25 Nov 2013

MOLINE FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES 60TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

By Linda Martin

The Moline Foundation will hold a 60th Anniversary Celebration on Sunday, November 24th in honor of Quad Cities area couples celebrating 60 years or more of marriage. Invited guests will be celebrating with the Moline Foundation Board of Directors at the Stoney Creek Inn, Moline, Illinois from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Dinner will be served followed by anniversary cake and musical entertainment by the Wierson Father-Son duo singing tunes of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and holiday classics.

The celebration will be hosted by First Midwest Bank, The Planning Center, Moline; and Stoney Creek Inn.

Founded in 1953, the Moline Foundation is a community foundation benefiting the Quad City region that has distributed almost $28 million in grants to over 1,500 non-profit organizations in the past sixty years. The Moline Foundation also serves as resource for donors in a seven county area (Rock Island, Mercer, Henry, Warren, Henderson, and McDonough in Illinois and Scott County in Iowa). The Moline Foundation's collection of funds and gifts from individuals and businesses are then able to help the immediate needs of the community in the area's of health and human services, arts and culture, economic growth, workforce development, community development, education, and quality of life.

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25 Nov 2013

Simon surveys storm recovery, calls for donations

By Ted Nelson

Simon surveys storm recovery in Gifford, Brookport

Urges Illinois residents to make donations to support recovery

GIFFORD - Nov. 22, 2013. Less than a week before Thanksgiving, Lt. Governor Sheila Simon today surveyed storm damage in the towns of Gifford and Brookport and urged Illinois residents to donate to recovery efforts. A total of 15 Illinois counties have been declared disaster areas by the Governor in the aftermath of Sunday's tornadoes.

"The work to rebuild these communities is just beginning," said Simon, who chairs the Governor's Rural Affairs Council. "As we get ready to celebrate the holidays, I urge people to honor the spirit of the season by reaching into their pockets to help support ongoing cleanup and recovery efforts."

Officials from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) began preliminary assessments Thursday that will enable towns to apply for federal disaster aid. Earlier this week, Simon participated in the Help on the Homefront Telethon, which raised more than $786,000 for the American Red Cross, and fund raising efforts are ongoing.

More than 22,000 meals have been provided by the Red Cross, which deployed 21 emergency response trucks from around the country and operated nine overnight shelters until residents could find alternative housing, said Kelly Formoso, manager of the Champaign office of the Red Cross.

The National Weather Service reports that 24 tornadoes swept across Illinois on Sunday, killing six people, injuring 180 residents and devastating rural communities. The Governor expects the total  number of homes damaged and destroyed to exceed 1,500. However, residents in the areas affected are beginning to see signs of recovery. Power has been restored in several areas, and schools are open.

In order to donate to the American Red Cross, click here or visit www.redcross.org. Donations designated for "Illinois tornadoes and storms" will remain local.

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25 Nov 2013

Davenport's Duck Creek Armory Firearms Delivery Problems

By Rick Martin

Better Business Bureau News Alert

The Better Business Bureau serving Greater Iowa, Quad Cities and Siouxland Region urges consumers to use caution when doing business with Duck Creek Armory of Davenport, Iowa. This online retailer of firearms has over 25 complaints filed with the BBB concerning the non-delivery of ordered products.

Complainants inform the BBB that they are told by the company that delivery delays are as a result of difficulty obtaining parts.  In many cases, customers have been waiting for their products since last spring and are out anywhere from $800 to $1600 dollars.  This week the BBB was informed that their phone was out of service and a call by the BBB to their number stated that "the number is temporarily unavailable."

On November 13, 2013, the BBB sent a letter to the company asking that they address the underlying cause of the influx and pattern of complaints. To date the BBB has not received a response to the letter nor have any of the complaints filed since October 14, 2013, been answered. Duck Creek Armory has earned an "F" grade due to unanswered complaints that are serious in nature. The BBB has been in communication with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) regarding this matter as well as the Davenport Iowa Police Department.

The Better Business Bureau Offers the following tips to consumers looking to purchase goods via the internet:

  • Check the reputation of the seller. Visit bbb.org to research the complaint history and other information.
  • Pay by credit card when possible. Paying with cash, check, money order or debit cards offer little protection if the order is not delivered. Attempt to pay with a major credit card so you have the option of disputing the charge should the product not be received.
  • Read and understand all policies and guarantees. Determine how long shipping should take, if restocking fees exist and what the return and exchange policy is.
  • Know your rights. A seller typically has 30 days to ship ordered products, unless otherwise specified at the time of purchase. Keep tabs on your order date as you have a limited time frame to make a credit card dispute.

About the BBB. The BBB is an unbiased non-profit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior.  Businesses that earn BBB Accreditation contractually agree and adhere to the organization's high standards of ethical business behavior.  The BBB Serving Greater Iowa, Quad Cities and Siouxland Region was founded in 1940 and is one of 114 BBBs.  Locally, the BBB has over 3,500 Accredited Businesses and provides reports and on companies throughout the state.  Contact the BBB at 1-800-BBB-1600 or info@dm.bbb.org.

22 Nov 2013

Loebsack to Receive AUSA Distinguished Service Award

By Vonnie Hampel

Washington, D.C. - On Monday, November 25th, Congressman Dave Loebsack will be presented with the Distinguished Service Award from Rock Island Chapter of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA). Congressman Loebsack was nominated and received this award for his work to support the Rock Island Arsenal as well as the individual soldier. Loebsack is the only member from the Iowa delegation who serves on the House Armed Services Committee. He sits on both the Military Personnel and Readiness subcommittees. He is also the co-chair of the House Depot, Arsenal, Ammunition Plant, and Industrial Facilities Caucus, as well as Army National Guard Vice Chair of the National Guard and Reserve Component Caucus. Jeff Carr, President of the local AUSA will present the award to the Congressman.

Presentation of AUSA Distinguished Service Award

Quad Cities Visitors Center

102 Harrison Street

(use southeast entrance)

Davenport

10:00am

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22 Nov 2013

Loebsack to host 'Holiday Mail for Heroes' card writing event in Clinton

By Rick Martin

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack announced today that he will join employees at the Clinton Hy-Vee on MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25th to write Holiday cards to our troops serving overseas. Cards will be provided at the event and then distributed through the Red Cross Holiday Mail for Heroes program. The public is invited to stop by and give our troops a "touch of home" for the Holiday season. This is the second year in a row that Loebsack has teamed with Hy-Vee to provide cards through this program. Click here for additional information about Holiday Mail for Heroes. Media are invited to attend.

 

Holiday Mail for Heroes Event - Monday, Nov 25th

Hy-Vee

901 S 4th St

Clinton

2:00pm - 3:00pm

(Signs in the store will direct customers to the location)

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22 Nov 2013

EPA decision to continue violating Administrative Procedure Act

By Grassley Press
Friday, November 22, 2013

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has decided to enforce guidance on wastewater treatment as if it were a binding rule without going through the proper rulemaking process for all areas of the country except for the 8th Circuit, where it lost a court case.  Earlier, the EPA confirmed it was enforcing the new requirement in correspondence with Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa.  The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit invalidated the EPA's action, deciding that EPA changed its policy without notice and comment, as required by law.  Now, the EPA says it will implement that decision only in the 8th Circuit.  The agency will continue to enforce guidance on wastewater treatment as if it were a formal rule, in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act, in the rest of the country.

Sen. Grassley and Sen. David Vitter (R-La.), top Republican on the Environment and Public Works Committee, have been critical of the EPA's action.  They made the following comments on the latest decision from the EPA.

Grassley comment:  "The EPA tried to violate basic rule-making procedures and got caught.  Now, the agency is enforcing the violation everywhere except for the court circuit where it lost its case.  This isn't the way to conduct agency business.  The rules are in place for good reason.  They're meant to keep the public involved and informed of major decision-making and hold agencies accountability for their decisions.  The EPA should have followed the letter of the law."

Vitter comment:  "The EPA is trying to sneak in a burdensome, new water treatment regulation despite the Courts ruling against them. They need to unambiguously and fairly apply the invalidation of this illegal water treatment regulation on a national level."

22 Nov 2013

BILL WUNDRAM WINS PURSUIT OF THE PODIUM

By Jared Johnson

Davenport, IA- The Quad City Symphony Orchestra congratulates Bill Wundram as the winner of their Pursuit of the Podium contest. The Quad Cities community donated $16,249 for the opportunity to see Bill Wundram conduct "Sleigh Ride." Wundram will be joining Debby Boone and the Quad City Symphony Orchestra on stage at the iWireless Center for tomorrow night's Holiday Pops.

The four Pursuit of the Podium candidates raised a combined $28,924 in support of the artistic and educational mission of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra. The QCSO would like to thank all four candidates for their outstanding efforts in this pursuit, including Doug Cropper, CEO, Genesis Health System; Brian Burke, Financial Advisor, Park Avenue Securities; and former Iowa Senator Maggie Tinsman. The Quad City Symphony Orchestra and music lovers throughout our community applaud your efforts.

If you would like to see Bill Wundram conduct "Sleigh Ride" at the iWireless Center tomorrow night, November 23, at 7:30 p.m., tickets are still available. Buy your tickets today for Holiday Pops featuring Debby Boone at 800.745.3000 or online at www.qcsymphony.com. Tickets range from $19.50 to $55. Seniors and children can save $2 per ticket. Groups of 15 or more can save even more by calling the iWireless Center group sales department at 309.277.1356.

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22 Nov 2013

Loebsack to Kickoff "Fueling Iowa's Economy" Tour

By Rick Martin

Begins Tuesday in West Burlington and Washington

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack announced today that he will be kicking off a tour of businesses that support Iowa's farmers, rural communities and economy. The Fueling Iowa's Economy tour will make stops across Iowa's Second District to highlight the importance of homegrown renewable fuels and biodiesel, as well as wind energy. Recently, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a proposal to lower the renewable fuel volume obligations (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) for 2014, which will have devastating consequences in Iowa. Also, the Production Tax Credit (PTC) for wind is set to expire at the end of the year unless Congressional action is taken.

"Renewable, homegrown energy supports tens of thousands of jobs in Iowa alone. The cuts to the RFS that the EPA has proposed and allowing the PTC to expire will have a devastating impact on our economy. We have to stand together to opposes these reckless cuts. The RFS and PTC are meant to help reduce our dependence on foreign oil and increase use of homegrown energy sources. I will fight to ensure that Iowa farmers are able to continue to move our nation on a sustainable path forward and that good jobs continue to grow in our rural areas," said Congressman Loebsack.

The tour will begin TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26th with stops in West Burlington and Washington. Additional stops will be announced at a later date. Media are invited to attend.

 

Fueling Iowa's Economy Tour- Tuesday, Nov 26

1:30pm

Big River Resources

15210 103rd Street

West Burlington

 

3:30pm

IRE Biodiesel

1701 E 7th Street

Washington

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22 Nov 2013

Obamacare open enrollment date shift for 2014

By Grassley Press
Friday, November 22, 2013

Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa today made the following comment on the Obamacare open enrollment date shift for next year.

"Last night at 8:29, CMS put out a notice that it is shifting the start of open enrollment next year from October 1, 2014, to November 15, 2014.  That means that if premiums go through the roof in the first year of Obamacare, no one will know about it until after the election.   This is clearly a cynical political move by the Obama Administration to use extra-regulatory, by any means necessary tools to keep this program afloat and hide key information from voters.  The Obama Administration ought to answer for this shift.  The Administration is welcome to prove me wrong by committing to put out 2015 plan year premium rates by November 1, 2014."

22 Nov 2013

Q&A on FISA with U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley

By Grassley Press

Q:        What is FISA?

A:        The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 is more commonly known by its acronym FISA.  The law sets the parameters by which America's intelligence community may conduct physical and electronic surveillance of those suspected of espionage or terrorism.  Until the 9/11 terrorist attacks, many Americans likely were largely unaware of surveillance powers authorized by this federal law that was designed to protect U.S. national security and economic interests.  More recently, FISA has made headlines due to controversial activities conducted by the National Security Agency (NSA) over the last decade.  Since 9/11 the NSA has cast a wide surveillance net that calls into question privacy protections and Fourth Amendment rights related to search and seizure, including a program through which it collects information about the telephone calls of Americans but not the content of the calls themselves.

 

Q:        What is at stake?

A:        An abundance of skepticism exists today among Americans about the size and scope of the federal government.  The $17 trillion national debt represents unbridled tax and spending policies that allow the government to grow at the expense of the taxpaying public.  The bungled rollout of the Affordable Care Act is arguably circus peanuts compared to the intrusive impact that the sweeping health care law's mandates, penalties and taxes will have on job creation, economic growth and the taxpaying public.  Likewise, the revelations leaked by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden this summer have triggered considerable public debate and civil lawsuits that challenge the government's authority to deploy sweeping surveillance measures at the expense of individual privacy.  Our system of self-government counts upon the fundamental functions of checks and balances to make the government work of, by and for the people.  The government's fundamental mission to protect public safety, secure the homeland and uphold national security does not come with a license to ignore constitutional boundaries, legal precedents and rule of law that governs our nation.  Americans expect their government to leave no stone unturned to protect national security interests.  The citizenry also expects its government to protect the freedoms and civil liberty set in stone by the U.S. Constitution.  Americans from across the political spectrum are unsettled about the NSA's activities.  Technology is transforming the way the federal government is able to conduct surveillance and intelligence activities.  Similarly, debates about privacy are building in local communities around the country as law enforcement authorities use surveillance cameras to issue citations for traffic violations.  Both raise complicated issues involving public safety and personal privacy.  Just because 21st century capabilities exist to collect mass surveillance does not mean government gets unchecked authority to ignore the founding principles established centuries ago to protect "we the people" from government intrusion.

 

Q:        What are next steps in the unfolding debate on U.S. surveillance policy?

A:        From my leadership position on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, I'm scrutinizing the scope of the federal government's surveillance activities through congressional oversight hearings and analyzing bipartisan proposals to address flaws in the system.  Legislative reforms may be needed to rein in surveillance overreach, foster transparency and enforce accountability among the U.S. intelligence community, including possible disclosure reforms of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC).  The architecture of our republic's system of checks and balances authorizes the three branches of the federal government to keep an eye on each other to prevent authoritarianism from intruding on individual rights.  Congress is obligated to ensure the U.S. intelligence apparatus does not overstep constitutionally protected rights of individuals while fulfilling its core mission to protect national security.  After 9/11, policymakers zeroed in on the failure of the federal government to "connect the dots" and thwart terrorism on U.S. soil.  Moving forward, policymakers can help rebuild the public's trust in the government's ability to "connect the dots" and strike a better balance between intelligence-gathering activities and individual rights.

 

Friday, November 22, 2013

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