Tuesday, May 22, 2012
The two Republicans are opponents on the June 5 primary election ballot. The winner of that contest will face Bruce Braley for the United States House of Representatives first district seat.
Who will you vote for - Rob Blum or Ben Lange? The two Republicans are opponents on the June 5 primary election ballot, both seeking to be the nominee for the United States House of Representatives First District seat. The first district includes Black Hawk County. The winner of that contest will face incumbent Democrat Bruce Braley in the November election. Blum and Lange squared off in a debate in Cedar Rapids last night, seeking to highlight contrasts between themselves and draw voters to their platform. Part of their argument centered around their relative ages and experience. Blum, 57, touted his experience as a businessman in Dubuque, saying he was a job creator who had created over 400 jobs. Lange, 33, said he can unite older and …
We'll be running profiles of all the candidates you'll have a chance to vote for in the June 5 primary. Today, our Q and A with Black Hawk County Supervisor John Miller, who is seeking re-election.
Name: John Miller Age: 68 Political party: Democrat Running for: Re-election for Black Hawk County Supervisor Family: Spouse, Karen, daughter and son-in-law Shanlee and Sean McNally, grandchildren, Jack, Parker and Anna Occupation: Semi-retired farmer, teacher, Congressional aide, Regional Administrator for FEMA and consultant 1. Why did you decide to run for office? Local government has big impact on people. I think my experiences and contacts are an asset in making local government work effeciently and effectively. I like the challenge of working together to make government work. 2. What issues do you want to address if elected? With all the cut-backs coming from Des Moines and Washington, I think that local governments will have a big …
Monday, May 21, 2012
The Waterloo and Cedar Falls Visitor Bureaus celebrated Tourism Month with an award ceremony at the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center.
The Waterloo and Cedar Falls Visitor Bureaus handed out their annual awards last week, honoring local businesses, people and events. The Sturgis Falls Celebration was named the 2012 Cedar Valley Event of the Year, an award that last year went to the Dalai Lama's visit to the University of Northern Iowa. Additionally, Ward Stubbs, retiring Director of the Cedar Falls Human and Leisure Services Department and Tracey Godon, director of UNI’s Overseas Recruitment Fair were honored as Friends of Tourism. Other awards given were: The Isle Casino Hotel, Waterloo - 2012 Cedar Valley Hotel of the Year The R. J. McElroy Trust - Organization of the Year, in appreciation for its creation of the “World’s Greatest Spring Break for Kids.” Organizers …
We'll be running profiles of all the candidates you'll have a chance to vote for in the June 5 primary. Today, our Q and A with Black Hawk County Supervisor Tom Little, who is seeking re-election.
Name: Tom Little Age: 59 Political party: Democrat Running for: Re-election for Black Hawk County Supervisor Family: Wife Janice, married 39 years, 3 children, 6 grandchildren Occupation: Retired John Deere, current Black Hawk County Supervisor 1. Why did you decide to run for office? I am seeking re-election to the board of supervisors to continue on with the seven year plan that this current board has implemented, in regards to rebuilding our county infrastructure and continue improving the county's finacial status. I will continue to use my valuable governmental experience and my common sense approach when spending tax dollars. Fiscally sound planning today produces a stronger tomorrow for all of Black Hawk County. 2. What issues do …
Friday, May 18, 2012
The Department of Natural Resources issued a report Thursday saying the Cedar Falls church was being fined for failing to renew a permit.
Updated Friday 12:07 p.m. Nazareth Evangelical Lutheran Church administrator Sally Young told Patch a fine issued to the church by the Department of Natural Resources was a mistake. "We have just had a return call from DNR," she wrote in an email. "They have assured us that they have our application and that we owe no fines." DNR representatitives did not immediately return calls asking for comment Friday. Previous reporting: The Department of Natural Resources has ordered Nazareth Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls to pay a $1500 fine and says the church failed to renew a permit that allows it to discharge water into a sewer system connected to Dry Run Creek. When reached Thursday afternoon, church administrator Sally Young …
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Iowa Senator Charles Grassley sent us this video expressing his thanks to the Honor Flight participants and all veterans.
Yesterday 85 veterans of World War II from around the Cedar Valley traveled to Washington D.C. on the Honor Flight. The Honor Flight program sends veterans to visit the nation's capitol. It is a chance to honor members of "The Greatest Generation" and give them a chance to visit the memorials and museums that chronicle the history of the nation they helped protect. Iowa Senator Charles Grassley sent us this video expressing his thanks to the Honor Flight participants and all veterans. Volunteers, many of them family members of the veterans, were also on the flight. Did you or someone you know go on yesterday's honor flight? Do you know a veteran you'd like to honor? And your thoughts to Senator Grassley's in the comments section. If you …
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
In his first visit to the battleground state since the January caucuses, the presumptive GOP nominee tells Iowans a "prairiefire of debt is sweeping across … the nation."
As a military wife and stay-at-home mom, federal spending plays a huge role in the day-to-day life of 30-year-old Rebecca Hayes. In fact, her family’s livelihood depends on it. “My husband is in the military and that’s how we receive our paychecks,” Hayes said. “And it always seems like that’s the first area they cut.” Hayes, a native of Boston, Mass., who now lives in Ames, Iowa, was among dozens of local residents who turned out to see former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney at the Hotel Fort Des Moines in Des Moines Tuesday. This marked Romney’s first Iowa appearance since the Jan. 3 caucuses. The stop is part of a weeklong stint coordinated by Romney’s campaign and the Republican National Committee to stress “Obama’s debt, deficit and …
Monday, May 14, 2012
The Texas Congressman said today he won't campaign in the states that have yet to hold primary elections, but that doesn't mean he's done with the GOP presidential nomination process.
Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) said Monday that he will no longer campaign in primary states that have not yet held primaries, but he is not completely withdrawing from the GOP presidential politics. According to the Huffington Post, Paul urged those who support his candidacy for president to continue organizing in states that have voted, in order to win delegates to the national convention. "We will no longer spend resources campaigning in primaries in states that have not yet voted," Paul said in a statement. "Doing so with any hope of success would take many tens of millions of dollars we simply do not have." There are 11 states that have not yet held Republican primaries or caucuses, including Paul's home state of Texas, the website reported…
Sunday, May 13, 2012
A special hearing at city council had a packed house and a little bit of yelling during it's 3.5 hour session Wednesday night, as the council considered a comprehensive plan update and zoning issues in the flood plain.
Gary Froyen handed out North Cedar Association pens to each member of the city council Wednesday night, asking them to use the pens to take notes during a special hearing to consider a comprehensive plan update for the city. "Symbolically and literally, you have northern Cedar Falls in your hands," he told the council members. The packed city council meeting room and speaker after speaker who addressed the council illustrated the level of passion brought to the debate over zoning in the flood plain. The comprehensive plan update, a 201-page document that lays out a guide for the future development of Cedar Falls, includes a land use map that some at last night's meeting found contentious. The council had to decide whether a large chunk of…
Friday, May 11, 2012
The Kentucky sentator spoke to a conservative Christian group in Iowa, where supporters of his father, Ron Paul, have taken over leadership in the state Republican Party. The younger Paul spoke in Waukee Friday about his journey as a Christian.
Rand Paul, Kentucky senator, Tea Party leader and possibly heir to his father Ron's libertarian movement, told about 300 conservative Iowa Christians that America needs to recover and find its moral bearings. "There is a sickness out there that needs more than political leadership. It needs spiritual leadership," he said. "In that cause, I'll do the best that I can." As the keynote speaker for the spring fundraiser for the Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition, an influential group in Iowa Republican Party politics, Paul gave the least political speech of the night. He followed speeches by Iowa politicians Sen. Chuck Grassley, Rep. Tom Latham and Rep. Steve King. Ralph Reed, the founder and chairman of the national Faith and Freedom Coalition, …
Alison Gowans
12:00 pm on Tuesday, May 22, 2012
So tell me, Patch readers - have you decided who you'll vote for in this contest? What do you like about either Blum or Lange? more ›