30 Aug 2013

Friends of the Library to host LeClaire City Office Candidates Forum

By Chris Cournoyer

All City Council and Mayoral candidates for election in the November 2013 municipal elections for the City of LeClaire are invited to participate in a public forum hosted by the Friends of the LeClaire Community Library on Tuesday, October 29th beginning at 7:00 P.M. sharp. Due to space constraints, the forum will be at the LeClaire Fire Station located at 201 N. 15th Street (corner of Jones and 15th).

This is an educational service to which the public and press are invited.

As in past years, questions may be submitted by any resident of the city of LeClaire (including candidates) by placing the written questions in a secured box at circulation desk of the LeClaire Community Library.  There is no limit on the number of questions an individual may submit and questions may be submitted anonymously.

One week prior to the Forum, all questions submitted will be delivered to the moderators, who will group duplicates and select the questions to be asked during the forum.  Questions will be asked of candidates in rotating order, with response times for each question determined by the moderators.

This year's moderators are Ann Hutchinson, former mayor of Bettendorf, and Linda Miller, Iowa House of Representatives, also of Bettendorf.

Candidates who have not already done so are asked to respond indicating whether they will participate to Jillian Flahaven, Interim Director of the LeClaire Community Library, by October 27, 2013 by calling 563-289-4242 x 4 or via email at: jflahaven@leclaireiowa.gov

Attendees are encouraged to arrive at the fire station by 6:45 as the program will begin promptly at 7:00.  Refreshments, courtesy of the Friends of the LeClaire Community Library, will be served.

30 Aug 2013

Sen. Ted Cruz coming to Iowa

By Kaitlin W, Iowa GOP
Have you heard the news?

One of the Republican Party's conservative SUPERSTARS is confirmed to headline one of Iowa's biggest fall events.

Senator Ted Cruz from Texas is headlining Republicans' annual "Reagan Dinner" on Friday, October 25th!

The dinner will be held at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines and offers a number of options to see and even meet Ted Cruz.

Tickets are being priced to help as many Republicans as possible attend this fantastic event.

Click here to reserve your ticket today!

PLUS, use special promotional code, "Victory" when you check-out and save an additional $25 off your individual ticket or a full $250 off a dinner table!

You can also call the Iowa GOP's office at 515-282-8105 and we'll help you with your discounted ticket purchase.

I hope you'll join Senator Ted Cruz and Republicans across Iowa!
29 Aug 2013

Voter registration Deadlines for School Elections is Friday, August 30th.

By Roland Caldwell

DAVENPORT - Scott County Auditor Roxanna Moritz is reminding those interested in voting in the upcoming school elections that the deadline to pre-register to vote is Friday, August 30, 2013. Those interested can register at the Scott County Auditor's Office or at a driver's license station. The Auditor's Office will be open until 5:00 p.m. on August 30th to accommodate voter registration. Mail-in registrations post marked on or before August 26, 2031 will also be accepted for pre-registration. The school election will be held on Tuesday, September 10, 2013. Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

After Friday, those interested in voting, but who are not pre-registered, may register to vote at the polls on Election Day or at the Auditor's Office and vote an absentee ballot prior to Election Day. Those registering in this manner are required to provide proof of their identity through a picture identity card, such as a valid driver's license, and proof of their residency if the identity card does not list a current address. Details for Election Day registration are available on the Auditor's webpage, http://www.scottcountyiowa.com/auditor/.

There will be three positions up for election for the Bettendorf School Board, the Davenport School Board and the North Scott School Board. The Pleasant Valley School Board will have positions for director districts one, two, three, six and seven on the ballot.

The Eastern Iowa Community College District will have positions for director districts one, two, six and eight on the ballots in Scott County.

The Bettendorf School District ballot will include a public measure to approve the physical plant and equipment property tax levy. The Davenport School District ballot will include a public measure to update the District's revenue purpose statement for use of the District's portion of the state sales tax dedicated to schools.

For more information contact the Scott County Auditor's Office at 563-326-8631.

26 Aug 2013

Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, Unanimously Endorses Bruce Braley for Senate

By Charlie Wishman
DES MOINES, IA - The Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO today unanimously voted to endorse Representative Bruce Braley for United States Senate in 2014.  Braley was endorsed at the 57th Annual Convention of the Iowa Federation of Labor being held in Altoona, Iowa this week.
Ken Sagar, President of the Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO said, "For years Bruce Braley has worked tirelessly for working families in Congress, fighting to strengthen the middle class and to grow the economy for all workers.  That's because he always remembers where he came from.  Growing up in small town Iowa and working his way through college and law school, Bruce knows the meaning of hard work and shares our values.  We're proud to stand behind him in his campaign for US Senate."
Braley said, "I'm so honored to have the support of the Iowa Federation of Labor.  Their members work hard every day to support their families and make a better life for their kids.  I'm running for Senate to strengthen the middle class, create more economic opportunity for everyone, and bring people together to get things done for Iowa.  Their endorsement will help build our grassroots organization and adds momentum to our message."
The Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO is a coalition of labor unions from across the state of Iowa, and is the official affiliate of the national AFL-CIO in the state.  This IFL is comprised of more than 470 local unions representing over 46,000 union members working together for all Iowans to ensure a fair and just economy that respects workers' rights on the job.
Bruce Braley was born in Grinnell and grew up in nearby Brooklyn, Iowa.  His father, a Marine, who fought on Iwo Jima in World War II; his mother was a teacher.  Braley worked his way through college and law school building roads and bridges with the Poweshiek County Roads Department, waiting tables, and tending bar.  He was an attorney for 23 years before being elected to Congress.  Braley has become known for his work on behalf of veterans, his advocacy for the middle class, and his bipartisan effectiveness.  Braley lives in Waterloo with his wife, Carolyn.  They have three children, Lisa, David, and Paul.
# # #
20 Aug 2013

Grassley to hold August meetings in 15 Northwest Iowa communities

By Grassley Press

WASHINGTON - Senator Chuck Grassley will hold constituent meetings in 15 Iowa communities next week.

With these meetings, Grassley will have been to every one of the state's 99 counties this year for meetings with Iowans.  Grassley has held a meeting in every county, every year since 1980, when he was first elected to serve in the U.S. Senate.

On August 26, 27, and 28, Grassley will hold town meetings in Ida Grove, Onawa, Denison, Carroll, Sac City, Spencer, Primghar, Cherokee, Le Mars, Rock Rapids, and Spirit Lake.  He also will speak at a downtown Sioux City Rotary Club meeting and in at a roundtable with Hy-Vee store directors in Sioux City. Grassley will visit high schools in Sibley and Storm Lake for Q&A with students.  In Sioux Center, he will tour the plant and hold a Q&A session with employees of Link Manufacturing, Ltd.

"Representative government is a two-way street.  It's strengthened by dialogue between elected officials and the people we represent," Grassley said.  "I like to hold a combination of town meetings, where everyone is invited to attend and ask questions on any subject, and meetings where I go to people in their workplaces and at community events to talk with Iowans who may not go to a town meeting.  I also really enjoy meeting with high school students as they study how our system of government works and gain an understanding of current events and government."

More information about Grassley's meeting schedule is below. The 11 town meetings are open to the public.  Questions about other events should be directed to the host.

In addition to these meetings, Grassley is spending most of the August recess of the U.S. Senate in Iowa. He is participating in numerous public affairs programs with Iowa broadcasters and holding business meetings with Iowa community leaders. He spoke at the Family Leadership Summit in Ames and spent a day at the Iowa State Fair. Grassley is also visiting the Harry S. Truman Library & Museum in Missouri and the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum in Kansas.

Monday, August 26

8:30-9:30 a.m.

Ida County Town Meeting

Ida County Courthouse, Courtroom

401 Moorehead Street in Ida Grove

*Grassley will be available for 15 minutes after the meeting to answer questions from local reporters.

 

11:00-11:45 a.m.

Roundtable with Hy-Vee Store Directors

Hy-Vee

2827 Hamilton Boulevard in Sioux City

12 noon-1:00 p.m.

Speak with the Rotary Club of Sioux City

Sioux City Convention Center

801 4th Street in Sioux City

*Grassley will be available for 15 minutes after the meeting to answer questions from local reporters.

2:15-3:15 p.m.

Monona County Town Meeting

Onawa Community Center, Kelly Hall

320 10th Street in Onawa

*Grassley will be available for 15 minutes after the meeting to answer questions from local reporters.

 

4:30-5:30 p.m.

Crawford County Town Meeting

Denison Municipal Utilities, Community Room

721 Broadway in Denison

*Grassley will be available for 15 minutes after the meeting to answer questions from local reporters.

 

6:30-7:30 p.m.

Carroll County Town Meeting

Charlie's Steakhouse

1730 U.S. 71 North in Carroll

*Grassley will be available for 15 minutes after the meeting to answer questions from local reporters.

 

Tuesday, August 27

7:30-8:30 a.m.

Sac County Town Meeting

Law Enforcement Center

100 Northeast State Street in Sac City

*Grassley will be available for 15 minutes after the meeting to answer questions from local reporters.

 

9:15-10:15 a.m.

Q&A with Storm Lake High School Students

Storm Lake High School

621 Tornado Drive in Storm Lake

*Grassley will be available for 15 minutes after the meeting to answer questions from local reporters.

 

11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.

Clay County Town Meeting

Clay County Administration Building, Board Room

300 West 4th Street in Spencer

*Grassley will be available for 15 minutes after the meeting to answer questions from local reporters.

 

1:45-2:45 p.m.

O'Brien County Town Meeting

O'Brien County Courthouse, Assembly Room

155 South Hayes in Primghar

*Grassley will be available for 15 minutes after the meeting to answer questions from local reporters.

 

3:30-4:30 p.m.

Cherokee County Town Meeting

Cherokee County Courthouse, Courtroom

520 West Main Street in Cherokee

*Grassley will be available for 15 minutes after the meeting to answer questions from local reporters.

Wednesday, August 28

8-9 a.m.

Plymouth County Town Meeting

Floyd Valley Hospital, Conference Center

714 Lincoln Street Northeast in Le Mars

*Grassley will be available for 15 minutes after the meeting to answer questions from local reporters.

 

9:45-10:45 a.m.

Business Visit to Link Manufacturing Ltd.

Link Manufacturing Ltd.

223 15th Street Northeast in Sioux Center

*Grassley will be available for 15 minutes after the meeting to answer questions from local reporters.

 

12:15-1:15 p.m.

Lyon County Town Meeting

Rock Rapids Public Library

102 South Greene Street in Rock Rapids

*Grassley will be available for 15 minutes before the meeting to answer questions from local reporters.

 

1:45-2:45 p.m.

Q&A with Sibley-Ocheyedan High School

Sibley-Ocheyedan High School

120 11th Avenue Northeast in Sibley

*Grassley will be available for 15 minutes after the meeting to answer questions from local reporters.

 

4-5 p.m.

Dickinson County Town Meeting

Spirit Lake Library, Community Room

702 16th Street in Spirit Lake

*Grassley will be available for 15 minutes after the meeting to answer questions from local reporters.

 

-30-
20 Aug 2013

Braley Announces Iowa Native Sarah Benzing to Return as Campaign Manager

By Jeff Link
DES MOINES, IA - Rep. Bruce Braley announced today that Iowa native Sarah Benzing will return to Iowa to serve as the campaign manager for his 2014 Senate campaign.
Benzing, who managed Braley's first campaign for Congress in 2006 and served as his first chief of staff from 2007 until 2009, worked as US Senator Sherrod Brown's (D-OH) campaign manager in 2012. More recently, she managed Sen. Ed Markey's successful June 2013 special election campaign for US Senate in Massachusetts.
Braley said, "Sarah Benzing is the best campaign manager in the country, period. I'm so proud to have her return to lead my campaign team. There's no other campaign manager in the country with her deep Iowa roots and knowledge. She's proven her ability to build a strong grassroots organization, and there's no one better prepared to help me introduce myself to more Iowans and discuss my efforts to be an Iowa problem solver."
Benzing said, "I couldn't be more excited to come home to Iowa and manage Bruce's campaign for Senate. I'm looking forward to getting to work to make an already strong grassroots organization even stronger, and to help share with more Iowans Bruce's message of bipartisan problem solving to create jobs, expand the middle class, and make America strong."
Sarah Benzing, a native of Neola, Iowa, has been involved in Iowa Democratic politics since she was 5 years old, when she volunteered on Tom Harkin's 1982 US House re-election campaign. Benzing is a graduate of Tri-Center High School in Pottawattamie County, where she served as president of her local 4-H club, and the University of Northern Iowa.
Her professional experience in Iowa includes working as a Field Organizer for Vice President Al Gore's presidential campaign in 2000, Canvass Director for the 2002 Iowa Coordinated Campaign, Campaign Manager for Braley's successful first bid for Congress in 2006, and serving as Braley's Congressional Chief of Staff from 2007 until 2009.
After leaving Braley's office, Benzing managed the successful re-election campaigns of Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) in 2010 and Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) in 2012. Benzing managed the successful special election campaign of Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) earlier this year.
Benzing will start with Braley for Iowa effective September 3.
Bruce Braley was born in Grinnell and grew up in nearby Brooklyn, Iowa. His father, a Marine, fought on Iwo Jima in World War II; his mother was a teacher. Braley worked his way through college and law school building roads and bridges with the Poweshiek County Roads Department, waiting tables, and tending bar. He worked as an attorney for 23 years before being elected to Congress. Braley has become known for his work on behalf of veterans, his advocacy for the middle class, and his bipartisan effectiveness. Braley lives in Waterloo with his wife, Carolyn. They have three children: Lisa, David, and Paul.
# # #
16 Aug 2013

Nmination papers filed for the Davenport, Iowa, 2013 City Election through August 15, 2013

By Jackie E. Holecek

The following is a list, updated as of 5:00 PM today, of those persons with Affidavits of Candidacy and Nomination Petitions on file with the Clerk's Office for the following offices:
MAYOR

ALDERMEN BY WARD:

FIRST WARD

  1. Rick Dunn 1035 S. Conord 563-323-5063 dummforfirst@gmail.com
  2. Shelly Fritz 615 S Nevada 563-210-2162 shellyfritz615@yahoo.com

SECOND WARD

  1. Bill Edmond 3804 West 46th Street 563-388-1093 billandpame@cs.com

 

THIRD WARD

FOURTH WARD

FIFTH WARD

SIXTH WARD

SEVENTH WARD

  1. Mike Matson 1545 West 49th Street 563-505-6976 matsongohawks@msn.com

 

EIGHTH WARD

  1. Kerri Tompkins 507 Garner Drive 563-210-8511 kerritompkinsward8@yahoo.com
  2. Jamie Woods 2254 Valley Drive 563-579-6161 JBBGW00@yahoo.com

AT LARGE (2)

14 Aug 2013

Republican Liberty Caucus Kick Starts Precinct Committeeman Drive

By Laurie Bluedorn
In the last election, the Illinois Republican Party suffered its worst defeat in modern history ? spawning Democrat super-majorities in both houses of the General Assembly. After Pat Brady resigned as party chairman, party leadership replaced him with Jack Dorgan ? a Springfield lobbyist who is linked to the Illinois Democrat Party leadership and to Bill Cellini, a notorious client currently in prison for federal corruption. 

This is the same Jack Dorgan who was involved in denying any opportunity to grassroots delegates attending the June 2012 Illinois Republican State Convention.
Embed video link http://youtu.be/WwqESIkuBlo

You have no doubt heard the expression, "All politics is local." That may be true in many respects, but it's certainly true in one way which Republicans have paid little attention to. Democrats fill all of their precinct committeeman positions with active party members who get out the vote. Republicans have filled only half of their precinct committeeman positions -- and it's the precinct committeemen who elect members of the Republican State Central Committee. Do you see where I'm going? If we want to win elections and restore honor and honesty to the party at the state level, the goal is within our reach if we can just fill the open precinct committeeman positions with real grassroots liberty-minded people ? and that is one of the goals of the RLC-IL.

It is now self-evident that Illinois Republicans need a change in leadership. In order to bring this about, we must elect Republican candidates from the precinct to the statehouse who demonstrate commitment to basic principles of republicanism ? individual liberty, personal responsibility, free enterprise, limited government, fiscal responsibility, and full accountability of elected officials and government agencies. In order to advance this effort to take back the Republican Party for the people ? from the grassroots up ? we have formed the Republican Liberty Caucus of Illinois. Our members work within the Republican Party to promote strong policy, to vet candidates, and to hold Republicans answerable to the principles of liberty.

Allen Skillicorn
Chairman, Republican Liberty Caucus of Illinois
allen@allenskillicorn.com
14 Aug 2013

Braley for Iowa Announces 250 Founding "Farmers for Braley"

By Jeff Link
Farmers stand behind Braley for support of Iowa agriculture, Farm Bill DES MOINES, IA - Braley for Iowa announced today that more than 250 Iowa farmers and agriculture producers have signed on as founding members of "Farmers for Braley", a group of public supporters of Rep. Bruce Braley's 2014 US Senate campaign. In addition to endorsing Braley, Farmers for Braley will also serve as key elements of Braley's grassroots organization, communicating with Iowans about Braley's efforts to promote and expand Iowa agriculture.
"I'm proud to have the support of so many Iowa farmers and agriculture producers," Braley said. "I grew up surrounded by Iowa agriculture: detassling corn, walking beans, and working at a grain elevator. I know firsthand how important farms and agriculture are to Iowa's economy and culture. That's why I've worked so hard in Congress to promote Iowa agriculture and protect Iowa's farming future. I think I can be even more effective serving in the US Senate."
"Bruce Braley fights for the Iowa farmer," said Robert Bell, a member of Farmers for Braley from Warren County. "His nonstop work to bring people together in Congress to pass a long-term extension of a Farm Bill into law demonstrates how committed he is to the future of Iowa agriculture. Bruce knows how important agriculture is to Iowa's economy and works nonstop to promote it."
"When it comes to Iowa agriculture, Bruce gets it," said Mary Krier, a Farmer for Braley from Keokuk County. "Bruce is working to protect family farms and help young people interested in farming get off the ground. Iowa need a voice like his in the US Senate to keep working for Iowa farmers and Iowa agriculture."
When Braley was growing up in Brooklyn, Iowa, his father worked at a grain elevator, and Braley spent summers on farms detassling corn, walking soybeans, bailing hay, and working at a grain elevator. As an attorney in Waterloo, Braley worked on behalf of farmers.
In Congress, Braley has worked for years to pass a long-term extension of the Farm Bill. Last month, for example, Braley called on Congress to cancel its annual August recess until it sent a comprehensive, five-year extension of the Farm Bill to the President's desk.
A full list of the founding Farmers for Braley can be downloaded at the following link: http://brucebraley.com/farmers-list
Bruce Braley was born in Grinnell and grew up in nearby Brooklyn, Iowa. His father, a Marine, fought on Iwo Jima in World War II; his mother was a teacher. Braley worked his way through college and law school building roads and bridges with the Poweshiek County Roads Department, waiting tables, and tending bar. He worked as an attorney for 23 years before being elected to Congress. Braley has become known for his work on behalf of veterans, his advocacy for the middle class, and his bipartisan effectiveness. Braley lives in Waterloo with his wife, Carolyn. They have three children: Lisa, David, and Paul.
# # #
13 Aug 2013

Your Ticket to Meet Ted Cruz

By A. J. Spiker

Senator Ted Cruz from Texas is one of the most sought after Republican leaders and speakers in the country.

Would you like to meet him?

Just last week the Republican Party of Iowa was ecstatic to announce we had confirmed Senator Ted Cruz will serve as our keynote speaker at our annual Reagan Day Dinner on Friday, October 25th.

While tickets have just been announced, we're celebrating the Iowa State Fair this week and offering an exclusive deal to our Republican supporters who register early.

Use special promo code "Cruz" when you buy a dinner ticket or table and you'll receive a full 25% discount off the price!

Reserve your ticket today with this substantial discount.

That's right, take a full 1/4 off the price, just by registering today and using the promo code "Cruz"

I look forward to seeing you at our annual Reagan Dinner on October 25th.

Take advantage of the substantial discount we're offering in celebration of the Iowa State Fair and reserve your ticket today!

---
Defending Liberty,

A.J. Spiker
Iowa GOP Chairman

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