19 Mar 2012

Cuts by the Air Force

By Rick Martin
Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Senator Chuck Grassley made the comment below about information released today by the U.S. Air Force regarding its fiscal year 2013 Total Force Manpower Force Structure, which includes authorized manpower numbers for Iowa, including the 132nd Fighter Wing in Des Moines and the 185th Air Refueling Wing in Sioux City.

The Air Force document indicates a net reduction of 492 Air Guard positions in Des Moines due to recent recommendations to retire 21 F-16s in Des Moines.  The Air Force document also indicates a net increase of three Air Guard positions in Sioux City.

Senator Grassley's comment:

"Reversing this decision will take a concerted effort by National Guard advocates in Congress.  So far, the effort has been significant, and there will be an opportunity to determine a different outcome when annual legislation to authorize defense spending is considered later this year

"I'm a member of the National Guard Caucus in the Senate and plan to continue pressing for answers and a thorough review of what's best for taxpayers and national defense.  During a Budget Committee hearing last week, Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon and I both asked Defense Secretary Panetta to review these recommendations.  In addition, 49 governors, including Governor Branstad, have expressed opposition to the Guard cuts.

"Fiscal responsibility and stewardship dictate that the Air Force should use a cost-benefit analysis that looks at the strengths and weaknesses of the active and reserve forces.  It's not clear that such a process has been used, and the Air Force needs to account for its approach."

Rep. Bruce Braley's office sent the following:

Braley: Stopping Air Force Cuts to Des Moines Air National Guard is "Just Common Sense"

Washington, DC - March 6, 2012 - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) released the following statement today after the US Air Force said it was recommending eliminating 492 positions at the Des Moines-based 132nd Iowa Air National Guard Fighter Wing:

"Stopping the Air Force's misguided cuts to the Des Moines Air National Guard wing isn't a partisan issue, it's just common sense.  If the Air Force's goal is to reduce costs, downsizing the Iowa Air National Guard while more expensive units and less experienced pilots are preserved elsewhere just doesn't add up.

 

"The Pentagon's priorities are wrong, and I'll continue working alongside Iowa's elected leaders to stop this damaging plan in its tracks."

# # #
19 Mar 2012

What: Iowa Hospice is hosting a free workshop that will provide new recipes, ingredientsubstitution tips and handy cooking techniques about "cooking for one" after suffering a loss. Who: Muscatine Hy-Vee's dietitian, Kristen Decker, wil

By Aleshia Chiesa
NorthPark and SouthPark Malls to host Miss Sunburst model search and baby contest

WHO: NorthPark and SouthPark Malls will host a Miss Sunburst model search and baby contest on
Saturday, March 24.

WHAT:

Entries are being accepted now for the Miss Sunburst model search and baby contest.
Each contestant will receive a crown and trophy. Winners will go to the state finals in
May. The baby pageant is for boys and girls. The age groups are as follows:

Baby - under one year
Tiny - 1 year
Little - 2-3 years

A king and queen will be chosen in each age group. They will receive a crown and trophy and
runners-up in each age group will also receive a trophy and crown. The model search is
for girls ages 4 - 27 years old. The age groups are as follows:

4-6

WHEN:

WHERE:

7 - 10
11 - 13
14 - 17
18 - 27

A winner in each age group will receive a crown and trophy and runners-up will also
receive a trophy and crown. Entry forms are available at the Guest Service Center in
front of Younkers at NorthPark Mall and at the Mall Office in SouthPark Mall. Contact
www.pageantinfo.com or call 813-839-8054 to have all the information sent to you.

March 24, 2012

SouthPark Mall - 11am
NorthPark Mall - 4pm

SouthPark - Younker's Court

CAMERA CREWS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS WELCOME

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19 Mar 2012

Iowa Hospice to Host Free "Cooking for One" Grief Workshop

By Rick Martin

What:        Iowa Hospice is hosting a free workshop that will provide new recipes, ingredientsubstitution tips and handy cooking techniques about "cooking for one" after suffering a loss.

Who: Muscatine Hy-Vee's dietitian, Kristen Decker, will provide insight on cooking for one, including a cooking demonstration and food sampling.

When:      Tuesday, March 20, 2012

1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Where:     Hy-Vee (kitchen dining area)

4064 E 53rd St.

Davenport, IA 52807

Note: Registration is free, but space is limited. Contact Kayla Richardson at kayla.richardson@iowa-hospice.com or 1-800-Hospice (467-7423).

19 Mar 2012

Illinois Homeschool PAC Endorses Jonathan Wallace for 72nd State Representative District

By Jonathan Wallace
MORRIS, IL -- The Illinois Homeschool PAC today announced its endorsement of Republican Jonathan Wallace in the 2012 Primary Election in the 72nd State Representative District. ILHPAC also launched IllinoisHomeschoolFreedom.com to showcase the completed questionnaires of 37 General Assembly candidates.

"We're pleased to endorse Jonathan, who has has demonstrated a clear distinction from his opponents in terms of a commitment to protect homeschool freedom," said Curt Mercadante, chair of the Illinois Homeschool PAC. "We urge home educators to support Jonathan, and to visit IllinoisHomeschoolFreedom.com to view the completed questionnaires of 37 candidates for the Illinois General Assembly."

ILHPAC's also today announced its full endorsement list for the 2012 Primary Elections:

Senate:
  • Lennie Jarratt, 31st State Senate District (Homeschool Parent)
  • Sen. Sam McCann, 50th State Senate District (Incumbent/Homeschool Parent)
  • Mark Minor, 59th State Senate District
  • Garrett Peck, 49th State Senate District

House:

  • Liandro "Li" Arellano, Jr., 90th State Representative District
  • Jonathan Wallace, 72nd State Representative District (Homeschooler)

These endorsements are for the 2012 Primary Election only and are based on candidate responses to the ILHPAC legislative questionnaire. In some cases, the candidates are either home educators or were home educated. All of these candidates have contested Primary Elections, and there is a clear and demonstrable difference between these candidates and their opponents in their support for homeschool freedom.

"Just because a candidate is not endorsed does not mean he or she is not pro-homeschooling," added Mercadante. "We invite you to visit IllinoisHomeschoolFreedom.com to see if your candidate has completed our legislative questionnaire."

The Illinois Homeschool PAC is the only Illinois political action committee that is singularly focused on protecting the rights of Illinois home educators.



# # #

19 Mar 2012

Colon Cancer Free QC

By Jake Glimco
19 Mar 2012

Sen. Grassley and Rep. Issa Request Assessment from OMB of Federal Guidelines for Employee Personal Email Monitoring

By Grassley Press

Request Comes in Wake of Investigation into Monitoring of Communications Between "FDA Nine" Whistleblowers and Congress

 

Agency may have intercepted passwords to personal accounts to search those accounts, which would be illegal

 

(WASHINGTON)–Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) have requested that the Obama Administration conduct a complete assessment of federal agency guidelines for the monitoring of employee's personal email accounts.  Grassley and Issa are conducting investigations into Food and Drug Administration (FDA) actions against nine employees who were whistleblowers to Congress about inappropriate actions they witnessed inside the agency.

 

In a letter to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Acting Director Jeffrey D. Zients, Grassley and Issa noted that the "FDA may have intercepted passwords to the personal email accounts of its employees for the purpose of logging in to search for archived messages to and from Congress and the Office of Special Counsel." Although the FDA admitted monitoring the accounts, it also obtained confidential email between the whistleblowers and Congress sent prior to the time that the monitoring allegedly occurred, which raises questions about how the FDA obtained the prior emails.

 

"The FDA specifically targeted these employees for monitoring after they contacted the Presidential transition team and Congress to blow the whistle.  Therefore, the FDA's purpose for conducting surveillance was unlawful, because retaliation against individuals who engaged in protected forms of whistleblowing is illegal," Grassley and Issa added.

 

Grassley and Issa wrote to Zients saying that their investigation of FDA's surveillance of whistleblowers had given rise to a broader question about the policies and practices for electronic surveillance at all federal agencies.  They asked OMB to address a series of questions regarding parameters for such searches.

 

A complete copy of the letter and a full list of questions is here.

 

# # #


19 Mar 2012

Taiwan broadening of U.S. beef imports

By Grassley Press

Sen. Chuck Grassley today made the following comment on the Taiwanese government announcement that Taiwan plans to set an allowance level for U.S. beef that contains the feed additive ractopamine but not set a similar level for U.S. pork.  Ractopamine has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration and is used by many U.S. beef and pork producers as a feed additive.

"I'm encouraged that the Taiwanese government may allow some U.S. beef that contains traces of ractopamine into Taiwan, but the announcement falls far short of resolving this issue.  The Taiwanese government has not set any allowable level of this additive for U.S. pork imports.  As I've said before, Taiwan must treat U.S. agricultural products fairly, in accordance with scientific evidence, and in keeping with its trade obligations, if it expects to maintain its status as a strong economic partner with the United States.  There is no scientific reason for Taiwan to set residual levels of a certain additive for beef but not pork.  I hope Taiwan's announcement was just a first step in the right direction toward more removal of the trade barriers hurting U.S. farmers."
19 Mar 2012

Treasurer Fitzgerald Searching for Lucky Iowans

By Michael Fitzgerald

DES MOINES, IA (03/06/2012)(readMedia)-- Looking for your pot o' gold at the end of the rainbow? You may be in luck! State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald has a vault brimming full of unclaimed property that may belong to you. In the true spirit of St. Patrick's Day, a visit to the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt website at www.greatiowatreasurehunt.com may add some green in the form of unclaimed property to the wallets of some lucky Iowans.

Treasurer Fitzgerald encourages everyone to visit the website. "You don't need a treasure map to find unclaimed property, just log on to greatiowatreasurehunt.com and type in your name," Fitzgerald said. "We are consistently updating the list of those who have unclaimed property. Our database contains names of individuals and businesses from all over Iowa."

The Great Iowa Treasure Hunt program has returned over $143 million in unclaimed property to more than 359,000 individuals since Fitzgerald started it in 1983. Companies and banks in Iowa and from across the nation report millions of dollars in unclaimed property to the State Treasurer each year. Common examples of unclaimed property include money in forgotten savings/checking accounts, uncashed insurance benefit and payroll checks, IRA funds, lost stock and dividends, abandoned safe deposit box contents, gift cards, utility refunds or deposits.

Treasure seekers are encouraged to visit www.greatiowatreasurehunt.com and check to see if they have unclaimed assets waiting for them. Individuals may also send an email to foundit@iowa.gov. For those who prefer corresponding by mail, please write to State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald, Great Iowa Treasure Hunt, Lucas State Office Building, Des Moines, IA 50319. Please make sure to provide current name, previous names and addresses.

 

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19 Mar 2012

Governor Quinn Announces Agreement to Create 1,450 Jobs and Boost Wind Manufacturing in Illinois

By Nafia Khan

Supports Commitment to Renewable Energy, Job Creation

 

CHICAGO - March 6, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today announced an agreement between Rock Island Clean Line LLC and Flora, Illinois-based Southwire Company that will support wind turbine and transmission manufacturing in Illinois and create 1,450 union construction jobs under a project labor agreement in Illinois over a three-year construction period. The agreement supports Governor Quinn's commitment to growing the renewable energy sector in Illinois and continues Illinois' leadership in the green economy. The governor announced the agreement after delivering the keynote address at the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) Regional Wind Energy Summit held today in Chicago.

 

"Illinois is a leader in the renewable energy sector, and agreements like these are helping make Illinois even more competitive," Governor Quinn said. "These cutting-edge projects will help maintain Illinois' national leadership in wind energy and manufacturing, and create good paying, home-grown jobs."

 

Under the agreement, Southwire will supply the overhead transmission cable for the Rock Island Clean Line project. This project will consist of approximately 500-mile overhead, high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line that will deliver 3,500 megawatts (MW) of renewable power from Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and South Dakota to communities and businesses in Illinois and other states to the east. Construction of the Rock Island Clean Line could begin as early as 2014 and continue over the next few years.

 

"We are very pleased that Clean Line has chosen to work with Southwire as they prepare for the construction of the Rock Island Clean Line HVDC line.  Such projects help to address the infrastructure needs that are critical to delivering renewable power to the population centers in the Midwest," stated Charlie Murrah, President of Southwire's Energy Division. "Transmission cable demand of this magnitude enables Southwire to continue its 60+ year leadership position in energy cable manufacturing and to contribute to the vitality of communities in which we operate such as Flora, Illinois."

 

The Rock Island Clean Line will enable approximately $7 billion worth of investments in new wind energy projects to move forward, which today cannot be constructed due to the lack of transmission. The project will also allow Illinois greater access to low-cost clean wind energy and will deliver enough energy to power more than 1.4 million Midwest homes.

 

Clean Line President Michael Skelly said, "Clean Line Energy is committed to sourcing as many of the needed materials as possible from local companies in the Rock Island Clean Line project area. We are excited to work with Southwire on a project that will power Illinois homes and businesses with clean energy. We believe it is increasingly important to invest in energy infrastructure in order to contribute to local economies, create new jobs in America and improve energy security. We look forward to continuing to work with Illinois authorities, state leaders and communities as our project moves forward."

 

A study conducted by Illinois State University found that wind energy in Illinois supports local economies by generating $22.2 million in annual property taxes, and supports nearly 600 permanent jobs and over 13,000 construction jobs. According to the American Wind Energy Association, there are 2,743 MW of wind generation installed in Illinois, enough to power nearly 1 million homes, and 523 MW of new wind is now under construction. Illinois was the number one state for new turbines installed in 2011, with 404 turbines erected last year. The Chicago-area is home to the U.S. or global headquarters of 14 wind developers or manufacturers, more than any other U.S. city. Illinois is also home to hundreds of companies in wind component manufacturing, supply chain, or that provide services to the industry.

 

For more information on Illinois' renewable energy industry, visit the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's State Energy Office at www.illinoisenergy.org.

 

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19 Mar 2012

Poetry Out Loud Regional Contest Winners Move On to State Contest

By Tracy White
Students from United Township and Orion High Schools

 

On Saturday, February 18th, students from Orion High School and United Township participated in the Poetry Out Loud regional contest at Quad City Arts. The event was exciting and enriching and all in attendance were edified and entertained by the student recitations.

We are happy to announce the winners of the contest: 1st place went to Brianna Gray from United Township HS. Brianna recited "Jabberwocky" by Lewis Carroll and "Song of the Powers" by David Mason. Runner-up was Anni Keleher from Orion HS. Anni recited  "Hope" by Emily Dickinson and "The Vacuum" by Howard Nemerov.

These students will now advance to Illinois' State Poetry Out Loud Competition, being held Thursday, March 29, 2012, at the Hoogland Center for the Arts in Springfield.  The State champion will advance to the Poetry Out Loud National Finals in April in Washington, DC where $50,000 in awards and school stipends will be distributed with the grand prize being $20,000.

Poetry Out Loud is presented by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation. It is a national program that encourages high school students to learn about great poetry through memorization, performance, and competition. This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.

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