Asks LaSalle County Board to initiate hearing, promote public input

SPRINGFIELD - March 12, 2012. Lt. Governor Sheila Simon is advocating for more transparency and public input as a proposal to open a sand mine on 300 acres of farm land adjacent to Starved Rock State Park moves ahead.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is only required under state law to hold a public hearing on the proposed Mississippi Sand, LLC mine if a hearing is requested by the LaSalle County Board, Simon said. IDNR is not expressly required by law to hold a public hearing at any other party's request.

Simon sent a letter today to the LaSalle County Board urging it to request IDNR hold a hearing on the project's reclamation plan. The plan explains how the mine would be used in 40 years, after the sand is exhausted. Mississippi Sand, LLC proposes to fill the mine with water and turn it into a recreational lake.

"Your action in demanding the hearing will show your commitment to an open, public process that serves all citizens of your county," Simon said in the letter addressed to LaSalle County Chairman Jerry Hicks. "Democracy is not speedy, and it works best when as many people as possible, representing all sides of an issue, can provide input."

Simon serves as chair of the Illinois River, Mississippi River and Ohio and Wabash Rivers Coordinating Councils, advisory bodies comprised of citizens and government agency officials that work with local communities to raise awareness of watershed issues. The Illinois River Coordinating Council adopted a resolution in February to promote public input into the mine proposal and ensure local, state, and federal agencies consider fully all impacts of the proposed mine.

Starved Rock State Park is located along the south side of the Illinois River, one mile south of Utica. Known for its hiking trails and eagle watching, the park celebrated its centennial anniversary in 2010 and set an attendance record in 2011, attracting nearly 2.2 million visitors.

Mississippi Sand, LLC is seeking a permit for phase one of the project, which would mine sand from 80 acres near the east entrance of the park. The proposed sand mine would create 39 jobs.

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On Thursday, March 22nd at the First Covenant Church, Moline, located at 3303 - 41st Street in Moline, Churches United of the Quad City Area will host its annual delegate assembly and the entire community is invited to join us.  This will be the 51st annual Delegate Assembly and this year we will again look at the various ministries of this ecumenical group and review the budget for this current year.  This year we have invited three clergy women to talk about their experience working in the church but also working ecumenically.  One key mission for Churches United is to honor the diversity in the Church as well as within the larger faith community.  What are the challenges of working within one faith yet engaging others in a positive and inclusive manner?  The three members of the panel are:

  • Rev Katherine Mulhern, Pastor, Edwards Congregational, UCC, Davenport
  • Sister Marilyn Ring, Chaplain, Augustana College, Rock Island, IL
  • Rev. Dawn H. Roucka, Director, Illinois Chapter of Church World Service
If you would like more information about this ecumenical gathering please contact Rev. Ronald C. Quay, Executive Director, Churches United at (563) 332-5002.
Nashville, TN, USA - March 12, 2012 - Due to overwhelming demand, the inaugural Unsigned Only Music Competition has extended its deadline to enter until April 11, 2012. Designed for solo artists, bands, and singers who are not signed to a major record label, Unsigned Only's goal is to find an outstanding, talented performing artist: a band, singer, or solo artist...a newcomer or veteran...raw or polished - the "gem" that needs to be discovered. Unsigned Only is looking for the total package. Judging criteria includes vocals, performance, songwriting, and originality.

Created by the same team who founded the International Songwriting Competition (ISC), Unsigned Only offers great prizes, recognition, exposure, and the chance to be heard by a group of judges consisting of high-profile recording artists and industry professionals. It also takes it a step further, however, and offers the Grand Prize winner the unprecedented opportunity to be mentored by a group of record company presidents, A&R reps, and more. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for an artist to directly network with the top echelon of record company professionals and get guidance, advice, feedback, and networking opportunities.

The founders of Unsigned Only, Jim Morgan and Candace Avery, talk about the new venture: "We are pleased to introduce a new music competition of this caliber to artists throughout the world. Having worked with a wide variety of artists over many years, we know that what artists want most is access to record label professionals. However, it is virtually impossible for most up-and-coming artists to have direct access to this elite and elusive group of decision makers. So, Unsigned Only is offering the unprecedented opportunity for the Grand Prize winner to network with and be mentored by a prestigious group of record label executives. This has never been done before, and we are excited about the possibilities it affords the Unsigned Only winner."

The judging panel is comprised of an impressive group of recording artists, producers, and top-level music journalists. They include : Cyndi Lauper; Kenny Rogers; Angie Stone; 3 Doors Down; Charlie Daniels; Jeremy Camp; Manchester Orchestra; Craig Morgan; Robert Smith (The Cure); Kelly Clarkson; Musiq Soulchild; Aaron Shust; Steve Lillywhite (Producer); G. Love; Matt and Kim; St. Vincent; The Mountain Goats; Josh Jackson (Co-Founder and Editor-In-Chief, Paste Magazine); Scott Lapatine (Founder/Editor-In-Chief, Stereogum) and Lorraine Ali (Pop Music Editor, Los Angeles Times).

The panel of mentors who have signed on to participate is equally impressive. Included are: Monte Lipman (President of Universal Republic); Pete Ganbarg (Executive Vice President/Head of A&R, Atlantic Records); David Wolter (Senior VP of A&R, RCA Records); Kim Stephens (President, Forward Entertainment and A&R/Capitol Music Group); Trevor Jerideau (VP of A&R, RCA Records); David Wilkes (VP of A&R, eOne Music); Pete Giberga (Head of A&R, Razor & Tie Records); Jason Geter (President, Grand Hustle Records); Jason McArthur (VP of A&R, Provident Label Group); and Josh Bailey, SVP A&R, Word Label Group.

The Grand Prize Winner will be awarded $5,000 in cash (plus additional prizes) and one-on-one mentoring by an elite group of record company executives. First Place and Second Place winners will also be selected in each category. Entries are being accepted now until April 11, 2012.  Winners will be announced in July, 2012. Categories include : AAA (Adult Album Alternative), AC (Adult Contemporary), Christian Music, Country, Folk/Singer-Songwriter, R&B/Hip-Hop, Rock, Pop/Top 40, and Vocal Performance.

All entries must be original music except for the Vocal Performance category which accepts original or cover songs. Judging criteria in the Vocal Performance category will be based solely on the quality of the vocals, thereby allowing singers who do not write their own songs the opportunity to enter.

For more information, please contact Candace Avery at 615.251.4441 or cavery@unsignedonly.com.
For entry and general information, please go to http://www.unsignedonly.com
SPRINGFIELD - March 11, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today issued the following statement regarding FEMA's denial of the state's request for federal assistance for people and businesses in Southern Illinois that were impacted by the Feb. 29 tornado.

"I am extremely disappointed that FEMA denied our request for federal assistance that is needed to help people in Harrisburg, Ridgway and the other communities devastated by this deadly tornado. After personally surveying the damage and talking to many residents who lost their homes, I firmly believe federal assistance is crucial to help them begin the recovery process.

"I support Senator Dick Durbin's efforts to encourage federal officials to reconsider their decision. In the meantime, I have directed Illinois Emergency Management Agency Director Jonathon Monken to continue working with local officials to ensure that we do everything possible to secure critical assistance."

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U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley made the following statement after the Office of Management and Budget cleared the comprehensive BSE rule and the Department of Agriculture released the rule for public comment.

Grassley, along with Senator Ben Nelson of Nebraska, led a bipartisan group of senators pressing the administration to issue the comprehensive BSE rule.  The rule had been in the works for several years, but was stalled within the Office of Management and Budget.  The letter to the Office of Management and Budget Acting Director Jeffrey Zients and Animal Plant Health and Inspection Services Administrator, Dr. Gregory Parham, can be found here.

"Beef producers have been waiting years for the Department of Agriculture to issue the BSE comprehensive rule.  Without the rule, our trade negotiators face real challenges when they are pushing other countries to adopt science-based approaches to beef imports.  Just as we got close to having this rule issued, OMB held it up for reasons that still aren't clear.  It looks like we finally shook the rule loose after our bipartisan group of senators sent a letter to Acting Director Zients pressing him to quickly act.  I will continue to follow the progress of this rule as it moves through the public comment process, and I look forward to seeing new openings for our beef markets."

Friday, March 9, 2012

 

Grassley Asks Justice Department for Details on its "Thousands" of Cases Brought on Mortgage Fraud

WASHINGTON - Senator Chuck Grassley, Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, today asked the Department of Justice for detailed information about the "thousands" of mortgage fraud cases the department has brought forward and about the claim that the department has "secured numerous convictions against CEOs, CFOs, board members, presidents and other executives of Wall Street firms and banks for financial crimes."

Grassley's letter to Attorney General Eric Holder follows a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Wednesday about lending foreclosure abuse in relation to the housing crisis.  In a follow-up article in the Blog of Legal Times, a spokesperson from the Justice Department stated, "The Department of Justice, through our U.S. Attorneys' Offices and litigating divisions, has brought thousands of mortgage fraud cases over the past three years, and secured numerous convictions against CEOs, CFOs, board members, presidents and other executives of Wall Street firms and banks for financial crimes."

At the Judiciary Committee hearing, Grassley noted that the Criminal Division in the Justice Department, headed by Lanny Breuer, failed to bring criminal charges against the former Countrywide CEO who was accused of lying about the risks of Countrywide's loans.

Grassley said in his opening statement at the hearing that, "The department's message is that crime does pay.  Light settlements and no prosecutions not only do not deter.  They invite crimes of this sort to occur against similar future victims. How are the department's enormous resources being used?"

Here is a copy of the text of Grassley's letter.  A signed copy can be found here.

 

March 9, 2012

The Honorable Eric H. Holder, Jr.

Attorney General of the United States

Department of Justice

950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC  20530

 

Dear Mr. Attorney General:

At a March 7, 2012 hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I stated , "The Justice Department has brought no criminal cases against any of the major Wall Street banks or executives who are responsible for the financial crisis" (emphasis added).  In response, the Justice Department issued the following statement: "The Department of Justice, through our U.S. Attorneys' Offices and litigating divisions, has brought thousands of mortgage fraud cases over the past three years, and secured numerous convictions against CEOs, CFOs, board members, presidents and other executives of Wall Street firms and banks for financial crimes."

In light of the Department's statement, please provide for each of the thousands of mortgage fraud cases, the caption of those cases, the crimes for which convictions were sought and obtained, the outcome of the case, including any penalties of imprisonment and/or fines, and please indicate which of these convictions were obtained against CEOs, CFOs, board members, presidents and other executives of Wall Street firms and banks that were responsible for the financial crisis.

Please provide this response by March 31, 2012.

Thank you.                          

Sincerely,

Charles E. Grassley

United States Senator

The week started out in an exciting way! We had four advocates speak in favor of a statewide ban on using nicotine or tobacco products on all K-12 school property at a public hearing in the House of Representatives on Monday night. Three of us were the final three speakers of the night and we definitely had an impact on legislators who were present. We anticipate an amendment will be filed to the House Education Reform bill on this next week. Watch for an Action Alert!

The House was supposed to debate the Health & Human Services spending bill yesterday, but didn't. That bill zeroes out spending for tobacco prevention and cessation programs. For more on this issue, check out my opinion piece that was published in last Saturday's Des Moines Register here.

More ammunition for our position came this week in the form of a new report from the US Surgeon General Regina Benjamin. Dr. Benjamin said youth tobacco use is a "pediatric epidemic" and a grave threat to public health. Why then is the Iowa House Appropriations Committee proposing eliminating all funding for tobacco prevention and cessation?  To see the press release sent out by the Iowa Tobacco Prevention Alliance yesterday tying the Surgeon General's report to the situation in Iowa, click here.

Moline, Illinois - Congressman Bobby Schilling (IL-17) today presented constituent Mark Graves of Aledo with the Combat Action Badge for his service with the United States Army Military Police in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

"It is truly an honor to be presenting the Combat Action Badge to one of our area's distinguished war heroes," Schilling said.  "My deepest gratitude goes out to Mark for his service in safeguarding our nation and protecting our freedoms."

Graves entered Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at the United States Army Military Police School in July 1999.  After finishing training with the United States Army Military Police, he deployed to Iraq and served with the 64th Military Police Company, 720th Military Police Battalion, 89th Military Police Brigade from March 2003-2004.

During his time in Iraq serving as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Graves' Military Police unit was engaged in some of the most hazardous duty in Iraq, including convoy escorts, manning check-points frequently attacked by insurgents, town, and village patrols, road security to prevent improvised explosive devices from being planted, and the processing of prisoners of War.  His unit was frequently assigned to support various infantry units on operations throughout Iraq, from Baghdad to Tikrit, and was involved in at least seven combat engagements with anti-coalition forces.  During one engagement, Graves' High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV, or Humvee) took a direct hit from a rocket-propelled grenade.

During Graves' service he was awarded the Joint Services Achievement Medal; Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Global War on Terrorism Medal; Army Good Conduct Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Humanitarian Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; and the Overseas Service Ribbon.  The one award that eluded him was the Combat Action Badge, which is awarded to soldiers who personally engage or are engaged by the enemy.

Schilling's staff started on this case in early August, 2011 when Graves reached out upon receiving a mailer on services Schilling's staff provides.  After tracking down the necessary documentation, staff was able to meet the Army's Combat Action Badge requirements by early January, 2012.

"Constituent casework is the most important part of my job and we will continue to work tirelessly towards successful outcomes," Schilling said.  "I encourage anyone having issues navigating federal agencies to contact my offices - we're happy to help."

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Re-Enrollment is on!  And there is a  F R E E Z E!

Current families can re-enroll their students for the 2012-13 school year before new students are accepted.  Be sure to reserve a place for your child before March 30.
Re-enrollment contracts and information about 2012-13 were mailed on March 1st.
Kudos to 6th Grade Math Bee!
Way to Go! The Rivermont 6th Grade Math Bee team placed fifth in the regional competition and will compete at the state level in late April.  Congratulations to team members:  Kenton Fee, Naina Ninan, Collin Smith, Sophia Xiao and alternate Perapa  Chotiprasidhi.  Special thanks to volunteer coach Chae Hee Porubcin.

 

WQAD News 8 - 2012 My Favorite Teacher Contest

Deadline for entries is Wednesday, March 28 at 5 PM.

Contest is open to all K-12 students and active teachers within the WQAD News 8 viewing area.

Each entrant must submit an essay of approximately 200 words or less explaining who his/her favorite teacher is/was and why that particular educator is so outstanding.

Each entry must also include :
entrant's name, grade, address and phone number
nominated teacher's full name and current school
school address
grade he/she teaches

Entry must be emailed or delivered by 5:00 PM, Wednesday, March 28, 2012.

My Favorite Teacher Contest
WQAD News 8
3003 Park 16th Street
Moline, IL  61265
OR  wqad@wqad.com
 
Amana - The Gin Game, a drama by D. L. Coburn will open The Old Creamery
Theatre's Studio Stage season on Thursday, April 12 at 3 p.m.

The play is set in a care center where two lonely residents strike up an innocent game
of Gin Rummy. Things get out of control as fury, first at the card game and then at their
fate, rises to the surface. Winner of a Pulitzer Prize for Drama, The Gin Game is rated
Theatre R for adult language.

Tom Milligan, producing director of The Old Creamery from West Amana and Kay
Francis of Naples, Florida will be featured in the show that runs through April 29.
As a warm-up for The Old Creamery's production, Milligan and Francis gave three
outstanding performances of the play in January at the Norris Community Center in
Naples, Florida.

Tickets are $27 for adults and $17.50 for students. Show times are Thursdays and
Sundays at 3 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. Call the box office at 800-
35-AMANA (352-6262) or visit the website at www.oldcreamery.com for more
information or to purchase tickets. Group and student rates are available. Reservations are
recommended.

The Old Creamery Theatre Company is a not-for-profit professional theatre founded
in 1971 in Garrison, Iowa. The company is celebrating 41 years of bringing live,
professional theatre to the people of Iowa and the Midwest.

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