Le Mars City Council Decides Not To Open Alley
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars city council voted 3 to 2 to keep an alley closed. A proposal was brought before the council for their consideration to open the alley at the 800 block between 3rd Avenue southeast and 4th Avenue southeast. The alley is only partially open with part of it having been closed for more than 20
years. City code ordinance officer Greg Smidt reported to the council that the south half of the said alley has been closed for probably 20 years, but Smidt did not know the exact date for the alley to have been closed. Smidt informed the city council the reason for the alley to have originally been closed was due to a
large “dip” in the middle of the stretch of alley and young drivers would use the alley to speed through, and see if they could get their vehicles to be airborne. Smidt reported to the city council he had sent a survey letter to ten residences adjoining the alley, asking for their opinion whether or not the alley should be
re-opened. Smidt estimated the costs to the city at about $5,000 if the city were to re-open the closed alley. Smidt says the results were evenly split with five residents saying they wanted the alley to remain closed, four residents saying they wanted the alley to be open, and one resident not responding. Smidt
says when he spoke to one of the “no” residents, he indicated he didn’t care one way or the other. At today’s city council meeting, four residents living within the area indicated they did not want the alley to be re-opened citing more traffic, dust, noise, and other factors for their opposition. Councilman Ken Nelson said he would have preferred to table the issue, allowing city staff to
conduct more research into the specific alley. City Administrator, Scott Langel cautioned the city council to use careful consideration when making their decision. Langel cautioned the council that it would need to be consistent with future related rulings. However, city councilman Clark Goodchild insisted the
council take a stand on the issue, saying all the information that was needed for the decision has already been gathered. Goodchild made the motion calling for the council to kill the proposal opening the alley, and to leave the situation
alone. Goodchild quoted a cliche’ saying “if its not broke, don’t fix it.”
Councilman John Rexwinkel seconed Goodchild’s motion. When the votes were taken; Goodchild, Rexwinkel, and Wick voted to keep the alley closed, and Knapp and Nelson had voted the opposite.
Children of Slain Deputy Testify At Murder Suspect’s Sentence Hearing
(Council Bluffs) — The children of a Pottawattamie County sheriff’s deputy killed in the line of duty spoke at the sentencing hearing of the man convicted of killing him while escaping from jail.
Kelsey Brant, the stepdaughter of Deputy Mark Burbridge, openly cried as she described getting the frantic call from her mother on May 1, when Burbridge was shot and killed by 24-year-old Wesley Correa-Carmenaty. Addressing Correa-
Carmenaty, Brant called him “a monster” and added, “I know you have no remorse for anything you’ve done or the pain you’ve caused.”
Karley Burbridge called Correa-Carmenaty “a sociopath with no emotion,” lamenting that her father would not get to participate in the milestones in her life – such as walking her down a wedding aisle.
Kaleb Burbridge asked the judge to impose a life sentence, bemoaning that Correa-Carmenaty would not be subject to death, as Iowa has no death penalty.
Correa-Carmenaty was sentenced Tuesday to life in prison, plus 175 years for other counts ranging from attempted murder and kidnapping to robbery and weapons counts.
Activists Groups Oppose To Liability Insurance Requirement to Protest At State Capitol
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Some activists are pushing to change rules that require groups to obtain $1 million in liability insurance before holding a protest at the Iowa Capitol.
The Iowa Department of Administrative Services says it will review the rule.
Activists say the rule threatens free speech.
Robert Ussery heads the Des Moines chapter of the Iowa Minuteman Civil Defense Corps. He says his small group has held rallies at the Capitol for years and hasn’t previously been asked for insurance.
The group is planning an October rally but is struggling to meet the requirement.
The state requirement has been in place for years but hasn’t always been enforced.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa says the requirement should be waived if a group can’t afford it.
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Prichard Suspends Governor Campaign
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Democratic Rep. Todd Prichard has suspended his campaign for Iowa governor.
Prichard indicated in a press release Tuesday that money played a key role in his decision. He said responsibilities like his family and military service took priority over the time needed to raise enough campaign funds.
Prichard, of Charles City, announced in May he was formally running for governor in 2018. Several other Democrats remain in the running for the party’s gubernatorial nomination. Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds is expected to face Cedar
Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett for their party’s nomination.
Prichard, who represents District 52 in northern Iowa, plans to seek re-election in the House.
Reynolds Critical Of Proposed University Tuition Increases
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds criticized proposed tuition increases at the University of Iowa and Iowa State University but didn’t commit to reversing a decline in state support that has led to higher tuition.
The Des Moines Register reports Reynolds was asked Tuesday about planned tuition increases of 7 percent annually for five years at both universities. She responded, “There is no way that Iowa families could afford a 7 percent increase
over five years.”
University officials have proposed the increases following declines in state funding.
Asked whether the Legislature should increase higher education funding, Reynolds said, “The Legislature is going to do what the Legislature is going to do.”
Reynolds noted the Board of Regents was studying tuition issues, and she promised to work with lawmakers in crafting a budget.
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