A SPECIAL SECTION OF THE DENISON BULLETIN AND DENISON REVIEW
VOTER’S GUIDE www.DBRnews.com | Friday, October 22, 2010
About the Candidates United States Senator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-4 United States Representative, 5th District . . . . . . . . . .4-6 Iowa Governor / Lt. Governor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-7 Iowa Secretary of State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Iowa Auditor of State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-9 Iowa Treasurer of State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Iowa Secretary of Agriculture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-10 Iowa Attorney General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 State Representative, Iowa District 55 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 State Representative, Iowa District 51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Crawford County Board of Supervisors . . . . . . . . . . .12-14 Crawford County Treasurer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Crawford County Recorder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Crawford County Attorney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Crawford County Memorial Hospital Trustees . . . . . .15-17 Crawford County Agricultural Extension Council . . . . . . .17 Election Advisories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Land and Legacy Trust Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Candidates are listed in the order in which they appear on the Official Ballot.
Election Day Tuesday November 2
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VOTER’S GUIDE
OCTOBER 22, 2010
United States Senate
Roxanne Conlin Democrat
Background I was born into a middle class family and we lived comfortably until my father lost his job and then we plummeted into poverty. I was hungry because there was not food for everyone to eat. I was cold when the heat was turned off because we couldn’t pay the utility bill. To help my family, I went to work at 14. I went to college at 16, working up to four jobs to pay my way, and graduated from law school at the age of 21. Though my circumstances have changed, I have never forgotten the fear and anxieties that too many Iowa families are facing today. I have served as an Assistant Attorney General, and as the U.S. Attorney for Southern Iowa. In private practice, I have stood up for those who would otherwise have no voice. I have battled organized crime, corruption and giant corporations; helped farmers about to be foreclosed on during the farm crisis, and stood up to special interests on behalf of Iowa families.
Statements on... The war in Afghanistan We are at war with Al Qaeda because they attacked us on September 11, 2001. We were misled by the previous administration about the need to go to war with Iraq, but we are now leaving the country in the hands of its citizens. In Afghanistan, I oppose the addition of more troops. I appreciate President Obama's attempts to focus our mission, but I would have made a different choice, I will, of course, support our troops in their mission and when they return. I have released a plan to assure our veterans and their families get the help they need and the respect they deserve. Immigration In order to stop the flow of illegal immigrants, we must provide tighter border security by increasing the number of border patrol personnel and by giving them the tools they need to be more effective. Further, those who employ illegal immigrants must be prosecuted and face penalties that would will deter the continued practice of hiring undocumented workers. I favor comprehensive reform, but demagoguery and scapegoating are not useful and only serve to confuse the issues and prevent us from dealing with them effectively and permanently. It is simply unrealistic to think we can corral 10.5 million people and deport them. We must help bring these people out of the shadows so that they can move towards legal status. I do not support amnesty.
As United States Attorney, I enforced federal criminal law, which provides for deportation, imprisonment and/or a fine. Immigrants who have committed felonies should be deported. However, those whose crime is crossing our border without permission or overstaying their visas should pay a criminal fine, pay their taxes, learn English, and get to the back of the line. We must also create a realistic guest worker program. Health care I support the new health care bill, but like many Iowans, I hoped it would go further to protect Iowa families. It will provide Iowans with pre-existing conditions with access to coverage and prevent insurance companies from canceling policies when people get sick. It also removes the lifetime cap and allows young people to stay on their parents’ policies through age 26. If it does not lower costs significantly, then I will insist that further steps are taken to make sure all Iowans have access to affordable, quality health care. While the health care reform bill begins the process of equalizing Medicare reimbursement rates, Iowa’s health care providers have been seriously disadvantaged for all the 30 years that Senator Grassley has been in the Senate. Our doctors, hospitals, and other providers deliver high quality care, yet our reimbursement rates have been the lowest in the nation for all those 30 years.
This affects all of us, whether we are on Medicare or not, because some of our good doctors are forced to leave Iowa, which has been of deep concern in smaller communities. Paying for care based on its quality rather than quantity is essential. A stronger emphasis on wellness and preventive medicine, cutting red tape, standardizing medical forms and modernizing paperwork through electronic and digital recordkeeping can also reduce costs. In addition, we must not allow insurance companies to be exempt from anti-trust laws and must bring competition to the insurance industry. The national debt I have five grandchildren and I don’t want them saddled with the mistakes made during the past decade. We must use Iowa common sense to eliminate the deficit and debt. However, I will not reduce the deficit on the backs of senior citizens, middle class families or out of work Iowans. I have proposed a number of common sense steps to eliminate the deficit. They can be found at www.roxanneforiowa.com. I will mention a few of my ideas here and in the section on tax policy below. First and foremost, we must put people back to work. Unemployment alone accounts for $580 billion to the deficit. Senator Grassley wrote a provision into Medicare Part D that forbids the government from negotiating prices with drug
companies. Repealing that part would save Iowans $400 million a year. Just one example, if you buy Zocor thru the VA it costs $127. Under Medicare Part D, it costs almost $1,485. On average, Medicare pays big drug companies excess costs of 80 percent. We should also stop Congressional earmarks and end no-bid contracts and collect the $300 to $400 billion dollars in taxes owed but not paid every year. We can save by eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse, such as the “Bridges to Nowhere” included in the 2005 Transportation bill that Senator Grassley wrote and floor managed, and for which his wife’s lobbying firm received $250,000 in fees. Renewable energy The United States must invest in clean, homegrown, renewable energy to remain the leading superpower in the 21st century. The resources we can use - the sun, wind, ethanol, and biofuels - are readily available, do not require unfair trade agreements, and do not cause further harm to the environment. While I support subsidies for ethanol, I would like to include not only corn based ethanol but include other forms of biofuels. I support tax credits to private industries that devote capital to research and development and help for startup companies that have fresh ideas. In Iowa, we have proven that we can create new industries and new jobs by investing in new energy such as
Larr y Struck
Career: 32 years in public education; 22 years as Chief Financial Officer for Denison Community School 7 years as a sales representative selling educational products in 30 western Iowa counties. Retired June, 2008. Affiliations: 20 year member of Denison Kiwanis; served as president, secretary, treasurer, and board member. Lt. Governor for Division 12 of the NE-IA District. Adjunct Professor for Western Iowa Tech Comm College. Member of First United Methodist Church, Denison. Past Board Affiliations: Denison Municipal Utilities, Crawford County Childhood Center, Northside Recreation Board, Cub Scout Master while in Luverne, MN, EMT 1 First Responder while in Dunlap, IA. “ I believe I am the best candidate for this position because I understand the role of a governing board. I have twenty-two years of experience in managing a multi-million dollar budget of a public school. I understand financial statements. My health care needs are taken care of right here at the Family Medicine Associates and Hospital. The chief goals I hope to help accomplish would be the successful completion of our new hospital, which will provide a modern state of the art health care facility for all the residents of Crawford County. • To balance the health care needs of our county against our tax structure. • To identify what services need to be expanded and what additional services our residents require. I would ask the voters to remember that I have experience in dealing with public affairs and I will be able to look at the issues facing this board and make the best decisions for the residents of Crawford County. Paid for by Friends of Larry Struck, Lowell Lee, Treasurer.
Tax policy We should repeal tax breaks for companies that ship our jobs to other countries. This tax break is costly not only to the treasury but in human terms. At least six attempts to end this tax break have been opposed by Senator Grassley. As a result, Iowans have seen companies like Maytag and Electrolux close and thousands of jobs move out of the country. We should repeal the subsidies we, as taxpayers, hand over to big oil. In the second quarter of this year, Exxon’s profits went up 91 percent to $7.56 billion and BP, despite record losses due to the ecological disaster it caused, still made $2.9 billion. We should allow the Bush tax cuts on millionaires and billionaires to expire. This affects only the top two percent of the richest Americans. These tax breaks cost $700 billion. These taxes will go up a modest three to four percent and only on incomes over $250,000. In Iowa, only 1.3 percent of filers, 18,622 people, would see their taxes go up. Recently it was reported that the top 25 hedge fund managers made collectively over $25 billion
LaVerne Ambrose
Candidate for Board of Trustees Crawford County Memorial Hospital 22 Years of Experience Managing Multi-Million Dollar Budget of a Public School System
wind, solar, ethanol, and biomass. This must be done, not only to protect our environment, but also to enhance our national security. We must stop sending a billion a day for oil to countries where terrorists are based and from which they seek to attack us.
Candidate for Board of Trustees Crawford County Memorial Hospital ~ 23 Years EMT Experience in Crawford County ~ Past Board Accomplishments: • Added new surgeon • Added new Physician’s Assistant • New Technology: • Digital Mammography • Mobile PET Scan availability • New Outpatient Services Coordinator • Medication Safety Management dispensing & scanning prescription confirmation after hours • New hospital facility
An Iowa native and Crawford County resident for 25 years, I have been married for 25 years and have two grown sons. I believe effective hospital governance isn’t about politics. In fact, working hard to ensure quality healthcare has nothing to do with catchy campaign slogans. It’s about making the right decision that could impact the health of the ones you love. It’s that simple. I believe that with all my heart. I will work hard so that we can continue to move forward by providing state-of-the-art technology, enhancing services to meet our county’s needs, recruiting and retaining highly skilled medical staff.
✔ I would very much appreciate your vote ❏ on Nov. 2, 2010.
Paid for by Committee to Elect LaVerne Ambrose for Hospital Trustee, Virgil Johnson-Treasurer.
OCTOBER 22, 2010
in 2009. One of the managers made $4 billion by himself. Do we really think they need even more?
Measures to improve the economy I have developed a comprehensive plan to create jobs and put Iowans back to work. The first step is to stimulate the economy so that demand for American produced items increases and companies have a need to hire more workers. To do this, I propose allowing middle class individuals and families to defer paying up to $5,000 in income taxes for up to five years. This will jump start our economy and allow consumers to spend more money on current needs without adding one dime to the deficit. We also need a comprehensive overarching trade policy to erase the trade deficit, and level the playing field for our workers, manufacturers, and agricultural producers by requiring our trading partners to follow international standards on fair labor practices and environmental protection. We should also adopt a “Buy America” policy at all levels of government. Recently, Congress passed a bill to foster American innovation by creating a small business loan fund, increasing the small business start-up deduction, and taking other steps to support small businesses. Senator Grassley opposed the bill, even though he talks about the importance of small businesses to job creation. We should also encourage “Made in America” again through bonus manufacturing and Research and Development tax credits, and immediate expensing of newly purchased manufacturing equipment. We can rebuild, repair, and replace our infrastructure including weatherization for energy efficiency, and replacing our aging roads, bridges, highways, runways, public buildings and schools. We should promote energy independence through home grown energy alternatives, creating a smart grid to transmit energy created in Iowa to urban cities. We also need to invest in our young people, especially 18 to 25 year olds, who are disproportionately affected by unemployment. I believe it is better to create 60,000 new jobs through programs like AmeriCorps, Vista and the Conservation Corps, rather
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United States Senate than having them hanging out on street corners or sitting at home playing video games. Finally, we should help state and local governments keep public workers on the job. To pay for this, we can stop tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas and make big corporations and millionaires pay the taxes they owe. We should also stop subsidizing big oil and gas companies and end the porkladen earmark system.
Chuck Grassley Republican Background I started out working as a billing clerk and an assembly line worker in Waterloo and Cedar Falls. I earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Iowa State Teacher’s College, which is now UNI. My wife, Barbara, and I have three sons and two daughters. I’m a family farmer from New Hartford (corn and soybeans) and a U.S. senator. In elected office, I work to listen to the grassroots and reflect that common sense. I keep in touch with face-to-face meetings in every county, every year. I'm committed to dialogue with Iowans through the mail, online, over the radio, and by phone. I was named the hardest working member of Congress this year by Republicans and Democrats, and I have the longest record for not missing a roll call vote. To me, it's one way to show respect for the public trust I hold in representing Iowans in the U.S. Senate. I’ve led successful efforts to lower taxes for every taxpayer. I work to oversee the federal bureaucracy and hold government accountable. The False Claims legislation I authored has recovered for taxpayers $22 billion that otherwise would be lost to fraud by government contractors. I've fought for policies to help create private-sector jobs, including those in renewable energy. I take on the special interests, go after wasteful spending, and work to
protect national security. Statements on... The war in Afghanistan I agree with President Obama that the war in Afghanistan is a war of necessity. Afghanistan was the safe haven for the terrorists that attacked America on September 11, 2001. I support the troop build-up and the goals of disrupting and defeating al-Qaeda and reversing the Taliban’s momentum to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a safe haven for terrorists again. I oppose setting an arbitrary timeline for withdrawal because we shouldn’t telegraph our war plans to the enemy who could simply wait us out. Everyone agrees that we need to bring our soldiers home as quickly as possible. But, it must be done in a responsible way that gives our troops every opportunity to succeed. As long as our young men and women are in harm’s way fighting for our country, they must receive the support and resources to successfully achieve their mission. Immigration I support legal immigration and the rule of law, which is the foundation of American society. I don't support amnesty. In 1986, amnesty for nearly three million undocumented immigrants was supposed to solve the problem. Today there are 12 million undocumented immigrants in the United States. The lesson is that rewarding illegality leads to more of it. I support a national debate on immigration with effective border control as a top priority. I support worksite enforcement and tougher fines and penalties, so employers can't skirt the law. I support changes to detention policy to end catch-and-release. I support visa reforms to stop rewarding countries that don't take back undocumented immigrants with more visas and to stop the fraud and exploitation of the H-1B visa program that results in diminished job opportunities for Americans. Health care I opposed the health care law enacted this year because it jeopardized access to health care for seniors by cutting $529 billion from Medicare, raised taxes by half a trillion dollars, set up new two new unsustainable entitlement programs, will result in higher insurance premiums for Americans, and
didn't do nearly enough to contain health care inflation. To better contain health care costs, Congress should act to curb the runaway litigation that drives up costs and leads to defensive medicine and repeal the new taxes and hidden fees in the new law that drive up costs. New federal mandates that impose higher premiums should be replaced with reforms that force insurance companies to compete to deliver better quality at a lower cost. More needs to be done to transform the health care system to reward providers for quality of care rather than volume of care. More transparency about the quality and cost of care should be available to consumers. Iowa provides an example for quality and affordability. I've worked for a long time to improve rural health care, including greater equity in Medicare reimbursement rates for providers to protect access to care for rural seniors. In 2003, I authored creation of the Medicare prescription drug benefit. Today Medicare
has 34 million seniors and disabled beneficiaries enrolled in Part D. Consumers shouldn’t have to second-guess what’s in their medicine cabinets, and that’s why I’ve been riding herd on the Food and Drug Administration to improve its post-market surveillance of drug and device safety. The national debt Washington spending has reached ridiculous proportions. The federal deficit has tripled since January 2009, and the national debt has reached an unprecedented $13 trillion. You can't raise taxes high enough to satisfy the appetite of Congress to spend money. Federal spending now represents 25 percent of the gross domestic product. If Washington continues to accelerate federal spending, deficits and debt will lead to a lower standard of living in America. Congress should start turning things around with a moratorium on congressional earmarks, consolidation of duplicative programs and termination of programs
that fail to achieve intended results.
Renewable energy Expanding green energy by using Midwestern resources will diversify rural America's economy, create jobs, reduce dependence on foreign oil and curb pollution. I've worked successfully for policies to expand ethanol, biodiesel, solar, cellulosic biofuels, wind, geothermal, and methane-powered electricity from livestock waste. I authored and won enactment of the first-ever wind energy production tax credit and have worked to extend and expand it and protect it from being cut. As a result, Iowa is a leader in the nation in wind energy production and the manufacturing of wind energy components. The American Wind Energy Association has described my work as “determined, bipartisan leadership in promoting this crucial step forward for America’s workers, our economy and our environment.” Prior to the expiration of the biodiesel tax credit on December 31,
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2009, I introduced bipartisan legislation to provide for a five-year extension. My legislation was not considered, and the Democratic leaders of Congress have irresponsibly let the tax credit expire, causing the loss of 2,000 jobs in Iowa alone. I tried on three separate occasions in recent months to extend the tax incentive, but every effort was blocked by the majority leader. I’m also working to extend key jobs-creating incentives for ethanol with legislation to extend the ethanol tax credit, small producer tax credit, cellulosic producer tax credit and the ethanol import tariff. Recently, several groups said in a statement, “Chuck Grassley has been in a position to change the energy landscape, and he has maximized every public policy opportunity for clean-producing, home-grown energy. Without Chuck Grassley, there would be no clean-burning renewable energy industry in Iowa.”
Tax policy As Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, I got bipartisan tax relief through Congress, including an across-the-board income tax rate reduction. That bill reduced the tax rate on the lowest income from 15 percent to 10 percent, removed six million low-income people from the federal income tax rolls entirely, increased the child tax credit from $500 to $1,000, included marriage tax penalty relief and expanded the child tax credit to low-income people without any tax liability. My efforts also made tax-free savings plans for college a permanent part of the tax code, created the deduction for tuition, and secured the tax deductibility of interest on student loans. My philosophy is that Americans know better than the federal government how to spend
Matthew Campbell
Democrat
VOTER’S GUIDE
OCTOBER 22, 2010
United States Senate their own money, and that America's tax policy should allow them to keep as much of it as possible. I also have gotten passed tax relief to help spur economic growth. Overall, we need a tax system that is less complicated, more fair and will make America more competitive in the global economy. Measures to improve the economy Uncertainty about higher taxes and new government regulations is a major impediment to job creation and economic recovery. Congress needs to reverse the hostile climate for job creation, starting with greater certainty. Congressional leaders have failed to prevent one of the biggest tax increases in history that will occur in January without a vote of Congress. As a result, every Iowa taxpayer faces the real possibility of higher taxes. The same for small businesses, where 70 percent of new jobs are created. Cap-and-trade legislation would drastically increase energy costs and put U.S. agriculture, business and industry at a disadvantage without similar action by other countries. the new $2.5 trillion health-care law increases the cost of labor with new mandates and higher taxes. These are job killers, not hiring incentives. In addition, employers need more market opportunities to create jobs. Pending international trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea are the best place for the President to start reaching his goal of doubling exports. Both South Korea and Colombia have engaged with the European Union without us, so by standing still, America has put itself at a competitive disadvantage. Exports create jobs in Iowa that pay more, on average, than other jobs. Iowa agri-
culture depends on world markets.
No Photo Available John Heiderscheit Libertarian Background I am 48, a native Iowan, a lawyer and business person who knows how to create jobs, having successfully run a mid-sized contracting business for more than 10 years. I am running to help preserve a good future for my four girls and for their generation. First and foremost I am a Tea Party candidate. Statements on... The war in Afghanistan Although it is easy to empathize with the emotions of the leaders who took us into the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, in retrospect both were clearly mistaken, at least in terms of their executions. The Iraq and Afghanistan wars have crippled or killed nearly as many as died in Vietnam, proportionate to the size of the forces involved. The cost to our children is trillions in debt and (most agree) higher oil prices. With regard to Iraq, the withdrawal currently underway should continue apace. In the too likely event that civil war returns to that unfortunate land, the Congress should not appropriate any additional funds to return U.S. troops for more combat. Our troops in Afghanistan should be
withdrawn in manner that is quick but safe and moral, too. Having made a commitment to the people of Afghanistan we should not leave our former allies vulnerable to wholesale slaughter by the Taliban. With that said certainly withdrawal should be achievable by the end of 2011 at the latest, with the first troops coming home later this year. Immigration At this time I do not favor any changes to current immigration laws. I do favor, however, immediate and vigilant enforcement of existing law. One of the most fundamental duties of the federal government is border protection. The federal government should take great pains not to interfere with states such as Arizona that are using their police powers to protect their citizens. I oppose a path to citizenship for illegals who have already entered the country in a criminal manner. Although a path to citizenship may make sense in the future, until current immigration laws are enforced there should be no change in current policy. Immigration reform in 1986 was intended to regularize the status of immigrants but failed miserably. The American people deserve to have their current laws enforced and their borders protected before trusting the federal government to attempt reform again. After a period of several years in which the borders are conclusively under control, the question of immigrants who have previously entered the country criminally can be addressed. Health care The health care debate turns on whether “Obamacare” was a good idea. The single worst idea in Obamacare – and there are many contenders – is the
mandate that individuals buy health insurance. It is the first time in history that, even with respect to the money a citizen has left over after paying taxes, federal government has mandated how that money is spent. What is to stop the federal government from determining that Wall Street stock brokers need more revenue and that therefore citizens will be required to buy stocks? Or now that the federal government has a controlling stake in General Motors, perhaps a mandate to buy Chevrolets is coming? There are simply no limits on federal power after enactment of Obamacare. Although the individual mandate is almost certainly going to be struck down by the Supreme Court on review, the Congress should not take any chances and instead repeal it now. The best idea in Obamacare is the concept of Medicare spending controls, which were proffered as a partial payment for the new entitlement program. The problem of course is that the Medicare spending controls have not been enacted and never will be, given the current make up of Congress. The approach of Rep. Paul Ryan – issuing means-tested vouchers and then carefully controlling the increase in voucher dollars – is the best way to get Medicare spending under control. It should be noted that both Senator Grassley and his opponent were in favor of some version of Obamacare. Senator Grassley reportedly was anxious to sign on to some kind of health care regulation bill and partnered for months with Democratic Senator Max Baucus to produce an “Obamacare lite”. The national debt The national debt is at dangerous levels and we need a balanced budget
very quickly, without raising taxes. I would support eliminating over a reasonable period of time all programs that either are unconstitutional, ineffective, or better carried out by the states. As an initial step the Congress should enact an across the board six percent cut in spending for fiscal year 2011. This cut would include defense and entitlement programs. Certain federal spending programs, while almost certainly counterproductive and inconsistent with the Constitution, would need to be phased out over time to avoid unnecessary hardship for those currently benefiting from the particular program. A particular area of potential fruit on spending is the overpaid federal bureaucracy. Federal employee wages and benefits should be frozen immediately. Federal government unions should, over a period of time, be made illegal.
Renewable energy The hundreds of federal regulation that impede the development of renewable fuels should be eliminated. Subsidies that encourage fossil fuels, directly or indirectly, should be eliminated from the federal budget. Tax policy I believe that current tax rates should be made permanent.
Measures to improve the economy The single best thing the federal government should do is retreat to within constitutionally and fiscally sustainable limits, freeing the private economy to create jobs. We must end bailouts of foreign nations and Wall Street bank bondholders at the expense of American citizens. For details on this aspect of my program please see heiderscheit2010.com.
United States Congress Background Matthew Campbell is a fifth generation Campbell to have lived on an Iowa Century Farm established in 1880 near Manning, Iowa. Matt graduated in 1993 from Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa with a B.A. double major in political science and economics and thereafter achieved his law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law. Matt also is a 2001 graduate of the Georgetown University
Law Center in Washington, D.C., where he obtained a LL.M in taxation. Overall, Matt has more than 10 years of experience providing international tax services, representing numerous Fortune 500 companies on a wide range of tax issues, primarily in mergers and acquisitions. Matt has recently served as a four-state regional lead for international tax for BKD, LLP, the nation's 10th largest accounting and auditing
firm. Statements on... The war in Afghanistan While a supporter of the effort in Afghanistan, I would reduce defense spending by quickly winding down the war effort in Afghanistan. The conflict has now become the longest war in American history and it's likely that we'll be at a plateau there in two to three years time similar to the current situation. With 3,000 Iowa
guardsmen and women in harm's way and some of them serving their third and fourth tours of duty, it's time to bring our brave men and women home and invest in America. I would advocate that we keep outer-lying bases in Afghanistan to preclude any large Taliban resurgence that could harm U.S. security. We should bring these men and women home to secure our own borders.
Immigration I support strong enforce our existing immigration laws. I'm an attorney licensed in the state of Iowa and have sworn to enforce our laws and to support the Constitution. We all recognize that there are continuing problems and part of this is because our immigration laws have not been revised since 1986. FOX news chairman Rupert Murdoch and New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg recently testi-
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United States Congress fied on a House Judiciary subcommittee calling for comprehensive immigration reform to address the issue. I advocate mandatory use of e-verify by employers so that we have an electronic verification system when workers are hired to determine when individuals or companies are breaking the law. I do not oppose state or local involvement with immigration enforcement but only if the requirements are dictated at the federal level. We also should impose greater fines and even jail time against bad actor employers that employ individuals illegally. Health care Passage of the federal health care rights bill was a great idea and longoverdue for working Americans. I strongly support the legislation and will fight to prevent its repeal. The best features of the health care rights legislation is the prohibition of pre-existing coverages being a basis to deny insurance coverage and the elimination of life-time caps on health care costs provided by insurance. The ability to keep kids on family policies until they reach age 26 is a strong runner-up. Overall, the health care rights legislation will make health care insurance more affordable and available for working families that need it and help keep them off entitlements. The new legislation promotes wellness, nutrition and prevention programs so that individuals are generally healthier and not in need of health care, which contributes to rising costs. The national debt I would eliminate tax preferences and funding for programs that provide inefficient fossil fuel subsidies that impede investment in clean energy sources and support eliminating 12 tax breaks for oil, gas and coal companies to close loopholes and raise $39 billion over the next decade. I support the Let Wall Street Pay for the Restoration of Main Street Act, which would apply a small transaction tax on the multi-million transactions that occur routinely on Wall Street to pay down the national debt. I further strongly support implementation of a Presidential line-item veto for earmarks provided that each earmark could be overridden by a Congressional simple majority vote. Renewable energy
I strongly will support and encourage policies that promote the renewable energy economy in Iowa as further growth of this industry is great for our rural Iowa communities and our national security. I applaud the EPA approval of E15 gasoline and will support further policies such as extension of tax credits to grow the industry. Tax policy I strongly oppose Steve King's 30 percent national sales tax proposal. This would be the biggest tax increase in the history of working families. In contrast to King, I will strongly support Treasury programs that go after criminal tax evasion by super-rich individuals that hide their money abroad. King has said such efforts will "squeeze the rich." The specific program in question is the Treasury program created after the UBS banking scandal last year. I strongly oppose raising income taxes as any level. Measures to improve the economy The best way for the federal government to encourage job creation is to help as a facilitator and as a guide to the many programs that are currently available to spur economic development. As the next representative for Iowa's 5th District, I will work to develop what I call Iowa's 5th District Fast Tech 50 so residents know where our 50 fastest growing businesses are and so that those businesses have access to top talent and financing from lenders for being recognized as growing businesses. I would work to make certain that government programs such as the rehabilitation tax credit program and new market tax credit program are well-known to area businesses to help revitalize our communities and towns. The February 2009 stimulus legislation helped keep the economy going at a difficult time but its dollars should have been spent on projects that provide future jobs. Nearly $380.5 million was spent in Iowa's 5th Congressional district yet only 307 jobs are attributed to this spending. Had I been the representative at the time, I would have made sure that dollars were spent on infrastructure such as high-tech manufacturing plants or renewable energy facilities that would provide immediate shovel-
ready jobs and then good paying jobs in a modern facility after the projects were complete. Expenditures are not a waste if they are smart investments. Our current representative was not focused on helping spur smart investment in western Iowa and its part of the reason he needs to be voted out.
Steve King Republican Background I grew up in a law enforcement family in Storm Lake, Iowa. While at Denison Community High School, I met my wife Marilyn Kelly. We were married in 1972 and have lived near Kiron since then and are members of St. Martin’s Church in Odebolt. We have three grown sons and five grandchildren. I was a small business owner for 28 years and sold King Construction, and earth-moving contracting firm, to my oldest son. I served in the Iowa State Senate for six years. I was elected to serve Iowa’s Fifth Congressional District in 2002. I serve on the House Agriculture, Judiciary and Small Business Committees. I also serve as the highest ranking Republican Member on the House Immigration Subcommittee. Statements on... The war in Afghanistan In light of a deteriorating situation in Afghanistan, President Obama announced in December 2009 that he would be sending an additional 30,000 troops to that country. At the same time, he announced he would begin withdrawing American forces from Afghanistan by July 2011. I fully support sending additional forces to Afghanistan and giving our military the resources needed to fulfill our mission there, and I will continue to do all I can to ensure this is done. However, I believe President Obama made a mistake in announcing a withdrawal date. We must give our
American fighting forces the time, resources, and support needed to complete their mission – not undermine the work they are doing by announcing to our enemies the date they will leave. Immigration We need to enforce the laws already on the books. This includes completing the border fence along our southern border. In 2006, funding was authorized to complete 854 miles of two-layered reinforced fencing. To date, only 346 miles of pedestrian fencing, 298 miles of vehicle fencing and 34 miles of secondary fencing has been completed. I also believe we have to cut off the welfare and job magnets to illegal immigrants. I have introduced H.R. 3580, the New Illegal Deduction Elimination Act, or New IDEA, which is legislation that would make wages and benefits paid to illegal immigrants non-deductible for federal income purposes. This legislation would make it less attractive and more costly to hire illegal immigrants over Americans. New IDEA would immediately reduce America’s unemployment and result in the hiring of millions of unemployed Americans by cracking down on employers and illegal workers and leveling the playing field for law-abiding American employers and employees. Health care I think ObamaCare must be repealed completely. 100%. Once it has been pulled out by its roots, we should consider stand alone pieces of legislation to reform our health care system. This will allow Americans to have an open and honest debate about how to improve access to health insurance without one, two, three or more supposedly good solutions being held hostage in a massive, 2,000 page bill written behind closed doors and rushed through the legislative process before the American people had the chance to understand the far reaching impact it would have on their everyday lives. First and foremost, we must enact medical malpractice liability reforms to end junk lawsuits and rein in the significant costs associated with doctors’ practice of defensive medicine. We should also take steps to inject more competition into the insurance market by allowing individuals to buy health insurance across state lines. We
should allow small businesses to band together in order to better negotiate for health insurance through Association Health Plans. We should level the playing field in the tax code by allowing every American to fully deduct the cost of insurance premiums for income tax purposes. We should expand the use of Health Savings Accounts in an effort to make Americans more informed and cost conscious consumers of health care services. To address the rising costs of health care, we must put consumers in the driver’s seat when it comes to making decisions about their health. There are a number of free-market solutions that could be enacted to help reduce health care costs and increase access to insurance, but as long as ObamaCare remains the law of the land, none can have any meaningful impact. The national debt We need a leaner federal government that taxes less, spends less and allows hard-working and smart-working Americans the opportunity to get ahead and prosper. We need to rein in Washington’s spend-a-thon, cut spending and pass a bal-
anced budget. We cannot keep saddling future generations with mountains of debt.
Renewable energy From an economic and national security point of view, there is significant value in continuing the development of domestically produced energy of all types, including renewable sources. For decades now, Iowa has been on the cutting edge of the development of some of the most promising sources of this new energy, and in the Fifth District, we’re already leading the rest of the nation in production of renewable energy. However, in recent months, the federal government’s continued commitment to the renewable energy industry has come in to question, and we cannot expect this vibrant young industry to continue to grow as it has if the commitments the federal government has made to assist in its development are not sustained. Therefore, the most important step Congress and the federal government should take to encourage development of renewable energy sources is to take immediate action to fulfill and reaffirm its support for, and commitment to, this industry.
Elect Eric Skoog Common Sense ✔ Experienced
✔
Leadership
✔
Consistent
✔
“I will work to find solutions to the challenges we face in Crawford County.” Independent Candidate for Crawford County Supervisor Paid for by Skoog for Supervisor 85-YOUR VOTE COUNTS (ELECT 2X7/SKOOG-VOTE FOR) VM
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Tax policy I would completely eliminate the IRS and replace the income tax with the FairTax, a national consumption tax that would replace all other federal sources of tax revenue— including the federal income tax and excise taxes. For too long the federal government has devised new, complicated, and intrusive ways to tax the productivity, savings, and investment of hard working Americans. This wave of taxation has led to the creation of a massive bureaucracy in the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and a virtually unlimited source of funds for an ever-expanding federal government. While I believe taxes certainly play a necessary role in the administration of our federal government, I am convinced the abolition of the IRS and the institution of the consumption-based FairTax would both maintain our current levels of revenue and bring more freedom and prosperity to all Americans. Not only would this relieve the American taxpayer of the budgetary burden of funding an immense federal bureaucracy on an annual basis, it would also unleash an immense surge of economic activity that would breathe new life into the American entrepreneurial spirit that has made this nation great.
Chet Culver Democrat Background Before running for public office, I was a teacher and coach at Hoover High School in Des Moines. I served for eight years as Iowa's Secretary of State, where my top priorities were increasing access to voting for the disabled and raising young Iowans’ interest in voting and civic engagement. I have served as Governor since 2007 and have worked hard to bring high-quality jobs to Iowa, enhance Iowa’s re-
VOTER’S GUIDE
OCTOBER 22, 2010
United States Congress Measures to improve the economy First, the current ruling, one-party leadership team of the President, Nancy Pelosi, and Harry Reid needs to understand government doesn’t create jobs. If job creation is truly desired, voters know government just needs to get out of the way and let businesses be productive so new hires can come on board. We need to reduce taxes and excessive regulation on business. Business needs predictability. Right now, the only thing businesses are certain of is that more taxes and regulations are coming their way - which means their ability to be profitable and create jobs will be curtailed significantly.
Martin James Monroe Nominated by Petition
Background Martin Monroe is originally from Ida Grove. After graduating from high school in 1977, Monroe served in the U.S. Navy. He earned a plumbing apprenticeship from Western Iowa Tech in 1981 and was employed in the trade until 1987, working primarily in Colorado and California. In 1995 Monroe began attending the University of South Dakota to study political science, business law, and art with the intention of going to law school and running for Congress. However, his plans were delayed by an auto accident from which it took seven years to fully recover. In the interim Monroe worked with the Des Moines Public Schools as an aide to Autistic students and moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where he was employed as an organizer with AFSCME Council 97 labor union. Monroe returned to Iowa in 2008. Statements on... The war in Afghanistan Monroe stated that America supported going after Bin Laden and his organization in Afghanistan but he perceives China as posing the greatest threat against U.S. national security. Immigration The problem is that too many people are crossing the U.S. border illegally.
The reaction has focused on punitive penalties, deportation, large capital expense on people, technologies that cost tens if not hundreds of billions of dollars, all without dealing with the real comprehensive problem. People are entering the U.S. for employment reasons or to reunify families, which can take several years if done legally. The solution is to create modern immigration centers on the U.S. side of the border with the purpose of processing foreign citizens looking for work in the U.S. and beginning the process of legal immigration. These centers would assign legal social security numbers, issue photo identification cards with new “smart chip” technology that includes data such as finger prints, eye scans, and birth information. The immigration centers will also match up these workers with job requests entered into a central computer network by employers looking for specific skills that the American workforce market cannot fulfill. Each person of employment age entering into the U.S. would pay a fee of $2,000. These funds would be used to cover the cost of operating the immigration centers. If the 6,000 person per day illegal crossing figure is correct, this program would generate $4.3 billion per year in American revenue for Border Patrol and Home Land Security opera-
tions, instead of the tax payers paying the full cost of border security. Health care I believe the passage of the new federal health care bill was a good idea that was long over due and under appreciated by those who don’t know what it is like to lack health care for their family. Shame on those who have health care insurance and work to deny those who don’t. In the long run it will allow Medicare to become more efficient and cheaper. The federal government should also assure that no American citizen who is on life saving medication is unable to obtain it by keeping control of costs by assuring fair competition. The national debt To reduce the deficit cut military spending by 10 percent; restore all irresponsible Bush tax cuts on the upper two percent of America’s wealthiest citizens; and cancel the plan to modernize our Navy’s nuclear fleet because or national infrastructure is more important at this point in time. Renewable energy You can see and smell the pollution yourself without scientists’ warnings and practical common sense should tell anyone that these huge amounts of pollutants have to be having some negative effect.
The federal government should take steps to reduce the dependence on fossil fuels by creating a national investment campaign to develop a modernized American Industry powered by American made alternative energy sources and encouraging the development of cleaner and renewable energy sources.
Tax policy Changes in the federal tax system suggested by Monroe include repealing the Bush dividends and capital gains tax cuts, and resetting millionaires’ tax brackets at 40 percent. Also, repeal tax advantages and impose new penalties for individuals and corporations who transfer assets offshore or renounce U.S. citizenship to escape taxation. Another suggestion includes applying additional taxes and other disincentives to American companies that ship jobs off shore or import goods to the U.S. from their foreign operations.
Measures to improve the economy Develop green alternative energy technology for the entire world. We need to embark upon a national goal such as modernizing our infrastructure and connecting all our cities with a bullet train system and broadband internet. Also, get the label “Made in America” back in the competitive market.
Governor / Lt. Governor newable energy edge, and expand preschool. Statements on... Improving Iowa’s economy Iowa’s economy is leading the country in recovering from the national recession. Iowa has the eighth lowest unemployment rate, is rated the sixth best place to do business by CNBC, and has the eighth fastest-growing economy according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Iowa has more cities in the Forbes top 25 places and top 25 small places for business and careers than any other state in the nation. But there are still too many Iowans looking for work. We need to continue to invest in Iowa’s infrastructure in order to make Iowa the best-connected state in the nation and attract businesses to Iowa. For instance, we are making investments in Crawford County’s transportation
infrastructure through my I-JOBS initiative: bridge projects on IA-39 and US59 and a rail construction project in Denison. These investments are paid for solely by gambling revenues (half of which are from out-of-state gamblers); no tax dollars are used. Creating more jobs in Iowa I have worked with the Iowa Department of Economic Development to secure commitments from almost 300 companies to create more than 20,000 jobs and invest more than $5 billion in Iowa. Our economic development efforts are working during these difficult times. My opponent, Terry Branstad, wants to scrap this successful model and replace it with the Indiana model, which has been plagued by a lack of transparency and led that state to have the eighth highest unemployment rate in America.
In contrast, Iowa has the eighth lowest unemployment rate in the nation. We will also continue to invest in renewable energy innovations to attract the green-collar jobs of tomorrow. We are attracting good-paying jobs to our state with high-tech companies like Microsoft, Google and IBM - these Fortune 500 companies decided to locate in Iowa thanks to my administration's efforts. We will keep doing what has been working to get companies to invest in Iowa and create jobs here. The state budget Our state budget is balanced, as it has been every day I've been Governor. Iowa was recently recognized as the third best-run state in the country, and we have a $754 million surplus. Revenue projections were just raised another $300 million, and we are saving $300 million through our government
efficiency initiatives. I will continue to work with the Legislature to pass and sign balanced budgets that protect our priorities in education, public safety, health care and renewable energy. When my opponent was governor, the Republican State Auditor said that he kept two sets of books. For 12 years he ran illegal deficits and had to borrow more than $3 billion just to keep state government running. Tax policy I do not believe we should raise taxes, and you can take me at my word. As Governor, I have not raised the sales, gas, or income tax because now is not the time to raise taxes on hardworking Iowans. My opponent has repeatedly made promises not to raise taxes and broken those promises. He campaigned against a sales tax increase in 1982, but the first bill he signed into law as governor was
a sales tax increase.
Improving education in Iowa We are taking two key steps to improve education in Iowa: the statewide preschool program and implementing the Iowa Core Curriculum. The Iowa Core Curriculum, once fully implemented, will require that all Iowa students be taught essential 21st century skills, including financial and technology literacy. The Statewide Voluntary Preschool program I created is providing preschool to four-year-old children in 326 of Iowa’s 359 school districts. Studies have shown that every dollar spent on early childhood education programs saves eight dollars in remedial and special education costs, and these programs result in lower crime rate and other social costs. My opponent has said repeatedly that preschool is "entitlement" and that we can't afford this
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VOTER’S GUIDE
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Governor / Lt. Governor program. I believe we can't afford not to give our children the very best education possible, and in my second term, we will expand this program so that every child in this state has access to quality, affordable preschool. Renewable energy Iowa is leading the way on renewable energy. When I became Governor, five percent of the energy produced in our state was from renewable sources. Today, that number is 20 percent ,and I have set a goal of 30 percent for my next term. Through the Iowa Power Fund we are investing in the research needed to maintain Iowa’s leadership in this important sector. We have also leveraged $270 million in federal and private funds through the Power Fund. My opponent has said that he wants to eliminate the Power Fund, which would set us back. Expanding opportunities for agriculture Agriculture is a key sector of Iowa’s economy. There are two focused ways we can work to improve Iowa’s agricultural and rural economy: creating new economic opportunities through renewable energy and expanding markets for agricultural commodities. I am proud to have created the Iowa Power Fund, which funds research into the next generation of renewable energy technologies so that Iowa can maintain its position on the cutting edge of the green economy while growing the benefits that sector brings to Iowa farmers and rural communities. My opponent favors eliminating the Iowa Power Fund and putting our renewable energy leadership at risk. I have also worked hard to increase export opportunities for Iowa farmers. Lt. Governor Judge and I have made trips around the globe to expand and open new markets. I worked with Secretary Vilsack to convince the Chinese government to lift the ban on American pork imports,
and exports of pork to South Korea are up 60 percent from last year.
Terry E. Brandstad Republican Background Family: Wife, Chris; 3 grown children Education: The University of Iowa, attended 1965 to 1969, received a B.A. degree in political science and sociology; Drake Law School, attended 1971 to 1974, received a Juris Doctorate. I served three terms as a state representative (1973 to 1979), as lieutenant governor (1979 to 1983), and finally four terms as the governor of the state of Iowa (1983 to 1999). Most recently I served as President of Des Moines University (2003 to 2009). I also served in the military from 1969 to 1971. Statements on... Improving Iowa’s economy We need to make Iowa more attractive and competitive for businesses and entrepreneurs. Currently, we rank very low for start-up businesses. Our commercial property taxes are among the highest in the country, our corporate income tax rate is the highest in the country and our permitting process takes too long. These are impediments that cause business decision makers to choose not to locate here. I have a plan to improve all of these elements and make our state more marketable to job creators. This includes reducing the tax burden, sun-setting existing rules and regula-
tions in order to look at them and make them more effective, expediting the permit process and eliminating job-killing regulations. I will also revamp the Iowa Department of Economic Development into a private-public partnership called the Iowa Partnership for Economic Progress to make Iowa more effective at creating jobs. I also intend to be hands-on involved and active in recruiting new jobs and encouraging entrepreneurs to invest in our state. When I came into office in 1983, unemployment was 8.5 percent and when I left, it was at just 2.5 percent, with a record number of Iowans employed. I want to again put my focus on job creation. Creating more jobs in Iowa Please see answer to previous question. The state budget Iowa is facing the worst budget mess in our state’s history and I believe it is because of a lack of fiscal discipline, mismanagement, and no strategic planning. I believe we can correct it by making tough decisions and by putting together a five-year strategic budget plan for the state. I am also committed to again enforcing the 99 percent spending limitation, which requires state government to not spend more than it takes in. I also believe two-year budgeting is needed, and we need to end the practice of using one-time funds for ongoing expenses. When I was governor before, we enacted major spending reforms that got spending off auto-pilot, placed our budget on generally accepted accounting principles, and enforced the spending limitations. As a result, I left the state with a $900 million surplus. We must again reform our budgeting process, and I will veto any legislation that uses “notwithstanding” language to supersede the state’s 99 percent spending limitation.
The bottom line is the state needs to get its financial house in order if we are to attract businesses and jobs. It will take sacrifice and priority-setting, but I am confident we can do it. Tax policy One key component to creating new jobs is to provide a business tax environment which is competitive with other states. According to the latest 50State Property Tax Study by the National Taxpayers Conference, a commercial property valued at $500,000 in Des Moines would pay more tax than similar property in New York City. A comparison of rural commercial property tax rates yields similar results. We can do better. I want to work with local governments to reform the property tax structure by reducing commercial property taxes to less than the Midwest average. This will attract new businesses and jobs to Iowa - jobs for your communities with the end result of new and expanded businesses and jobs for Iowans. Improving education in Iowa We need to have high expectations for Iowa students. We need state standards, then give local schools the freedom to have strategies to achieve those standards. We should have uniform assessments, then recognize and reward good schools and good teachers. We should make necessary changes for those not getting the job done. I believe we need to reinstate funding that rewards teachers based on performance. As an example, board-certified teachers who have passed the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards’ rigorous assessment process should be paid more. We need to have stability and predictability in K12 education. Over-promising, then under-funding through across-the-board cuts as Governor Culver has done is bad policy. I want to keep our promises to our schools, rather than
Make Your Vote Count
November 2
Gubernatorial race features six choices The 2010 race for Iowa Governor features six sets of running mates. In the order listed on the official ballot, the candidates for governor and lieutenant governor are: Chet Culver and Patty Judge, Democrat (incumbents) Terry E. Branstad and Kim Reynolds, Republican Jonathan Narcisse and Richard Marlar, Iowa Party Eric Cooper and Nick Weltha, Libertarian David Rosenfeld and Helen Meyers, Socialist Workers Party Gregory James Hughes and Robin Prio-Calef, Nominated By Petition
over-promise and then hit them with across-theboard cuts. I support preschool for all of Iowa’s children and have a plan to ensure preschool is available for those needing it most. I support providing financial assistance to those families in need to ensure every Iowa child has access to a quality preschool. I do not support Governor Culver’s program to create a new state-funded entitlement at the very time K12 schools are forced to cut budgets and lay off teachers. Renewable energy I have been a strong supporter of renewable energy since my days in the Legislature. I provided leadership to start the ethanol coalition, and in 1983 when I was governor before Iowa was the first state to adopt a Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Since that time 28 other states have adopted a RFS. I have always been a strong leader in promoting ethanol, biodiesel and wind energy, and if elected will continue to be a leader for these Iowa industries. I will advocate the federal government to change the blend wall from E10 to
E15 for all vehicles. I will seek ways to encourage more blender pumps to increase the use of higher renewable fuel blends. On a personal level I have invested in an Iowa bio-fuel facility, Growth Design Energy, which makes biodiesel out of the byproducts of ethanol.
Expanding opportunities for agriculture Agriculture is one of the bright spots in our economy today. If elected I will work with the best minds in agriculture to develop a five-year strategic and implementation plan for agriculture. The plan will address systems to better handle, store, transport and transfer the increased production of agricultural crops, renewable energy and value-added products. I will encourage better use of current resources through technology and partnerships, provide a stable regulatory environment and promote and support agriculture entrepreneurial ventures such as wineries, dairies, farmers’ markets and other opportunities that allow consumers to have direct contact with producers.
✔STEVE ULMER Re-Elect
for Crawford County Supervisor
✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Conservative Dependable Experienced
Dedicated to serving the needs of Crawford County “I would appreciate your continued support on Nov. 2nd.” Thank you, Steve Ulmer Paid for by Steve Ulmer
85-R,ADV42, 43, 44 (Ulmer-Vote For) VM
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Michael A. Mauro
Democrat
Background Over the past 25 years, first as a county elections director, then as a county auditor, and now as Iowa’s Secretary of State, I’ve been guided by the simple philosophy that elections should be accessible to everyone who wants to participate but at the same time the voting process should be safe, secure, and fair. In my first term as Secretary of State, I’ve worked with Democrats and Republicans to make that happen. I grew up in Des Moines and attended Drake University. After graduation, I worked as a teacher and coach in western Iowa where I met my wife, Dorothy. We moved back to Des Moines in the early 1970s to join my family insurance and real estate business where I quickly became involved in local politics. After serving as the elections director and then auditor of Iowa’s largest county, I ran for Secretary of State because I saw a real opportunity to bring my experience in elections and administration to our
Jon Murphy Democrat Background Jon left Congressman Boswell's office in 2001
VOTER’S GUIDE
OCTOBER 22, 2010
Iowa Secretary of State statewide office. In 2006, I won my campaign for that office and the following January I was sworn in as Iowa’s 30th Secretary of State. In office, I believe we have moved our state forward tremendously. The Overseas Vote Foundation ranked Iowa as the best state in the nation when it comes to making voting accessible to members of the military serving overseas. The Pew Charitable Trust ranked the Iowa Secretary of State’s Web site as the best elections website in the nation. In my term as Secretary of State, I fought for and put into place a uniform voting system. That means that all 99 counties in Iowa use the same equipment so what constitutes a vote in one part of the state is the same as what constitutes a vote in another part. We also created a voter verified paper trail throughout the state to ensure that we can audit any election in Iowa. My office worked with the Cerro Gordo County Auditor to deploy Precinct Atlas to nearly half the counties in Iowa. Precinct Atlas is a laptop-based computer program that provides pollworkers with step-by-step instructions on how to properly administer elections and process voters on Election Day. I’m proud to have been endorsed by both Democratic and Republican county auditors. I think that demonstrates that my administration has delivered meaningful results for all Iowans regardless of political party. With 25 years of experi-
ence, I believe I have the background and qualifications to continue making the Secretary of State’s office work for all Iowans. I hope to have the opportunity to do so in a second term. Can you list the top two challenges facing the office you seek and how you will address these challenges? Election law both at the state and federal level is constantly changing. That provides real challenges not only for the Secretary of State’s office but also for the 99 county auditors who administer elections at the local level. That’s why the expansion of the Precinct Atlas electronic poll book program is one of my top priorities. Precinct Atlas is a laptop based computer program that provides precinct election officials with step-bystep instructions on how to properly process voters on Election Day. The system has significantly enhanced the integrity of Iowa’s elections and provides an additional layer of security within our voting process. Precinct Atlas was developed by the Republican auditor of Cerro Gordo County. My administration deployed the program to nearly half the counties in Iowa. My goal is to expand the program to the remaining counties and precincts in the state of Iowa. The other challenge is how we effectively incorporate technology into the voting process while continuing to ensure the safety and security of our elections. As Secretary of State, I
work every day to find the appropriate balance between the two. For example, I think it’s important for the state of Iowa to study the possibility of allowing online voter registration. However, in order to implement that program, we will need to create standards for signature verification to ensure we maintain the integrity of the voter registration process. Voting equipment is another example. When my administration put into place a uniform voting system, we chose to use optical scan machines rather than computer touch screens. We did so because the optical scanner provides the highest level of integrity to the process and allows voters to cast paper ballots guaranteeing that elections will be decided fairly and accurately. Finally, Iowans expect and deserve to have a Secretary of State’s office free of partisanship. Elections are a fundamental part of our democracy. That’s why I am proud that I’ve been endorsed by Republican, Democratic, and Independent county auditors. Although I am a Democrat, 13 Republican county auditors have endorsed by campaign and want to see me continue serving as Secretary of State. My goal is to provide results for Iowans, not partisanship. These endorsements demonstrate that my administration has been able to do just that.
but I will streamline all business filings through the internet and incorporate E-Verify into the Secretary of State’s Web site so we can help our businesses hire legal workers and stop illegal immigration.
Matt Schultz Republican Background I am married with three children and another on the way. I am an attorney and a city councilman in Council Bluffs. I graduated from the University of Iowa and Creighton Law School and I am an Eagle Scout. Can you list the top two challenges facing the office you seek and how you will address these challenges? (1) Iowa needs a Secretary of State who will do more to help prevent voter fraud. When I am elected Secretary of State I will fight to require everyone to show a photo ID before they vote at the polls. I will also reform same-day voter registration to require a provisional ballot and I will institute a Crime Stoppers hotline for voter fraud in the Secretary of State’s office. (2) Iowa needs a “Pro Jobs” Secretary of State. I will take my experience as a Council Bluffs city councilman to Des Moines. As a city councilman I cut the city tax levy and helped bring jobs like Google to Council Bluffs. Iowa needs a Secretary of State who will be an advocate for jobs and business. Not only will I be an advocate
Jake Porter Libertarian
Background I live in Des Moines and work as an inventory specialist for a large retail store in West Des Moines. I am the owner of Jake Porter Media Enterprises, L.L.C. and am the former business manager of a weekly newspaper.
Can you list the top two challenges facing the office you seek and how you will address these challenges? The Secretary of State makes a salary of $103,000 and I would cut that by more than half to $50,000 a year if elected. Also, the Secretary of State's office deals with business filings and we need to make it easier for people to start their own business. I plan to make it easier to start a business by providing future business owners information they need to file the official papers to start their own business.
Iowa Auditor to accept a position with his alma mater, Iowa State University. Jon opened ISU's first Washington, D.C. office, and developed the university's federal legislative agenda. Working closely with Iowa's congressional delegation, Jon was successful in bringing significant funding for cutting edge research to Iowa. In 2005, Jon was promoted to Director of Federal Relations and joined the President's Cabinet. In addition to his ISU duties, Jon played leadership roles on several higher education advocacy groups, capitalizing on
his expertise in the areas of agriculture and energy. In March 2007, Jon was nominated by Governor Culver to become Director of the Iowa Office for State-Federal Relations (OSFR) and was unanimously confirmed by the State Senate. As the state's point person on federal policy, Jon has been part of the team that has helped secure billions of dollars to assist Iowa in tackling the challenges presented by the floods of 2008 and the effects of the worldwide economic downturn. Like a lot of Iowa families and businesses, state government has had to
do more with less in this economic downturn. Jon has cut spending by reducing staff and eliminating the use of contract lobbyists for federal relations. Overall spending associated with OSFR has been reduced significantly since 2007. Despite the reduction in funding, OSFR has continued to be a highly effective advocate on behalf of Iowans. In 2009, Iowa was awarded nearly $6.6 billion in federal funding, nearly 1/3 more than the previous year. In February 2009, Governor Culver charged Jon
with leading Iowa's implementation team for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Iowa's ARRA team worked quickly, organizing two dozen departments of state government to receive, expend and monitor funding from over 80 federal programs totaling nearly $2.4 billion. The Iowa ARRA team also created an innovative "dashboard" feature on the www.recovery.iowa.gov Web site that allows Iowans to track where the money is being spent. Can you list the top two challenges facing the
office you seek and how you will address these challenges? I am running because I want to protect your money by bringing greater transparency to government spending. The Office of State Auditor is known as the "taxpayer's watchdog" but I believe it should also be known as the State's "Chief Transparency Officer". Bringing more transparency to government spending will be my top priority as State Auditor. See next page for another Iowa Auditor candidate.
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Iowa Auditor
Background I graduated Summa Cum Laude from Upper Iowa University with a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting in 1976. I worked in the audit practice of KPMG for
lived by the words, “In God we trust; everyone else we audit.� Can you list the top two challenges facing the office you seek and how you will address these challenges? 1. The only governments not required to have an annual audit are smaller cities with a population
Iowa Treasurer top 529 plans in the country by Kiplinger Magazine, Money Magazine and Time Magazine. He was proud to offer the Iowa Women and Money Conference in April, 2007.
Michael L. Fitzgerald Michael Fitzgerald’s campaign did not return a completed questionnaire in time for this publication. The following information about Fitzgerald was taken from the Treasurer of the State of Iowa Web site, www.treasurer.state. ia.us. Michael L. Fitzgerald was first elected State Treasurer of Iowa in 1982. He was born in Marshalltown and completed high school in Colo, Iowa. He then attended the University of Iowa and received a B.S. in Business Administration. Prior to being elected state treasurer, Fitzgerald worked as a marketing analyst for Massey Ferguson Company in Des Moines for eight years. Fitzgerald has become a leader in public service during his tenure as state treasurer. He has served as president of several national organizations. He serves as trustee and custodian of Iowa's three state pension funds. In addition, he invests more than two billion dollars of state operating funds. He has returned millions of dollars in lost property through the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt. Fitzgerald is the administrator of College Savings Iowa, the college savings plan ranked as one of the
David D. Jamison Republican Background Dave and Karen Jamison are life-long residents of Iowa. Dave’s only time away from Iowa has been while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. Karen and Dave have three wonderful children and are constantly working to make Iowa a place for all of our children to stay and prosper. Jamison has been the treasurer of Story County since 1995. Throughout his tenure, Dave has a record of outstanding success fighting government red tape. The County Treasurer’s office has reduced the time it takes to process tax payments from over four weeks to one day – earning money for Iowa taxpayers while reducing cost of running government. Jamison has worked to improve government for all Iowans by leading the effort to get all counties in Iowa to provide on-line property tax payments and motor vehicle registration renewals – saving tax dollars while expanding service and convenience.
2. For years the state has spent more than its available revenue stream. Educating the public and elected officials has been a key responsibility of my office. I will continue my efforts to bring fiscal responsibility and sustainability of services to Iowa government through this education process.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Jamison has been a fighter to reduce government waste. Jamison was a strong voice calling for greater openness and disclosure in Story County when board members mishandled public funds related to employees’ deferred compensation. Dave supports greater accountability and transparency in government at ALL levels. Jamison has a proven track record of reducing government, fighting against government debt and overspending, reducing taxes, and focusing on serving all Iowans. Can you list the top two challenges facing the office you seek and how you will address these challenges? 1. Protecting Iowa’s Investments: I know the State Treasurer has no job more important than keeping and protecting the public’s money. Iowa’s Treasurer must be a custodian in the truest sense of the word. I will work hard to ensure that the money invested by the state is only invested with reputable companies who will help protect Iowa’s future. Giving $500 million to a prospective investor without an on-site audit is unacceptable. 2. Creating Transparency in the Treasurer’s office: as State Treasurer, I will develop an on-line, searchable database of all bills paid by the State. With today’s technology, I see no reason why every payment made through the State Treasurer’s Office shouldn’t be available on the Internet for all Iowans to see – every check, every day. Let every Iowan that wants to know where their money is going have access to the information necessary to hold their elected representatives accountable. When it comes to sunlight on spending, I will think of Iowa taxpayers first.
Francis Thicke Democrat Background My wife, Susan, and I operate an 80-cow grassbased dairy and on-thefarm processing operation that supplies milk, whipping cream, yogurt and cheese to local restaurants and grocery stores within a five-mile radius of our operation. Besides ourselves, we employ five people. I am a scientist with a Ph.D. in soil science and I served as a national USDA program leader. I’ve been involved in agriculture on three different levels - as a scientist, as a practical farmer for 27 years and as an administrator. I know what works and what doesn’t, and how bureaucracy can assist or hinder farmers. Can you list the top two challenges facing the office you seek and how you will address these challenges? I see consumers and farmers such as myself facing many challenges that aren’t currently being addressed. In these challenges are opportunities, and what we need is a plan and vision for Iowa agriculture. I will use the power of the office of Secretary of Agriculture to develop more jobs in Iowa and keep profits in Iowa with policies that promote local economies and onthe-farm wind, solar and truly renewable alternative fuels to power agriculture at the end of the era of cheap oil.
Food safety: one of the things that I intend to do if elected is reactivate the Iowa Food Policy Council and give it a home in the Department of Agriculture. I’d ask them to come up with a set of policy proposals that we can take to the Legislature for food policy, including things like how we can connect farmers to high school and university cafeterias. Local food systems are powerful
economic drivers that can revitalize Iowa’s rural communities, and we have an opportunity to capitalize on increased consumer demand for locally produced foods. The recent egg recall has exposed vulnerabilities in our food-safety oversight system. This is not a question of who should and shouldn’t regulate, or where the loophole is – though the Iowa Code is
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Candidate for Crawford County Supervisor
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Democrat
less than 2,000. A significant number of fraud investigations involve these smaller cities. I have proposed changes to provide more oversight of these cities, but the legislature has not taken action on these proposed changes to date. I will continue to work with the legislature to strengthen oversight of small cities.
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Republican
25 years. As a partner at KPMG, I managed and worked with teams of CPAs auditing many diverse types of industries including governments. In 2001 I retired from KPMG to run for State Auditor. I wanted to use my audit skills for the benefit of Iowa taxpayers. During my career of over 30 years in the audit business, I
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clear that the ag secretary can have oversight if the political will exists. This is about electing an ag secretary who will protect consumers, and protect Iowa’s great agricultural reputation. Energy at the end of the era of cheap oil: high energy prices will be a game changer for Iowa food and agriculture production. The biggest challenge facing agriculture today is that it depends on cheap fossil fuels in a world of rising oil prices. We’re making ethanol, but for cars driving on highways. In other words, agriculture produces cheap raw material (corn) to make biofuel (ethanol) for off-farm use, while paying high retail prices for fossil fuels to power agriculture. With ethanol, farmers are selling cheap and buying high. I’d like to see wind turbines powering every farm in Iowa. Three-quarters of our land has enough wind to be viable. The farms could then be self-supporting on energy and also
Tom Miller
Democrat
Background A completed questionnaire was not returned by the Miller campaign in time for this publication. Below is information taken from his campaign Web site, iowansformiller.com. Tom Miller was born and raised in Dubuque. As a Boy Scout, he earned the prestigious Eagle Scout Award. He graduated from Wahlert High School and Loras College. He earned his law degree at Harvard Law School in 1969. Miller went on to serve as a VISTA volunteer in Baltimore for two years and as a legislative assistant to U.S. Reprentative John
VOTER’S GUIDE
OCTOBER 22, 2010
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture make a profit on it. My opponent for Iowa Secretary of Agriculture distorts my position on corn ethanol when he says I want to “abandon” corn ethanol. I have stated repeatedly and emphatically that I want to protect the large investment Iowa already has in the corn ethanol industry by making sure it survives, and that we do not have more bankruptcies. I support renewal of the federal Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC) and the import tariff on foreign ethanol, as well as the biodiesel tax credit. It would foolish for us to have invested as much public money in ethanol and biodiesel infrastructure as we have and then let that investment disintegrate by an abrupt ending of subsidies the industry depends on for survival. However, I do favor ending state subsidies and tax credits for building new corn ethanol plants – in part to protect the ethanol industry from another
round of overbuilding and bankruptcy the next time oil prices go through a boom and bust cycle. I would like to see Iowa redirect what resources had previously gone into building ethanol plants toward investment in developing the next generation of energy systems that 1) produce fuel to power agriculture; 2) are at a scale that can be farmer-owned or farmer-controlled, so the profits go into the pockets of farmers; and 3) are truly sustainable and renewable. Iowa agriculture is highly dependent on fossil fuels and is whipsawed when oil prices boom and bust. Oil economists tell us to expect more wild fluctuations in oil prices, with each successive oil price spike higher than the previous one. We should take steps now to put agriculture on a path towards energy self-sufficiency. Even the U.S. military has warned that oil prices will rise sharply and that by 2015 we should expect oil shortages in this country.
It is not a matter of whether change will come. It is a matter of whether we will have the foresight to plan ahead and create an orderly transition toward energy self-sufficiency for agriculture, or if we will wait until it is too late and we find ourselves in crisis mode.
Bill Northey Republican The Bill Northey campaign did not return a completed questionnaire in time for this publication. The following information was taken from his campaign Web site, www.billnorthey.com.
Bill Northey is a fourth generation farmer from Spirit Lake, who grows corn and soybeans. Northey returned to Spirit Lake to farm with his grandfather after graduating from Iowa State University in 1981. He is serving his first term as Secretary of Agriculture after being elected in November of 2006. As Secretary, Northey has committed to traveling to each of Iowa’s 99 counties every year to hear from farmers and rural residents with a stake in the future of agriculture. These meetings allow him to listen to their needs and better lead the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship as it seeks to serve the people of the state. His priorities as Secretary of Agriculture are advancing the opportunities available through renewable energy, promoting conservation and stewardship, and telling the story of Iowa agriculture. Northey’s Web site lists the following as his vision:
During the 2006 election Northey ran on a platform of taking advantage of the opportunities available through renewable energy, promoting conservation and stewardship both in town and on the farm, and sharing the story of Iowa agriculture. He believes that we still have work to do on each of these issues so that we make sure Iowa agriculture remains strong. However, new issues continue to arise and there are three new issues that Bill wants to work on during the next four years if Iowans choose to re-elect him. These issues include providing a strong voice for farmers and Iowa agriculture, Provide a strong voice for farmers and Iowa agriculture; using science and new technologies to respond to environmental challenges, not heavyhanded government regulation; efficient, effective and transparent leadership to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.
from 2003 until earlier this year, starting as deputy chief of staff and then advancing to the chief of staff’s position. She managed the Congressman’s Washington, D.C. office and his five offices located throughout Iowa’s Fifth District. She also served as King’s legal advisor. Findley left King’s organization earlier this year to return to private law practice in Des Moines and to run for office. Her private practice involves corporate work and litigation. For issues, Findley listed examples of corruption including a contribution to Governor Chet Culver’s campaign from a group that applied for a casino license, the mismanagement of the film tax credits by the Iowa Film Office, mismanagement of funds by the Iowa Association of School Boards, improper spending by the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division, and a news report that said her opponent, Tom Miller, advised Culver he could not fire Alcoholic Beverages Division Director Lynn Wald-
ing. Walding’s term expired and Governor Culver decided not to reappoint him. Findley said the Attorney General’s position should also be used to help bring jobs to Iowa. She continued that in the area of litigation, she wouldn’t sue just to get her name in the newspapers, and with regulations, the attorney general has the power to object to regulations that go beyond the scope of the law. Findley said the state legislature would have to change any laws but the attorney general has the authority to advise the legislature about changes in law. Findley continue that she wants to make the attorney general’s office more customer friendly by providing more information on the Web site and by visiting all 99 counties, reaching out to service clubs and working with people from both political parties. As attorney general Findley said she would join in a lawsuit against the federal health care reform.
Iowa Attorney General Culver of Iowa, worked for the Baltimore Legal Aid Bureau, and taught at the Maryland School of Law. He came home to Northeast Iowa in 1973, opened a law practice in McGregor, and served as the city attorney for McGregor and Marquette for five years. He ran for Attorney General in 1974 and lost. He ran again in 1978 and was elected Attorney General of Iowa. Miller has served as Attorney General of Iowa since he was elected in 1978, except for four years (1991 to 1994), in private practice with the Des Moines office of the Faegre & Benson Law Firm. He is completing his seventh four-year term as Attorney General. He is married to Holli Miller, and he has an adult son, Matt. He is the longest-serving state attorney general in the nation. On the issues page of his campaign Web site, Miller lists the following issues: Preserving home ownership: in 2001 he told a congressional committee that predatory lending threatened the American
dream of home ownership. He has the nation’s leading record in legal action against predatory lenders and launching groundbreaking programs to keep Iowans in their homes and out of foreclosure court. Protecting older Iowans: Consumer protection and advocating for fairness in the marketplace has been the centerpiece of Miller’s office. His Consumer Protection Division is viewed as one of the most effective in the country. Examples of Miller’s consumer work include and Office Scam Alert Project to assist small businesses victimized by con artists, a major investigation into the practices of Iowa’s largest private student loan lender and warnings for college students and their families about credit cards and grant scams and a lawsuit against 78 drug companies for overcharging Iowa’s Medicaid program that already has yielded millions of dollars for taxpayers. His Web site also lists fighting serious crime, working for farmers and being the people’s lawyer as top issues.
Brenna Findley Republican Brenna Findley’s campaign did not return a completed questionnaire in time for this publication. The following information was excerpted from an interview conducted by the Denison Bulletin and Review with Findley in August. Brenna Findley of Dexter, the 34-year-old former chief of staff for Congressman Steve King, said she is running for the office of Iowa Attorney General to clean up state government. Findley worked for Congressman Steve King (R-Kiron)
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State Representative, Iowa District 55
Jason Schultz Republican
Background I live in Schleswig with my wife, Amy, and our two daughters, Josie and Camryn. I have farmed since 1994 along with working most recently with Farmers Mutual Insurance and earlier with FAC. I have always believed that public service is important. I have served with the Iowa Army National Guard, the Schleswig Volunteer Fire Department, and the Horn Memorial Hospital Foundation Board. I currently serve as an Elder and Sunday School Teacher for Immanuel Lutheran
Church in Schleswig. Can you list the top two challenges facing the office you seek and how you will address these challenges? The most pressing immediate concern for the State of Iowa is to correct the mismanagement of the state budget. Over the past four years, our General Fund expenditures have grown nearly 20 percent, or nearly one billion dollars. The growth of state government was unsustainable, and as soon as tax re-
ceipts stopped growing, we were left with the largest budget commitments in Iowa’s history, but tax revenues that could not meet government’s urge to spend. It is important to note that today’s tax receipts are equal to previous year’s receipts before our budget ballooned out of control. Your state government suffers from a spending problem, not a revenue problem. I will work to regain control of our budget from run away government growth and spending. Jobs are another area of
concern to me. Iowa has 114,000 citizens out of work. As they search for jobs to support their families or to better their position in life, the government of Iowa needs to get out of the way of small businesses looking to open their doors, or existing businesses looking to expand. These are our opportunities to grow jobs in Iowa. We can promote Iowa as a place to do business and hire Iowans by setting up a level playing field with rules that don't become more restrictive down the
road. Government doesn't create jobs, the private sector does. We can encourage the private sector to hire more Iowans by keeping Iowa a Right-to-Work state, stop adding expensive regulations to employment, and work to make sure Iowa jobs go to legal workers. As a member of the House Economic Growth Committee, I will work to stop government from picking winners and losers in the free market, and to stop discouraging new investment and hiring in Iowa.
State Representative, Iowa District 51
Dan Muhlbauer Democrat
Background I am a lifelong resident of the area, graduating from Manilla High School and furthering my education at Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls. I received an agricultural business degree. My wife, Patti and I run a family farm near Manilla. I am in my second term as a Crawford County Supervisor. I am the son of the late Louis Muhlbauer who served as a Crawford County Supervisor and an Iowa State Representative.
What is your primary reason for running for election?
I want to fight for our small businesses by making sure they have access to loans and tax breaks for creating jobs, stand up for our agricultural economy by promoting Iowa grown fuels, and make sure that we are protecting Iowa's workers by cracking down on CEO's who knowingly hire illegal immigrants. I also believe that the youth of our area deserve the best education possible. I will work hard for education. What do you feel is the single largest challenge that your district is facing, and how are you addressing it? We must make sure that Western Iowa is attractive to new employers. We must look at how we can improve our economy through having the amenities that employers desire. Strong schools, good healthcare providers, and up to date infrastructure all play important factors in attracting new jobs to the area. Currently, our local officials at the city and county levels, along with our local economic leaders are leading the way on this issue. What is the single largest
Republican
I was born in June of 1963. At the time, my family lived on my great-grandfather's farm, eight miles north of Carroll. My elementary education was in Breda with my high school education being at Carroll High, graduating in the class of 1982. I worked on the West Coast immediately following high school. The Air Force took me to Europe and the near east. I have always enjoyed studying people and cultures. After the Air Force I found myself on the West Coast again, always knowing that when I started a family I would return to my beloved Iowa. Nora and I married in 1993. Seventeen years later we are blessed with 11 children. Currently my primary occupation is servicing the ag sector with Koster Grain, farming and heavy equipment.
Background My sons and daughters are the seventh generation of my heritage to reside in District 51.
What is your primary reason for running for election? I have recognized that I have an obligation to do
challenge that the state is facing, and how would you address it? The single largest challenge facing Iowa is the economy. While Iowa is doing much better than many other states, we must move forward. We need to make sure Iowa is business friendly by keeping taxes low and improving our infrastructure, like widening Highway 30. We also need to insure that Iowa jobs go to Iowa workers.
Daniel D. Dirkx
Vote on November 2
all that I can do to restore greatness to Iowa. What do you feel is the single largest challenge that your district is facing, and how are you addressing it? Restoring the moral integrity of the virtues and values our district is known for, as well as the strong work ethic and common sense of our rural way of life to the process at the state house so our district is properly represented at the state level in the decision making processes. This I know, is a long term problem that needs to be restored but that would not be an overnight fix. In the immediate future, financing schools and maintaining our infrastructure is essential. This is best done by increasing property value by increasing economic activity. The best way to do that is to create an environment where government is friendly to new business, not so much in the realm of tax credits but the less expensive way of
reducing regulation. Any policy that can be formulated that makes it easier to form small business and easier for business to hire help has got to be pursued. Jobs are and always will be the lifeline to our economy. The best way to produce more revenue for schools is to raise the value of property and you do that with the creation of more jobs. I do not believe it is the government's responsibility to provide jobs but to protect our inalienable rights given to us by our Creator of life liberty and the pursuit of happiness, so that private enterprise and the free market can work on its own.
What is the single largest challenge that the state is facing, and how would you address it? It is a statewide challenge which also is affecting the district; the uncertainty of how far one's government can go in the form of regulation and taxation.
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The following questions were asked of the Crawford County Board of Supervisor Candidates: What are your primary reasons for running for election? What do you feel is the most important challenge facing Crawford County and how would you address it? How can the board of supervisors manage the budget under the pressure of increasing costs, less state aid and more state mandates? What can the board of supervisors do to increase the tax base in the county? What can or will you do to ensure that Crawford County has a good system of well-maintained roads? Following are their answers.
Marcia Bachmann
Democrat
Background I was born in 1951, the fourth of an eventual family of eight children. At the time, my father and mother, Ralph and Juanita Bachmann, were trying to make a living on a hilly 100 acre farm west of Denison, Iowa. Like many Crawford County farm families in the 1950’s, our family was poor. I was born in Crawford County, attended and graduated from Denison’s public school system, and obtained a B.S. degree from the University of Iowa. I began working as an office assistant/bookkeeper in 1975, learning bookkeeping on the job at the former Denison Veterinary Clinic, while also performing many Veterinary Technician duties. I continued work as a bookkeeper until I began employment at the Crawford County Memorial Hospital as a Medical Records Clerk in 2005. I worked with more than one small business, and often worked two jobs consecutively. In this way I was also able to work as an appraisal clerk when an outside countywide property revaluation was done; I was able to enjoy four years as the
VOTER’S GUIDE
OCTOBER 22, 2010
Crawford County Board of Supervisors Crawford County Fair Director in the early 90s; with my husband I planted three acres of strawberries and ran a successful “Pick-your-own” business for several years. I married the abovementioned husband, Richard Meyer, 31 years ago. I have four step-children, two step-grandchildren, and two step-great grandchildren, all of whom I have until now been secretly quite proud of. In my mid-thirties, in the interest of personal growth, I attended the Buena Vista College Denison branch soon after it came to Denison. In 1989, I received a B.A. from Buena Vista. I am in fact a lifelong learner, selftaught when necessary, and always alert for opportunities to enlarge my circle of knowledge. I am currently taking an online course to become certified as a Medical Coder. I expect to receive my certification within three months. I never regret learning more. I never regret challenging myself. Reason for running (I’m not getting any younger.) I am willing to offer my voice and my perspective to the business of Crawford County government, and I want the opportunity to present my ideas and experiences in problem solving processes. Most important challenge facing Crawford County The challenges of Crawford, the County, are not always direct challenges of the County Government. Any county board of supervisors is seated to provide a specific service. The challenge of any supervisor, like the challenge of an athlete, a farmer, or a nurse, is to do the best she is capable of doing to accomplish the tasks she has been directed to do. On the other hand, the challenges of the County as a whole range widely from those of economics to those of cultural diversity. And I would not choose any one as most important, or even as more important, than any of the others. To the second part of this question, I try to approach challenges in a logical manner. It is important to gather as much factual information as one can in a timely manner. For decisions which impact the public, it is important to make the information accessible to as many people as possible. Then it is im-
portant to discuss options openly and vigorously to find the strengths and weaknesses of the possible actions we have to choose from. This is my generic approach to addressing any challenge. This approach has worked well for me in all of my life decisions. Managing the budget The balance of resources versus wants and needs is always in flux in any dynamic organization. I see the management of this balance for the Crawford County Government enterprise as the primary task of the Supervisors. To do this, it is very important to take a long-range view, to keep reserves on hand if possible, and to take care of primary business first. After we meet the basics, we can look at the enhancements. Which areas of public interest should receive extra resources and attention will vary from year to year and from election cycle to election cycle. Here is an area where providing a clear picture to the public of potential liabilities or shortfalls is crucial. It is the public’s right to know the financial health of the County, and I believe it is part of the Supervisor’s job to make the financial information available and comprehensible to the public at large. Just meeting the letter of the law by publishing a formal financial report in a newspaper may not always be adequate to inform the general public. Increasing the tax base This is a very general question which may be based on some unstated assumptions. To provide a level playing field to the Supervisor candidates, it is necessary to state the assumptions. Before I would answer this question, I would need to be convinced that an induced increase in the tax base is necessary. A slow, steady increase in population numbers, a nurturing environment for small entrepreneurial enterprises, and a naturally livable locale will produce sustained growth and prosperity in the long run. There are downturns and tough times. But those should be considered temporary conditions which would require at most temporary interventions by local government. Maintaining roads I consider this to be one of the best areas in which to exercise cost contain-
ment. There should be and probably is a long-term five to 10-year plan of maintenance and upgrades for all of Crawford County’s roads. A current concern is the rising purchase and shipping costs of road gravel. One expects that gravel could be mined in Crawford County as it was in the past, which would keep the purchasing dollars in Crawford County while at the same time reducing the shipping costs. For road building and materials which need to come from outside of the county, once again planning ahead and keeping the public “in the loop” on plans are essential tasks. When the users and beneficiaries of the roads are brought in to the process, they can often point out efficiencies which officials haven’t seen. To the point of the question, I find that our past Supervisors have generally done a pretty good job in funding our road system, so I would also expect to learn much from my colleagues in this area.
Carla Lally Democrat Background I’m Carla Lally and I’m running for Crawford County Supervisor. I’m a life-long resident of Crawford County and grew up on the family farm south of Denison. I graduated from Denison Community High School and received an AA Degree at WIT in business. I’m married to Terry Lally and we have two grown children, Jeremy Lally and Kari Boyens. My business experiences are: Manager for Frontier Communications, Public Relations Director and Business Development Director for WIPCO, Data Center Office Supervisor for Cropmate / ConAgra, Sales Associate for Neppl Real Estate, County Employee at the Crawford County Treasurers Office, President of CDC. All of these occupations have given me unique perspectives regarding budgeting,
management, and strategic planning. Reason for running As a local homeowner, commercial property owner and landowner, I am concerned about issues that face our county and communities including: property taxes rates, road conditions, and the housing shortage. To insure our prosperity for the future, we need a road map that is based on conservative spending but also encourages growth in our county. Most important challenge facing Crawford County It seems like many issues deal with housing. It’s difficult to recruit businesses to the area when we have a small available workforce and a small inventory of homes to buy or rent. When adequate housing can’t be found that causes a problem for businesses when they need to recruit employees from outside the county. The housing shortage has a direct affect on recruiting new businesses to our area, which in turn affects our tax base. Managing the budget It will certainly be a challenge to keep within the budget and not reduce services if there are more cuts and mandates. This is the time when all county employees need to work together to come up with innovative ideas. For example, a voluntary option to consider, would be to, “Go Green”, by sending tax statements via electronic mail. That would save postage, envelopes, paper, and printing cost expenses. Another option might be to print your tax statement from the County Treasurer’s web page. Other cost saving measures to manage our budget include: monitor and prioritize county road projects, examine all expenditures to keep property taxes within our budgets, examine partnering with other organizations to conserve our tax dollars, use encourage economic development to create a larger tax base benefiting Crawford County.
verge of opportunity, with the wind turbine project, the new Wal-Mart store, business development by the new hospital, potential to renovate the old hospital, and general commercial and residential construction throughout the county. That’s all additional tax base, which will support services in out county. Where will construction workers and additional employees live? The answer is, where ever housing is available? My plan as Supervisor is for it to be in Crawford County.
Maintaining roads First, we need to use quality road material and find the most economical way to get it here. Next, to have a good system of well-maintained roads you need a good maintenance program. Operators that are trained for summer road maintain that know the techniques of winter snow removal work efficiently. This can save gravel from being lost in the ditch. Also, having the right equipment is very important. I understand the county now has a rotation program for keeping the equipment in good working order. It was suggested that having front wheel assist road graders would get roads open faster. Having front wheel assist would decrease the number of times a road grader gets stuck in the snow. The result would allow other road graders and loaders to keep clearing blocked roads instead of traveling to help pull out a stuck road grader. This would save time and money and better serve the citizens of the county.
John P. Lawler Democrat
Increasing the tax base I would like to see the Board of Supervisors become more proactive by creating better working partnerships with our towns, utilities, businesses and economic development groups. There is great potential ahead; Crawford County is on the
Background I am a lifelong resident of Crawford County, raised on a farm north of Westside. I graduated from Wall Lake Community Schools. I lived on the family farm until I was about 30 years old. I farmed with my father. I entered retail sales
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Crawford County Board of Supervisors for a number of years, and then was elected as county supervisor and have been busy with that position since then, along with some sales. Reason for running I like the job. I feel very fortunate when I look at the progress that’s been made in the last years. I was just part of it, but a lot of good people and things in this county are being run very well at the present time, and have been run well for a long time. Everybody on the board and in the courthouse work together well. It seems like it is going along rather well. Most important challenge facing Crawford County I believe that inflation has been a problem for a long time. We deal with it from year to year. It seems to keep increasing during good times and not so good times. We are so used to having so much inflation every year. If it goes down, we have a withdrawal in the economy and a recession. We try to be as efficient as we can. We are on a rotation with the motor graders, trading them off every so many years. They bring a lot of money right in that age of use, about seven years. It seems like a very efficient way to handle that. We redid the heating, cooling and electrical system at the courthouse which had been needed for a long. We’re all happy that this situation has been handled. If we got into winter and lost heat, it would not have been a good situation. Now everything is new and we have planned for many, many years. We also are very fortunate to have the home health services that help so many people after surgery and when they need nursing care at home. They do a great job. Managing the budget We try to be pretty efficient. We like to know how much something is going to cost, how long it will last and how many people will be helped before we take on an expenditure of a lot of money. When the state comes down with mandates, we are caught in the middle; we have to budget for it. The money will either be brought in with insurance or taxes. The taxes have taken a bite lately. We just cannot continue to keep asking the people for more taxes and more taxes because it just isn’t there.
We’ve tried to hold the line on the taxes this past year. For the 2010-2011 budget, we were able to back taxes off some. What creates tax revenue is the fact that people build a new house, machine shed, a hog building or anything in the rural area. That spreads out the taxes and helps everyone out. Increasing the tax base We need to have money circulating and people building new houses, garages, a feeding set-up, machine shed, hog buildings, things that will scatter the tax base and not be a burden. It’s great when you drive through the country and see a new house or new machine shed that will increase the tax base. Maintaining roads We’ve been working on roads program for a long time. I am very proud of the things I’ve seen done – the improvements made on our bridges, culverts, roads. It has been very fruitful. This goes back to two engineers – Dale Wight and Paul Assman and Chuck Ettleman (assistant county engineer). They are very competent, and when something needs to be done, they bring recommendations to the board. When we put taxpayers’ money into something, we like to think this bridge or other improvement will last for 100 years. It is money well invested. Machinery on the rural roads has become very big. For the safety and to move the big combines and farm machinery, it is necessary to make the roads and bridges safer for everybody. We have decreased the number of bridges in the county by enormous number in the past 20 years. They get rebuilt with a very sturdy structure and are made bigger so they don’t have to be replaced as soon, and they are safer. We’ve constructed a new county secondary roads building in Denison and also constructed the culvert storage and salt storage facility. It is a very impressive looking area; we got rid of an eyesore. The sheriff’s department has been doing a very good job with taking care of drug problems and crimes of all nature. I would like to think that we can continue to improve things and when something needs to be repaired or needs to be replaced, we get it accomplished. It looks nicer for our communities and rural
areas to keep everything in shape and keep our machinery in good shape. We’ve been doing that on a steady path. It is working well, and we’re pretty proud of that.
Cecil Blum Republican Background I have lived in Denison for 39 years. My wife (Shawn) works at HyVee. I have two step-children and three grandchildren who live with their parents in Arcadia. I was born and raised on a farm near Kirkman. I graduated form Irwin-Kirkman Schools. I earned a business degree from Iowa Western Community College. I also served in the Iowa National Guard. For the past 39 years I have owned and operated my own business in Denison. Also during this time I have been involved in a family farm operation. Currently I am on my second term as a Denison City Council person. Along with serving on the council, I have been involved with numerous activities and boards. Reason for running My reasons for running for office are I have a strong passion for local government. With my experience in so many backgrounds, I believe I can continue to move Crawford County forward. I have new ideas and the ability to think outside the box. Like many conservatives, I am alarmed by the growth of government on all levels. My long business experience will assist me in making Crawford County more efficient. We have to strive to cut waste and need to look at all discretionary spending. With much of the county spending mandated, the growth of government must be slowed or accept higher and higher property tax statements. Accepting this challenge fits well with my approach to government, my experience, my stability and doing the background work on the issues.
Most important challenge facing Crawford County New funding sources. We need to establish a rainy day fund for property that may come back to the county for non-payment of property taxes. These properties could include, but are not limited to, obsolete hog confinement units, buildings with asbestos, or ground contaminated with fuel or chemicals. These sites could cost the taxpayers of Crawford County to clean up. Another area we need to look at is consolidation of paid services where possible. Although the supervisors play a minor role in crime and drug enforcement, they do provide the resources to the local law agencies. This funding is critical. Managing the budget Through attrition when possible. The elimination of non-essential programs. We need to audit our services to be sure that we are not duplicating services by several departments. As a conservative, maybe we need to turn government back to providing the basics. We have to be progressive and still keep an eye on spending. It sounds silly, but the most effective way to manage the budget is in the spending side of the budget. Increasing the tax base The short answer is, not much. At different groups I have addressed, I have spoken on the ways of increasing the tax base. I am strong on rural residential. This increases our tax base without giving up too much incentives. I have spoken of promoting cottage industries, both farmbased or in our smaller communities. Many industry giants, whose names are readily known, started out in a home garage or a farmer’s workshop. Every city and county is competing for new industry, many of which demand incentives. I believe if we grow what we have locally, we stand a better chance of keeping these jobs, rather than to have them lured away by another community. Maintaining roads By maintaining the road priority system we currently have. I do advocate keeping Level “B” roads up, especially the roads that do not have bridges. Prudent use of embargoes during certain periods is also necessary. If we maintain Level “B” roads
and encourage their use, we may be able to lessen usage on Level “A” roads, especially during harvest, planting, etc. Expanded paving, if funds are available, is a very good longterm solution. We never talk about education in relationship to our roads, but it is critical. Our road management team provides education to service providers who pump and apply waste from hog units. They set standards on the movement of heavy equipment and special equipment.
Jerry Buller Republican Background I was born and raised in Crawford County. I have been a resident of the county all my life. I am coowner with a brother in a Century Farm east of Kiron, which is known as Old Kiron. I went to school in Kiron through the eighth grade and graduated from Denison Community Schools with the class of 1966. I graduated from Iowa Western Community College in 1973. I served from 1968 to 1971 in the U.S. Air Force, serving one year in Viet Nam and two and one-half years in Germany. I am a member of American Legion Post 383 and also the VFW. I am a member of Bethel Lutheran Church in Kiron and served on the Church Council and Property Committee. I served as mayor of Kiron and on the city council for 15 years. I served on the Crawford County Landfill Board and Crawford County E-911 Board. I am president of the Kiron Parks Committee. I have been a member of the Kiron Fire Department for 36 years, serving as the chief for five years and am currently captain and a First Responder. I am a member of the Iowa Firefighters’ and Crawford County Firemen’s Associations; I served as president for one year. I have been a member of the Iowa Chapter of the International Association of Arson Inves-
tigators for 25-plus years. I am married to Ardyth (Ardie) Wiese. We have two grown children and two grandchildren. Our daughter Heidi lives in Phoenix, Arizona. Our son Nicholas and his wife Joanie (Lally) and their children, Isaac and Evann Marie, live in Slater, Iowa. For the last 29 years I have been working as a claims adjustor for the Ida Mutual and Buena Vista Mutual Insurance companies.
Reason for running Since I have many years of experience in local and county government, I want to use the knowledge that I gained to keep Crawford County a good place to work and live.
Most important challenge facing Crawford County Mandates coming down from the federal and state level, we will need to stay ahead of these and keep our budget and resources balanced accordingly.
Managing the budget By not spending more money than they have.
Increasing the tax base They need to work with local governments to increase the housing and local business to increase employment within the county.
Maintaining roads Continue to work with the county engineer and country road department to continue to have a regular schedule or road maintenance and bridge repairs and replacements.
Steve P. Ulmer Republican
Background My name is Steve Ulmer and I have been your supervisor for the past eight years. I live west of Arion with my wife of 30 years, Lisa. We have two grown children, Kelsey of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and Kortney of Omaha, Nebraska. I am a Crawford
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County landowner and a small business owner. I am a graduate of Dow City-Arion High School, class of 1978
Reason for running The reason I am running for re-election is because I care about Crawford County and its residents. I am proud to call Crawford County home, and I strive to make it a better place to live, work, and raise a family.
Most important challenge facing Crawford County One of the challenges facing Crawford County will be unfunded mandates passed down from the state. We will have to take a pro-active approach and make the state aware of the impact that those mandates will have on our county. Another challenge will be economic development. We need to encourage all types of development to strengthen our tax base.
Managing the budget In the past we have faced many financial hurdles including health insurance increases, ag-land rollbacks, reduced state aid and many others. Mark Segebart and I were on the insurance committee when we self-funded our health insurance; that has resulted in a savings to the taxpayer of more than $900 thousand. I take a conservative approach to all of the counties needs. I am always looking at alternatives that will be the best for the taxpayer.
Increasing the tax base I think the board needs to continue to be pro-ac-
tive when it comes to increasing tax base and promoting new development. I believe economic development is the backbone to survival of any county and we need to support all expansions and future development. Maintaining roads Crawford County has been very active on bridge replacement in the past and we need to continue our fast paced approach to keep up with the growing needs of our county. We have implemented the increased use of limestone to meet the needs of heavier traffic and problem areas in the county. We need to continue the upgrading of all our roads to assure safe and accessible roads for all our residents.
Eric Skoog Nominated by Petition Background My Wife Terri and I have three children, Christopher, Andrea and Sarah; Sarah recently married Jamie Saldi. I spent a summer in Crawford County working for Dr. Willroth. I graduated high school at Westside High School in Omaha, Nebraska, and received a B.S.B.A. degree in business management from
Denver University. After a short stint in Kansas City, I chose to live and raise my family in Crawford County. I feel I am well qualified to serve as a supervisor because of my experiences in both business and the public sector service. I have owned and operated Cronk’s Café for 31 years and the Denison Super Wash as the operating partner for 24 years. Throughout this time, I have managed the day-today operations and handled all managerial functions to allow Cronk’s to prosper. This includes managing more than 30 full- and part-time employees, daily customer interaction and business development. Further, I make personnel and financial decisions on a daily basis. I have been involved on the utility boards and associations, both as a board member and past chairman representing the interests of members and rate payers on a local, regional and national level for more than 18 years. The 18 years on the Denison utility board saw a period of lowest rates in Iowa as well as building an infrastructure that will well serve Denison in the future. I have also spent my time on the Denison Fire Department – 12 years, Crawford County Development Corporation – 9 years, Iowa Restaurant Association – 12 years and a past chairman, Denison City Council – 4 years, and the 20/20 board for this community. All of these past experiences will serve me well. The long-term effort of the Project Impact flood committee these past 11 years has been an education in governmental
dealings, and a lesson in developing partnerships necessary to accomplish the levee project. My involvement in the Boy Scouts as a board member and Eagle Scout review chairman for the council and the district. In late spring every year for the last 20-plus years you can find me behind the plate at the Little League field across the street from my house or at the swim meets at the pool as a starter, all helping to develop the next generation of citizens. I feel very confident that all of these experiences readily transfer to the position of County Supervisor. I look forward to representing you and serving the needs of all the citizens of Crawford County. Reason for running I have spent my life in the area of public service. I feel I bring a unique perspective to the office. When my business was hit by the 1993 flood, I saw a sense of community and willingness of people to get involved. I want to do my part in making Crawford County the best place possible to live, work and raise a family. I also feel that serving at a county level of government is one of the greatest ways to serve all the people who have given to me. I will make decisions based on common sense, and to be proactive in problem solving, not reactive. Most important challenge facing Crawford County Addressing the needs of the taxpayers, while providing the services we have become accustomed
to and expect. With the advent of computers and communications products, these innovations have greatly enhanced productivity of operations within the county and its employees in a timely and efficient manner. There are still other efficiencies out there to be implemented. Growing the tax base through increasing new businesses is a way to maintain our current services without raising taxes. As a city council person I took the time to get education with how cities are run by attending classes from the Iowa League of Cities. This sped up my learning curve as to understanding how city government works. I plan to follow through with the county associations in their educational process. The real benefit was building a network with other people in similar positions and learning what has worked for them, and also what does not work. Managing the budget With further mandates from the state put on counties statewide, we need to participate with other counties in the state to address these funding needs of mandates passed down by the state. By forcing these costs on counties, it affects all of us as individuals and small and large businesses. Taxes are a good thing; they provide for the roads we drive on and the services we need as a community and county. But I, like many of you, want to only pay my fair share while watching very closely that these dollars are spent in the best possible way.
Increasing the tax base The use of TIF and other forms of tax abatements are great tools, but if misused or even applied on an unequal basis can be a hindrance to growth. Some of our best community participants are locally owned businesses. I strongly support the Chamber and Development Council of Crawford County in their incubator business program. The windmill farms in the northern part of the county present an opportunity and a shot in the arm to increasing the tax base and enhancing the income of those benefiting from the locations on their farms. Housing needs seem to be the hot button the last few years, but to just throw money at the problem is not an approach that works.
Maintaining roads Crawford County has more than 1,000 miles of secondary roads, 200 of which are paved and 200 are dirt. Because of our physical terrain, a larger portion of bridges are needed that most counties. By continuing to work to increase the installation of culverts where they make sense, with a road department trying to do more with less, it becomes a problem. The county has begun to address the quality of the inputs on our gravel roads, but it will not be an overnight fix. I will work hard to push for these improvements through alternative sources of funding while making sure they are implemented in an equitable manner across the whole county based on needs for people who make a living using these roadways.
Crawford County Treasurer
Make your vote count on
Jeri Vogt Democrat
November 2
Background My name is Jeri Vogt. I am currently the Crawford County Treasurer. It is a position I have been fortunate to hold for the past six
years. I have been a resident of Crawford County all of my life. I was born in Denison and grew up on a farm near Dow City. My parents are Kay Nelson and the late Lyell Nelson. I graduated from the Dow City-Arion High School in 1974, and started working in the Crawford County Treasurer's Office the following week. My husband Rick and I have been married 35 years. Our older daughter, Beth lives in Sioux City with her husband Zach Gaskell. And our younger daughter, Megan, is a sophomore at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake. I am a lifelong member of the Dow City United
Methodist Church where I have been the church treasurer for the past 22 years. My most recent adventure is helping with the Dow House restoration project. In my spare time I like spending time with my family and friends. What is your primary reason for running for re-election? I am seeking re-election as I enjoy my job and wish to continue to serve the citizens of Crawford County. My main goal is to continue to operate my office with efficiency and hold down the office budget. I would like to encourage more people to check out
our Web site, www.iowatreasurers.org. It is a very helpful tool in this day and age. I believe my 36 years of on the job experience is the best reason for the voters to continue to support me in my bid for re-election. I'm honest, fair, and dependable, and I truly care about the county and the people I serve. Most of the voters know me and what I stand for. I appreciate the support they have shown me in the past and promise to continue to serve them to the best of my ability. I would be amiss if I failed to mention, I could not do my job without the help of my staff. They are a great bunch of people to work with.
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Crawford County Recorder
Crawford County Attorney
and Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President and President and Legislative Delegate of the District III Recorders. I am also a voting member of the ESS Board (Electronic Submission Services) of the Iowa County Recorders Association.
University of Iowa; Juris Doctorate from Creighton University (1969). Member of the Crawford County Bar Association, the Iowa State Bar Association and the American Bar Association. Past member of the Board of Governors and Fellow of the Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers. Senior partner of the law firm of Mundt, Franck & Schumacher. Extensive litigation experience. Appointed as County Attorney in 2008. Past member of the Board of Directors of the Donna Reed Foundation. Member and past president of the Denison Rotary Club. Married, five children, two step-children and five
Denise Meeves Democrat Background My name is Denise Meeves. I was born and raised in Crawford County on a farm northwest of Denison. I am married to Bryce Meeves and we have two children, Bradley and Brook, and they are 12 years old. We live on an acreage west of Denison. I am a member of Zion Lutheran Church. I have held the offices of Secretary, Vice President and President of the District III Elected Officials,
Deborah F. Knowles Background One of the first babies born in the “new” Crawford County Memorial Hospital in 1952. Mother of three sons born at CCMH. Life-long Crawford County resident. Educated at Zion Lutheran School, Denison Schools and Midwestern College. Composition manager; Graphic Designer and Marketing, Perfection Learning, Logan, Iowa. Active in the Girl Scouts and volunteer Candy Striper at CCMH and Eventide. Extensive research and involvement in hospital matters in monthly hospital board meetings and public hearings during the past several years. I am seeking to represent pa-
What is your primary reason for running for re-election? I am seeking this office again because I enjoy my job and the challenges that we face day to day. I also enjoy working with all of our customers and trying to help them with what we can. My goals are to be able to have the Iowa Land Records Web site up again with the redacted images attached for all tax payers to be able to use. This is a Web site that is owned by the Recorders Association and contains an index and an image of all documents that are recorded with the Recorders Offices state wide. This is the first Web site of its kind in the nation.
I would like to see more documents recorded electronically, especially the documents that come from other states. They submit a document through the ESubmission Service and can have it recorded and returned to them with in an hour and sometimes less. Another goal is to be able to keep up with all of the ever changing technology and changes that take place continuously. We have the new Hunting and Fishing, ATV and Snowmobile Elsie machine from the Iowa DNR. We will also have some changes coming from the Vital Records office soon with more new technology. I would like the voters to return me to the Recorders office because I take my job very seriously and try to do the best job that I can for them. I enjoy working for them and keeping their records safe. I would like the voters to remember the job that I have done so far for them and will continue to do the best that I can.
Michael R. Mundt Democrat Background I was born and raised in Denison, Crawford County, Iowa. I served in the U.S. Army from 1960-63. Education: graduate of the
grandchildren. Hobbies include chess, tennis and gardening.
What is your primary reason for running for re-election? I am running for re-election to continue to provide protection for Crawford County. As County Attorney, I will continue to ensure prosecution of criminal activity to the fullest extent allowed by the law and will continue to operate my department in a fiscally responsible manner. I have great pride in the work that my office has accomplished since taking office. I look forward to continuing to serve the citizens of Crawford County in this capacity.
Make your vote count on November 2
Crawford County Public Hospital Trustees tients who want a Positive, Progressive Crawford County Memorial Hospital and a trustee who works hard to provide enhanced technology, care and services. What are your primary reasons for running for the hospital board? As a 16 year stage 3 Breast Cancer Survivor, I have developed great respect for the hard work and dedication that goes into patient care and I will use hospital funds to improve on what we now have. As a hospital trustee, I will emphasize the needs of patients. This includes bringing them the best treatment that we can within our means. I was raised in Crawford County by my parents Lavern and Evelyn Peter and am a lifelong resident. I have been a patient of CCMH many times since it opened in 1952, a patient of Family Medicine since it opened, an inpatient for the births of my three children, an appendectomy, a swing bed patient and have used our outpatient providers and had lab tests hundreds of times for my cancer treatments over the years. I want Crawford County citizens to have the best care and the latest technologies.
I am concerned about the future of our hospital. Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security are now faced with great challenges. All three are woefully under funded. I have studied how hospitals in many communities have responded creatively and responsibly to the serious financial problems facing them presently and in anticipation of predicted Medicare and Medicaid cuts. My goal is to work with like-thinking board members to restore public trust and to offer new services such as kidney dialysis, on-site MRI and investigate increased cardiology capabilities. I will work to make the changes necessary to improve the image of our hospital by insisting on board and administration transparency and by implementing such measures as restoring the public’s right to speak at monthly board meetings. I want employees and patients to feel they can communicate their concerns freely with me. I will listen and I will take your concerns to the other members of the board. Our hospital is profitable without tax increase revenues. Money should not be taken from the people to build reserves. The hospital by law cannot use tax
money to pay for a new building since four of seven present board members denied citizens a vote on a new building. The hospital’s auditor said just a few months before the tax increase that no increase in taxation should be needed for five years. Yet four of seven board members voted for a 48.95% tax increase this fiscal year. I believe some board members will ask for more tax increases next year and following years. Many citizens have told me the tax increases are a hardship. Someone needs to look out for them. I have the courage and resolve to seek a tax reduction. What do you feel is the single largest challenge facing the hospital and how would you address it? The biggest challenge our hospital faces is restoring the public’s trust so patients and their families will want to utilize our hospital for elective procedures, treatments and therapies now and in the future. Transparency on the part of the board and administrator has been lacking. Our administration and certain board members have worked behind the scenes and kept the community in the dark on many occasions when
the community should have been involved. Before the board asks for the tax dollars from the community it should seek community support. Major issues such as new construction should be put to a vote. Citizens should be welcome to speak openly in public forum at monthly board meetings. If CCMH is going to continue to grow and prosper in a positive direction citizen involvement should be welcomed so residents will feel they have an ownership stake in the hospital. We do not have a 10 million dollar challenge donation from benefactor Bob Van Diest as Hamilton County Hospital in Webster City had. Citizens there met the challenge by raising an additional $10 million to provide a solid foundation upon which to build. Here the plan was to rely on maximizing Medicare money. There was a promise of no new taxes. It didn’t quite work out that way. Now we must make the best of it. Other hospitals in a close proximity to CCMH have public support. I plan to do my best to regain the confidence of patients and their families in our community hospital. How do you feel CCMH can attract more pa-
tients? We should be able to attract more patients by being more responsive and user friendly to the needs and requests of the patients and their families. CCMH needs to review and improve the doctor/patient relationship. I can call and speak on the phone to my oncologist, radiologist and ophthalmologist at UNMC and the Mayo Clinic. Many of them have given me their home phone numbers so I can reach them after hours in the event of an emergency. Why is that not the case here? Hospitals all around us in similar communities offer innovative approaches to health care. I don’t believe our present management has given adequate consideration to imaginative ways of building revenue at the hospital. They seem to be more concerned with being Crawford County’s great land development agency and are looking past ways to improve health care and services. For example, Myrtue Memorial Hospital in Harlan publishes a daily cafeteria menu on their Web site for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You can eat a nutritious meal there one, two or three times daily whether you are there to visit a patient, have a doctor’s appoint-
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Crawford County Public Hospital Trustees
ment, lab tests, physical therapy or simply want to join your friends for a pleasant dining experience. Healthy nutrition and a feeling of community for persons that for whatever reason have found themselves alone can find a reason to stay healthy longer if they feel they have something to look forward to. Exercise and balance programs for healing injured patients and the elderly can be done in exercise classes or on a one on one basis. Just being involved and getting exercise no matter what our age is important to staying healthy.
What equipment and services do you believe CCMH should add? Crawford County Memorial Hospital should acquire its own on-site MRI so we can provide state-ofthe-art imaging 24/7. We should investigate offering wellness programs, health risk assessments, tobacco cessation, weight management, nutritional training, stress management and biometric screening. We also should consider offering disease management and programs related to diabetes, cardiac, asthma and cancer. We recently added a second full time surgeon. If we expand our cardiology capabilities we may be able to perform additional procedures that presently require sending patients to Omaha or elsewhere. If you need such treatment, wouldn’t it be nice to hear more often, “you need to have this done and we can do it here”? In addition, we should provide dialysis services, chemotherapy and additional physical therapy options. Not only could these added services provide greater care right here at home, they will increase business and build revenues for the hospital.
What should be done with the old hospital? Our present hospital is ideally located next to Eventide Home, Eventide Apartments, Realife Cooperative Independent Hous-
ing and the new Silveridge Assisted Living campus. The present hospital is also just a short drive from Reed House and Denison Care Center. It’s only a block or two from the 20th Street Elementary and Broadway Elementary schools as well as Children’s Imagination Station Child Development and Head Start Centers. Our present hospital is centrally located within a few blocks of the downtown business district and hundreds of residences. I would like to see a portion of our present building utilized as a health care facility to provide medical services to those who would like the convenience of a nearby clinic or wellness facility within walking distance of their homes for non-emergency or outpatient treatment. I have many other imaginative ideas to utilize our present facility. I am anxious to share these with you in the future. What will you bring to the table pertaining to the new hospital? I have attended more than 40 board meetings during the past several years as well as several public hearings. I have reviewed every month’s board packet since 2005 in order to familiarize and educate myself on the operations, statistics and financials of our hospital. In addition I have visited and toured numerous other health care facilities, communicated with the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services in Kansas City and Washington, D.C., the Iowa Department of Health and other agencies which deal with health care matters locally, regionally and nationally. I will use the information and knowledge I have acquired to guide our hospital forward. One candidate’s advertising says the future of our health care could be positive or negative depending on your vote implying I may bring negativity to the board. Nothing could be further from the truth. After carefully considering all the issues surrounding
the building project I concluded remodeling our present ideally located hospital for far less money was the wisest thing to do. The more I discovered in my research, visits to other hospitals, talking with hospital administrators and talking to fellow Crawford County citizens, the more convinced I was that my views were correct. So I opposed building new. When four board members sought a 48.95 percent tax increase to build reserves required to finance the new building, they blamed escalating bad debt writeoffs and charity care. It’s true they’ve skyrocketed…bad debt write-offs have grown from approximately $40,000 to $60,000 monthly two or three years ago to approximately $100,000 now. August’s bad debt writeoffs were $200,000. When the board voted 4-3 to increase taxes in January, Nepper said, “he didn’t see it coming.” Three board members, Tom Eller, Virgie Deiber-Henningsen and Carol Swanson, had repeatedly warned that such losses were coming. I will work with Tom, Virgie and Carol to help guide the hospital forward through the challenging times that lie ahead. What effect do you think the federal health care reform act will have on CCMH? Major Medicare cuts to reimburse hospitals were predicted by three trustees in board discussions on whether to build a new building. Medicare now is going to cut $500 billion in reimbursements over 10 years. So far, Critical Access Hospitals are safe, but only for sure until the middle of 2011. Additionally no one knew what National Healthcare might mean for CCMH's borrowing heavily to build a new hospital building. These warnings were carefully discussed by three members of the Board but LaVerne Ambrose, Allen Nepper, Marla Raasch and Vanessa Zimmer voted to take on the major debt. Now private medical insurance is
jeopardized by National Healthcare. Will CCMH be endangered if the private medical insurance system melts down like Medicare might? If both Medicare problems and private insurer problems occur at the same time - which appears virtually certain - the future of CCMH may be at risk. Did Ambrose and three others vote responsibly in ignoring the serious warnings made at Board meetings concerning the hospital's ability to repay the loan for the new facility? Time will tell.
Daniel Dloughy Background I grew up on a dairy farm in northeastern Iowa. Later on, while still maintaining my duties on the farm, I worked with my mother, who operated a small, family restaurant. I attended a Christian college in Dubuque, Iowa. After my four years were finished, I married my wife, Kathryn in the fall of 2002. Later, in 2004 we relocated to Des Moines, Iowa, where I began attending Drake University Law School. There, our family grew. Since passing the bar, I have been working with Brink & Sextro, P.C. as an Associate Attorney for the last three years. Currently, my family of four live in the Kiron area, where we hope to continue to get know our community and make our little place of the world a better one. What are your primary reasons for running for the hospital board? First: I believe the people
of Crawford County have been hit hard enough by increased property taxes. However, as it turns out we will see an increase of upwards to 50 percent to finance the operation of the hospital. Clearly, there is an issue of fiscal irresponsibility and lack of foresight on the current Board. Second: I believe there needs to be more transparency by the board with the public. The people of Crawford County deserve to be better informed as to the decisions being made and any ramifications for those decisions. But above that, they need to be allowed to be more involved during the discussion of matters relating to the Hospital. Third: local companies, should at the very least, be informed of and be given an opportunity to bid on various construction or maintenance projects, without being passed over for outside contractors. Let’s keep the money local. I believe that this would engender further community favor for the new hospital, despite any prior feelings of frustration or disgust. What do you feel is the single largest challenge facing the hospital and how would you address it? The biggest obstacle that the new hospital faces is remaining economically viable in these rough economic times. The cost of the building has not been fully financed and salaries are above and beyond what other neighboring counties could possibly offer. We have a new building that will be nothing more than a referral clinic. We need to cut costs, take a serious look at all new hires and possibly renegotiate salary expectations and we need to have at the least, a 10 year plan for our hospital to remain viable. How do you feel CCMH can attract more patients? Taking our budget into consideration, I believe we need to look at ways to
make our hospital more accessible in every season and look into getting equipment that would draw in people from other counties. What equipment and services do you believe CCMH should add? If possible, I would like to see our hospital to be equipped for taking MRIs and dialysis on-site.
What should be done with the old hospital? This is something the current Board should have dealt with prior to making A the decision to go ahead with the new building. You don’t buy a brand new car without planning how to w unload the other one, especially if you can barely y make the payments on the older one. In any event, I would look to see if the school or Eventide - which are next door - would be interested, or if any church is looking to expand. With W a little bit of work, the building could accommodate any such need. It would be a shame to simply tear down the structurally sound building. w What will you bring to the table pertaining to W the new hospital? As a practicing attorney, I will work hard and I will use the skills that I have learned to ensure that all voices will be given an opportunity to be hear - by re-instituting a public forum - and that the best plan for our hospital and our community is implemented but only after every facet is objectively explored. What effect do you think the federal health care reform act will have on CCMH? It is still too early to speculate how the new federal health care reform act will affect our hospital but one thing is certain: Medicare/Medicaid will not always be around to help supplement county hospitals such as ours. In any event we need to find ways to ensure that our hospital can be self-sustaining.
Make your vote count on November 2
OCTOBER 22, 2010
VOTER’S GUIDE
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Crawford County Public Hospital Trustees be successful without community support. We need to deal with this on every issue.
LaVerne Ambrose
Background Born in Southern Iowa, served four years in U.S. Army, two years national Guard, 17 years in American Legion, lived in Crawford County 25 years, worked at Crawford County Memorial Hospital 10 years. Married, two grown boys. Currently work for the city of Denison. Have served the last six years on the hospital board.
What are your primary reasons for running for the hospital board? I would like to see the hospital finished and opened, to see the new services we have in the works. What do you feel is the single largest challenge facing the hospital and how would you address it? The largest challenge at the hospital is acting as one. The hospital can not
How do you feel CCMH can attract more patients? We see more than 100 people a day and I think it will be much higher after the new hospital is built and opened. We are going to attempt to add more outpatient clinics.
over to a Critical Access Hospital, most of the bill deals with fee-for-service hospitals, but we should stay on top of what is headed our way.
What equipment and services do you believe CCMH should add? I believe that a MRI will be added ASAP. What should be done with the old hospital? We are speaking to an Iowa company that has some interest in the old hospital and should be back with CCMH in the near future to let us know if they are for sure. What will you bring to the table pertaining to the new hospital? I am an independent thinker and try to look at all sides, thinking of how the people we serve are affected before deciding. What effect do you think the federal health care reform act will have on CCMH? I don't feel the federal health care reform will affect CCMH that much. A couple of years ago when the management changed
Larry Struck Background I was born and raised in a small town in northeastern South Dakota, the second youngest of 10 children. I received a Bachelor of Science degree from Dakota State University, Madison, South Dakota, and a Master of Arts from University of Nebraska at Omaha in school administration. Kathy and I moved to Iowa in 1978. We have been married for 37 years. We have one daughter Libbie who is married to Derek Schillerberg and three grandchildren, all residents of Crawford County. Career: 32 years in public education – 22 as Chief Financial Officer for Denison Community School 7 years as a sales rep-
resentative selling educational products in 30 counties in western Iowa Retired June 2008 Currently adjunct professor for Western Iowa Tech teaching Introduction to Computers – Microsoft Office 2007 Affiliations: 20 year member of Denison Kiwanis. I have served president, secretary, treasurer and board member. I was Lt. Governor for Division 12 of the Ne-Ia District. Member of Denison First United Methodist Church. Currently serving as treasurer. Past board member of Denison Municipal Utilities. Past board member of Crawford County Childhood Center. Past board member of Northside Recreation Board. Past Cub Scout Cubmaster while I lived in Luverne, Minnesota. Past EMT1 First Responder while I lived in Dunlap. What are your primary reasons for running for the hospital board? I was encouraged to seek this position by a large base of Crawford County residents. I believe in public service and my experience dealing with large budgets, accounting knowledge, and public involvement provides me the skills needed to be an effective representative. I believe in the peo-
ple of Crawford County and I see this as a means to improve the quality of life for our citizens. I believe I am the best candidate for this position because I understand the role of a governing board. I have 22 years experience of managing a multi-million dollar budget of a public school. I understand financial statements. My health care needs are taken care of right here in Crawford County. What do you feel is the single largest challenge facing the hospital and how would you address it? Now that the new hospital is nearing completion, maintaining and attracting high quality staff and care givers should be at the top of the list. Along with that is attracting new patients. How do you feel CCMH can attract more patients? I think the new state of the art facility will be a factor in residents decision about where they will want to receive their health care. The quality of care our patients receive and the convenience of local service need to be emphasized to our residents. What equipment and services do you believe CCMH should add? I believe we need to provide services and equipment our public requires while being able to provide
those services at a cost that will be competitive and still not lose money.
What should be done with the old hospital? The best scenario would be for a private party to purchase it, which could mean additional jobs for Crawford County and it also would increase the property tax base for the county.
What will you bring to the table pertaining to the new hospital? I would ask the voters to remember that I have experience in dealing with public affairs and that I have no axe to grind so that I will be able to look at the issues facing this board and make the best decision for the residents of Crawford County. I am a fiscal conservative and intend to look at our tax asking very carefully and weigh that against health care needs of our residents.
What effect do you think the federal health care reform act will have on CCMH? The intent of that law was to provide health care to a larger segment of our population. I doubt that will be the result but if it does, that would mean fewer bad debts which in turn would help reduce the tax asking for CCMH. The impact on Medicare is yet to be determined but senior health care in the United States is too big an issue to allow Medicare – Medicaid to fail.
Look for Extension Council candidates on the November 2 ballot Voters will have the opportunity to elect five members of the Crawford County Extension Council at the November 2, 2010, general election, says Coletta Weeda, Crawford County Extension point of contact. “The council members elected this year will have exciting opportunities to determine the work that Extension will do in Crawford County for the next four years,” Weeda said. Extension programming is a cooperative effort involving local citizens, Iowa State University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Extension council members are elected at large, and all voters in the county are eligible to vote for five candidates. Candidates on this year’s ballot include: Shirleen Jepsen, Charter Oak James A. Miller, Vail Juli Nelson, Denison Sioux Parr, Charter Oak Doyle Slavik, Schleswig Alan J. Weiss, Schleswig Council members whose terms expire
this year are Shirleen Jepsen, Charter Oak; James A. Miller, Vail; Juli Nelson, Denison; Mike Pardun, Denison, and Doyle Slavik, Schleswig. Carryover council members whose terms continue through the end of 2012 are Debra Garrett, Dow City Jennifer Griffin, Denison Greg Gronau, Vail Deborah McKeown, Denison Successful candidates in the November 2, 2010, election will take office in January 2011. Extension council members make policy, programming and budget decisions for the Crawford County Extension Service. The Cooperative Extension System nationwide provides informal education opportunities on a variety of topics. For more information, contact the Crawford County Extension office at 712-236-4697. ISU Extension has 100 field offices, providing local access to extension programs in all 99 counties.
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VOTER’S GUIDE
OCTOBER 22, 2010
Retention of judges on the ballot A ballot issue facing voters is the retention of the following judges. Supreme Court: Marsha Ternus, David Baker and Michael J. Streit Court of Appeals: Amanda Potterfield, Gayle Vogel, David R. Danilson, Rick Doyle and Ed Mansfield District Court 3B: John D. Ackerman, Steven Andreasen and Jeffrey A. Neary Associate Juvenile Judge 3B: Brian L. Michaelson
Election advisories About absentee ballots Absentee ballots for the November 2 General Election are available at the Crawford County Auditor’s Office. Absentee ballots may be cast in person at the Auditor’s Office on the second floor of the Crawford County Courthouse during office hours, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, through November 1. Absentee ballots must be requested in writing. Forms are available at the Auditor’s Office and on the Secretary of State’s Web site at www.sos.state.ia.us. Return ballots must be postmarked by midnight, November 1. Requests for a ballot to be mailed must be received by the Auditor’s Office by 5 p.m. on Friday, October 29.
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Same-day voter registration New voters planning to register at the polls on Election Day will be required to show proof of residence and proof of identity. Proof of residency can be accomplished with: a residential lease property tax statement utility bill (including cell phone bill) bank statement paycheck government issued check other government document Acceptable proofs of identity must contain a photo and include: an Iowa driver’s license out-of-state driver’s license Iowa non-operator ID U.S. passport U.S. military ID ID issued by an employer Iowa student ID All forms of photo ID must be current, valid and contain an expiration date. Voting hours, locations on Election Day Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, November 2. Following are the precincts, polling places and polling place addresses: Arion - City Hall, Arion Aspinwall - Community Building, 207 2nd Avenue, Aspinwall Buck Grove - City Hall, 140 North Main, Buck Grove Charter Oak - City Hall-Library, 461 Railroad Street, Charter Oak Deloit - Community Hall, 320 Maple Street, Deloit Denison 1st Ward - Community Room, 109 North Main, Denison Denison 2nd Ward/Denison Township - Law Enforcement Center Meeting Room, 1119 1st Avenue North, Denison Denison 3rd Ward - Our Savior Lutheran Church, 500 North 24th Street, Denison Dow City - City Hall, 117 North Franklin Street, Dow City Kiron - Fire Station Meeting Room, 101 South Grove Street, Kiron Manilla - City Hall, 443 Main Street, Manilla Ricketts - City Hall, Maple Street, Ricketts Schleswig - Fire Station, 206 Date, Schleswig Vail - Community Center, 309 Main Street, Vail Westside, Community Building, Main Street, Westside For further information, contact the Crawford County Auditor’s Office at 712-263-3045, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
OCTOBER 22, 2010
VOTER’S GUIDE
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Iowa’s Land & Legacy trust fund on November 2 ballot Goal of constitutional amendment to improve water quality, natural areas by Gordon Wolf The goal of a constitutional amendment on the November 2 General Election ballot in Iowa is to create a trust fund to protect and enhance water quality and natural areas throughout Iowa, including parks, trails and fish and wildlife habitat, as well as to conserve Iowa’s agricultural soils. The Iowa Water & Land Legacy constitutional amendment is Question #1 on the ballot. The constitutional amendment only needs a simple majority in order to pass. However, a strong affirmative vote will send a message to the Iowa Capitol that Iowans want money put into the trust fund, said Mark Langgin, campaign manager for Iowa’s Water & Land Legacy. “The trust fund would be an ongoing fund,” he explained. “It is up to the Iowa Legislature to determine how much would go into the trust fund.” Langgin is traveling to 65 cities to educate people about the Iowa Water & Land Legacy constitutional amendment. When visiting in Crawford County, he was joined by KR Buck from the Crawford County Chapter of Pheasants Forever. Soil sediment is the number one impediment to water quality and bacteria is the number two problem, Langgin stated. He added that that Iowa is 49th out of 50 states in public access for hunting and fishing. “This (trust fund) can significantly reduce those types of impacts on our waterways,” he commented. A plan for the trust fund is to have voluntary conservation incentives for farmers to invest in meas-
On the November 2nd Ballot Following are the questions on the ballot in the language used.
Public Measures
Notice to voters: To vote to approve any question on this ballot, fill in the oval in front of the word “Yes”. To vote against a question, fill in the oval in front of the word “No”.
1
Shall the following amendment to the Constitution be adopted?
ures to reduce soil erosion and to reduce run-off. Buck commented that water quality goes along with conservation. “Many of the practices that would be promoted through this program (Iowa’s Water and Land Legacy Amendment) would also promote the well-being of all game birds and would promote recreational opportunities,” he stated. Buck said that the local Pheasants Forever chapter could use its funds in conjunction with the Iowa Water & Land Legacy trust fund to develop more projects and make available more public access acres in the county. Each conservation dollar spent in a county generates six dollars to the local economy, both in public funding and private dollars, Langgin and Buck pointed out. Both also said investing in outdoor activities is one of the top ways to keep young people in the state. “We don’t want our two exports to be our kids and our soil down the river,” Langgin stated. “We need to create outdoor opportunities for our children and grandchildren and maintain clean water.” Buck and Langgin also spoke about drawing from programs used in other
states to incentivize farmers to provide public access. “The Pheasants Forever chapter’s main concern is to get more property available for everyone to use for the outdoor-related hobbies with which they are involved,” Buck stated. “The more properties that are available, the more we can enjoy them.” He continued that by using incentive programs, such as those through which farmers receive money for allowing public use of a portion of their land, acres for outdoor recreation would increase quicker than the purchase of property by organizations such as Pheasants Forever. Those with questions concerning the Iowa Water & Land Legacy amendment are invited to e-mail the local Pheasants Forever chapter at crawfordcountypf@yahoo.com. Buck said chapter members will make sure someone responds with an answer. People may also log onto Iowa’s Water & Land Legacy Web site at www.yesiowa.org for more information. Constitutional amendments Mark Langgin, campaign manager for the
Iowa Water & Land Legacy amendment, detailed the process that put the constitutional amendment on the November 2 ballot. In 2006 Governor Vilsack developed a sustainable funding advisory committee consisting of an equal number of Democrats and Republicans plus representatives from such organizations at Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited, the Nature Conservancy and soybean growers. The consensus of that group was to create a natural resources and outdoor recreation trust fund. Langgin said the measure received overwhelming bipartisan support in the last two Iowa General Assemblies and is now on the ballot. To be placed on the ballot, a constitutional amendment must be approved by simple majorities in both the Iowa House and Senate in two consecutive general assemblies. A general assembly lasts for two years. Langgin stated that about two-thirds of the money that is put into the trust fund is to be used for water quality. None of the trust fund dollars may be used for regulatory practices. “Iowa has more than 500 impaired bodies of water – at least one in each
Summary: Adopts Iowa’s Water and Land Legacy Amendment which creates a dedicated trust fund for the purposes of protecting and enhancing water quality and natural areas in the State including parks, trails, and fish and wildlife habitat, and conserving agricultural soils in this State. Full Text: Article VII of the Constitution of the State of Iowa is amended by adding the following new section: NATURAL RESOURCES. SEC. 10. A natural resources and outdoor recreation trust fund is created within the treasury for the purposes of protecting and enhancing water quality and natural areas in this State including parks, trails, and fish and wildlife habitat, and conserving agricultural soils in this State. Moneys in the fund shall be exclusively appropriated by law for these purposes. The general assembly shall provide by law for the implementation of this section, including by providing for the administration of the fund and at least annual audits of the fund. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the fund shall be annually credited with an amount equal to the amount generated by a sales tax rate of three-eighths of one percent as may be imposed upon the retail sales price of tangible personal property and the furnishing of enumerated services sold in this State. No revenue shall be credited to the fund until the tax rate for the sales tax imposed upon the retail sales price of tangible personal property and the furnishing of enumerated services sold in this State in effect on the effective date of this section is increased. After such an increased tax rate becomes effective, an amount equal to the amount generated by the increase in the tax rate shall be annually credited to the fund, not to exceed an amount equal to the amount generated by a tax rate of threeeighths of one percent imposed upon the retail sales price of tangible personal property and the furnishing of enumerated services sold in this State.
2
Shall there be a convention to revise the Constitution, and propose amendment or amendments to same?
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VOTER’S GUIDE
CRAWFORD COUNTY
REPUBLICANS ✓
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TERRY E.BRANSTAD/KIM REYNOLDS Iowa Governor/Lt. Governor
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State Auditor
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BRENNA FINDLEY
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Taking Back America
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DAVID A. VAUDT
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OCTOBER 22, 2010
Attorney General
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CECIL BLUM County Board of Supervisors
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Vote for
DAVID D. JAMISON
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Treasurer
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DANIEL D. DIRKX
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State Representative District 51
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JERRY BULLER County Board of Supervisors
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MATT SCHULTZ Iowa Secretary of State
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BILL NORTHEY Secretary of Agriculture
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Vote for
JASON SCHULTZ State Representative District 55
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STEVE P. ULMER County Board of Supervisors
Early Voting Available at Vote Republican County Auditor’s Office on Nov. 2nd For a Ride to the Polls, Call 712-269-2250 The Turnover Tuesday that counts is November 2nd It’s time to turn our nation back to sound fiscal principles
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