had high moral standards?

If you think this is crazy, then wrap your head around this: Imagine a 9-year-old who is placed on stage and an adult has this young girl remove her clothes then this, too, is considered "art" and legal in the State of Iowa! How is this possible?

Regardless of how or why it happened it is not too late to right a wrong. I would ask all of us to contact our legislators to act quickly and pass responsible legislation to protect our children from obvious predators.

People can make up their own mind on the legal savvyness of the judge.

Dr. Paul Nieves, DO
Newton

Letter: Values fund 'forgivable' loan is unforgivable

To the Newton Independent:

During the past month, I have received a few e-mails from small businesses in and around Newton asking about any state programs administered by the Iowa Department of Economic Development that could be of financial assistance during this recession. A couple exist, but the window of opportunity is very narrow, and each case is different.

Then today, much to my anguish and surprise, I learned that Whirlpool was the recipient of an Iowa Values Fund forgivable "loan" (gift) of $6.5 million for plant improvements and expansion at their Amana refrigeration facility.

The Values Fund board should be ashamed of themselves to reward a company that has denied former Maytag employees their negotiated benefits. This board's gift of taxpayer's money to the very company that has wreaked so much sorrow and mental anguish to so many is beyond belief.

The profits of Whirlpool tripled during the last quarter. Their nerve in demanding of the state this financial gift is nauseating.

State Senator Dennis Black
Lynnville

Letter: Here's hoping we survive the economic famine

To the Newton Independent:

Looks like madness is alive and well in our little neck of the woods considering local politicians' brazen strategies to raise property taxes. Their rationale to fleece the remaining taxpayers equates to endless, harebrained promises of maintaining superior services.

Those who have stayed behind in the hopes that the economic famine in Jasper County will eventually stabilize are expected, as usual, to pay the bills. Of course, as we all know, the tax increase to cover expenditures will be short-lived and it won't be long before the vultures are once again circling the carcasses of the few who had no choice but hunker down and hope we don't self-destruct.

My question is how do we stop them?

Deana Williams
Newton

Letter: What's wrong with this picture?

To the Newton Independent:

I just read in the Newton Daily News that the Newton Dog Park when it is completed will have have, and I quote: "A water fountain, one for dogs and one for humans will be installed."

The city council is discussing a $50,000 restroom at the Maytag Park. This will be finalized when the final budget is approved. The rest rooms need to be made handicapped accessible and the plumbing, etc., updated in the children's shelter at the playground. This will entail changing the entrance, etc. All the fixtures in the two restrooms work. They are just outdated and are not handicapped accessible. Buildings, etc., that were built before a certain date do not have to be handicapped accessible, but it is nice and very much appreciated when they are.

The Maytag Bowl has no working restrooms and no working water fountain or water available to the public or performers, such as band members, performers, etc.

When a group rents the Bowl for the day where admission is charged, they pay $125. They have to pay to rent portable toilets not only for themselves but the public attending the event. Otherwise the people have to walk over to the pool area, assuming it is open to the public at that time, for the restrooms and the water fountain.

Maytag Park was a gift to the City of Newton by Fred L. Maytag, along with a $200,000 endowment. The proceeds from the endowment were to take care of the expense for the upkeep of Maytag Park. The city's theory is that wages of the city employees mowing, etc., takes far more than the interest from the endowment, therefore upkeep of the buildings, etc., doesn't get done. No other park in Newton has an endowment for its upkeep and they seem to be doing OK. And now they are saying that a city employee mowing inside of two fences at a dog park will not take any extra time or effort.

Newton is going to maintain a double-fenced in area, furnish water, furnish doggie bags and plastic gloves and have additional trash picked up by the garbage truck and they don't even furnish water and restrooms at the Bowl.

Another interesting item is that when a group rents the Bowl, under certain conditions, they must furnish evidence of liability insurance. The dog park (with some dogs that are big and some that are vicious (like pit bulls) does not have to furnish insurance as they will be covered by the city's umbrella policy.

Who gets better treatment in Newton? The taxpayer or the dogs?

Beverly Morris
Newton

What makes a cantankerous old cuss so smart?

To the Newton Independent:

A friend once affectionately called me a cantankerous old cuss. My wife said, "doesn't that make you mad?" I said, "Heck no, I kind of like that moniker. He didn't say I was a dumb old cuss." And dumb is what I write about today.

Right there on the front page of that big Des Moines Sunday paper the glaring headline states that 33 percent of Iowans are T-baggers. Well, la, de, da.

Where is it written that Iowans can't be just as dumb as other Americans? Go look in your fridge at the yellow margarine and understand this. Iowa once had a law that said yellow margarine could not be sold in stores in Iowa.

Americans are so puffed up they seem to think they are the smartest people in the world. They're not. Americans are so dumb that they will spend half a million dollars or more educating and training a person to serve in the military then kick that person out of the service if they are found to be gay.

The first civil war in America was fought over whiskey (The Whiskey Rebellion). America from the beginning has been a nation of alcohol drinkers and yet managed to pass a national law outlawing it.

I think that if we were really smart, we would not be involved in two wars today.

Some people might ask what makes a cantankerous old cuss so smart. Well, I was smart enough to marry a woman 51 years ago who is smarter than me.

Olen W. Lambert
Newton

Letter: The red boy with white spots

To the Newton Independent:

February has been designated by someone as Black History Month. It seems that it is a time when some people drag out a name of a famous black historical person and then pat themselves on the back. This is a story about the first black person that I learned to love.

His name was Henry Lincoln Jones. Henry was very old. He could not read or write. He said that he was born a slave in Missouri. His vocabulary was limited but his stories were spellbinding to me and my brothers.

When I was a boy, over 65 years ago, my three brothers and I would take our two-wheel cart and fishing lines down to the river at Keokuk, Iowa. There was a factory close to the river that made laundry starch and sweeteners. Old people will remember their starch box had a picture of an iron on it. They discharged large amounts of corn waste products into a creek and we would fish where the creek ran in to the Mississippi. The fish got very large and fat.

We cast out our throw lines with many hooks and in about a half a day we would have many large carp and some catfish. We would then head for the ice house on Seventh and Johnson Street. For a small amount of change they would cover our fish with ice. We then went to the north side of town where most of the black people lived. We would knock on doors and offer our fish for sale. We never set a price, but took whatever they could pay.

We always saved the largest fish, especially if it was a catfish, for Henry. He had the sharpest knife and he would cut up that fish and put what he called his special fixings on it and in a large skillet in hot fat Henry created what tasted like Angel Food. And so we would sit and eat fish and laugh and talk and listen to Henry's stories. We had no knowledge of how poor we were.

One day I asked Henry, "Why do you think God made us white and you a Negro? Was he mad at you?"

Henry was rubbing vinegar on my sunburned back when I asked him that.

Henry laughed, "Oh no young mister, God made me a Negro because he loves me and he sent Mr. Lincoln to set me free because he loves me and he sent you boys to bring me this fine fish because he loves me."

But Henry said with a smile, "God surely did mess with you. When I look at you I say to myself, 'Is this a little white boy with red spots or a little red boy with white spots?'"

I said, "Oh darn it Henry. Now you went and did it! You just proved that our dad was right when he said that white people were smarter than Negroes. Dad said these red spots are freckles and I should be proud because they prove my Irish blood."

Henry smiled and said, "Well, maybe I don't see so good no more."

I got over being mad after Henry put that wonderful slab of fish on my plate.

After I got home that day, I took off my shirt and looked at myself in the mirror for a long time. "I'm sure I'm white," I thought.

One summer turns into winter and then into summer again and the fish fries would continue until the winter I turned 17 and joined the Army and went to Korea. After Korea I came home on leave as a corporal. I was on my way to non-commissioned officer's school in Georgia where I would get my sergeant stripes.

Before I took off, I went to see Henry. I was hoping that old black man  would be proud of me. I needed him to be proud of the white boy with red spots or the red boy with white spots.

But he was gone. I asked my brothers and they said Henry went back to Missouri to die and be buried with his folks. I went to a tavern and got drunk.

You can celebrate Black History Month any way you want. As for me, I will just remember an old black man I learned to love but never got the chance to tell him so.

Olen W. Lambert
Newton

Letter: The real state of this union

To the Newton Independent:

I thought that Obama made a good speech about the state of the union.

But the best example of the state of this union was to see that Republican Supreme Court Justice sitting in the front row shaking his head and mouthing "that is not true." In other words, "you lie," Mr. President.

The disrespect heaped upon Obama by the Republicans is the state of this union. The party of No wants your vote and it won't surprise me if they get it.

Olen W. Lambert
Newton

PS. Would Tom Harkin really sell his mother for a vote?

Letter: Are Americans really angry?

To the Newton Independent:

Are you angry? Well, I'm not yet every time I turn on the TV I hear some politician or broadcaster proclaiming how angry the American people are. These are lazy people talking.

What is going on in America today is not about anger but confusion. It seems to me that Americans are involved in an old-fashioned bar fight and we need a sheriff to step in and fire off his gun.

In any bar fight that I was involved in there was always a bunch of agitators urging everyone on but careful to stay clear of the blows being struck.

I think it is time for Americans to sober up and get on with our lives and stop listening to those people who tell us how angry we are.

Olen W. Lambert
Newton

Letter: Are Maytag retirees being cheated here in Newton?

To the Newton Independent:

What is our government doing to help the Newton Maytag retirees? As one of the retirees, I feel I have a right to know.

Just to let you know, my family went from paying $382.42 last year for health insurance to just learning that the same coverage with Whirlpool will cost $504.84 effective the first of this month. So far I have yet to figure out how one is to pay that kind of cost increase while trying to meet prior obligations of paying other bills and providing for a family.

Both amounts above are huge considering our plan was paid for through years of giving up pay increases for a plan that was to cost us nothing out of pocket after retirement. On top of the high monthly premiums, Whirlpool has provided us with highly reduced coverage.

I found the information at the following link to be of interest. One has to wonder why only select retirees of Whirlpool are receiving protection while others are paying through the nose? PBGC, Whirlpool reach $11.7 million pension plan agreement

It is time for our leaders to step up to the plate and push for something to get done to help the local citizens. I realize our health care isn't as important as receiving the Orange Bowl game through Mediacom to some of our leaders, but I feel our matter deserves just as much attention.

Todd Hackathorn
Newton 

Letter: What's in your Corn Flakes?

To the Newton Independent:

I don't usually write letters to make people mad, but I did a few months ago with my letter about the man who supposedly saved the world from starvation. Well, half the world is still starving, but more about that in another letter.

I'm asking you do you really know what is in your cereal? Right now, two of the bigger seed companies are fighting over patents for their seed brands and deep in the middle of this fight is a hidden fact. The seed companies are splicing genes into the seeds to make them resistant to weeds and pests. It is all perfectly safe, they say.

Well, some years ago a drug company put out a drug that women took and it was all perfectly safe - until the babies started to be born without arms or legs.

We are approaching a time when most of the world's grain seeds will be under the control of a few agricultural companies. Our government is too busy fighting wars and they do not have the resources to fully investigate the things that the seed companies are doing and the concentration of the companies will soon make it almost impossible to stop them from doing whatever they want.

Olen W. Lambert
Newton