09 Jul 2013

Nominations Open for 2013 Caring Awards

By Natalie Anderson

BETTENDORF, Iowa - Nonprofit organizations in Scott and Rock Island counties are invited to nominate their top volunteers for the 2013 Quad City Caring Awards. The awards are presented each year by the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend to honor a select group of volunteers who have demonstrated their commitment to the betterment of our community.

This year, five volunteers will be honored. One of the awards will be given to a young volunteer under the age of 21.

"Nonprofits depend on volunteers," said Susan Skora, President and CEO of the Community Foundation. "These generous people give the community something very valuable - their time and hard work. Recognizing them for this gift is one of the happiest events of the year."

Nonprofits are encouraged to submit their nominations. A citizen committee of community leaders will select the winners. Each nonprofit that nominates an award recipient will receive a $1,000 grant from the Community Foundation in honor of the winner.

Quad City Caring Award winners will be recognized at the Community Foundation's Annual Celebration on September 10, 2013. The event will be held at the Waterfront Convention Center in Bettendorf.

Nomination forms are available at the Community Foundation office, or on the website www.cfgrb.org in the News Section. Completed forms must be submitted by August 1 to the Community Foundation, 852 Middle Road, Suite 100, Bettendorf, IA. Can also be faxed to 563-326-2870 or emailed to info@cfgrb.org.

To learn more, call 563-326-2840 or visit www.cfgrb.org.

###

05 Jul 2013

Governor's office releases appointments made to boards and commissions since March 1

By Rick Martin

(DES MOINES) - The governor's office today released a list of all appointments that have been made to boards and commissions since March 1, 2013.

 

The appointments are as follows:

 

Agricultural Development Board (Senate confirmation required)

Lyle Borg, Pella

Stacie Euken, Wiota

John Fredrickson, Gowrie

Mark Leonard, Holstein

Annette Townsley, Louisa

 

Council on Agricultural Education

April Hemmes, Hampton

Robert Martin, Ames

Paul Skartvedt, Radcliffe

 

Iowa Arts Council

Alan Hilsabeck, Spencer

Molly Kotval, West Des Moines

Kenneth Sidey, Greenfield

Terri Steinke, Urbandale

Ann Wilkinson, Pella

 

State Banking Council

Barbara Miller, Maquoketa

Peg Scott, Fontanelle

 

Advisory Council for Brain Injuries

Patrick Costigan, Cedar Rapids

Megan Henning, Waverly

Walter Johnson, Denver

Rhonda Jordal, Forest City

Renee Moravec, Marion

Jerry Sebert, Spirit Lake

Deborah Tell, Windsor Heights

 

Capitol Planning Commission

Matthew Anderson, Des Moines

Carol Grant, West Des Moines

Elizabeth Isaacson, West Des Moines

 

Iowa Centennial Memorial Foundation

Arvid Hulsman, Ankeny

Wayne Marty, Le Mars

 

College Student Aid Commission

Michael Ash, Burlington

Roger Claypool, Le Mars

Crystal Ford, Cedar Falls

 

Consumer Advisory Panel

Mary Rathje, Marion

Karen Swalwell, West Des Moines

 

Dependent Adult Protective Advisory Council

Douglas Johnson, Grimes

Timothy Leathers, Wilton

Maribel Slinde, Clive

Joann Young, Des Moines

 

Development Disabilities

Aaron Anderson, Mason City

Amy Carter, Council Bluffs

Roger Girard, Marion

Charlene Joens, Des Moines

Nathaniel Pierson, Marion

Ryan Render, Storm Lake

Rick Samson, Des Moines

 

Iowa Council for Early ACCESS

Gladys Alvarez, Des Moines

Jeffrey Anderson, West Des Moines

Paula Connolly, West Des Moines

Chad Dahm, Pella

Gretchen Hageman, Marshalltown

Stacy Kramer, Hawarden

Debra Runau Matzat, Cedar Rapids

Joshua Tessier, Des Moines

 

State Board of Education - Student Member

Edgar Thornton, Iowa City

 

Iowa Emergency Response Commission

Terry Jackson, Marion

 

Environmental Protection Commission (Senate confirmation required)

Chad Ingels, Randalia

 

Fire Service and Emergency Response

Ellen Hagen, Jewell

Gabriel Haugland, Clear Lake

Wayne Sawtelle, Marshalltown

 

Iowa Grain Indemnity Fund Board

Michael Kettwick, Buffalo Center

 

Iowa Great Places Advisory Board (Senate confirmed on 4/30/2013)

Brent Matthias, Waverly

 

Board of Health

Ron Abrons, Coralville

Norman Pawlewski, Des Moines

Maggie Tinsman, Bettendorf

Michael Wolnerman, Des Moines

 

State Historical Record Advisory Board

Daniel Daily, Orange City

Amy Groskopf, Davenport

Laura Sullivan, Ames

Rachel Vagts, Decorah

 

State Historical Society of Iowa Board of Trustees

Kitty Green, Sioux City

William Jackson, Des Moines

Candy Streed, Waterloo

 

Homelessness

Benjamin Brustkern, Waterloo

Christina Canganelli, Iowa City

Mariliegh Fisher, Cedar Falls

David Hagen, Cedar Rapids

Ann Hearn, Cedar Rapids

Barbara Kellogg, Mason City

Stefanie Munsterman-Robinson, Cedar Rapids

Amy Rawhouser, Cedar Rapids

Ashley Schwalm, Davenport

Anthony Timm, Windsor Heights

Timothy Wilson, Mount Vernon

 

Hospital Licensing Board

Joan Headington, Waverly

Pat McDermott, West Des Moines

Kay Runge, Davenport

 

Humanities Board

Lynne George, Ankeny

Larry Simmons, Mount Vernon

Edgar Thornton III, Iowa City

 

Human Rights Board

Anna Brown, DeWitt

Jason Glass, North Liberty

 

Statewide Independent Living Council

Rebecca Criswell, Prairie City

Gary McDermott, Clinton

Michele Meadors, Des Moines

 

Iowa Statewide Interoperable Communications System Board

Kerry Devine, Cedar Falls

Kelly Groskurth, Treynor

Michael Kasper, Fairfax

 

District 1A Judicial Nominating Commission

Justin Vorwald, Elkader

 

District 6 Judicial Nominating Commission

Lance Horbach, Tama

 

Juvenile Justice Advisory Council

Andrew Allen, Huxley

Candice Bennett, Cedar Rapids

Jason Dively, Pleasant Hill

Dillon Malone, Dow City

Bill Ocker, Polk City

David Thompson, Marshalltown

Jeralyn Westercamp, Cedar Rapids

 

Commission of Libraries

Patricia Laas, Bettendorf

Betsy Thompson, Sioux City

Dale Vandehaar, Des Moines

 

Local Food and Farm Program Council

Marcy Billings, West Des Moines

 

Board of Massage Therapy (Senate confirmed on 4/30/2013)

Khrystyne Napolitano, Harlan

 

Medical Assistance Advisory Council

Paula Connolly, West Des Moines

Lori Reynolds, Anamosa

Douglas Sample, Davenport

 

Medical Assistance Pharmaceutical and Therapeutics Committee

Bruce Alexander, Iowa City

Carole Frier, Des Moines

Linda Gehrke, Iowa Falls

Jolene Kelly, Ames

Gregory Neyman, Amana

Heidi Price-Eastman, Urbandale

Holly Randleman, Des Moines

Stephen Richards, Spirit Lake

Charles Wadle, West Des Moines

 

Mental Health Risk Pool Board (Senate confirmation required)

Patrick Schmitz, Kingsley

 

Midwestern Higher Education Compact

Olivia Omadison, Ames

Brent Siegrist, Council Bluffs

 

Mississippi River Parkway Planning Commission

Glenn Pelecky, Bettendorf

Daniel Petersen, Muscatine

Jane Regan, Harpers Ferry

Lori Roling, Bellevue

Jay Schweitzer, Columbus Junction

Lori Wallace, Guttenberg

 

Mississippi River Partnership Council

Amy Echard, Farmersburg

Teri Goodmann, Dubuque

Sarah Lande, Muscatine

Richard Zarwell, Lansing

 

Nonpublic School Advisory Committee

Julie Delaney, Davenport

 

Northeast Regional STEM Advisory Board

Jane Bradley, Waterloo

Kelly Cooper, Dubuque

Jason Martin-Hiner, Strawberry Point

Wendy Mihm-Herold, Fort Atkinson

Michelle Temeyer, Waterloo

Norma Thiese, Guttenberg

Mark Wagner, Bellevue

 

North Central Regional STEM Advisory Board

Julie Graber, Ames

Ben Petty, Conrad

Kathy Rogotzke, Charles City

Sarah Rosenblum, Marshalltown

Rich Wrage, Boone

 

Northwest Regional STEM Advisory Board

Barbara Den Herder, Sioux Center

Cheryl Heronemus, Alton

Nancy McDowell, Sheldon

Jody Still Herbold, Kingsley

Wade Weber, Spirit Lake

Mark Zabawa, Emmetsburg

 

Organic Advisory Council

Tamra Garman, Williamsburg

 

Board of Parole - Alternate Members (Senate confirmation required)

Nancy Boyd, Urbandale

Jacklyn Romp, Des Moines

W. Ray Richardson, Waterloo

 

Iowa Comprehensive Petroleum Underground Storage Tank Fund Board

Douglas Beech, Ankeny

 

Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board (Senate confirmed on 4/30/2013)

Robert Kunkel, Clarence

 

Board of Podiatry (Senate confirmation required)

K. Linda Bratkiewicz, Clive

 

Preserves Advisory Board

Lynn Alex, Iowa City

Inger Lamb, Polk City

 

Prison Industries Advisory Board

Jennifer Gardner, Douds

Yvonne Winther, Waterloo

 

Property Assessment Appeal Board (Senate confirmed on 4/30/2013)

Jacqueline Rypma, Clive

 

Iowa Public Broadcasting Board

Jason Giles, Urbandale

 

Rural Health and Primary Care

Jim Atty, Humboldt

Shari Burgus, Waukee

Sheila Frink, Martelle

Angela Halwassen, Jewell

Dennis Mallory, Toledo

Patrick Pucelik, Whiting

Gregory Randolph, Gladbrook

Susie Roberts, Ankeny

Jon-Michael Rosmann, Polk City

 

South Central Regional STEM Advisory Board

David Barajas, Ottumwa

Joan Corbin, Pella

Kari Hensen, Ankeny

Karen Patison, Garden Grove

Rosemary Peck, Mt. Pleasant

 

Southeast Regional STEM Advisory Board

Joseph Crozier, Robins

Linda Fischer, Vinton

Jason Hutcheson, Burlington

Ellen Kabat Lensch, Bettendorf

Tonya Peoples, Coralville

John Tursi, Cedar Rapids

 

Southwest Regional STEM Advisory Board

Steven Adams, Red Oak

Kimberly Carter, Council Bluffs

Barbara Crittenden, Creston

Alan Ladd, Atlantic

Thomas Lesan, Creston

Lane Plugge, Council Bluffs

 

STEM Advisory Council

Mary Andringa, Mitchellville (Co-Chair)

William Ruud, ­­­­­­­­­­Cedar Falls

 

Student Loan Liquidity Corporation

Robert Denson, Ankeny

Lorraine Groves, Sioux City

Robert Sackett, Okoboji

 

Terrace Hill Commission

Elaine Estes, Des Moines

Nicole Peckumn, Des Moines

Robert Reinard, West Des Moines

 

Vocational Rehabilitation

Joan Bindel, West Des Moines

Kathy Joblinske, Waterloo

Doug Keast, Altoona

Rosemary Thierer, Mitchellville

 

Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service

Lucas Beenken, West Des Moines

Jerry Drake, Clinton

Shelly Jordan, Des Moines

Traci Kirtley, Huxley

Matt McGarvey, Ankeny

Emily Moon, Cedar Rapids

Michael Pearson, Cedar Rapids

Loraine Trollope, Des Moines

Jordan Vernoy, Cedar Falls

Tammy Wawro, Cedar Rapids

 

Watershed Improvement Review Board

Robert Ballou, Monticello

Carrie Keppy, Davenport

Carolyn Sweeting, Iowa City

Lisa Walters, West Des Moines

 

Workforce Development Board (Senate confirmed on 4/30/2013)

Caroline Hicks, Osceola

 

 

###
02 Jul 2013

Loebsack: House Leaders Hang "Closed for Business" Sign on Capitol

By Rick Martin

Go on Vacation Leaving Farmers and Students Without a Way Forward

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement today after House leaders sent Congress home for a vacation without a plan on how they will move forward a farm bill that can be signed into law and also ensure student loan rates don't increase on July 1st.

Last week, House leadership failed to pass a farm bill and have not made any progress finding a way to move the bill forward.  Earlier this week, Loebsack worked to push the farm bill process forward by introducing the Senate farm bill in the House (HR 2498).  Loebsack supported the House version and has worked to find a compromise to make sure farmers and rural communities get the certainty they deserve.

"It is inexcusable that the House is going on a week vacation without a clear plan on how to move a farm bill forward.  I introduced the Senate farm bill in the House because it passed with strong bipartisan support - including from both Senators Harkin and Grassley.  After voting down the farm bill last week, the House should find a commonsense way to move a farm bill forward by taking up the bipartisan Senate legislation. I, along with others who supported the House bill last week, have called on the Speaker to bring the Senate bill up for a vote so Congress can get a bill to the President that can be signed into law."

Loebsack also continues to pressure House leaders to act to prevent student loan rates from doubling on July 1st.  Student loan interest rates are currently 3.4 percent, but are set to double to 6.8 percent on Monday due to the lack of Congressional action.  Today, Loebsack cosponsored legislation (H.R. 2574), which is fully paid for, to halt the increase.  He also spoke on the House floor urging House leaders to stay in session until an agreement was made to stop the increase.

"When the House leadership hung a "Closed for Business" sign on the House chambers, they sent a strong signal to students that Congress just doesn't get it.  I have heard from many Iowans that they would not be able to attend college without this assistance. I could not have gone to college and would not be where I am today without the availability of student loans and other financial assistance programs.  It is shameful that Congress left town leaving our students to face the consequences of their inaction."

###
02 Jul 2013

Celebrating Freedom: Salute to Frederick Douglass by U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley

By Grassley Press

Washingtonians brace themselves for the flood of tourists who come to soak in the monuments, museums and memorials that attract millions of visitors to the nation's capital every year.  This summer is no exception.

In spite of humidity that puts even the hardiest tourist to the test, families come to show the next generation where the people's business has taken place since 1791.  That's when President George Washington selected what is now the District of Columbia to serve as the nation's capital.

America has expanded its borders, population and demographics since Jenkins' Hill was chosen as the site for the national legislature on the east end of the National Mall.  From here, Congress for more than 200 years has debated the laws governing our nation.  In addition to the U.S. Capitol building, visitors to Capitol Hill today will find the Supreme Court, Library of Congress and congressional office buildings.

A visit to Capitol Hill brings to life the earliest moments of our American democracy alongside the politics and policymaking of the 21st century.  Those who took a seat in the Senate visitor's gallery early this summer witnessed debate on immigration reform.  The Supreme Court handed down rulings bearing significant impact on the fabric of American society, reinforcing the limited powers of the federal government over states' rights.  As America prepares to celebrate its 237th birthday on the Fourth of July, the wonder of the republic more than two centuries later remains our system of self-government.

Even if Congress is not in session, visitors can appreciate the rich history of our democracy represented in art and sculpture.  The architectural magnificence of the Rotunda, which separates the respective wings of the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives, without exception causes tourists to crane their necks to soak in the lifelike fresco "The Apotheosis of Washington" and the panoramic "Frieze of American History."

One of the most popular tourist spots in the U.S. Capitol is National Statuary Hall.  When the House of Representatives relocated to its current chamber in 1857, the historic space was converted into a gallery.  Each state was invited to donate two statues representing prominent leaders in their history.  The National Statuary Collection today is featured prominently throughout the Capitol.  Iowans will find statues representing two elected leaders from the 19th century:  James Harlan in the Hall of Columns and Samuel Kirkwood in Statuary Hall.  In the near future, Norman Borlaug's statue will replace James Harlan's statue.

This summer a historic addition to the Capitol's collection of 180 statues and busts was unveiled on the 148th anniversary of Juneteenth.  That's the date commemorating when President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation reached Texas on June 19, 1865.

The seven-foot bronze statue represents one of America's earliest civil rights leaders, abolitionist Frederick Douglass.  The former slave spent a lifetime championing equal rights, exposing injustices and influencing peers and presidents alike during a tumultuous time in U.S. history.

An African American born into slavery in Maryland in 1818, Douglass escaped at age 20 and dedicated his life to the emancipation of slaves, women's suffrage and the natural rights of each individual.

Using gifted oratorical skill, Douglass shared his compelling story as a self-taught slave who was beaten for teaching other slaves how to read and write.  An adviser to President Lincoln, Douglass tapped into a growing tide of public discontent to make good on America's most fundamental promises of freedom, equality under the law and justice for all.  His publications and speeches influenced the adoption of the 13th, 14th and 15th Constitutional Amendments, known as the Reconstruction Amendments.

Despite constant risks to his own safety, Douglass worked to spread the self-evident truths spelled out in the Declaration of Independence.  His personal testimony shaped his most enduring legacy as a champion for those denied equality and access to the inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

As Douglass observed in an Independence Day speech in 1852, "What, to the American slave, is your Fourth of July?"   The speech exposed the harsh contradiction of slavery with America's founding principles of freedom, liberty and independence.  Douglass went on to describe how the institution of slavery is contrary to these foundational principles, "Now, take the Constitution according to its plain reading, and I defy the presentation of a single pro-slavery clause in it.  On the other hand it will be found to contain principles and purposes, entirely hostile to the existence of slavery."  Like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. did more than a century later, Frederick Douglass used his tremendous gift for language to call Americans to help fully realize the principles we hold so dear for all Americans.

On this July 4th, let's remember our hometown heroes, our first responders and members of the military, who put their lives on the line to defend America's freedoms at home and abroad. As we celebrate with family, friends and neighbors, let's also remember the heroes of American history, including Frederick Douglass, whose legacy represents the principles of hope, opportunity and freedom upon which America was founded.

VISITING WASHINGTON, D.C.

 

Iowans planning a visit to Washington, D.C., are encouraged to contact Senator Grassley's office for tourist information and congressional tickets for tours, including the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Washington National Cathedral, and The Kennedy Center.  The earlier that requests are made - ideally four months or more in advance - the better, as these tickets are limited.  Senator Grassley's office will resume making arrangements for White House tours whenever White House tours are again made available.

 

In addition, Senator Grassley's office offers special staff-led tours of the U.S. Capitol and looks forward to accommodating visiting Iowans for this tour which covers more areas than accessible through the Capitol Visitors Center.

 

Constituents also may schedule a meeting with Senator Grassley during their trip.  For more information, call 202-224-3744, or go to www.grassley.senate.gov and click on "Constituent Services."  Both tour and meeting requests can be submitted under the "Visiting Washington D.C." tab.
02 Jul 2013

Former Davenport Man Sentenced for Possession of Child Pornography

By Val Quast
DAVENPORT, IA - On June 27, 2013, Anthony Boyd Conklin, age 36, formerly from Davenport, Iowa, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge James E. Gritzner to 240 months of imprisonment, after pleading guilty to possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt.  Conklin was also ordered to serve ten years of supervised release and pay $100 towards the Crime Victims Fund.

On April 12, 2011, as the result of an online undercover operation, state and federal officers conducted a search of Conklin's Davenport residence.  Several computers and related equipment were seized along with numerous articles of children's clothing and underwear.  As a result of a forensic examination of this computer, investigators determined that from approximately July 2002 to April 2011, Conklin used a computer to access the Internet to search for and download at least 8,000 images and approximately 688 videos of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.  In addition to possession of child pornography, Conklin admitted that he had sent images of himself via a web-camera, engaged in sexually explicit conduct, and chatted with minors who sent him web-camera images of themselves engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service, the Davenport, Iowa, Police Department, and the Quad Cities Cyber-Crime Unit.  This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

#     #     #
02 Jul 2013

Former Davenport Man Sentenced for Mailing Threatening Communication

By Val Quast
DAVENPORT, IA - On June 27, 2013, Bryan R. Dunn, age 25, formerly from Davenport, Iowa, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge James E. Gritzner to 37 months imprisonment, after pleading guilty to mailing threatening communications, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt.  Dunn was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release and pay $100 towards the Crime Victims Fund.

On July 7, 2012, Dunn deposited for mailing a letter threatening to injure an Assistant Scott County Attorney.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the United States Marshals Service, the United States Secret Service, and the Scott County Sheriff's Office.  The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

#     #     #
02 Jul 2013

Former Davenport Man Sentenced For Possession of Firearm as Felon

By Val Quast
DAVENPORT, IA - On June 27, 2013, Brett Lee Roelandt, age 22, from Davenport, Iowa, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge James E. Gritzner to 30 months imprisonment, after pleading guilty to felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt.  Roelandt was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release and pay $100 towards the Crime Victims Fund.

On March 30, 2010, Roelandt was with a group of individuals that got into an argument with Aki Ross in the area of 12th and Pershing Avenue in Davenport.  At that time, Roelandt was in possession of a Smith & Wesson, Model 411, .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun.  As the group walked away, Aki Ross followed with a handgun.  Brett Roelandt and other subjects observed Ross approaching with the handgun and took cover behind a van parked on the east side of Pershing Avenue.  Roelandt discharged a shot from his handgun, and Ross fired several shots in the general direction of Roelandt.  At approximately the same time, Joevonte Howard, age 18, was attempting to cross the street between Roelandt and Ross.  Howard was struck by a
bullet from Ross' handgun and later died.  Roelandt left the shooting scene with the handgun.  

As part of the subsequent police investigation a .40 caliber casing was found a short distance from the van where Roelandt took cover.  Roelandt was prohibited from possession of a firearm as the result of a 2008 felony conviction.

Aki Ross was convicted on June 29, 2011, in Iowa District Court for Scott County of the crimes of voluntary manslaughter and intimidation with a weapon, and sentenced on July 22,

2011, to six consecutive 10-year terms of imprisonment.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the Davenport Police Department and the Scott County Attorney's Office, the case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

#     #     #
02 Jul 2013

Iowa Supreme Court Opinions June 28, 2013

By Iowa Judicial Branch
Iowa Supreme Court Opinions

June 28, 2013

Notice: The opinions posted on this site are slip opinions only. Under the Rules of Appellate Procedure a party has a limited number of days to request a rehearing after the filing of an opinion. Also, all slip opinions are subject to modification or correction by the court. Therefore, opinions on this site are not to be considered the final decisions of the court. The official published opinions of the Iowa Supreme Court are those published in the North Western Reporter published by West Group.

Opinions released before April 2006 and available in the archives are posted in Word format. Opinions released after April 2006 are posted to the website in PDF (Portable Document Format).   Note: To open a PDF you must have the free Acrobat Reader installed. PDF format preserves the original appearance of a document without requiring you to possess the software that created that document. For more information about PDF read: Using the Adobe Reader.

For your convenience, the Judicial Branch offers a free e-mail notification service for Supreme Court opinions, Court of Appeals opinions, press releases and orders. To subscribe, click here.

NOTE: Copies of these opinions may be obtained from the Clerk of the Supreme Court, Judicial Branch Building, 1111 East Court Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50319, for a fee of fifty cents per page.

No. 11-0738

STATE OF IOWA vs. LEON KOOIMA

No. 11-1145

SUNRISE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY, FRIENDSHIP HAVEN, PRESBYTERIAN VILLAGE, ROSE VISTA HOME, LONGVIEW HOME, UNITED PRESBYTERIAN HOME, RICEVILLE COMMUNITY REST HOME, HUBBARD CARE CENTER, and HAPPY SIESTA CARE CENTER vs. IOWA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
02 Jul 2013

Planning for an American Dream Retirement

By Ginny Grimsley
'Financial Engineer' Shares 4 Secrets Everyone Should Know

It's no wonder baby boomers worry about outliving their retirement savings.  One out of four 65-year-olds today can expect to live past 90, and if they're married, one of every four will live even longer.

With 10,000 boomers turning 65 every day, it's a big worry for 26 percent of the U.S. population.

"The biggest concern for boomers is living too long, or getting sick, and running out of money," says Rao K. Garuda, (www.aca-incorp.com), an engineer-turned-independent financial planning advisor specializing in work with seniors, high net worth business owners, and professionals.

"The average 65-year-old retires today with $500,000 to $1 million in assets, and while that might sound like a lot to a 20-year-old, it isn't," Garuda says.

Even if you plan to continue some kind of work post-retirement - as many people do whether because they must or because they enjoy it - it's imperative to plan ahead for the day you can't work, he says.

"Equally important, people deserve the freedom to make choices about how they'll spend their last 20 or 30 years, especially if they've spent 45 years going to work every day. That's part of the American dream," Garuda says. "And you don't have to earn a fortune to save a fortune!"

Garuda shares four things everyone should know about preparing for retirement:

• Save first, then spend. Most people spend first, and then try to save what's left, Garuda says. The secret is to make saving first your priority. "The people who save first will always be the people who are employing everyone else!" he says. The more you can save the better, but that will vary at different stages of your life. At the minimum, 10 percent is a good rule of thumb.

• Take advantage of tax-free savings. Taxes are the biggest expense anyone has. Besides federal, state, city and death taxes there are 59 other different ways your money is taxed, Garuda says.
"If you save $1, Uncle Sam will help you by waiting for his cut of that $1. With planning, you can put him on hold for about two generations," he says.
With tax-free compounding, a relatively small amount of money saved can yield huge returns years from now.

• Decide how you'll manage risk. There is risk in everything, and Garuda warns that those who simply choose to ignore it do so at their own peril. Others choose to "go broke safely" - they avoid risk to such an extent, they lose money. A good example is people putting all their savings in CDs that pay just 1 percent; since that's lower than the rate of inflation, they're losing money. In some cases, people transfer risk to someone else, for instance, when they buy homeowners insurance. Finally, they choose to manage their risk emotionally, psychologically and technically through asset allocation rebalancing and other tools that allow you the amount of risk you're willing to assume while still providing opportunities for growth.

• Create tax-free income. "My favorite question to ask people is, 'What have you done to create tax-free income?'' Garuda says. There are many ways to do this - Roth IRAs, life insurance, tax-free bonds, annuities -- but most involve working with a knowledgeable financial planner. "An indexed life insurance policy is a great one; it protects your money while offering a lot of benefits. But it's like a Swiss army knife - there are a lot of ways to use it, and most people don't know how to use it properly," Garuda says.

About Rao K. Garuda

Rao K. Garuda, CLU, ChFC, is president and CEO of Associated Concepts Agency, Inc. - "The Missing Piece" of financial planning -- founded in 1978, and a popular speaker at seminars and conferences for financial industry professionals. He came to the United States from India 35 years ago with a degree in engineering and, after marrying a physician, realized he had to learn how to reduce the couple's taxes. Disappointed in the financial advice he received from professionals, he went to business school and developed expertise in tax reduction, and protecting money from stock market losses. Rao is a founding member of First Financial Resources, a national organization with over 75 partners in the USA; a life member of the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT), and a life member of MDRT's Top of the Table for 21 consecutive years.

02 Jul 2013

Supreme Court Approves Fiscal Year 2014 Budget, All Clerk of Court Offices to be Open Full Time

By Iowa Judical Branch

Des Moines, June 27, 2013 –The Iowa Supreme Court approved a 2013-2014 Judicial Branch budget that will ensure that all Iowans will soon have full-time access to the state's 100 clerk of court offices. The $167.7 million budget, a 3.5% increase over the current fiscal year's budget, includes additional resources to serve Iowa's troubled youth and their families and more support for judges and magistrates.

"For the past two years the supreme court has traveled to communities throughout the state to hear oral arguments and meet with Iowans," Chief Justice Mark Cady said. "One message we heard repeatedly is that people expect access to justice, timely resolutions of legal disputes, and help for the children in their communities who are either in a dangerous family condition or in trouble with the law or both. With the appropriation approved by the legislature and signed by the governor this year, we can take the next step in reaching our goal of being the best, most advanced, and the most responsive court system in the nation."

Currently, all clerk of court offices in the state are closed to the public on Tuesday and Thursday afternoon from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. and 21 offices are closed for additional hours during the work day. In this budget, the supreme court authorized more than 40 additional positions for the state's clerk of court offices so that all the offices will be open to the public from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. In northwest Iowa, 29 offices will open July 15, 2013, while the remaining clerk offices and the clerk of appellate court office will be open full time on September 3, 2013. Some clerk's offices may be closed over the lunch hour in some smaller counties and some offices may temporarily close in order to cover special circumstances such as staff training or unexpected staff shortages.

The addition of 13 juvenile court officers will help the court meet its goal of all juvenile court officers meeting face to face with young offenders entering the court system. Juvenile court officers work with juvenile court judges to identify the underlying problems a child may be experiencing and then help match the needs of the child with the services available in the community.

All court users should notice fewer postponements of court dates due to the unavailability of a court reporter. This year's budget includes the addition of 13 court reporter positions. The budget also includes four new information technology positions to help with the implementation of electronic filing in the state. The Electronic Document Management System (EDMS) is implemented in about half the state and is expected to be fully implemented statewide by 2015.

"The future of the Iowa Judicial Branch is bright as we move into a new fiscal year," State Court Administrator David Boyd said. "The legislature and governor have provided us with the resources we need to focus on delivering accessible, timely and high quality justice."

The clerk of court offices to open full-time on July 15, 2013 are: Boone, Buena Vista , Calhoun, Carroll, Cherokee, Clay, Crawford, Dickinson, Emmet, Greene, Hamilton, Hardin, Humboldt, Ida, Kossuth , Lyon, Marshall, Monona, O'Brien, Osceola, Palo Alto, Plymouth, Pocahontas, Sac, Sioux, Story, Webster, Woodbury, and Wright.

Pages

Subscribe & Listen to Reader Podcasts

On Stands Now

 

Tagged Content

Two Ways to Subscribe

1. Subscribe to free weekly e-mail content updates.

You'll get both the current official narrative challenge and What's Happenin' in the Quad Cities.
(Did you know we publish a new Real Astrology and RCR Crossword every week?) 

Subscribe!

* indicates required

2. Get 12 monthly issues mailed first class for $48

Get 12 issues mailed monthly for $48 per year.

Get the printed Reader edition mailed to you (or anyone you want) first-class for 12 months for $48.
$24 goes to postage and handling, $24 goes to keeping the doors open!

Click this link to Subscribe now.