26 Feb 2013

President Obama reappoints Gov. Branstad Co-Chair of Council of Governors

By Randy Stalsberg

Branstad to continue serving on national council tasked with finding effective homeland security, emergency response and National Guard measures and incorporating the state perspective into national policy discussions 

(DES MOINES) - President Barack Obama today reappointed Gov. Terry E. Branstad co-chair of the ten-governor Council of Governors. Branstad was first named to the Council as co-chair by President Obama in March 2011.

"It has been an honor to serve as co-chairman of the Council of Governors for the past two years," said Branstad. "I want to thank President Obama for having the confidence in me to continue serving on the Council to find effective and efficient solutions to enhance the preparedness and security of our great country. In addition, I want to thank General Orr, and his fellow Adjutants General, who have been integral in their support to help drive collaboration between the Federal government and the states"

The Council of Governors was established by the National Defense Authorization Act in 2008 to strengthen further partnership between the Federal and State governments as it pertains to national security. The council is balanced by political party and serves the nation as a whole. The governors serve two-year terms and are appointed by the President. The President designates two members of different political affiliations to serve as co-chairs of the Council.

The Council is considered a premier opportunity for governors to serve at a national level.

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26 Feb 2013

Your Child's Dental Timeline

By Rick Martin
BETTENDORF, IA - Every parent welcomes the appearance of baby's first tooth. But, with the appearance of that tooth - and the teeth that will soon follow - comes responsibility. Parents will need to take the child to the dentist, and also teach the child how to brush and floss. Often, parents are not sure when they need to take care of these important dental concerns.
"All healthcare needs should follow a regular schedule, and that includes dental care for children," said Melinda Hochgesang, D.M.D., of Byrum Family Dentistry. "It is important to establish dental care practices early, so your child can enjoy a healthy smile that will last a lifetime." Byrum Family Dentistry, the dental practice of Robert L. Byrum, D.D.S., P.C., and Melinda Hochgesang, D.M.D., is located at 3878 Middle Road, Bettendorf, IA.
To help parents to stay on-track with their child's dental care, Dr. Hochgesang offers the following timeline. "Many of the developments on the chart take place within an average time range," she said. "No two children follow the same schedule. For example, a neighbor's child may get her first tooth after four months, but your child's first tooth may not appear until six months have passed. Both children fall within the range noted in the schedule, so there's no cause for concern."
0 - 12 Months
  • The first tooth usually appears when your baby is 4 to 8 months old. Your child has 20 primary teeth (also known as baby teeth) at birth and they will appear gradually.
  • Use a damp washcloth to clean your baby's gums after feedings.
  • Once the first tooth appears, gently brush with a soft toothbrush, using water and no toothpaste.
  • Avoid giving your baby a bottle at bedtime. This can promote tooth decay.
  • As new teeth arrive, your baby's gums may be sore. You can rub your baby's gums for relief. Also, you can use chilled teething rings or pain-relief gels.
  • Ideally, your child should first see a dentist between six and twelve months of age.
1 - 3 Years
  • More primary teeth will appear.
  • You should begin taking your child to the dentist for regular check-ups.
  • You should help your child to brush.
  • Your child should drink water from a sippy cup.
3 - 7 Years
  • All the primary teeth should be in place. Your child will begin losing baby teeth as permanent teeth emerge, usually starting with the molars.
  • Discourage thumb-sucking. It may lead to bite problems and crooked teeth.
  • At this time, a dentist may place sealants on the child's teeth.
  • By preschool, you can teach your child to floss.
  • You should still supervise and assist with teeth-brushing. A pea-sized amount of toothpaste can be used, along with products containing fluoride.
  • Continue to visit the dentist every six months for regular check-ups.
8 - 13 Years
  • By this time, your child will have lost most or all baby teeth.
  • Child should be brushing and flossing without assistance.
  • Limit soft drinks and sugary/starchy foods.
  • Continue visiting the dentist every six months for regular check-ups.
  • If necessary, your dentist may recommend a visit to an orthodontist for a consultation.
13 - Early Twenties
  • Remind your child to brush twice daily and floss.
  • Discourage smoking and other tobacco products, as well as oral piercings.
  • Discourage excessive soft drinks and sugary/starchy foods.
  • If dental alignment is necessary, your child should be given braces.
  • Late teens and early twenties: Your child's wisdom teeth should be evaluated for proper placement and whether the jaw can accommodate them. In some cases, removal may be necessary.
  • Continue visiting the dentist every six months for regular check-ups.
Your Child's First Dental Visit
"New parents often ask what will happen at their child's first dental visit," Dr. Hochgesang said. "The dentist will examine your child's teeth and gums for tooth decay and other problems. The dentist may take X-rays to see if the teeth are developing properly, and to check for hidden decay. If necessary, your child's teeth will be professionally cleaned, or a follow-up appointment for cleaning will be scheduled. Also, you will also learn preventive home care skills to help protect your child's teeth."
Dr. Hochgesang noted the importance of setting a good example for your children. "Your child looks to you for guidance," she said. "I strongly encourage all parents to be dental role models for their children.  Your child should see that you are diligent about brushing and flossing, and that you visit your dentist regularly."
For more information on Byrum Family Dentistry, call (563) 332-7734 or visit ByrumFamilyDentistry.com.
-- End --
26 Feb 2013

WilliamPaid Aids Iowa Dance Marathon in Raising Over a Million Dollars for Cancer

By Allison Dreiband
The University of Iowa's annual Dance Marathon has come and gone with tremendous success. The 2013 event - a 24-hour Dance Marathon where students assemble to celebrate children survivors and pay tribute to those we have lost over the past year - raised a total of $1,529,560.

The University of Iowa Dance Marathon is a student organization that provides year-round support to youth cancer victims and their families. Students plan and participate in family events and Mini-Dance Marathons, leading up to the big event. The primary goal of these activities is to raise additional money for children with cancer and to educate the community about their struggles and triumphs.

WilliamPaid - an online rent payment service - was a primary sponsor of the event and contributed with a charitable donation. The charity said, "Having a donation from WilliamPaid made an impact on the lives of so many children and their families battling cancer. It does not go unnoticed."

More about WilliamPaid:

·         WilliamPaid is the easiest, most efficient way to pay rent by providing convenient and flexible options that work with any landlord.

·         Users can pay online via credit card, debit card, bank account or any combination of the three, or in cash at over 45,000 locations nationwide - giving renters the power to pay on their own terms.

·         Renters are also given the option to schedule automatic payments with Autopay and the ability to split and track payments with roommates.

·         Renters can also build their credit history by just paying their rent on time, as WilliamPaid can verify payments and report them to a credit bureau. The system reports rent payments each month and posts renters updated score on the websites' dashboard, allowing renters the option to easily manage and track their score as it progresses.

26 Feb 2013

Governor Quinn Announces Major Capital Investment in Illinois State University

By Ryan C. Woods

$54 Million Fine Arts Complex Will Create 775 Construction Jobs and Strengthen University's Renowned Arts Programs

NORMAL - February 21, 2013. Governor Pat Quinn today announced a $54 million capital investment to build a new fine arts complex that will strengthen Illinois State University's renowned arts programs and create 775 construction jobs. Funded through the governor's Illinois Jobs Now! capital program, the project is part of his commitment to creating jobs and growing the Illinois economy.

"This investment means Illinois State University will be able to build on its excellent reputation in the fine arts while creating hundreds of good jobs in Normal," Governor Quinn said. "Higher education is a powerful force for growth in Illinois. We all benefit when our universities have the facilities to engage and educate our young people, whether the field is art, accounting or engineering."

The Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction program will provide $54.25 million for the Fine Arts Complex, starting with $7.5 million for design and planning. The project includes renovation of existing buildings and construction of new, state-of-the-art space for instruction and performance. It will create more than 775 construction and related jobs, and spending by those workers will support an additional 775 jobs in the community.

"We are extremely grateful to Governor Quinn for his perseverance in bringing this project to Illinois State," ISU President Al Bowman said. "The College of Fine Arts offers first-class programs with outstanding faculty, staff and students who deserve first-class facilities."

The new complex will replace or renovate three buildings: Centennial East, Centennial West (both constructed in 1959) and the Center for Visual Arts (constructed in 1973). The College of Fine Arts includes departments in art, music, theater, dance and arts technology. It serves more than 1,100 students with 160 faculty and staff members, and 40 fields of study.

The next step toward a new complex is hiring an architectural and engineering firm to design it with input from faculty, staff members and students in conjunction with the state's Capital Development Board.

"This project is a great example of what the Illinois Jobs Now! program can accomplish," Jim Underwood, the Capital Development Board's executive director said. "It will create good jobs while strengthening Illinois State University. With the leadership of Governor Quinn and the guidance of ISU administrators, we're going to build a complex that will benefit students for years to come."

Governor Quinn's Illinois Jobs Now! program includes $1.5 billion for higher education, including $788 million for public universities and $400 million for community colleges. The overall $31 billion program, which began in 2009, is expected to support an estimated 439,000 construction jobs over six years.

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26 Feb 2013

University of Iowa Faculty Biennial at the Figge Opens Saturday

By Natalie Dunlop

Davenport, Iowa (February 21, 2013) - The Figge Art Museum will again present an exhibition of current works by members of the University of Iowa Studio Art faculty beginning Saturday and running through May 5, 2013.

The University of Iowa Faculty Biennial exhibition is curated by UIMA Director Sean O'Harrow and includes graphic design, 3D design, sculpture, painting, printmaking, intermedia, ceramics, photography, jewelry and metalwork, drawing and multimedia.

The last biennial, which was hosted by the Figge in 2011, was popular with audiences, and this year's show is guaranteed to be equally enticing. Participating faculty include : Hartmut Austen, Isabel Barbuzza, Anthony Castronovo, Peter Chanthanakone, Thomas Christison, Chunghi Choo, Ronald M. Cohen, Monica Correia, Brad Dicharry, John Dilg, David Dunlap, Laurel Farrin, Robert O. Glasgow, Ab Gratama, Sue Hettmansperger, Anita Jung, Sarah Kanouse, Amanda Lee, Vinicius Lima, Jeremy Lundquist, Steve McGuire, Virginia Myers, Mat Rude, James Snitzer, Margaret Stratton, Heidi Van Wieren, Susan Chrysler White, Rachel Marie-Crane Williams, Jon Winet and Kee-ho Yuen.

The school's studio arts program, which dates to the establishment of the Department of Graphic and Plastic Arts in 1910, is considered one of the best public offerings in the country and has hosted a number of famous artists on its list of faculty.

University of Iowa students, faculty, and staff receive free admission to the Figge with their UI ID cards; UIMA donors get in free with their Donor Courtesy Cards.

Companion Events:

Artists Reception

3-5 p.m. Sunday, February 24

Meet the artists and enjoy hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar.

Single Speed Geography on The Continental Divide–

Designing, Building, Riding

7 p.m. Thursday, April 4

Artist: Steve McGuire

Steve McGuire, professor of 3D design and metal arts, will present a lecture on his current work which centers on titanium hand-built bicycles and the stories of time-trialing them, self-supported, in unforgiving locations such as the Colorado Rocky Mountains.

About the Figge Art Museum

The Figge Art Museum is located on the riverfront in downtown Davenport at 225 West Second Street. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday and Sundays 12-5 p.m. Thursdays the museum is open until 9 p.m. Admission to the museum and tour is $7. Admission is free to Figge members and institutional members. To contact the museum, please call 563.326.7804, or visit www.figgeartmuseum.org.

  -end-
26 Feb 2013

TENTATIVE AGENDA SCOTT COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS February 25 - March 1, 2013

By Chris Berge
Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Committee of the Whole - 8:00 am
Board Room, 1st Floor, Administrative Center

1. Roll Call: Cusack, Earnhardt, Hancock, Minard, Sunderbruch

Presentation

2. Presentation of Certified Sites Program by Quad Cities First.

Facilities & Economic Development

3. Approval of property tax abatement on County Tax Deed properties. (Item 3)

Human Resources

4. Approval of changes to Human Resources Policy Y. (Item 4)

5. Approval of personnel actions. (Item 5)

Finance & Intergovernmental

6. Discussion of quarterly financial summary report. (Item 6)

7. Approval of quarterly financial reports from various county offices. (Item 7)

8. Approval of budget amendment to the FY13 County Budget. (Item 8)

9. Approval of the FY14 County Budget. (Item 9)

10. Approval of support for The Putnam Museum's application for the STEM Learning Center Project. (Item 10)

11. Approval of FY 2013/2014 Iowa Department of Transportation Budget and five year construction program. (Item 11)

12. Approval of the purchase of additional software licenses and modules from collective data. (Item 12)

13. Approval of classification and staffing adjustments as discussed during the fiscal year 2014 Budget Review Process. (Item 13)

14. Approval of adjustment in salary for non-represented county employees for fiscal year 2014. (Item 14)

15. Approval of Fiscal Year 2014 Compensation Schedule for County Elected Officials and Deputy Office Holders. (Item 15)

16. Approval of FY14 Z Schedule. (Item 16)

17. Approval of salary increase for the Civil Service Commission's Administrator. (Item 17)

18. Approving appointment of the Scott County Engineer as the Scott County Weed Commissioner. (Item 18)

Other Items of Interest

19. Discussion of Board Members annual visits with County Departments (Item 19)

20. Other items of interest.

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Regular Board Meeting - 5:30 pm
Board Room, 1st Floor, Administrative Center
26 Feb 2013

Bettendorf resident in the Spotlight at Mount Union College

By Mount Union

Courtney Wachal of Bettendorf, Iowa, is the current student in the spotlight at Mount Union College.  Ms. Wachal, a sophomore, is majoring in French and International Studies.

http://www.mountunion.edu/courtney-wachal

26 Feb 2013

City of Davenport Snow Emergency Declared

By City of Davenport
Date of Record: February 25, 2013

Based on predicted weather a Snow Emergency has been Declared.  The Snow Emergency will be in effect beginning at Noon, Tuesday, February 26th through Noon, Wednesday, February 27th.  Parking on posted Snow Routes is prohibited when a Snow Emergency has been declared. Vehicles parked on Posted Snow Routes during a Snow Emergency may be subject to ticketing and towing.  As an alternative visitors to the downtown area are welcome to park for FREE in any one of our three parking ramps.   We encourage all residents to park off street wherever possible on all other streets.  If you must park on the street, and are not on a Snow Route, please park on the even side of the street Tuesday and the odd side on Wednesday.  Off-street and even/odd side of the street parking will assist the snowplows in moving through narrower streets.
For more information on parking and snow/ice clearing activities you may also visit our Winter Guide.

If you are in need of assistance with snow shoveling or are interested in volunteering to help someone in need shovel their walks please refer to the City's new Snow Angels program at this link.
25 Feb 2013

Referendum to Increase the Sheep Assessment to be held Feb. 25 Through March 15

By Amanda Heitz
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Iowa Sheep Industry Association have announced plans to conduct a referendum from February 25 to March 15, 2013.

As part of the referendum, all eligible producers will be able to vote on two questions, the first is whether the $.10 per head assessment on all sheep sold should be increased to $.25. The second question would allow the Iowa Sheep and Wool Promotion Board, beginning in 2016, to change the assessment rate by $.05 every three years. The Board would only be granted this authority if producers approve increasing the assessment to $.25 and the board could only make such changes by resolution only following a producer comment period.

Any producer who is actively engaged within this state in the business of producing or marketing sheep or wool and who receives income from the production of sheep or wool is eligible to participate in the referendum and is entitled to one vote.

Farmers may vote in the Iowa State University Extension office in the county in which they live. When voting each farmer will have to sign an affidavit stating they are a producer eligible to vote or provide proof of their county of residence and a sheep or wool sales receipt from the previous 12 months.

The current Sheep and Wool assessment is $.10 per head on each sheep sold by a producer and $.02 per pound of wool sold by a producer. The Iowa Sheep and Wool promotion board is governed by Iowa Code Chapter 182, which was initially passed in 1985 and was updated last year to allow for the current referendum to increase the assessment rate.

Producers with questions about the procedures or eligibility for voting in this referendum can contact the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship at (515) 281-5321 or by e-mail to sheepvote@iowaagriculture.gov.

For more information on how funds generated by the assessment are used, Iowans can contact the Iowa Sheep Industry Association at 712-790-6303 or via email at info@iowasheep.com or find out more online at www.iowasheep.com.

In accordance with Iowa Code, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is responsible for holding referendum votes and all costs incurred by the Department will be reimbursed by the Iowa Sheep Industry Association.

- 30 -
25 Feb 2013

Transplant Production Workshop Rescheduled for March 2

By Amanda Heitz
Due to the Winter Storm Advisory issued by the National Weather Service, the Vegetable Transplant Production Workshop scheduled for Feb. 22 at the Scott County Extension Office has been rescheduled. The workshop will now be Saturday, March 2 from 1 - 5:30 p.m. There is no change in the location; the rescheduled workshop will be held at the Scott County Extension Office, 875 Tanglefoot Lane, Bettendorf.

Those interested in attending and not registered for the event can register by going to http://transplantproduction.eventbrite.com/.

For more information about the workshop, contact Ajay Nair at nairajay@iastate.edu or 515-294-7080.

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