Can a politician be more obvious in his efforts to further his own political career than Alderman Roland Caldwell during last Wednesday's City Council Meeting? The platitudes were flowing like syrup on pancakes from most of the aldermen, but especially from Caldwell, who is seeking the Alderman-at-Large seat in next month's special election.
During last week's council cycle, Davenport Adlermen Wayne Hean and Roland Caldwell introduced amendments to the city's two ordinances that govern business licensing and zoning for adult entertainment. According to Alderman Hean, "The motivation behind these amendments has been to eradicate the ancillary criminal activities that tend to proliferate in neighborhoods where adult entertainment businesses are located, such as drug dealing and prostitution.
I was surprised to see your blanket praise of an ill-conceived and short-sighted attempt by the Iowa legislature to provide some energy assistance to Iowa residents. (See "Register Your Protest Against High Energy Costs," River Cities' Reader, Issue 309, February 7-13, 2001.

Court TV

"Oyez, oyez, oyez. All persons having business here, give your name to that guy in the khaki pants. The rest of you, rise and shine. This court is now in session, Judge Kenesaw Mountain John Landis presiding. First case: Stacey Stillman v.
Over the last few weeks there have been numerous comments, articles, phone calls, and interviews regarding the dress code and actions of O'Malley's in The District of Rock Island. (See "Fashion Police on the Beat in QC Clubs," River Cities' Reader, January 3, 2001; and "Dress Codes Discriminate," River Cities' Reader, January 17, 2001.
I find it very disturbing to listen to the Salvation Army when they beg for more money, saying how they are down $24,000 from last year. It seems they have forgotten the thousands of people here in the Quad Cities area who have always supported their needs.
It didn't even take a week for the public's worst fears to be realized regarding the recent censorship of Davenport's "Public with Business" portion of council meetings. At last week's Community Development meeting, chaired by Alderman Bill Sherwood, the cameras were turned off during the "Public with Business" segment as promised, whereupon Alderman Sherwood proceeded to ignore citizen Niky Bowles during her allotted five-minute presentation by taking a call on his cell phone.
A $25 million class-action civil-rights lawsuit filed by three African Americans against the City of Rock Island faces an uphill battle in court, according to people familiar with similar challenges. On January 18, three men filed a class-action lawsuit seeking $25 million in damages and asking the federal district court to overturn a Rock Island city ordinance forbidding drivers from playing their car stereos loudly.
"Hello again everyone, and welcome to another edition of Blowhard Roundtable, the in-your-face cable news talkfest where the participants aren't afraid to make waves, take on the tough issues, and say inane things on national television.
I would like to set the record straight on the recent controversy surrounding the Davenport City Council's decision not to televise the "Public with Business" portion of our meetings. There was never any desire or attempt to "censor" the voice of the people.

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