18 Aug 2011

Yard and Garden: Late Summer and Early Fall Plantings

By Joy Venhorst

Creating a beautiful, functioning landscape depends on putting the right plant in the right place at the right time. Iowa State University Extension horticulturists describe the correct plants and care to give late summer and early fall plantings. To have additional questions answered, contact the experts at hortline@iastate.edu or call 515-294-3108.

Is fall a good time to plant trees?

Late summer and fall is an excellent time to plant balled and burlapped and container-grown trees and shrubs. Evergreens should be planted by early October in Iowa. Evergreens retain their foliage (needles) through winter. Evegreens need adequate time to get established at their new site before the onset of winter to prevent desiccation injury. Deciduous trees and shrubs drop their leaves in fall and go dormant. Deciduous trees and shrubs can be planted up to mid- to late November.

Late summer and fall planted trees and shrubs should be watered on a regular basis during the remainder of the year. Periodically check the moisture status of the plant's root-ball. Water newly planted trees and shrubs when their root-balls begin to dry out. Continue watering until the ground freezes in winter.

When is the best time to sow grass seed?

Late summer (mid-August to mid-September) is the best time to seed new lawns and overseed existing lawns. Late summer planting has several advantages over spring seeding. The seeds of cool-season grasses germinate quickly in the warm soil of late summer. The warm days and cool nights of early fall promote rapid turfgrass growth. The growing grass also has less competition from weeds as few weed seeds germinate in the fall.

After seeding, keep the upper 1 inch of soil moist with frequent, light applications of water. Most turfgrasses should germinate in two to three weeks if the seedbed is kept uniformly moist. Gradually reduce the frequency of watering, but water more deeply, when the turfgrass reaches a height of 1 to 2 inches. Mow the grass when it reaches the height of 3 to 3 ½ inches.

Can perennials be planted in fall?

Late summer and early fall is an excellent time to plant many perennials. It also is a good time to move or divide perennials, such as peony, daylily, garden phlox and oriental poppy. Perennials planted in late summer or early fall should be mulched with 4 to 6 inches of straw, pine needles or other materials in late fall. Mulching helps prevent repeated freezing and thawing of the soil that can heave plants out of the ground. Plants heaved out of the soil may be severely damaged or destroyed due to the drying of the exposed plant crowns and roots.

Is fall a good time to plant chrysanthemums?

Unfortunately, fall planted garden mums usually don't survive the winter even when given winter protection. Flowering mums purchased in late summer or early fall should be regarded as temporary additions to the landscape. Spring is the best time to plant mums in Iowa. Spring planted mums have the entire growing season to get established and usually survive the winter much better than those planted in fall.

When is the best time to plant peonies?

Peonies are available as potted and bare root plants. Potted peonies are often available at garden centers and can be planted anytime during the growing season. Bare root peonies are best planted in late summer/early fall (September in Iowa). When planting bare root peonies, position the "eyes" (buds) 1 to 2 inches below the soil surface.

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18 Aug 2011

Work Begins on Iowa's New Local Food and Farm Initiative

By Administrator

AMES, Iowa - Iowa has a new statewide program that aims to boost production, processing, distribution, marketing and consumption of Iowa-grown food.

The Local Food and Farm Initiative's purpose is to increase profitability for farmers and the number of jobs in local foods. The program brings together the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and ISU's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

"This initiative is designed to get more of the food we produce here in Iowa on the table while keeping more of the food dollar on the farm," Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey said. "By utilizing the expertise of all three organizations it should help speed the development of this already growing part of Iowa agriculture."

Craig Chase, ISU Extension farm management specialist and interim marketing program leader at the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, will coordinate the new program.

John Lawrence, director of Extension to Agricultural and Natural Resources and associate dean in the college, said that Chase's 27 years of experience in extension programs as well as co-leading ISU Extension's new Regional /Local Food System Task Force makes him a good choice to be the Local Food and Farm Program Coordinator for Iowa.

"This initiative will help network the many activities already underway across Iowa and will leverage new investment in fruit and vegetable production expertise made by the college, ISU Extension and the Leopold Center," Lawrence said.

The new program was created by the Iowa Legislature, which outlined broad goals and membership of a Local Food and Farm Program Council within IDALS that will advise the coordinator. First-year operating funds of $75,000 were included in the agriculture and natural resources budget bill signed by Governor Terry Branstad in July.

The initiative's four goals are to:
• Promote the expansion of local food production, processing, distribution and marketing of Iowa food;
• Increase consumer and institutional spending on Iowa foods;
• Increase the profitability of farmers and businesses engaged in local food enterprises; and
• Increase the number of jobs associated with local foods.

The six-member Local Food and Farm program council will include representatives from IDALS, Iowa Farmers Union, Iowa Farmers Market Association and three people appointed by the governor to represent Iowa resource conservation and development; a food processor, wholesaler or retailer; and a regional food system working group participant or expert in local food.

The Local Food and Farm Initiative follows recommendations outlined in an Iowa Local Food and Farm Plan prepared by the Leopold Center at the request of the Iowa Legislature. The plan calls for more coordination of programs at the state level and assistance in the areas of business training, loans, food processing, food safety and programs for beginning, minority and transitioning farmers.

Since April, Chase has been leading the Marketing and Food Systems Initiative at the Leopold Center. One of Chase's duties is to work with 16 groups throughout the state that participate in the Regional Food Systems Working Group.

"Craig has been effectively coordinating these regional food system efforts to increase Iowa's local food supply and use and is a well-known leader," said Mark Honeyman, interim director at the Leopold Center. "These groups will be an important part of achieving some of the goals set out for the new state initiative."

New investment at Iowa State University to improve the economic viability of regional food systems in the state has included hiring an extension commercial horticulture specialist for central and western Iowa and a new faculty member in horticulture to conduct research and extension on vegetable production. Financial support for the new hires for the next three years was made possible by donor support to the Leopold Center. The two new hires join nine other ISU faculty and staff on campus and around the state who work in commercial fruit and vegetable production.

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18 Aug 2011

Iowa Learning Farms' August Webinar Focuses on 'Losing Ground'

By Administrator

AMES, Iowa -- The Iowa Learning Farms' (ILF) August webinar, to be held Wednesday, Aug. 17 at noon, will feature Rick Cruse. He will discuss the report "Losing Ground." The webinar is part of a series, hosted by ILF, held on the third Wednesday of each month. The webinars are held over the noon hour through Adobe Connect. All that is needed to participate is a computer with Internet access.

The "Losing Ground" report is based on research by Iowa State University (ISU) scientists and the Environmental Working Group (EWG). The report shows that Iowa farms are losing topsoil up to 12 times faster than government estimates. But, aerial surveys conducted by EWG indicate that soil erosion and runoff are worse than the research numbers suggest. Many fields are scarred by gullies that channel soil and chemicals into streams, which is not accounted for in ISU's erosion estimates. Cruse is one of the ISU scientists who aided in the report, working with the Iowa Daily Erosion Project.

Rick Cruse is a professor of agronomy at Iowa State and director of the Iowa Water Center. His research focus is on soil management and soil erosion processes. He recently served on the National Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology, a bioenergy advisory council to the chief U.S. EPA administrator and has served on the Iowa Climate Change Advisory Council. Cruse teaches two graduate level soil management classes at Iowa State.

To connect to the webinars, go to: https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/ilf/. Cruse will be able to answer questions from webinar "attendees" via the Adobe Connect chat box. The ILF website homepage contains links for archived webinars from previous months: www.extension.iastate.edu/ilf.

Upcoming Iowa Learning Farms webinars

Drake University's Agricultural Law Center fellow Edward Cox will present information on the land tenure project with the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture in September. ISU agricultural and biosystems engineer Mark Hanna will discuss farm energy saving measures in October. Please contact ILF with other topic ideas for future webinar sessions.

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18 Aug 2011

Film Selected for Iowa 4-H Film Festival at State Fair

By Joy Venhorst

AMES, Iowa - The top 10 films produced by Iowa teens and preteens have been selected for the 2011 Iowa 4-H Film Festival. The films will be shown Friday, Aug. 12, 3:30-5:30 p.m., on the big screen in the 4-H Exhibits Building at the Iowa State Fair.

"We will show the top 10 films that were submitted by young Iowans and announce the category winners, first and second runners up and best of festival award. Also, the crowd will get to vote by text messaging for the People's Choice Award," said Karen Frank, 4-H special events coordinator.

The following film will be featured in the Iowa 4-H Film Festival.

Blue and Green by Arthur (Arthur Behnke, Scott County)

This year's sponsors for the Iowa 4-H Film Festival are KCWI 23, Traviss Audio/Video, Blank Park Zoo, G & L Clothing, Taco Johns and Stivers Ford.

For more information about the Film Festival check the website at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/StateFair/filmfestival.htm or contact Holly Bignall (hbignall@iastate.edu) or Karen Frank (kmnaig@gmail.com).

 

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18 Aug 2011

CYSTEM Connects Youth with Programs, Careers and Mentors

By Joy Venhorst

AMES, Iowa – Iowa youth now can quickly find science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) resources near them. CYSTEM, an online map resource created by Extension Science, Engineering and Technology (E-SET), is designed to link Iowa youth with STEM programs, careers and mentors. E-SET is part of the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach 4-H Youth Development Program.

"As 4-H increases the program opportunities for youth relating to science, engineering and technology, we needed a way to link youth with mentors, opportunities and clubs across the state," said Holly Bignall, with E-SET. "An interactive map seemed like a great way to allow our clients to find out what is available and connect with each other, as well as find mentors. The map also allows us to take advantage of all our great ISU alums and the many STEM careers that are in Iowa."

CYSTEM can be accessed at http://ags.gis.iastate.edu/cystem. Once on the map, youth can quickly and easily find the programs, mentors or careers they are interested in, by topic, with several check boxes and drop-down menus. The resources are marked on an Iowa map so youth can pinpoint the resources closest to them.

Each resource item on the map also includes extra information so youth can learn more about it. For example, mentor entries give information on the type of work they do, what they love about their job, what they can mentor in and past projects they`ve enjoyed.

"Many times youth don`t have access to role models and mentors who can help them pursue their interests. This map helps conquer this sense of isolation and connect youth with knowledgeable mentors who are ready and willing to assist," said Jay Staker, director of E-SET.

CYSTEM will only be as useful as the resources posted to the map, so E-SET is ready to start taking submissions from around the state. A form is available online for anyone to submit a youth program, career opportunity or name as a mentor. The information then will be added to the map for all Iowa youth to access.

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18 Aug 2011

ISU Scott County Extension Calendar

By Iowa State Univ Extension Office

August 23                             
Scott County Extension Council Meeting at the Extension Office
7pm

September 2                       
Pesticide Applicator Testing
10am-2pm at the Extension Office

September 27                     
Scott County Extension Council Meeting at the Extension Office
7pm

October 5                             
Aquatic, Forest and Roadside Pest Management CIC, $35 if registered by 9/28/11, after that $45
At the Scott County Extension Office, 9am-11:30am

October 7                             
Pesticide Applicator Testing
10am-2pm at the Extension Office

October 25                           
Scott County Extension Council Meeting at the Extension Office
7pm

October 27                           
Mosquito & Public Health Pest Management CIC, $35 if registered by 10/20/11, after that $45
At the Scott County Extension Office, 9am-11:30am

November 4                        
Pesticide Applicator Testing
10am-2pm at the Extension Office

November 9                        
Ornamental & Turf Applicators CIC, $35 if registered by 11/2/11, after that $45
At the Scott County Extension Office, 1:30pm-4pm

November 16                      
Commercial Ag Weed, Insect, and Plant Disease Management CIC, $35 if registered by 11/9/11, after that
$45, at the Scott County Extension Office, 9am-11:30am

November 29                      
Fumigation CIC, $35 if registered by 11/22/11, after that $45, at the Scott County Extension Office,
9am-11:30am

December 2                        
Pesticide Applicator Testing
10am-2pm at the Extension Office

December 7                        
Pest Control Operators CIC, $35 if registered by 11/30/11, after that $45, at the Scott County Extension
Office, 9am-11:30am

Visit our events calendar at our web site:   http://dbs.extension.iastate.edu/calendar/

18 Aug 2011

Huge Benefit Sale Going On Right Now

By Sister Mary Ann Vogel

Humility of Mary Housing Presents the 22nd Annual

Fresh Start Benefit Sale

Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds - 4-H/Keppy Building

This sale opened Tuesday evening, August 16 and continues on the rest of this week:

August 17 and 18: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

August 19: 8:00 - 12 noon

Find a wide selection of clean, gently-used items in good working order.  Kitchenware, china, a big selection of jewelry, books, bedding, linens, toys, tools, furniture, appliances and more.

 

Cash Raffle!

$500 First Prize and 3 - $100 prizes

Humility of Mary Housing, Inc. is a transitional and permanent supportive housing program that provides single-parent families experiencing homelessness with opportunities for growth and development that could lead to self-sufficient living.  Children in the program learn there is a different way to live, they grow in self-esteem, and some of these children have become the first in their family to complete high school and then go on to college.

We hear of growing numbers of homeless children and children living in poverty.  These stories are not just about other countries and other communities; they include our own Quad City community.  Humility of Mary Housing is working to reduce some of those statistics.  In their 21 years 684 families including 1349 children have been served. Every day, except when an apartment is being prepared for a new family, HMHI is serving 47 single parents and approximately 100 children. A caring and generous Quad City community has made it possible for HMHI to continue serving the needs of these families.

17 Aug 2011

Governor Quinn Takes Bill Action **Tuesday, August 16, 2011**

By William Palmisano

CHICAGO - August 16, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today took action on the following bills:  

   

Bill No.: HB 79  

An Act Concerning: Liquor  

Provides that alcoholic liquors may be delivered to and sold at Veterans Memorial Hall in Rockford.  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Immediately  

   

Bill No.: HB 332  

An Act Concerning: Government  

Changes the definition of minority and removes and replaces current racial classifications.  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Jan. 1  

   

Bill No.: HB 350  

An Act Concerning: Government  

Allows a notary public to verify the signature of a person based upon documents provided by a consulate.  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Jan. 1  

   

Bill No.: HB 464  

An Act Concerning: Finance  

Allows the Department of Veterans' Affairs to transfer any property under $100 in value that was donated to residents of facilities operated by the Department to any civic organization.  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Immediately  

   

Bill No.: HB 585  

An Act Concerning: Local Government  

Directs the Regional Transportation Authority to fund Americans with Disabilities Act Paratransit needs.  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Immediately  

   

Bill No.: HB 700  

An Act Concerning: Regulation  

Requires any state licensing agency to assign a customer identification number to each licensee regulated by the agency.  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Jan. 1  

   

Bill No.: HB 1272  

An Act Concerning: Criminal Law  

Requires circuit clerks to return confiscated FOID cards to the Illinois State Police.  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Jan. 1  

   

Bill No.: HB 1298  

An Act Concerning: Finance  

Directs Circuit court clerks to remit electronic citation fees designated for ISP to the State Treasurer for deposit into Law Enforcement Agencies Data System (LEADS) Maintenance Fund.  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Immediately  

   

Bill No.: HB 1470  

An Act Concerning: Public Aid  

Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to establish a process for nursing homes to submit reports and assessment payments electronically, instead of by mail.  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Jan. 1  

   

Bill No.: HB 1526  

An Act Concerning: Local Government  

Allows counties to maintain the ordinances, control, and jurisdiction of property that is the subject of an annexation agreement if  the property is located more than 1.5 miles from the annexing municipality's corporate limits, and the county has voted to maintain such control by a 2/3 vote of the county board.  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Immediately  

   

Bill No.: HB 1703        

An Act Concerning: Regulation  

Streamlines the Illinois Commerce Commission certification process for oil pipeline companies who attempt to construct a pipeline and operate as a common carrier  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Immediately  

   

Bill No.: HB 2073  

An Act Concerning: Finance  

Creates the Small Business Development Grand Fund under the administration of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity          

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Immediately  

   

Bill No.: HB 2267  

An Act Concerning: Transportation  

Increases the fine for driving without insurance to a minimum of $2,500 for a third conviction when an accident causes bodily harm  

Action:  

Effective Date: Jan. 1  

   

Bill No.: HB 2922  

An Act Concerning: State Government  

Creates the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, which requires state agencies to report the Comptroller all necessary financial information in order for the Comptroller's office to compile and publish a comprehensive annual financial report.   

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Immediately  

   

Bill No.: HB 2938  

An Act Concerning: Transportation  

Would nullify any authority to create a new special license plate and permit the discontinuation of existing specialty license plates if the Secretary of State has not received the required number of applications within two years.  

Action:  

Effective Date: Jan. 1  

   

Bill No.: HB 3010  

An Act Concerning: Human Rights  

Expands the definition of "disability" used in the public accommodations provision of the Human Rights Act to include any mental, psychological, or developmental disability, including autism spectrum disorders.  

Action:  

Effective Date: Jan. 1   

   

Bill No.: HB 3158  

An Act Concerning: Finance  

Extends the prohibition on contractors making political contributions to the Governor to the Lieutenant Governor.  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Immediately  

   

Bill No.: HB 3256  

An Act Concerning: Transportation  

Creates a new class of vehicle called "expanded-use antique vehicle," and allows such vehicles to drive without restriction on highways during certain months of the year  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Jan. 1  

   

Bill No.: HB 3257  

An Act Concerning: Business  

Makes a violation of the federal John Warner National Defense Authorization Act also a violation of the Illinois Payday Loan Reform Act, which protects military members against payday loan companies.         

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Jan. 1  

   

Bill No.: HB 3315  

An Act Concerning: State Government  

Amends the Veterans' Affairs Act to add prosthetics to the list of areas which the Discharged Servicemember Task Force shall investigate in fiscal year 2012.  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Jan 1.  

   

Bill No.: HB 3334  

An Act Concerning: Public Employee Benefits  

Amends the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) by removing a provision requiring an application for leave-of-absence credit to be filed within 2 years after termination of the leave and adding criteria that must be met for a person to be eligible for either temporary or permanent disability benefits.    

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Immediately  

   

Bill No.: HB 3428  

An Act Concerning: Employment  

Repeals the Illinois Farm Labor Contractor Certification Act, the Illinois Street Trades Law, and the Industrial Home Work Act.  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Immediately  

   

Bill No.: SB 41  

An Act Concerning: Local Government  

Allows township trustees, by ordinance, to dispose of brush and leaves in unincorporated areas of their township without having to hold a referendum.  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Jan. 1  

   

Bill No.: SB 172  

An Act Concerning: Government  

Allow the Department of Agriculture to approve the consolidation of soil and water conservation districts in Lake and McHenry counties brought by a joint petition, bypassing a referendum requirement.  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Immediately  

   

Bill No.: SB 262  

An Act Concerning: State Government  

Changes the composition of the Commission to End Hunger from two at-large members to three and gives ex-officio membership status to the Director of the Department of Natural Resources and the Local Food Farms and Jobs Council.    

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Immediately  

   

Bill No.: SB 674  

An Act Concerning: Regulation  

Makes a change to the definition of "affiliate" within the Consumer Installment Loan Act.   

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Jan. 1  

   

Bill No.: SB 1133  

An Act Concerning: Business  

Limits finance charges for any extra days in the first installment period of a payday loan.  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Jan. 1  

   

Bill No.: SB 1236  

An Act Concerning: Public Aid  

Deletes the requirement to consider the number of children in care when calculating a family's co-payment for childcare under the Public Aid Code.  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Immediately  

   

Bill No.: SB 1342  

An Act Concerning: Regulation  

Requires that a copy of the written staffing plan for nursing care services be provided to any person upon request.  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Jan. 1  

   

Bill No.: SB 1945  

An Act Concerning: Health  

Creates the Comprehensive Healthcare Workforce Planning Act and establishes the State Healthcare Workforce Council within Department of Public Health to provide an ongoing assessment of health care trends, issues, and financing policies and to recommend appropriate state government and private sector solutions to identified needs.  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: July 1, 2012  

   

Bill No.: SB 1949  

An Act Concerning: Courts  

Requires a juvenile court to hold a permanency hearing within 12 months of a minor being placed in protective custody, regardless of whether an adjudication or dispositional hearing has been completed within that timeframe.  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Immediately  

   

Bill No.: SB 2046  

An Act Concerning: Public Aid  

Allows the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to use brand name drugs (in addition to generic) with a 90 day supply if it is cost efficient  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Jan. 1  

   

Bill No.: SB 2069  

An Act Concerning: Process Servers  

Requires private process servers to share licenses with county sheriffs and maintain a list of employees to be made available upon request and allows processes to be served by licensed employees of a private detective agency in counties with fewer than two million inhabitants.  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Jan. 1  

   

Bill No.: SB 2145  

An Act Concerning: Regulation  

Makes various changes to Petroleum Equipment Licensing Act and extends the sunset date to 
January 1, 2022.  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Immediately  

   

Bill No.: SB 2149  

An Act Concerning: Education  

Strengthens the authority of Financial Oversight Panels administered by the State Board of Education and gives greater authority to the Illinois Finance Authority to approve emergency financial assistance loans that have been requested by an FOP for a financially distressed school district.  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Immediately  

   

Bill No.: SB 2162  

An Act Concerning: Transportation  

Provides that county-owned vehicles operated by or for any county sheriff and designated deputy sheriffs shall be exempt from fees related to the transfer of registration plates from one vehicle to another.  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Immediately  

   

Bill No.: SB 2190  

An Act Concerning: Wildlife  

Allows the Department of Natural Resources to devise a list of wild species and feral livestock which DNR may prohibit or regulate.  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Immediately  

   

Bill No.: SB 2270  

An Act Concerning: Criminal Law  

Exempts juveniles from having to register as violent offenders if convicted of misdemeanor domestic battery and revises the types of aggravated battery that trigger registration for both adult and juvenile offender.  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Immediately  

   

Bill No.: SB 2271  

An Act Concerning: State Government  

Creates the Racial and Ethnic Impact Research Task Force to collect and analyze data on the racial and ethnic identity of arrestees.  

Action:  

Effective Date: Immediately  

###

17 Aug 2011

Scott County Auditor earns national recognition

By Roland Caldwell

Roxanna Moritz, Scott County (Iowa) Auditor and Commissioner of Elections, will be designated as a Certified Elections/Registration Administrator (CERA), the highest professional achievement, in ceremonies conducted by the Election Center at the Westin on the Riverwalk Hotel, San Antonio, TX, at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, August 19, 2011.

CERA designation is achieved only through a multi-year course of study conducted by The Election Center's Professional Education Program and completion of twelve core courses taught by the Master's in Public Administration faculty of Auburn University (Auburn, Alabama) ranging from ethics, to voter registration and elections law, planning, communications, and voter participation, among others.  The intent of the program is to professionalize the management of voter registration and elections administration in promoting and preserving public trust in the democratic process.

"This is the highest designation available to elections and voter registration officials," said R. Doug Lewis, director of the Center.  "Of more than 21,000 elections and voter registration officials throughout America, this graduating class of 88 professionals takes us to 677 election officials who have achieved the CERA status.  This is an outstanding accomplishment."

"Scott County is indeed fortunate to have Roxanna as one of the top designated professionals in America.  Obtaining and maintaining CERA status means that she has committed to a career long process of continuing education to improve the electoral process in Iowa and the nation," he stated.

"These truly are the people who make democracy possible," Lewis said.  "Auditor Moritz and other CERA professionals serve as the nation's protectors of the democratic process.  Because of them, Americans have a trust and public confidence in the election process.  They have assurance that the system is fair, free, honest and accurate.  In many parts of the world, their citizens have no faith in the form of democracy offered in their home countries. The importance of what Roxanna does for Scott County is incredible but rarely noticed...unless something goes wrong."

Moritz was first elected county auditor in 2008.  She served a partial four year term on the Scott County Board of Supervisors before being elected auditor.  She also served for six years on the Davenport City Council as First Ward Alderman.

"This is one of the most challenging education programs I have ever participated in, Moritz said. "We covered the law, and ethical considerations in how to better serve the public.  We also became more aware of how important it is to nurture and care for the democratic process."

"Rich or poor, weak or strong, young or old, we all count the same when we vote," said Moritz.  "What can be more equal than that?  The CERA program elevates our thinking about the process and the people we serve."

"It is my great honor to assure that the public's will is accurately reflected in our elections," Moritz said.  "I see my role to dignify all potential voters and to remove as many barriers as possible to participation in the democratic process.  Our office cannot be responsible for how many actually turn out for each election, but we can certainly be sure that they have the opportunity to vote and have their votes counted accurately."

The Professional Education Program is sponsored by The Election Center, a non-profit association of voter registrars and elections administrators throughout America.  Its membership is comprised of township, city, county and state elections officials.  The Center's primary purpose is education for local and state voter registrars and elections officials to promote and improve the democratic process.

Professional Education Program participants receive continuing education credit from Auburn University as well as professional training credits from The Election Center.

The Professional Education Program was recognized in 1996 as the top continuing education program in America by the National University Continuing Education Association.

"Normally most Americans don't even know the election officials exist in their community and that they work constantly to protect the democratic process for its citizens," Lewis said. "Due to Election 2000, we now know just how important and complicated elections can be. In my opinion, the elections officials deserve the highest recognition that a community can give.  If they don't do their job well, then citizens have no faith in the democratic process itself.  Without faith in the process, it is almost impossible to believe in government itself - and that is a very large responsibility."

17 Aug 2011

Grassley in Cedar Rapids and Bettendorf on Wednesday

By Grassley Press

Senator Chuck Grassley will be in Cedar Rapids and Bettendorf tomorrow, Wednesday, August 17.  He will attend a General Aviation Manufacturers Association rally in Cedar Rapids and speak to the Bettendorf Rotary Club. 

Here are the details for Grassley's visits.

9 -10:30 a.m. General Aviation Manufacturers Association rally at the Eastern Iowa Airport, Rockwell Collins Flight Operations Center, 2815 Lippisch Place, SW, Cedar Rapids (Grassley is scheduled to speak at 9:45)

Noon - 1 p.m. Bettendorf Rotary Club meeting at the Fortune Garden Restaurant, 2211 Kimberly Road, Bettendorf

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