Notice: The opinions posted on this site are slip opinions only. Under the Rules of Appellate Procedure a party has a limited number of days to request a rehearing after the filing of an opinion. Also, all slip opinions are subject to modification or correction by the court. Therefore, opinions on this site are not to be considered the final decisions of the court. The official published opinions of the Iowa Supreme Court are those published in the North Western Reporter published by West Group.

Opinions released before April 2006 and available in the archives are posted in Word format. Opinions released after April 2006 are posted to the website in PDF (Portable Document Format).   Note: To open a PDF you must have the free Acrobat Reader installed. PDF format preserves the original appearance of a document without requiring you to possess the software that created that document. For more information about PDF read: Using the Adobe Reader.

For your convenience, the Judicial Branch offers a free e-mail notification service for Supreme Court opinions, Court of Appeals opinions, press releases and orders. To subscribe, click here.

NOTE: Copies of these opinions may be obtained from the Clerk of the Supreme Court, Judicial Branch Building, 1111 East Court Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50319, for a fee of fifty cents per page.

No. 12-1817

ST. MALACHY ROMAN CATHOLIC CONGREGATION OF GENESEO, ILLINOIS; STEVE BRISTOL; CONNI BRISTOL; and KEWANEE AREA UNITED WAY vs. DONNA K. INGRAM, as Executor of the ESTATE OF JAMES INGRAM, and ROBERT W. BAIRD & CO., INC.

Friday 12/27/2013

Mercury Brothers

9:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.

FREE Admission

The Mercury Brothers are cast from that exact mold of solid gold heart and pure soul blues music. From their slick classic James Dean look to their ripping tones and heavy grooves, The Mercury Brothers are an act you will not soon forget.

 

Saturday 12/28/2013

Mark Avey Band

9:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.

FREE Admission

Ron La Puma on Lead Guitar/Vocals, Mark Avey on Rhythm Guitar, Bitz on Bass Guitar, Bryan West playing Drums, this band formed in the summer of 2013 as each member was pursuing a common musical interest in a harder blues/rock style. With originals and covers in the style of Gary Moore, Canned Heat, Grand Funk, Jeff Beck, Hendrix, and so on ...their music is a guitar based style and work on the new CD has already began. So if you enjoy your blues kind of on the rock side, with a dash of British flavor, catch them at The Muddy Waters on the 28th of December.

 

Sunday 12/29/2013

Lojo Russo

6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.

FREE Admission

Lojo Russo is described as a songwriter with a lot of lyrical power, a guitarist with powerful playing and a singer with one heck of a voice who performs with the energy and rocking empowerment of Ani DiFranco, the graceful folksiness of the Indigo Girls and the gritty blues of Susan Tedeschi". Russo has been making music along the Big Muddy since her days living in Twin Cities playing in jam bands, Celtic groups, freestyle funk folk and now in the Quad Cities as a solo touring artist. Like the river she moves from sweet folk to roots rock without missing a beat powerfully...effortlessly.

 

Monday 12/30/2013

ABC Karaoke

9:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m.

Fall in love with Monday's!!! FREE pool games starting at 12:00 p.m. and Karaoke starting at 9:00 p.m. All at The Muddy Waters! See ya there!

 

Tuesday 12/31/2013

New Year's Eve with the Candymakers

9:30 p.m.-1:00 a.m.

FREE Admission
The Candymakers will be the band to see to bring in the New Year at The Muddy Waters! Winner of the 2011 Iowa Blues Challenge, the Candymakers will whet your palate with a tasty mix of Funk, Soul and Blues tunes that will have you up on your feet for the New Year! Although emulating the many talents of artists such as Ben Harper, Aretha Franklin & B.B. King, this band still produces an original sound that keeps fans craving more. Champaign toast, complimentary food, and party favors...come and celebrate with us! AND NO COVER CHARGE!

 

Thursday 01/02/2014

Jam Sessions with John O'Meara and Friends

9:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.

FREE Admission

jam sessions n. An informal gathering of musicians to play improvised or unrehearsed music. The Muddy Waters Jam Sessions are hosted by John O'Meara and occurs every Thursday starting at 9:00 p.m.

 

Friday 01/03/2014

Kent Burnside Band

9:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.

FREE Admission

Kent Johnson Burnside should not be missed by any Blues fan - he brings a new generation of blues to the world. His family name defines the unique Hill Country Blues sound created by his legendary grandfather, the late R.L. Burnside. However, Kent stands alone and on his own with the next generation to listen and enjoy. Kent is taking juke joint music to a whole new level.

 

Saturday 01/04/2014

Blackstones

9:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.

FREE Admission

The Blackstones combine a group of well-rounded, talent that can play anything from The Rolling Stones and the Black Crows to The Yardbirds and The Who. Don Gustofson - bass and vocals; Steve Judge - guitar and vocals; Tami Seitz - vocals; Eric Pobanz - drums; and the Joe Brown - guitar and vocals.

 

Sunday 01/05/2014

"Detroit" Larry Davison and Chris Avey

6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

FREE Admission

A combination of two seasoned Quad Cities blues musicians - mixing a little piece of Cajun vocals, sultry harmonica, and mind blowing stripped down blues. A night of the music you love with the musicians we love playing it.

 

Monday 01/06/2014

ABC Karaoke

9:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m.

Yeah for Monday's!!! Time for FREE pool games starting at 12:00 p.m. and Karaoke starting at 9:00 p.m. All at The Muddy Waters! See ya there!

 

Tuesday 01/07/2014

ABC Karaoke

9:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m.

Tuesday at The Muddy Waters: FREE Pool Games from open until close (12:00 pm-2:00 am) and Karaoke starts at 9:00 p.m.

 

Thursday 01/09/2014

Jam Sessions with John O'Meara and Friends

9:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.

FREE Admission

Got a little talent and not a lot of self-confidence? The Muddy Waters Thursday Night Jam Session is the place to be to help bring your musical talent to the stage. We welcome all musicians. The Muddy Waters Jam Sessions start at 9:00 p.m.

 

Friday 01/10/2014

Chris Avey Band

9:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.

FREE Admission

Chris Avey, former lead guitarist and backing vocalist for blues icon Big Pete Pearson, leads the Chris Avey Band. Chris fuels the band with his stinging guitar attack and fiery vocals. Since striking out on his own with his band, he has released two CDs?the critically acclaimed Devil in my Bed and Preacherman. Chris's vocals and guitar are reminiscent of a younger, more fiery Coco Montoya, mixed with a dash of Tab Benoit. Blues Blast Magazine says "Blues with intensity and emotion. More energy than a power plant".

 

Saturday 01/11/2014

Mississippi Misfits

9:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.

FREE Admisson

The Mississippi Misfits are a trio whose members share a mixture of many musical influences. While Blues is their core, you will hear rock, soul, funk, New Orleans, and Latin flavors in their music. The Mississippi Misfits feature original material mixed with a variety of cover tunes. Their live performances are high energy and focus on crowd connection. They like to mix it up and keep things interesting by allowing the set list to have a variety of moods. Their intention is to stick to the blues but cover all of the bases.

 

Sunday 01/12/2014

Harper

6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.

$5 Per Person

An amalgamation of blues, rock, funk, soul and world music, Australian singer/ songwriter "Harper" creates a heady mix of roots, jam music through his creative use of the harp, and didgeridoo. Borrowing from western and world music, this musical visionary develops a highly original take on the roots genre". Harper is backed by his incredible Michigan based band "Midwest Kind".

Monday 01/13/2014

ABC Karaoke

9:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m.

"I'm gonna jump in the water, stay drunk all the time..."

The Muddy Waters Monday Night KARAOKE starts at 9:00 p.m. plus FREE Pool Games ALL DAY!

 

Tuesday 01/14/2014

ABC Karaoke

9:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.

Only at The Muddy Waters EVERY Tuesday -

1. FREE pool games all day and all night

2. Karaoke starting at 9:00 p.m.

Come and have a GREAT Tuesday with us!

 

Thursday 01/16/2014

Jam Sessions with John O'Meara and Friends

9:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.

FREE Admission

Jam Sessions, only at The Muddy Waters-where you can come and play your music feeling like your right at home (except for the pillows - we don't offer pillows). Bring your friends and plan to have a good time!

 

Friday 01/17/2014

Curtis Hawkins Band

9:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.

FREE Admission

Playing a variety of soul, funk, blues...this band has shown that they are capable of doing what it takes to make it in the local music scene. Based out of Galesburg, Illinois, members include Andrea Mendoza on bass, Ian Johnson on guitar/vocals, Jamie Hopkins on drums/vocals, and m3 on keyboards/vocals. You can find them playing original music off their "Keep Workin' The Blues" CD (available on iTunes) then turn around and bust out everything from rock-n-roll to funk-n-soul! Real music by real musicians.

 

Saturday 01/18/2014

Serious Business

9:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.

FREE Admission

Serious Business has their own style and has gained momentum even since winning the semi-final round of the 2013 Iowa Blues Challenge. Serious Business expresses the type of blues one can only feel in the hearts and solos of its presence. Along with a fusion of Boogie, R&B, and Soul, Serious Business is always ready to rock the house.

 

Sunday 01/19/2014

4th Annual Chili Cook-off

1:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

If you think you cook the best chili in the Quad Cities, come and prove it! But if you like to just eat chili, come and join us for the NFC/AFC Championship game and all-you-can-eat chili for only $5, with all proceeds going to the a non-profit organization of the Cook-off Winner's choice.

 

Sunday 01/19/2014

Dave Ellis

6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.

FREE Admission

Dave Ellis will be hosting the Funday Sunday Live Music Series on December 19. Dave plays guitar and keyboard, and sings, an eclectic mix of great classic songs and of course plenty of Buffett. It's all done with a great sense of humor and plenty of audience participation. No, Dave is not your ordinary lounge lizard!

 

Monday 01/20/2014

ABC Karaoke

9:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m.

Fall in love with Monday's!!! FREE pool games starting at 12:00 p.m. and Karaoke starting at 9:00 p.m. All at The Muddy Waters! See ya there!

 

Tuesday 01/21/2014

ABC Karaoke

9:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m.

You can be the star at The Muddy Waters during Karaoke tonight starting at 9:00 p.m. Plus FREE pool games all day and all night long.

 

Thursday 01/23/2014

Jam Sessions with John O'Meara and Friends

9:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.

FREE Admission

Got a little talent and not a lot of self-confidence? The Muddy Waters Thursday Night Jam Session is the place to be to help bring your musical talent to the stage. We welcome all musicians. The Muddy Waters Jam Sessions start at 9:00 p.m.

 

Friday 01/24/2014

Mercury Brothers

9:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.

FREE Admission

The Mercury Brothers are cast from that exact mold of solid gold heart and pure soul blues music. From their slick classic James Dean look to their ripping tones and heavy grooves, The Mercury Brothers are an act you will not soon forget.

 

Saturday 01/25/2014

Two Peace

9:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.

FREE Admission

Two Peace is a band out of Davenport, IA formed in early 2011. They are featured as a Reggae / Electronic / Hip Hop duo, but consistent announce themselves as just "coming to spread truth and positive vibes". This duo consisting of members Nick Harksen (Vocals/Keys/Production), and Jacob Hahn (Bass/Production).

 

Sunday 01/26/2014

Doc Anderson's "Back in the (Sun)Day" Party

6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

FREE Admission

Doc Anderson is an in demand local D.J. and music aficionado (you may recognize his name from his radio show on KALA). He will be mixing up the party tunes on Sunday, January 26, flooding The Muddy Waters with music from the 70's and into today's era.

Monday 01/27/2014

ABC Karaoke

9:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m.

"I'm gonna jump in the water, stay drunk all the time..."

The Muddy Waters Monday Night KARAOKE starts at 9:00 p.m. plus FREE Pool Games ALL DAY!

 

Tuesday 01/28/2014

ABC Karaoke

9:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.

There was a guy, who just love to sing,
He was very clever and could sing most anything.
He loved the karaoke down at Muddy's bar
hoping maybe someday he could be a star.

Join this guy and help him to become,

Lest someday he wake up just to be a bum.

Thursday 01/30/2014

Jam Sessions with John O'Meara and Friends

9:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.

FREE Admission

Jam Sessions, only at The Muddy Waters-where you can come and play your music feeling like your right at home. Bring your friends and plan to have a good time!

 

Friday 01/31/2014

John Primer

9:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.

$5 Per Person

John Primer is one of the driving forces in helping to keep alive the more traditional Chicago blues sound. John moved to Chicago in the early 60's where he landed a gig playing lead guitar with the likes of Junior Wells, Lonnie Brooks, Paul Butterfield, Johnny Winter, Bonnie Raitt and many others. Along with these blues greats, John had a stint playing as lead guitarist for Muddy Waters and following Muddy's untimely death, John played with Magic Slim & The Teardrops until starting touring on his own in support of his ten solo albums to date.
Four out of five people who make New Year's resolutions will eventually break them, and a third won't even make it until February. According to experts, the real problem is that we make resolutions that are too vague or unachievable ? so we quit. For your New Year's weight-loss resolution to work, you need to have accountability and chart your progress. Follow these tips from the experts on resolutions not to make:
  • 'I'm going on a diet.' Don't set yourself up to fail before you even begin. Instead, pledge to make healthy low-calorie food choices. You'll see more weight loss and achieve greater fitness if you simply resolve to cut processed and refined foods from most meals.

  • 'I'm going to the gym every day.' If you've never set foot inside a gym, don't declare that in January you're going to start working out every day. Start slowly and progressively add more workouts until you're exercising for about 30 minutes, five times a week.

  • 'I'm going to skip breakfast.' Think you can save 300 calories if you skip your scrambled eggs and toast? Big mistake. There's serious truth behind what's become a cliché: Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.
Discover seven more weight loss resolutions to avoid.

The Moline Public Library will be closed tomorrow, December 27th, due to a sprinkler freezing and bursting. Normal operating hours are expected to resume on Saturday, December 28th. 

Dewey's Copper Cafe and teh Friends Bookstore will be closed for a longer period of time. 

For more information, contact Lee Ann Fisher, Library Director, at 217-521-3104.

NOW ON EXHIBIT
See it before it closes January 5, 2014!
Help us make the
STEM Learning Center a REALITY!

Mix it Up
Sunday, January 12  -  1:30 -3:30 p.m.
Putnam Museum
1717 W 12th St
Davenport, Iowa 52804
563-324-1933

Families Will Have More Time to Utilize Federal Foreclosure Prevention Program

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation to protect Illinois homeowners by preventing a lender from selling a home while the homeowner is applying for a federal mortgage assistance program. This legislation is part of Governor Quinn's commitment to protecting Illinois families and helping them fight foreclosure.

"Illinois families must have access to the tools they need to protect their home," Governor Quinn said. "More than one million families have received help through the Illinois Foreclosure Prevention Network, and we want to make sure even more homeowners can remain home for the holidays and the long term."

Sponsored by State Senator Jacqueline Y. Collins (D-Chicago) and State Representative Michael J. Zalewski (D-Riverside), Senate Bill 1045 extends a current law that enables families who have applied for a loan modification under the federal Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) to stop the lender or servicer from selling their home.

In 2009, the Obama Administration worked with financial institutions to create HAMP - which allows qualified homeowners to modify mortgage payments to 31 percent of their income. The program lowers monthly mortgage payments to make them more affordable and sustainable.

The Governor signed a law in 2010 that allows homeowners to move to block a judicial sale when they can prove that they applied for a HAMP modification but the property was sold in violation of the program's terms. Today's action extends Illinois law to match the federal HAMP deadline of Dec. 31, 2015 - providing homeowners with more time to save their home from foreclosure. The new law takes effect immediately.

This law furthers the impact of the Governor's Illinois Foreclosure Prevention Network (IFPN)  ?  a free, one-stop resource to connect homeowners with important tools, including access to counseling services, legal advice, federal mortgage assistance programs, foreclosure prevention events and tips on how to avoid mortgage fraud.

Through the IFPN, families facing financial hardship can access HAMP to apply for a loan modification. In Illinois, approximately 47,000 Illinois families have received permanent loan modifications through HAMP that enable them to stay in their home.

"Governor Quinn understands that linking homeowners with crucial assistance stabilizes communities by preventing foreclosures before they happen," Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) Executive Director Mary R. Kenney said. "The median monthly savings for Illinois homeowners in active permanent mortgage modifications under HAMP is about $570 - and now more families statewide can apply for lower monthly payments."

Governor Quinn has been a leader on affordable housing in Illinois and made a historic commitment of $130 million in state capital funds to create more affordable housing opportunities. The Governor has also worked to spur affordable housing homeownership and multifamily rental development by proclaiming 2013 as the Year of Homeownership and launching four new safe and affordable mortgage programs since 2011. Also, affordable housing opportunities have increased. Since 2009, 10,300 working families have been able to purchase a home affordably, and 18,300 affordable rental units were created or preserved. In 2012, IHDA helped more than 2,700 working families access $308 million in capital to purchase a home. This represents an 80 percent increase over production in 2011 and a 770 percent increase over 2010.

Illinois residents who are having trouble paying their mortgage, facing foreclosure or know someone who is should reach out to IFPN as soon as possible by visiting www.keepyourhomeillinois.org or by calling the IFPN hotline at 1-855-KEEP-411.

###
Tips for Overcoming a Fear of Public Speaking
By: Marsha Friedman

Recently, I was asked to be a panelist for a webinar about using the power of publicity to achieve your goals. The participants asked great questions.

The first: "How do you step into the spotlight when you don't like the spotlight?"

Getting media attention and speaking engagements -- the spotlight -- goes right to the heart of my book, "Celebritize Yourself." By boosting your visibility and your credibility, you set yourself apart from your competition and become a trusted authority in your field.

Should you abandon that avenue if you don't like the spotlight?

Absolutely not.

I was - and still am - that person. I had no desire to seek the spotlight, and even had trepidation about it, but eventually I realized I had to for the sake of my business.

First I had to figure out why I was so uncomfortable with the idea of being in the spotlight.

The answer for me was simple: The thought of public speaking terrified me. I'd seen wonderful speakers, including my own brother, who could captivate huge audiences and have them hanging on every word. I knew I didn't have that kind of talent so why bother even trying?

Because, as I came to realize, I had to. I needed to do it in order to grow my business and, on a deeper level, I needed to do it for me! My fear was holding me back - an admission that became increasingly painful as time marched on.

I talked to my brother about the problem. "It comes naturally to you and the other great speakers I've seen," I told him. "But it doesn't come naturally to me!"

His response surprised me.

"No, it doesn't all come naturally," he said. "I had to work at it."

For years, he spoke to small audiences at seminars. They proved an ideal training ground. He critiqued himself and got feedback from others so that he could constantly polish his delivery.

So, first tip: Start small. Give yourself time to get used to the spotlight.

Here are a few more tips for public speaking.

• Know your material. You won't feel comfortable speaking if you don't thoroughly know your material. How do actors and Olympic athletes make their feats look so easy? They practice! That doesn't mean memorizing a speech, which can lack enthusiasm and leaves little room for spontaneity. Know your key talking points, the anecdotes or other means you'll use to illustrate them, and how you will smoothly segue from one point to the next.

• Energize! Positive energy is contagious - if you're upbeat, excited and passionate about your message, chances are, your audience will be, too. And you'll be surprised about the positive cycle that creates: An enthusiastic audience can pump up your energy even more! Use hand gestures to illustrate points and, when appropriate, smile, smile, smile.

• Make eye contact. Find friendly, receptive faces in the audience and speak to them. Making eye contact with individuals helps prevent you staring off into the distance or reading from notes. It also helps make you feel like you're engaging in a conversation rather than speaking to a group. I've found that visually touching base with engaged audience members gives me little shots of confidence that help propel me through my presentation.

• Look your best! When you look great you feel great and that makes you stand taller and exude confidence. Speaking engagements aren't the best place to break in a new outfit (who knows what wardrobe malfunctions might surprise you?) Instead wear clothing and shoes you feel good in and that are appropriate to the setting - you can't go wrong with business formal. Simple is fine, but you should look crisp and polished from head to toe.

A fear of the spotlight shouldn't prevent you from getting the visibility and credibility that can build your brand and your business. Remember - you're not alone. The fear of public speaking is said to be one of the top 10 worldwide!

If I can overcome it, so can you.

About Marsha Friedman: Marsha Friedman is a 23-year veteran of the public relations industry. She is the CEO of EMSI Public Relations (www.emsincorporated.com), a national firm that provides PR strategy and publicity services to businesses, professional firms, entertainers and authors. Marsha is the author of Celebritize Yourself and she can also be heard weekly on her Blog Talk Radio Show, EMSI's PR Insider every Thursday at 3:00 PM EST. Follow her on Twitter: @marshafriedman.

Ms. Hunter:

The Des Moines Register's coverage of the exploratory announcement of Sen. Jack Hatch and the exploratory announcement of Jonathan Narcisse for the Democratic Party nomination raises grave concerns about both The Des Moines Register's agenda and continued bias.

The Des Moines Register states in your December 21st article: "Narcisse is best known for his contentious two years on the Des Moines school board. He faced censure from his peers following his string of stinging public criticisms about fellow board and school leaders."

Before I ask you why Sen. Hatch's controversies, including his formal Statehouse Press conference apology for his n-word tirade, were not mentioned in his announcement article on May 28th I have some questions for you:

Why does your publication call Narcisse controversial?

As a member of the Des Moines School Board Jonathan Narcisse always backed up his concerns with hard data and facts beyond refutation. For years your publication has labeled him even while ignoring so many of the very important data driven issues he raised.

How was Narcisse contentious?

Des Moines School Board meetings exist on tape - audio and video. An examination of the archived record proves he did not initiate conflict as a board member.

Does The Des Moines Register call him contentious because he said things his fellow board members didn't approve of despite their inability to factually dispute his statements.

One of the more prominent challenges to Narcisse came when he raised questions about security in the Des Moines School District following the shooting at Cleveland Tech. The response from board officers was that they were tired of hearing about school violence every time a kid got shot in America.

Another challenge to Narcisse was frustration with articles he published and radio commentaries advocating an end to social promotion in the Des Moines School District. At a board meeting a frustrated member said to Narcisse she was tired of him bringing up social promotion, asked what it is and stated it should be discussed once and never again.

Are those the contentious actions you are referencing?

One thing that was identified as contentious was when Narcisse emailed staff and conducted a survey asking them for their top academic reform priorities. Despite more than 2,000 staff responding to the survey it was reported a misuse of the District's email system by Superintendent Nancy Sebring and board members who later covered up her use of the District's email system to engage in inappropriate sexual activity.

At the board meeting where a vote was taken to ban Narcisse from emailing staff in the future the chair of the board stated "Mr. Narcisse may understand this technology but the rest of us do not."

Even your own editorial board encouraged the board not to vote on this item.

Another thing Narcisse did that was called contentious was conduct public hearings to listen to the concerns and priorities of his constituents even though he invited other board members to attend and participate in the well-attended hearings.

Again, are these the type of contentious activities you are referencing?

If not please state what his contentious actions were based on your article's pronouncement.

Ms. Hunter, Narcisse why is a non-existent censure mentioned in the article announcing Narcisse is exploring a run for Governor?

Again, JONATHAN NARCISSE WAS NEVER CENSURED!

Why does The Des Moines Register make reference to a non-existent censure?

Finally, why do you state the controversy, contentiousness and censure are the things he is best known for?

This characterization of Narcisse ignores the local, state and national recognition he has earned through three decades of activism that began with his election as Co-chair of the Polk County Democratic Party in the early 1980s to the present.

Narcisse earned national recognition for his statewide advocacy on urban affairs and for leading groundbreaking education and health hearings. This recognition included national media reports and a weeklong profile of Narcisse and his work on BET.

Your characterization ignores Narcisse's longstanding impact on education that pre-dated his joining the Des Moines School Board. It also ignores his activism on education issues after he left the board including his presence last year representing Iowa at a national education conference in Washington, D.C., where he was elected Chair of the Small States Caucus.

Narcisse is the youngest member of the Iowa African American Hall of Fame, a fraternity of less than 75 members that includes the likes of George Washington Carver, Alexander G. Clark and Dr. Simon Estes. It was not his so-called controversy or contentiousness that earned him induction in 2009 to the prestigious hall his final year on the Des Moines School Board.

Narcisse was a weekly fixture on television and radio in Des Moines, including WHO 1040 AM and also hosted various weekly radio shows in Waterloo including the Weekly Legislative Wrap. He has published various periodicals statewide, not just the Iowa Bystander and El Comunicador but Cyclone Nation and Hawkeye Times.

Narcisse has received more than 400 awards and honors including being recognized by the Bush, Clinton and Bush administrations and the Branstad, Vilsack and Culver administrations. Two of his more prestigious national awards include The Washington Times Youth Service Award and The SBA Region VII Minority Business Advocate of the Year Award. He was also a national finalist for the SBA Minority Small Business Advocate of the Year award, nominated by the Greater Des Moines Chamber of Commerce.

Also in 2009, the time you describe as controversial and contentious, Narcisse received the Pinnacle Award for outstanding community service from the Culver Administration. Lt. Governor Patty Judge personally presented him the award.

Despite The Des Moines Register's misrepresentation Narcisse is clearly known at the local, state and national levels for many things beyond his so-called "controversy, contentiousness and non-existent censure."

Even before his election to the Des Moines School Board the Clinton Administration sought a collaboration with him, as did the Bush Administration, a fact your publication reported on. The Obama Administration's Department of Education also contacted Narcisse to tap into his insights and data regarding the state of education in Iowa.

Staff at the Register, including you, are aware of these facts yet the Des Moines Register not only went out of its way to dismiss his long list of accomplishments in its December 21st article it went out of its way to cast his time on the board in a negative light despite the evidence documenting the many positive changes that took place as a result of his service on the board.

Ms. Hunter please explain "controversial, contentious and the non-existent censure" and why they are part of this story.

The Des Moines Register's blatant attempts to diminish Narcisse, are not only unfair and unwarranted but they have the potential to detract from the very important points he is making about poverty, justice, education, and accountability.

Meanwhile The Des Moines Register is glowing in its coverage of Sen. Hatch's consideration of running in your May 28th article: "Why not Jack Hatch for governor...Bringing real business experience to Terrace Hill," "a governor who knows how to grow Iowa communities," "a nationally recognized leader in health care," "a leader who walks the walk in public service," "a leader with a distinguished legislative career," "a leader who fights for Democratic priorities."

What isn't in the article is mention of Hatch's controversies especially the Statehouse press conference he was forced to hold to apologize for his racist n-word rant. Senator Hatch did not spew his comments during a drunken rage, Mel Gibson style caught on a hidden smart phone. His n-word tirade took place during the legislative session, at the Statehouse, on the floor of the legislature. He was sober, he didn't hesitate, he wasn't remorseful, he meant every word he said when, out of frustration for stalled legislation he walked up to an African American legislator and said, as a part of his diatribe: "They are treating us like n-word up here, like masters and slaves..."

His comments were so vile and offensive an African American legislative staffer reported the incident to local community leadership whose subsequent outrage eventually forced Sen. Hatch to make his Statehouse Mea Culpa.

Ms. Hunter, please explain how a non-existent censure warrants mention in an exploratory announcement for Narcisse yet Sen. Hatch's official Statehouse press conference apology for his racist and incendiary rant didn't warrant a single mention?

Ms. Hunter, are we to believe had a Republican leader in the legislature, instead of a so-called liberal/progressive Des Moines Register favorite, gone into an n-word tirade he or she would have gotten off as easy as Jack Hatch?

Would Republican Senators such as Brad Zaun or Jack Whitver been pardoned so quickly by Des Moines Register editors and the editorial board had they flew into the rage Sen. Hatch did and started using the n-word and other racist imagery out of frustration? Or would they have been the subject of sustained editorial condemnation calling for a formal censure using such hateful language while in session?

Is your biased coverage confirmation of candidate preference? If The Des Moines Register is committed to Sen. Hatch winning the nomination just be upfront about it.

Or is an angry, racist rant in a formal setting such as the floor of the legislature by a so-called liberal/progressive favorite of your publication not considered "controversial and contentious" by the editors and editorial board at The Des Moines Register?

Please explain Ms. Hunter!

Bobby Young

President of the Iowa Urban Initiative

 

About Bobby Young

Bobby Young, President of the Iowa Urban Initiative, is also the President of the Pastor and Minister's Alliance of Greater Des Moines and Pastor of Mt. Hebron Missionary Baptist Church. He will also keynote the Annual MLK program on January 19th at Open Bible Church located at the corner of Beaver and Hickman in Des Moines.

About The Iowa Urban Initiative

The Iowa Urban Initiative is a grassroots organization focused on urban community empowerment focusing on voter education, political action, education, economics, health, family, faith, justice and leadership training and development.

Narcisse Article:

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20131222/NEWS09/312220060/Narcisse-sets-sights-on-another-run-for-governor?Frontpage

Hatch Article: http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2013/05/28/democrat-jack-hatch-on-running-for-governor-its-really-likely/article

Annual Luncheon Hosted by Berwyn Veterans Honors Great Lakes Naval Base Servicemembers

BERWYN - Governor Pat Quinn spent Christmas Day with more than 100 servicemembers from the Great Lakes Naval Base at the City of Berwyn's eighth annual "Christmas Day with the Sailors." Governor Quinn was joined by Berwyn Mayor Robert Lovero for a traditional holiday meal and presented awards to those who made the event possible.

"On Christmas Day - and every day - let's keep our servicemembers and veterans in our hearts," Governor Quinn said. "These heroes have given us the greatest gift of all in the sacrifices they make for us every day, not the least of which is being apart from family for the holidays. I salute all of the veterans and community members who are here today, giving their time on Christmas to serve a hot meal to these servicemembers who will not be home for the holidays."

More than 100 sailors who could not go home are attending this year's "Christmas Day with the Sailors" event, which is hosted by local veterans who understand the sacrifices that servicemembers make. The event is supported by local charities and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and features lunch, dinner music and a visit from Santa. Members of the local JROTC did the honor of posting and retiring colors.

The Governor's Office has participated in "Christmas Day with the Sailors" every year since its inception, making this the eighth. Governor Quinn has made commitment to veterans, servicemembers and their families a top priority throughout his career. He led the Illinois Warrior Assistance Program that helps veterans transition back to their daily lives and the Welcome Home Heroes program which help supports Illinois servicemembers seeking home ownership.

As Lieutenant Governor, Quinn championed the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund Act, which established a fund to provide grants to families of Illinois National Guard members and Illinois residents serving in the U.S. Armed Forces Reserve components who are called to active duty. These grants help servicemembers and their families with the costs of food, housing, utilities and other expenses when the wage-earner has left civilian employment for active military duty. The fund has distributed more than $15.1 million to 29,625 Illinois military families to assist with the financial burden at home.

For more information about these and other programs for our veterans, visit OperationHomefront.org or call the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs at (217) 782-6641 or (312) 814-2460.

###

Iowans are a good, decent and honorable people. They work hard and will sacrifice for their friends, their neighbors or when leadership asks them to give more.

Unfortunately, the political classes from both parties have exploited Iowans' goodness.
Iowans are more vulnerable now than ever before. The guardians of state, our legislators and the governor, have not protected our working families, our taxpayers, our children. Instead government, at the state and local levels, has become a trough from which special and vested interests feed – while the rest of us pay for it.

Our families, our taxpayers, and our children need a champion in government.

I understand working Iowans' pains and passions. As a child of working class America, as a former co-chair of the Polk County Democratic Party, as a former Chair of a State Commission, and as a former Des Moines School Board Director, I have fought for working class Iowans. And, I want to continue to protect our families and our children.

The 2014 gubernatorial debate cannot be reduced to speeding troopers driving the governor and tired party clichés like "let's raise taxes." It must be about real solutions to Iowa's challenges based on the hard data and the hard truths facing our state.

On January 3, 1993, Iowans woke up to Terry Branstad as Governor, Chuck Grassley and Tom Harkin as our U.S. Senators and Jim Leach, Jim Nussle, Dave Nagle, Neal Smith, Jim Ross Lightfoot, and Fred Grandy as Iowa's U.S. House Representatives delegation.

On January 3, 2013, Iowans, exactly 20 years to the date, went to bed with Terry Branstad as Governor, Chuck Grassley and Tom Harkin as our U.S. Senators and Bruce Braley, David Loebsack, Tom Latham and Steve King as Iowa's U.S House Representatives delegation.

Beyond all the magazine articles, media reports, chamber and political propaganda, this 1.5 million population stagnation, resulting in the loss of two Congressional seats and two electoral votes, speaks to the need for not just meaningful conversations, but timely, relevant and impactful action.

Iowa is in trouble and those most able to speak to the challenges we face, from both parties, have failed.

So, I am forming an exploratory committee for a possible candidacy in the Democratic Gubernatorial Primary, which occurs on June 3, 2014.



Branstad 2.0 Fail
Four years ago Terry Branstad returned to Iowa politics making four promises to the voters of this state:
He'd create 200,000 jobs
He'd raise personal family income by 20%
He'd cut government by 15%
He'd make Iowa's public education system world class, once again

He has not kept those promises. More important, the day he uttered them we knew he would not, we knew he could not keep his promises.

Poverty, especially in our urban and rural areas is higher than ever before. State government spending, based on his administration's data, is greater than during the Culver years. And education in Iowa, evidenced again by his administration's data, is in worse condition than any point in recent history.

Governor Branstad had an opportunity to set things right following the debacle of the Culver years.

And he has done a better job than Gov. Culver.

Unfortunately candidate Branstad over promised and Gov. Branstad has under delivered.

Governor Branstad had an opportunity to restore integrity to governance. Instead too many of his key department, board and commission appointments went to his contributors and supporters rather than those best qualified to serve Iowans.

Governor Branstad has ignored much of the waste, inefficiency and cronyism within state government. And, he has ignored much of the waste, inefficiency and cronyism within Iowa's county, municipal and school district bureaucracies.

Governor Branstad has ignored his administration's hard data regarding staggering urban and rural poverty. More than 70% of the families with children in the Des Moines School District cannot feed them. And these numbers are not too far behind in several rural communities like Washington, Iowa, where approximately 70% of the families with children in those schools cannot feed them either. According to the Branstad Administration's data, approximately one million or 30% of Iowans are now clients of DHS. Those are non-duplicated numbers.

Governor Branstad has ignored the hard data regarding the disparity of justice between those "afflicted with affluenza" and those lacking the means to access equity in the courts.

Justice in Iowa should not be based on the size of your wallet. Yet, an objective analysis shows that Iowa's judicial system, like that in Texas, determines both the crime and punishment based on personal means and social status.

Governor Branstad has ignored the hard data regarding the explosion of urban violence in Des Moines, Waterloo, Davenport, etc...and the contributing factors that suggest the problem will get worse before it gets better.

Governor Branstad has ignored his own administration's data and warnings regarding the devastating consequences of not opting out of No Child Left Behind and as a result Iowa's public education system is in serious trouble.

His own former Chief of Education, Jason Glass, issued an ominous warning November 1, 2011, regarding the dire condition of education in Iowa. Gov. Branstad failed to act upon the warnings, Jason Glass is gone, and the precipitous decline in achievement in Iowa, based on his administration's data, has accelerated.

Yet, Governor Branstad's administration does not stand alone as the culprit.

Democrats have controlled the Iowa Senate during his administration as they did during a portion of the disastrous Culver Administration.

They have co-signed his major policies, co-signed his appointments and co-signed his practices as they did the major policies, appointments and practices of the failed Culver Administration.

While styles and rhetoric have been different, Democrats in the Senate own a full and vested share of Branstad 2.0 Fail just as they owned a full and vested share of Gov. Culver's failed administration.

Instead of fighting to protect Iowans from an administration weighted to the affluent and blind to working class Iowans, Senate Democrats personally prospered, some becoming very wealthy, while they collaborated in the unrelenting assault on working class Iowans and the most vulnerable first during the Culver years and now during the Branstad years.



I am a Democrat

Most of my life I've been a Democrat. I can't say in recent years I've been a proud member of the Iowa Democratic Party.

A wealthy, powerful and out-of-touch cabal transformed the party I was elected an officer of as a 20 year from a champion of the people, justice, fairness and opportunity into a lobbying firm for vested, powerful and special interests and their agendas.

My party has forsaken its principles and allowed justice to fall by the way side; allowed an assault on our once great public education system; and joined in the breaking of basic promises to those we ought to have protected instead.

I am a child of working class America. I understand the impact labor had on my life. It meant my father could put food on the table, pay his bills, and yet earn enough that my mother was a part of my life growing up.

He was able to earn a living working 40 hours per week, coach little league and serve as the President of the Callanan Junior High School PTA because of labor.

And his involvement in education inspired my concerns about it.

As a Democrat I understand that those individuals who taught our children, who ran into burning buildings without hesitation, who patrolled our streets and made them safe need us to protect them in the twilight of their lives.

Public pensions in Iowa are now in peril and IPERS is in grave danger due to the mismanagement of indifferent politicians and bureaucrats, from both parties, who grew their personal and political fortunes, while neglecting the promises we made to the men and women who served our state and our citizens honorably.

I do not know all the answers to this complex problem but I know that day one, as governor, I would pull together those best able to fix this problem and fix it.

And fix it responsibly!

Leaders from both parties have advocated raising taxes, especially the gas tax.

Such a tax increase would be devastating to Iowans struggling to make it to work, struggling to get their children to childcare and after school activities, struggling to put food on the table without the assistance of government, struggling to survive paycheck to paycheck.

Instead of discounting taxes for working Iowans in these harsh economic times, which is what we should be doing, leaders from both parties want to further strip working Iowans of the means to care for themselves and their families.

Recently I had a conversation with an elected Democratic official who said: "I want to take care of people."

I responded: "I don't, I want to empower Iowans to take care of themselves and their families."

Long overdue in our state is action to move Iowans from dependency to self-sufficiency. Long overdue is the call for the restoration of personal responsibility and dignity.

Pets, children, the gravely ill, lacking the ability to provide for themselves are cared for - not able bodied adults. We absolutely need to show compassion for those in a hard way yet that compassion should not look like it does now. Poverty exploitation in Iowa has grown into a more lucrative industry than pornography in America, and it has fostered a perpetual dependency.

So-called compassion resulting in bad public policy neither helps the poor or protects taxpayers.

For example, politicians from both parties have defended the decision not to require identification in order to use Food Stamp cards even while those same politicians require a receipt to return an empty five gallon jug of water.

They have argued such a law would hurt the poor.

The truth is by not requiring identification to use a Food Stamp card we not only allow massive fraud and corruption to thrive but we make taxpayers and the government a major funder of the purchase of alcohol, tobacco, gambling and illegal drugs by those we claim we are helping.

These acquisitions not only contribute to poorer health for the poor, resulting in increased costs for line items such as Medicaid, but in the case of illegal drugs taxpayers and the government are financing the single most powerful agent leading to the destruction of poor families in Iowa, out of control urban violence and the escalation of costs related to incarceration.

But that's what happens when out of touch politicians make easy and ill-informed public policy decisions.

Leaders from both parties own a full share in this taxpayer financed havoc and devastation.

Iowans do not want or need a hand out - they need a hand up.

The time has come for fiscally responsible and sound decisions to be made in reducing the excess, waste and inefficiencies of state and local government. By all accounts government at the state and local level is bloated, wasteful, inefficient and often ineffective.

By restoring integrity to governance in this state we not only end the need for painful regressive tax hikes but we are then able to return money to Iowans they and their families will then use to grow our state's economy versus giving it to bureaucrats, developers, contractors, contributors and cronies who have squandered the public treasure.



Lessons Learned

Four years ago I made the decision to not primary Gov. Chet Culver, a man I endorsed and worked to elect governor in 2006 and Secretary of State in 2002 and 1998.

Instead I ran as an independent. I was well intentioned, but naïve.

I should have stayed and fought to rescue my party. I both regret that decision and have learned from it.

Nevertheless, I gained a mastery of what ails Iowa, and still possess the solutions to cure her acquired during my first gubernatorial bid.

I believe in and have fought for the best of what being a Democrat has always meant - justice, integrity, accountability, opportunity, dignity and protection of our most vulnerable - our children, our elderly, our mentally ill, our taxpayers.

My record speaks for itself even if my party's leadership has, at times, abandoned these foundational tenets.

I want to take back our party from those that have not fought for justice, that have not sought to end poverty, that have turned a blind eye to Iowa's urban crisis including the explosion of violence and addiction, that have not protected Iowans from the avarice of the political class, that have not fought to end the travesty of a No Child Left Behind that has brutalized our schools, our teachers and our children.

I want to make terms like accountability, integrity and dignity mean something again when an elected leader in the Iowa Democratic party speaks them.

Blue collar Democrats, who I have always done very well with, deserved better from the men and women they elected to protect the public trust, to protect their families and to protect their children.

Iowans deserved better from Democrats in the Senate who sat in the majority but co-signed the devastating policies and practices of first the Culver Administration and now the Branstad Administration.

I have come to know Iowans in all 99 counties. I received support from Iowans in all 99 counties and nearly every precinct in this state.

Iowans are an amazing people.

I believes in us. I understand how much we are able to accomplish and how strong we are when we are united under caring, committed and accountable leadership.

I have proven I can bring Republicans, even from the far right, and Democrats, even from the far left, to the very same table and unite them in action for a common cause just as I brought Jack Hatch, a State Representative and liberal Democrat together with Chuck Larson, Jr., a conservative Republican legislator and Chair of the Republican Party of Iowa together to fight for education reforms I sponsored; just as I brought two very liberal legislators - Deb Berry of Waterloo and Ako Abdul Samad of Des Moines - together with two very conservative legislators - Brad Zaun of Urbandale and Kevin Koester of Ankeny - to advance economic empowerment reforms I sponsored.

Again, and again, and again I've brought sincere Iowans coming from differing ideologies together to focus on solutions. If I run and if I win, I will do it again.

I will especially base my key appointments of both Democrats and Republicans on merit and not cronyism.



Results Matter

I get results!

On September 10, 2007, The day before I was elected to the Des Moines School Board - Iowa's most powerful, entrenched and protected division of local government - a local radio show host made a list of what I said I would get done if I were elected. On July 3, 2009, I went back on that host's show, he produced the list from 2007 and every item on it was checked off.

As the nominee of the Democratic party I will restore the dignity and integrity of my party. I will return us to the core tenets that inspired me to be a Democrat. I will energize the base by focusing on our strengths and our virtues. And, I will defeat Terry Branstad in the arena of ideas and solutions for our state.

The ultimate decision to run for governor will be based on three key factors - FUNDRAISING, early grass roots support, and the ability to WIN the primary.

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL I RUN AS AN INDEPENDENT IN 2014!

I will analyze these three factors over the holiday season, including fundraising, although I will not start raising money until after the holiday season ends.

I will then announce my final decision mid-January.

Whether I run or not, however, I will be releasing next month a solution oriented vision of governance in Iowa titled: "Guardian of State."

Pages