Sustaining Johnson County and the JC Board of Supervisors

                 

       Carberry                                           Heiden                                      Rettig

Johnson County, Iowa is a terrific place to live if you can afford it and, apparently, a lot of people can because the county is experiencing tremendous growth in the urban areas and that has strained the rural areas. Thankfully, our county has been proactive in preserving and conserving land so that people can enjoy the recreational aspects of our county, which contributes to the overall quality of life. At the same time, efforts are being made to introduce more people to sustainable farming practices through projects like converting the former County Poor Farm to a farming incubator.

   In many ways, our County Board of Supervisors has been instrumental in doing some of this, as well as the County Conservation Board and well-meaning others. And this tension between growth and conservation is not likely to be any less easy to manage in years to come. It is for that reason, I have endorsed Mike Carberry for re-election. I think that he has the right idea in balancing conservation needs with finding ways to pay for them. I also hold Janelle Rettig in high regard, she has been at the forefront of many positive changes in our county where both conservation and human rights are concerned. I feel like the two of them, while very different in the way they approached the Schwab property, were both coming from principled stances.

   I don't know Pat Heiden, but I do know what Oaknoll is and how it has swallowed up a neighborhood to grow a private enterprise for many, many retirees. My chief concern would be that she would apply the same growth principles to our county that she applied to managing Oaknoll and that would be detrimental to the delicate balancing act that is underway right now and will be long into the future.

   I firmly believe that managing the county's growth will be the singular most important issue in choosing whether to continue with incumbents or bringing in a new voice. I feel like this Board of Supervisors, which does not always walk in lock-step, will fare better with the re-election of Rettig and Carberry than to be without either of them. Neither are perfect people, both have been accused of being hard to work with and not always using the best word choices. However, both have rolled up their sleeves, gotten effective policy and practices through and have tried to make amends when they have fell short in the heat of fighting for what they believed was right. I can't imagine asking more of a public servant than that.

Vote for Michael Carberry and Janelle Rettig between now and the June 5th primary. In Johnson County, whoever gets through the primary most likely will be elected in November--if you need the motivation to vote in the primary, let that simple fact be a reason. For information about early voting locations, go here.

Viewpoint: The Johnson County Supervisor's Race

Janelle Rettig, Lori Cardella, and Jim Knapp are running hard for the Johnson County Board of Supervisor's vacancy. As such, the campaigning has turned bruising. This is politics--opposing ideas attempting to find concensus.

As a progressive, it would be difficult not to support Janelle Rettig as she is the only true progressive candidate running for the office. What makes the endorsement of Rettig easy for me is that she is the only candidate that has a track record of supporting a human rights ordinance in the county to make sure all residents have the same rights and has fought for sustainable land use and worked for well over a year to secure the support for a land conservation bond issue that passed with over 60% of the voters. She is not a "one trick pony." Add to this that she has studied, participated in boards, and worked for former Congressman Leach and dealt with constituent issues, she understands how policy is made.

Added to this is her commitment to Johnson County as a place where quality of life is part and parcel of "economic development." Taken on the face, Johnson County is the home to a state university and whose largest employers' jobs are in human and educational services. Additionally, it is a destination for retirees and mid-career professionals who seek quality of life issues such as good schools, excellent health care, and recreational amenities. Add to this a mixture of service workers from lower SES to upper middle class who see Johnson County as a more affordable, growing community with opportunities, then you could imagine the importance of amenities like recreation areas, trails, parks, senior services, schools, and the arts.

On the other side of the ledger as the area continues to grow, there are growing pains and conflicts in values. It makes sense to elect people who appreciate diversity of thought as well, and it is a compelling argument to say that a county that has had one party running the show may be seen as being insensitive or uncaring of differing viewpoints. But this may be overstated by those who see themselves as representing those opposing viewpoints.

Partisan politics means that elections have consequences. People vote the way they do for many reasons, not the least of which is they desire the same things that candidates are campaigning on. For opposing views to be successful, they have to understand and articulate what a majority of voters desire and run for office to support those views. Once elected though, those same persons have the responsibility to serve all constituents.

The good news about this special election is that there are two candidates, Lori Cardella and Jim Knapp, who express those opposing views and are campaigning for them. Credit should go to those who petitioned for a special election, and hopefully the state statutes will be changed or be made more specific about when it is appropriate to appoint or hold elections. Whether they are in step or out of step with the majority of voters in the county will be known on January 19th. But it should be noted that they are acting with the same sense of conscience as Janelle Rettig is in standing in opposition to them.

I fully expect that with a reasonable turnout, that Rettig will be handily elected and that it will remove the perceptual "whammy" that being originally appointed has created for her. As both Cardella and Knapp have committed to running in the November election, I sincerely hope they do a good job in listening to all residents of Johnson County, as they have said they would. Perhaps then their message of fiscal conservatism will have to reckon with a constituency that wants to maintain a quality of life. It's a tough balancing act, and frankly, I think that is why Janelle Rettig is so formidable an opponent, she understands this already.

But it is now our responsibility to vote our values and to do it between now and 9 pm on January 19th.

Special County Election Will Happen

Advocates for a special election to occur to replace the late Larry Meyers and to challenge the seating of appointed County Supervisor Janelle Rettig by special committee have apparently gathered over 8000 signatures which were presented to the Johnson County Clerk's office this afternoon. After the abysmal turnouts for city council races less than two weeks ago, it is hoped that the petitioners will do the service of actually voting in the special election.

Also of interest, staunch Republican supporter Lori Cardella is suggesting she may step forward to run for the office according to the Coralville Courier. I am looking forward to the prospect, as I think it will create the environment for the values of Johnson County to present themselves at the polls.

Janelle Rettig, who has been in campaign mode since last year, will need to be nominated by Johnson County Democrats by county convention according to the their last month meeting notes and Cardella would likely have to be nominated by the Johnson County Republicans also by convention.

According to the auditor's website the rules of going forward are:

Meyers' term was scheduled to run through December 31, 2010. The appointment will run through the canvass of the the November 2, 2010 general election, unless the public petitions for a special election. The petition would require 7,299 signatures (10 percent of the presidential vote in the 2008 general election). The deadline for a petition is November 13, 2009, 14 days after the appointment.

Two supervisors will be elected to four year terms in the November 2, 2010 general election. Following the canvass of votes from the November 2010 election (on November 8 or 9, 2010), an elected supervisor will immediately take office.

Deng Death Investigation Press Conference at 1:30 p.m.

From Iowa City Police Department as of 9:01 pm Thursday 9/24:

The Iowa City Police Department will host a media conference on Friday, September 25th, regarding the John Deng death investigation.

The Iowa Department of Justice's Office of the Attorney General has completed its review of the case and has returned its final report to Janet Lyness, the County Attorney of Johnson County. Officials will comment on the investigation and review, and the Attorney General Office's report will be made available to the media and general public. The following officials will be present at the media conference:
• Thomas H. Miller - Deputy Attorney General, Office of the Iowa Attorney General;
• Janet Lyness - County Attorney, Johnson County;
• Sam Hargadine - Chief of Police, Iowa City;
• Lonny Pulkrabek - Sheriff, Johnson County.

The media conference will be held in Emma Harvat Hall (Council Chambers) in the Iowa City Civic Center, 410 E. Washington Street. The room will be open and available for set-up and seating beginning at 1:00pm on Friday, September 25th. The media conference will begin promptly at 1:30pm. Hardcopies of the Attorney General Office's report will be available during the media conference.

National Races: A County To County Comparison

Johnson and Linn Counties are the two largest counties in the 2nd Congressional District, so it can be said as they go, so goes the district. In the general election, 113,721 Linn County voters (a 77.74% turnout) and 73,231 Johnson County voters (79.41% turnout)made it to the polls. As the suburban parts of Johnson County continue to grow at a faster rate than Iowa City, it can be expected that the electorate will trend toward Linn County's numbers as that part of the county has seen a growth in more conservative voters.

Below are comparisons by electoral race between Johnson and Linn Counties:

Johnson County Presidential
Obama/Biden (D) - 51,027 (70%)
McCain/Palin (R) - 20,732 (28%)
Nader/Gonzalez (PFP)- 326 (0%)
Barr/Root (L) - 287 (0%)
Baldwin/Castle (Const)- 128 (0%)
McKinney/Clemente (G) - 120 (0%)
Moore/Alexander (Soc) - 10 (0%)
Harris/Kennedy (SW) - 9 (0%)
LaRiva/Moses (PSL) - 4 (0%)
Write In - 346 (0%)

Linn County Presidential
Obama/Biden Dem - 68037 (60%)
McCain/Palin Rep - 43626 (38%)
Baldwin/Castle CON - 190 (0%)
Mckinney/Clemente GRN -105 (0%)
Barr/Root Lib - 379 (0%)
La Riva/Moses PSL - 6 (0%)
Nader/Gonzalez PAF - 496 (0%)
Moore/Alexander SPU - 8 (0%)
Harris/Kennedy SWP - 7 (0%)
Write-in Votes - 515 (0%)

Johnson County Senatorial
US Senate
Tom Harkin (D)- 52,741 (75%)
Christopher Reed (R) - 17,537 (25%)
Write In - 135 (0%)

Linn County Senatorial
Tom Harkin Dem - 74373 (67%)
Christopher Reed - Rep 36662 (33%)
Write-in Votes - 141 (0%)

Johnson County Congressional
US Rep (2nd Dist)
Dave Loebsack (D) - 45,247 (65%)
Mariannette Miller-Meeks -(R) 20,680 (30%)
Wendy Barth (G) - 2,109 (3%)
Brian White (NP) - 1,476 (2%)
Write In - 74 (0%)

Linn County Congressional
Dave Loebsack Dem - 64212 (59%)
M. Miller-Meeks Rep - 41784 (38%)
Wendy Barth GRN - 2090 (2%)
Brian White NBP - 1311 (1%)
Write-in Votes - 95 (0%)

One outcome that was true in both of the counties, it was a bad year to be a Socialist.

Johnson County Land Conservation Bond Squeaks Through

Thanks largely to 70% of early voters who voted "yes" for the Johnson County land conservation bond issue, the issue withstood 61% of Johnson County residents outside of Iowa City who voted against the $20 million bond over 20 years on election day. The issue passed by slightly under 61% of the vote.

The issue was a grassroots campaign managed by Janelle Rettig, her partner, Robin Butler, and a small, but committed group of environmental and recreation-minded volunteers. The issue was opposed by a small and anti-tax advocacy group who relied on, by some accounts, distorted figures about the cost to taxpayers to make its case.

With the issue needing 60% of the vote to pass, it would not be surprising to see the vote total challenged by the "Flip No" advocates. Stay tuned.

7% Turnout by 9 AM in Johnson County

Voters have turned out early in today's presidential election with 7.03% of the vote already in by 9 am at polling places across Johnson County. Based on the previous presidential election of 2004, the pace for this election is lower with roughly 400 votes tallied. However, when compared to the September school board elections where less than 3000 voters turned out all day, the 6486 votes already in dwarfs that number.

Voter turnout outside of Iowa City and Coralville has been considerably higher with almost 10% of the vote in from smaller communities like North Liberty, Tiffin, and Oxford, as well as rural Johnson County. Within Iowa City, the turnout has been relatively low with 5.4% of the vote tallied. In Coralville, 7.6% of the vote is in.

With almost 42,000 of Johnson County's 92,200 registered voters requesting absentee ballots or voting early, as compared to 34,000 in 2004, voting is this election is still on a pace to eclipse 2004's record turnout.

Turnout information is available at the Johnson County Auditor's website.

More Pollworkers Needed in Johnson County for Nov. 4th

The Johnson County, IA Auditors Office is seeking 43 more pollworkers of the Green, Libertarian, Republican, and "no party". Pay is $10 and hour with time and a half after an 8 hours a day. Visit the auditors office at 913 S. Dubuque St. or contact the office at 356-6004 or email nmueller@co.johnson.ia.us as soon as possible if interested.

The auditors office has enough Democrat pollworkers, in case you were wondering.

Auditor's Race: Change We Can't Believe In

Johnson County politics are hard to grasp some times. Take the county auditor's race (please).

On the one hand, you have a well-entrenched Democrat who has held the job of county auditor for about half his life, who has been arrested and tried for OWI twice in a six year span, has been accused of mistreatment of a number of employees (two of whom have run against him for his office this cycle), and whose office, while certainly ahead of other counties in terms of having up-to-date equipment and voter information, has had its share of voting issues (including the 21-only vote that was initially reported incorrectly).

On the other hand, you have a 24 year old Independent candidate who, as a clerk of said office, was fired in six months, is embroiled in a war of words over a failed cake venture with the woman she either a)was gifted the secret recipe by, b)entered into a business arrangement with c)none of the above, and who has not addressed her qualifications to do the entirety of the job to which she is running (I e-mailed her on the October 17th, got a response on the 20th that a response would be coming soon--I'm still waiting).

If ever there was a reason to write-in a candidate, this is a good reason. In either case, if they win, someone loses. With the incumbent, the revolving door that employees tend to circulate through, keeps swinging and the controversy continues. With the challenger, you have a person whom Auditor's office staff would question the readiness of to lead their unit and a prior employment record that is as thin as watercress soup.

As for me, I will write in "none of the above"--the vote is too important to be left in the hands of an unqualified person and, in my estimation, both of the candidates are unqualified, although for two vastly different reasons.

Democrat Pollworkers Needed in Johnson County

Update 10/26/08: No more Democrat pollworkers needed in Johnson County. But pollworkers from other parties and "no party" are.

From Johnson County (Iowa) Auditor's Office:

Johnson County has a record number of registered voters and a record number of absentee ballot requests at this point in time.

The Johnson County Auditor's Office is in need of Democratic pollworkers for the upcoming General Election. As of today, we are about 35 Democrats short of being fully staffed and 90 short of being staffed with the desired number of backups (One Democrat per precinct).

We need to get our message to a large number of Democrats in a relatively short amount of time, and we are contacting you and your organization for additional assistance.

We ask that workers commit to working the whole day, which runs from 5:30 a.m. to roughly 9:30 p.m. While the hours are long, pollworkers are compensated at $10/hr and $15/hr for any hours over 8 in a day. We reimburse all parking fully and pay $0.49 per mile driven to and from the polling site. There is a paid School of Instruction the 28th, 29th or 30th of October (workers attend 1 of the 3) at 6:30 pm in Montgomery Hall on the Johnson County Fairgrounds.

If you know people who are willing to work, please contact or have them contact Nate Mueller or any of the elections staff at the Auditor's Office (356-6004) as soon as possible.

Vote Yes to Conserve Land in Johnson County

I have written about why the bond initiative is worthwhile, but here is more information from the Our Land, Water, and Future group's Janelle Rettig.

Friends,

As often happens in the closing days of a campaign a lot of misinformation, scare tactics and dirty tricks start appearing. You would think a campaign about cleaning up our local environment with natural projects to help with clean water, flood protection, and clean air would escape these political scare tactics, but that isn't the case. We've prepared a Q & A about the conservation issue that is on the back of the ballot. This issue is the very last thing on the Johnson County ballot and we need 60% to pass it. That means we need about 41,000 yes votes. This is a daunting task, but you can help with just a few minutes of your time.



Here's how:

300 people on this list forward it to everyone, list serves, facebook lists in Johnson County that they know

If we each reach at least 20 people, we will reach 6,000. If those 6,000 reach 10 more each, we will have reached 60,000. If you take out duplicates, we can still reach the 41,000 votes we need in just a few minutes of your time and at no expense. Campaigns are expensive, so free electronic communication is priceless.

Won't you spend a few minutes of time helping this important cause? Please do it today, because people are voting so quickly we don't want to miss anyone that would otherwise be willing to flip the ballot over and consider voting for the environment and conservation.

If you have any questions or are willing to volunteer more, please contact us at the addresses listed at the bottom of this email.

Thank you,

Janelle Rettig

Co-chair, Citizens for Our Land, Water and Future


The Skinny:


What is this $20 million campaign about?

This initiative will provide $20 million dollars over twenty years ($1 million per year) to be administered by the County Conservation Board to acquire and develop lands for water quality, protect forests, improve air quality, protect natural areas and wildlife habitat, and provide for parks and trails.

It will be leveraged with federal, state, and corporate grants and individual, business and non-profit contributions for a likely multiplying effect of 2.5 to 3 times—or $50 to $60 million for our land, water and future. No land will be condemned; only willing sellers and donors will be considered. The plan will be flexible and developed with citizen input; the spending will receive annual audits.

What will it cost a homeowner?

An owner of a $200,000 house would pay an additional $26.36 a year, or approximately $2.20 a month--the cost of a large coffee. Farmland owners would pay an additional 21 cents per acre per year.


Isn't this the wrong time to raise taxes?

There never seems like a good time to invest in the green infrastructure. There will always be another building to build, another road to build. We have to invest in our quality of life in a percentage of the way we invest in our growth. Johnson County will add 29,000 residents in the first 20 years of this century. This growth is gobbling up large junks of land. We must start identifying areas for green space, for conservation and setting them aside for future generations.

A better question might be what is the cost of inaction?

We can see by terrible flooding this year, the cost of inaction. We've torn up the prairies, drained the wetlands and replaced them with miles of pavement, roofs, and row crops. Then we wonder where the snow melt and rains go. As we know after this summer they go into our homes, business, and yards. It's time to put some wetlands back where they belong and out of our front yards. Small natural watershed protections can have enormous benefits.

The only better time to invest in natural watershed flood protection and clean water would have been 15 years ago after the last big flood. One thing is certain the cost of inaction will be much more expensive than $2 or 3 dollars a month.

Many people move to Johnson County for our quality of life. Our quality of life is not a stagnant target. We must continue to invest in it in proportion with our growth. No one has ever moved to a community or brought a business there because the county had a great big new jail. If we have needs for future construction and growth, one way to pay for them is to grow our tax base by making Johnson County an even better place to live.

What does the actual ballot say?

"Shall the County of Johnson, State of Iowa, be authorized to acquire and develop lands with public access provided, to be managed by the Johnson County Conservation Board, in order to protect the water quality in rivers, lakes and streams; protect forests to improve air quality; protect natural areas and wildlife habitat from development, and provide for parks and trails, at a cost not exceeding $20,000,000 and issue its general obligation bonds in an amount not exceeding $20,000,000 for that purpose, to be repaid in not more than 20 years? All expenditures will be subject to an annual independent audit."

Is there a plan?

The County Conservation Board is creating an additional strategic plan (adding to their current plan) for conservation should this initiative pass. They have already had five public input sessions throughout the county and have had several planning sessions. The meetings are open to the public and input is welcome. They must vote on acquiring land and those land purchases also must be approved by the County Board of Supervisors, thereby creating several layers of transparency.

The public and conservation board are very concerned about water quality, watershed protections, and natural flood prevention. Wetlands, buffer strips, prairies have multiple beneficial qualities. There is also an interest in buffering existing parks, such as Kent Park, Hills Access, etc. Two trail corridors have already been identified -- Solon to Ely to tie into the Linn County Trails that connect to Cedar Falls (eventually tied to North Liberty and Iowa City) and Tiffin to Kent Park (which will eventually tie Coralville to the Amana Colonies).

Why don't they know specific lands that they will purchase?

They do know the two trail corridors that are already identified. The County doesn't know what lands will become available for sale in the coming year. Please remember that land will not be condemned. That means the land owner has to be willing to sell, sell below market value, or donate land. A previous ballot issue created Kent Park. But the County is unlikely to create a big park. Because big parks take an enormous amounts of money to develop and annual maintenance budgets. We can get a lot more beneficial water protection and natural areas if we acquire property in strategic areas. Any land along a river, lake or stream is of interest; any land abutting existent green space; any land that has unique natural features or original prairie remnants; any land that connects green areas. It is impossible to identify specific land when we just don't know what will become available over twenty years.

This is not dissimilar to school issues, when we know we are bonding to build schools, but we don't know the specific location. In this case we know we are voting to build more wetlands, prairies, woodlands and trails, but the specific locations will need to have some flexibility, but will be subject to public meetings and votes by the board.

Don't taxes just keep going up?

This is happening in part because we are a growing community, and previous elected officials didn't invest enough in our infrastructure. However, this issue is a little bit different because you actually get a vote on whether or not to tax yourself for a particular issue. By voting you send your elected officials a message about the priorities you have in spending. In this case, we get to tell our government how we want to spend our money. By voting for conservation, we also send a message as to what is important to us. But, the added benefit is that by investing in our environment and our quality of life, we can actually contribute to growing our tax base by making Johnson County an even better place to live and work.

Will this fix the Iowa and Cedar Rivers, climate change, etc.?

No, but we have to start somewhere. We've seen the costs of inaction and we continue to see it every day in the local and world news. It is easy to talk about climate change, clean water and cleaner environment, more outdoors time, but is another to get started. Johnson County can lead by example and start cleaning up our part of the world. Others will follow and increase their current efforts. If we don't start somewhere, we sure won't make the world healthier by just talking. Major change starts with the first step and in this case a little investment of your own money.

Who supports this initiative?

Over 460 individuals, 12 elected officials, 24 organizations, and 19 businesses have added their names as public supporters of this initiative. Additionally, hundreds of others have taken yard signs, donated money or volunteered. The Iowa City Press Citizen and Daily Iowan have also endorsed this initiative. We welcome more individuals, elected officials, businesses and organizations to be added to the list which will be publicly advertised.

Elected Officials

Joe Bolkcom, State Senator
Amy Correia, Iowa City Council
Bob Dvorsky, State Senator
Tom Gill, Coralville City Council
Vicki Lensing, State Representative
Mary Mascher, State Representative
Kim Painter, County Recorder
Dave Parsons, Soil & Water Conservation District Commissioner
Kelley Putman, Soil & Water Conservation District Commissioner
Rod Sullivan, Board of Supervisors
Ross Wilburn, Iowa City Council
Mike Wright, Iowa City Council

Organizations

1,000 Friends of Iowa
AFSCME Local 12
Backyard Abundance
City Federation of Labor
Democracy for America Johnson County Chapter
Environment Iowa
FAIR!
Friends of Hickory Hill Park
Friends of Iowa River Scenic Trails
Iowa Bicycle Coalition
Iowa City Area Group of the Sierra Club
Iowa Coalition of Off Road Riders
Iowa Environmental Council
Iowa Native Plant Society
Johnson County Democrats
Johnson County Green Party
Johnson County Heritage Trust
Johnson County Trail Foundation
League of Women Voters of Johnson County
Physicians for Social Responsibility
Songbird Project
UI Democrats
UI Environmental Coalition
Unitarian Universalist Society of Iowa City-Green Sanctuary Committee

Businesses

Artifacts
Decorum
Devotay
Diary Queen on Market
Linn Street Cafe
Motley Cow
New Pioneer Food Co-op
Northside Book Market
OM +1
Prairie Lights
Radiologic Medical Services
Real Compact Discs and Records
Red Avocado
Russ' Northside Service
Rusty's Records
Simply for Giggles
Technigraphics
Textiles
Third Eye Jewelry
World of Bikes

Who opposes this initiative?

Despite our efforts to reach out to them and make a presentation the: The Johnson County Republican Party and Farm Bureau voted to oppose this initiative without allowing us to present at their meetings.

The Flip No signs are also being funded by Tom Cardella, the owner of Thomas L. Cardella & Assoc., a telemarketing business in Coralville.

We find it disheartening that environmental protection, clean water, clean air, recreation and trails has turned into a partisan issue.

Many local Republicans are individually supportive of this initiative, but the party is opposed.

What's the bottom line?

This fall, voters in Johnson County can do something on the local level that will make an impact on today--and for future generations. This could be the most important local environmental, conservation, recreation, and trails measure of our generation. It will provide money to protect our drinking water sources; the water quality of local rivers, lakes, streams; the watersheds of the Iowa and Cedar Rivers; forests to improve air quality; natural areas from development; and to provide new recreational trails. This year's terrible flooding is precisely the reason we need additional investments in conservation. When we drain wetlands, tear up prairies, and pour miles of pavement, where can the snow melt and rains go? If there is anything we should learn from recent floods, it is that we need more wetlands, green belts around waterways and creeks, and more prairies and woodlands. We need to naturally slow water runoff and allow nature to clean our water. So please flip the ballot over and vote yes.

How can I help?

When you vote this fall, please FLIP the ballot over and vote YES for clean water, clean air, conservation, recreation and trails. To find out more about this initiative, please contact us: www.landwaterfuture.org; landwaterfuture@gmail.com; 319-330-5587.

1) Vote
2) Forward this to everyone you know in Johnson County
3) Help us October 25, 26, November 1 and 2 as we conduct a countywide viability campaign waving signs and walking door to door. Can you give us 1, 2 or 3 hours any of those days between 9 am and 5 pm?
4) Contribute money to fund advertising. Our opponents have purchased $5,000 of radio ads on one station and $3,000 in newspaper ads in just the last few days. We do not have the money to compete, so any contribution is helpful.

Thank you

Citizens for Our Land, Water and Future
PO Box 5125
Coralville, IA 52241
www.landwaterfuture.org
landwaterfuture@gmail.com
319-330-5587 cell
Donations by mail or on-line here:
http://www.actblue.com/entity/fundraisers/19976

http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=27336776879

Register to Register Your Vote

If you haven't registered to vote (and why the heck not?), October 25th is the last day to do it the old fashioned way by filling out a registration form. But, if you should lapse into a coma between now and then, know that on election day you can go down to your regular polling place and register and vote there. If you register to vote on Election Day, you will be required to show proof of identity and residency). Note too that your vote is more likely to be challenged if you register on Election Day. So get 'er done!

Not sure if you're registered or not?

Here's a neat little thing that the Secretary of State of Iowa, Micahel Mauro, has created--a way to make sure that you are registered to vote in Iowa.

If you vote absentee, in Johnson County you can also see if you if your absentee ballot was received.

$2.20 Says We All Can Conserve Land Now!

Now I am not a big new taxes kind of guy, but opponents of the Johnson County Bond Initiative that is on the November 4th ballot to create a land trust for conservation fail to understand that this is one of the cheapest bonds we will ever pass. Heck, its paid for in no more than the next 20 years. At no more than $20 million, it's two million dollars a year or $2.20 per month to the average property owner. I'll gladly forego a couple cups of coffee a month for land that will serve as a buffer between the Iowa River and me, provide recreation opportunities, and will give wildlife a chance.

This local investment will be leveraged with grants, donations, and federal, state and private money for a likely multiplying effect of 2.5 to 3 times, for a total investment of $50 to $60 million for our land, water and recreation areas.

Another other thing is the land that is put into conservation is sold voluntarily, no eminent domain issue here.

Finally, and best of all, the land conservation will be managed by the Johnson County Conservation Board that is open and transparent. The plan will be flexible, comprehensively developed with citizen input, and will be subject to annual audits.

But like all issues involving differing opinions, there are two sides.

The "FLIP No" side says we have enough land in conservation, that the bond does not spell out what land will be bought with the money and has no time limit for expiration.

Here's one side of the story
and here's the other

FEMA Assistance Available to Flood Victims

Residents in 18 Iowa counties, including Johnson, now are eligible for federal Individual Assistance programs offered through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Anyone in those counties who suffered damage from the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding beginning May 25 and continuing can register with FEMA either online or by phone.

In addition to Johnson, the Iowa counties eligible for federal individual assistance include Adams, Benton, Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Cerro Gordo, Delaware, Fayette, Floyd, Hardin, Linn, Marion, Page, Story, Tama and Union counties.

Homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and non-profit organizations can register by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 800-462-7585 for those with speech or hearing impairments, or they can register online at www.fema.gov.

The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.

Animal Care and Supplies Needed

The Iowa City Animal Care & Adoption Center has evacuated their building and relocated to the Johnson County 4-H Fairgrounds. It is anticipated it will be located here for approximately three weeks.

Misha Goodman, Animal Services Supervisor, wants to get the word out that regular adoption services and emergency shelter are both located at the Fairgrounds. They strongly encourage residents who are thinking of adopting a pet to come out and give a shelter animal a forever home. Lowering the population count of animals at this temporary location will also help relieve staff and volunteers, while they are caring for both existing shelter animals plus those under emergency care.

Animals available for adoption may be viewed 12-3 Monday-Saturday - Closed on Sunday. (Emergency housed animals are not available for public viewing). In light of the temporary arrangements out at the Fairgrounds, it does require more time to view or meet an animal; staff appreciates your patience while we are in this situation.

For those people displaced by flood water, we ask that they try to find a friend or relative to help them out with temporary housing, but if they have no one else to care for their animals, we will take them. People with cats need to go to the Montgomery Building. People with dogs should leave the dog in their car, while they check in at Barn #1.

We welcome help from volunteers who have completed our training program. They must check in with the Volunteer Coordinator, Liz Ford, upon arrival.

Monetary donations are very much appreciated as it allows Shelter staff to obtain all the specific supplies and equipment needed to operate the emergency animal shelter and provide for al the needs of the animals.

Donations List: The most urgent need is for large outdoor kennels for dogs, the chain link kind. Please drop kennels off between 12-3 at Barn #1. These don’t have to be new kennels, but in good working condition. Other needs are: medium, large and extra-large dog collars and harnesses; 6 ft. long heavy (1”) nylon dog leashes; cat havens; small (ceramic is best) food and water dishes for inside cat cages; copy paper; photo paper for Kodak Easy-Share camera; hand sanitizer; liquid hand soap; kitchen sponges; towels and sheets to use as bedding/cat cage covers; monetary donations to purchase medications, medical expenses, and care for animals with special needs. Check www.icanimalcenter.org for updated lists of needed items.

Donations can be dropped off at the Fairgrounds between 10:00AM and 5:30 PM daily. Donations to the Friends of the Animal Center Foundation for both regular and emergency animal care can be made online at www.facf.org or mail to Friends of the Animal Center Foundation at PO Box 1345, Iowa City, IA 52244-1345.

Routine Number: 319-356-5295;
Phone Number for Emergency Animal Rescues Only: (612) 219-8510.

Iowa City Flooding Update

The City of Iowa City is strongly discouraging all non-essential travel. Motorists are encouraged to stay off all city streets and to walk/bicycle when possible. All City-sponsored events have been cancelled for this coming weekend, June 14-15. The only river crossings currently open are Benton Street, Burlington Street, and I-80. Benton Street and Burlington Street are expected to be closed within the next couple of days, resulting in the inability to travel between east and west Iowa City. Functions needing to operate in east Iowa City should prepare to be staged in east Iowa City; those functions needing to operate in west Iowa City should prepare to be staged in west Iowa City.

Effective immediately, from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily, volunteer sandbaggers in east Iowa City should report to the Volunteer Staging Location at Regina High School on Rochester Avenue. Volunteers will park at Regina and be transported by bus to locations where they are needed. Volunteers in west Iowa City should report to the volunteer staging location at the University Commuter Parking Lot on Hawkeye Park Road north of West High School and be transported by bus to locations where they are needed. Buses will leave on the hour.

Volunteers should not try to drive themselves to sandbagging locations and should not attempt to cross the river to reach one of the staging locations. Advisory to volunteers and to all residents of Iowa City: If you live in east Iowa City, stay in east Iowa City; if you live in west Iowa City, stay in west Iowa City.

Sight-seers and spectators should stay away from flooded areas.

CURRENT ROAD CLOSURES AS OF 12:20, 6/13/08

Rocky Shore Drive; Park Road from Dubuque to Riverside Drive; Normandy, Eastmoor, Manor area; Taft Speedway; Foster Road (Idyllwild Drive/Peninsula); Dubuque Street from Park Road to Foster; Hawkins from Elliot to Highway 6; Highway 6 from Rocky Shore to 1st Avenue Coralville; Iowa Avenue from Madison to Riverside Drive; Stevens Drive and Waterfront; South Gilbert Street south to Sycamore; Commercial Court; Clinton Street from Benton to Kirkwood; Kirkwood from Clinton to Gilbert; Sturgis and Riverside Drive; Riverside Drive (Highway 6 to Benton); Orchard Street (Highway 1 to Benton); Highway 6 (Gilbert Street to Riverside Drive); Mormon Trek closed between Melrose and Highway 6, Coralville; Riverside Drive, North of Burlington Street.

Areas of Concern:
Riverside Drive from Benton to Burlington; Burlington Street Bridge at Front Street; E. Burlington St. and S. Van Buren Street; S. Gilbert and Benton at Ralston Creek

Johnson Counthy Website to Shutdown at Noon

The Johnson County Web Site will be NOT BE AVAILABLE starting at NOON today for 24 to 36 hours. Iowa City and Coralville Sites are still operational.

For sandbagging help or to volunteer call 887-6202.

Johnson County Road Closings

Johnson County list of road closings here

Johnson County officials also have closed the Johnson County Administration Building at 913 S. Dubuque St. in Iowa City to the public until further notice due to rising flood waters.

Essential County employees can access the building by parking to the north of the location and walking in.

Flood Evacuation Routes map here.

No Election Insurrections, But Some Squeakers

Incumbent Democrat senator Tom Harkin may face unheralded Republican challenger Christopher Reed who won 35.29% of the vote which is likely to lead to a recount as Iowa law states the winner of a primary must have earned 35% of the vote to be a party's nominee.

In the 2nd District, Republican congressional candidate, Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Ottumwa squeaked by Cedar Rapids businessman Peter Teahen to face unopposed Democrat Dave Loebsack in November. Miller-Meeks won her race by under 100 votes.

In other districts, Dem Bruce Braley, who was unopposed in the 1st District, will face Republican challenger David Hartsuch in November. Leonard Boswell's strategy to avoid debating Ed Fallon served him well as he posted a 61% to 39% thumping in the 3rd District congressional primary where fewer Democrats in the 12-county district voted than in the 2006 gubernatorial primary. In the 4th Congressional District, Democrat Becky Greenwald won handily to face Tom Latham in November. In Iowa's 5th district, the matchup for the fall is between retired Presbyterian minister Rob Hubler of Council Bluffs, a Democrat, and Rep. Steve King.

With abysmal turnouts at the Johnson County primaries, incumbents held office--of course, when there is no opposition, the job is considerably easier, as Lonny Pulkrabek, Dave Jacoby, Mary Mascher, Vicki Lensing and others can attest.

Board of Supervisor candidates Rod Sullivan and Terrence Neuzil retained their offices as did Pat Harney. Terry Dahms was a good candidate, but wasn't able to define himself away from the pack.

Though the race was not close, challenger Mona Shaw is deserving of praise for her attempt to unseat long-time Johnson County auditor, Tom Slockett. Mona is a highly principled person and apparently 32% of Johnson County voters appreciated her candor.

Big Doings in Iowa City Precinct 17

At 11:45 this primary election day morning I was the 57th vote at Iowa City's precinct 17. I got to chat with J.C. Dem Tom Carsner's Mom, Virginia, who is one of the willing and able pollworkers. As of 11 am, 719 voters have turned out to cast a ballot in Johnson County. It almost seems like a waste of democracy, doesn't it?

By the way, if you haven't voted and decide to write-in a candidate in a race where there is no competitor, you must also bubble in the oval next to "write-in" for it to be counted.

Hopefully because of the early torrential rains in the area, the turnout will increase later today.