Q&A: Representative Ann Meyer and Senator Tim Kraayenbrink

Q&A

WITH THE REPRESENTATIVE ANN MEYER AND SENATOR TIM KRAAYENBRINK

other states, or even those in state that may not be working and require a five-year commitment in exchange for a tuition repayment. It takes time to develop the new mental health services and attract mental health providers to the state, and Iowa has made great progress in expanding community supports statewide. Once all of these services are up and running, they will serve mental health patients in the proper setting, decrease the time law enforcement will spend transporting patients and waiting in Emergency Rooms and jails, but most importantly, these bills will treat Iowans with mental illness like any other health condition. If you have a heart attack, or need emergency abdominal surgery, or need a hip repaired after a fall - you’re not put on a waiting list. You’re either treated here in town or you’re transported to another hospital…. but you get the care you need. Our ultimate goal should be mental health crises will be treated with the same urgency.

Tim Kraayenbrink: At the start of each year, we are consistently looking at positive change for Iowa. The steps we have taken over these last two years have taken the state in the right direction.

When I ran for the State Senate, I was concerned about the financial situation of our state. Now after six years of Republican leadership in the Iowa House and the Iowa Senate, along with a Republican governor, the state’s finances have never looked better. We have held fast to conservative spending and ensuring the state budget is responsible and sustainable for years to come. This puts us in the position for the largest tax reform for Iowa families and small businesses ever seen in the state. I am proud to have contributed to this historic tax reform.

And it’s not only the state’s finances that are faring well. The Iowa Republican Legislature has advanced one of the most conservative agendas in Iowa history. The successes cover a range of issues. We passed the governor’s workforce bill and passed major changes to unemployment in the state. We passed legislation protecting girls’ sports and addressed the childcare challenges in Iowa. Throughout the legislative session, we passed a lot of bills based on the feedback we hear from constituents.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO DOING IN THE NEXT SESSION?

Ann Meyer: Next year, I plan to monitor the progress of this year’s health policy implementation and continue the progress to strengthen our health care system, including mental health service.

Tim Kraayenbrink: As the Senate Appropriations Chair, I look forward to continuing the fiscal responsible budgeting that has put Iowa in a strong position financially. We have record surpluses, record balances in our rainy-day funds, and a record amount in our taxpayer relief fund.

More work remains to give Iowa parents the ability to direct their children’s education. Iowa has some excellent public schools, but they don’t work for every student. I want to put parents first and allow them to choose the educational setting that ensures success for their children.

The 90th General Assembly will also allow us the opportunity to again vote on the anti-abortion constitutional amendment. This pro-life amendment states that the constitution does not secure a right to abortion. After passing this amendment during a second general assembly, it will then appear on Iowa voters’ ballots in 2024. If approved by a majority of Iowans, the language would then be added to the state’s constitution. I’m proud of the work we’ve accomplished and look forward to building on our successes. It has been an honor to serve and represent each of you.

shiningstar

Alexa McHone Age: 15 Grade/School: I am going into 10th grade at FDSH. Hometown: Fort Dodge

What are your hobbies?

I enjoy singing, playing violin and piano, listening to music, dancing, baking, hanging out with friends, and spending time with my family and dogs.

Besides singing, what other “artsy activities” do you enjoy?

I enjoy playing violin and piano, listening to music, dancing, participating in competitive speech, and watching and performing in musicals.

If you could play any role on Broadway, what role would you want to play and why?

It is too hard to chose just one! My top two would be Angelica from Hamilton or one of the Newsies from Newsies. I would want to be Angelica because she performs some awesome songs, and I love how she is willing to put her sister’s happiness before her own. I would want to be a Newsie because they have great songs and dances.

What would you like to do after high school?

My plans have not been decided yet, but I hope to take a gap year overseas after I graduate and then go to college for either Healthcare or teaching. I hope to participate in the fine arts in college if possible.

Who inspires you?

I am inspired by my mom because she is a hard worker and is always encouraging others to grow. I am also inspired by my good friend Suzanne because she is very wise and cares for other people very well.

What motivates you?

I like to challenge myself. I like to set big goals and I enjoy the process of accomplishing them. I am also motivated by purposes. I want to be intentional about what I do.

In 25 years, will musical theater still be a part of your life?

Musical theater will definitely be a part of my life in some form whether I am performing, encouraging others, or supporting it. I know I will use the skills that I have learned I musical theater for the rest of my life.

What has been your most memorable moment on stage?

My most memorable moment on stage was performing in Mary Poppins. It was my first experience performing in musicals and it got me hooked. I loved the challenge, excitement, friendships, and seeing it all come together in the final performance.

Go to www.fineartsassociation.com for a list of upcoming events and our members….. Over 60 events each month!

To become a member or let us know about an event contact:

Shelly Bottorff, Executive Director • fdfinearts@gmail.com

BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

GREATER FORT DODGE GROWTH ALLIANCE BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT CARGILL FORT DODGE: A DECADE IN THE MAKING

Cargill is beginning preparations to celebrate a big anniversary next year – the 10 year anniversary of the startup of its booming biorefinery business in Fort Dodge. In 2011, Cargill saw big potential in Fort Dodge. Surrounded by cornfields sat an abandoned factory designed to produce ethanol and starch. The location was definitely ideal for a corn milling facility to thrive, and it definitely had the potential for Cargill to replicate the success it had at its Blair, Neb., and Eddyville, Iowa, biorefinery campuses. It was the perfect trifecta. In the spring of 2011, Cargill purchased the facility and the 507 acres it sat on and never looked back. It transformed the abandoned factory into the third corn milling operation that Cargill owns in Iowa today.

After significant investments in construction and upgrades, the Cargill Fort Dodge biorefinery officially went online on Oct. 29, 2013. Since prior to start up, the site has grown from a team of 100 to more than 240 Cargill employees and contractors. Each day, the facility grinds more than 150,000 bushels of corn, thanks to its nearly 675 corn grower partners. The facility converts the corn into fuel-grade ethanol, dextrose (a feedstock for other bioindustrial processes), and livestock feed. Over the past 10 years, the facility has made sizeable investments in equipment, technologies and process improvements to keep it leading-edge and able to meet the growing demands of its customers. It continues to serve its co-location partner, CJ BIO America, maker of amino acids used for swine and poultry feed. With acreage still available to expand, the facility continually looks to attract new co-location customers.

Through it all, the Cargill Fort Dodge team remains committed to safety. Employee engagement, protecting and conserving the environment, and investing in the community are also incredibly important to Cargill Fort Dodge. In the past year, the team volunteered more than 400 hours and made significant contributions to the United Way campaign, Harlan Rogers Park, Backpack Buddies, and the Community Early Childhood Center. The team funded school programs, helped conserve duck and pheasant habitats, supported several surrounding area volunteer fire departments, and provided scholarships to local graduates.

Communities like Fort Dodge and Webster County are the heart of our food system. We are humbled by the opportunity to be here and look forward to another 10 years of growth and partnership with the leadership and residents of this great community.