A while back I attended a Committee of the Whole meeting. I had a very small sign stating, "Free Voice and Choice," which was given to all Americans because of our veterans. The sign was placed on a chair next to me; it was never raised.
During the past year, literally hundreds of Iowans have told me they want to support the cultural environment in Iowa. More than 200 of you did just that when we marched to the Capitol on February 22 in support of Cultural Advocacy day.
On Monday, March 19, 2001, Davenport aldermen received a memo that stated, "After three years of negotiation and attempting to reach an agreement to renovate John O'Donnell Stadium and to make Minor A baseball successful in Davenport, the City of Davenport and the Quad City River Bandits have agreed that it is in the best interest of both parties to move ahead and go in separate directions.
It's unfortunate that the River Cities' Reader characterized its recent cover story "Does Davenport Hog Its Block-Grant Funding?" (see Issue 311. February 21-27, 2001) as another us-against-them article. This kind of reporting tends to minimalize the positive impact that the City of Davenport and local nonprofits have in addressing the needs of our low- and moderate-income residents.
I am concerned about the manner in which the recent dismissal of a 22-year Davenport city employee took place. It appears that the council has sacrificed Mike Meloy, City Attorney, at the expense of unknown political agendas.
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.
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.
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.
First I would like to thank the River Cities' Reader for confirming what so many members of the minority community suspected for some time. Your article "Fashion Police on the Beat in QC Clubs," published in the January 3-9 edition (Issue 304), bears witness to the fact that the dress codes that are displayed in the windows and walls of these nightclubs eerily resemble signs posted 40 years ago: No Coloreds Allowed.
While I find it possible to argue with the great majority of ideas expressed in "Words from the Editor," there is a striking exception. "Words from the Editor" couldn't be more accurate when it advocates pay increases for the Davenport mayor and council.

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