“Cash Mob” Scheduled For Today
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Chamber of Commerce will be holding its first “cash mob” of the season today. Each of the downtown retail businesses, that are members of the chamber, will be eligible. People are asked to gather outside the the chamber offices at 12:15 p.m. this afternoon, at which Le Mars Mayor Dick Kirchoff will draw the name of the winning business. At that time the gathering will then “mob” the selected business with everyone attending agreeing to spend at least $20 each. The idea for the “cash mob” according to Chamber Mainstreet coordinator, Mary Reynolds, is to recognize that shopping local is preferred, and to help stimulate the local economy.
School Foundation Banquet Acknowledges Honorees
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Community School District Foundation Banquet was held last evening. During the event, the school foundation recognized those teachers with 25 years of experience, the district employees of the month, the academic top five percent of the graduating seniors, as well as the Decades of Excellence-Crystal Bell Teacher of the Year, and new this year was the first honor for the Le Mars Community Schools Distinguished Alumnus. Norman Barker, a member of the 1939 class was presented a bulldog statue recognizing his many contributions to the Le Mars Community Schools. Barker served on the Plymouth County Board of Education when the school districts were first being created. In accepting the honor, Barker pointed out how difficult it was for many rural children to pursue a high school education.
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Barker, a retired farmer, recalled during his era of education, how faculty members were responsible for several curriculum.
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Following the ceremony, Barker admits to having a great sense of pride anytime he hears about the Le Mars Community School District.
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Kluckholn Kindergarten teacher, Jayne Willer was honored with the Decades of Excellence-Crystal Bell Teacher of the Year Award. Along with the crystal bell, Willer was presented two checks, both in the amount of $500. One to be used for her classroom, and the other she can use for personal purposes. Back in March when it was first announced that Willer was selected as the “Teacher of the Year” she explained her teaching philosophy with Kindergarteners.
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King and Northey Both Still Contemplating A Run For Senate Seat
(Washington) — Iowa 4th District Republican Congressman Steve King says each passing day brings him closer to deciding if he will run for the U.S. Senate in 2014…but that day hasn’t quite arrived yet.
That decision may happen sooner now that Iowa Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds says she will not run for the U.S. Senate in 2014. Reynolds says she plans to focus on the economic and education agenda of Governor Terry Branstad, who is expected to seek re-election next year. Democratic Senator Tom Harkin is retiring at the end of his current term. Fellow Democratic Congressman Bruce Braley is actively campaigning to succeed Harkin in Washington. Another Republican that is considering of running is Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Bill Northey.
Branstad Signs 34 Bills
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad has signed 34 bills into law, including a measure to aid rebuilding Lake Delhi and another making a new criminal offense for stealing a police
officer’s radio.
Gov. Terry Branstad signed the bills into law Wednesday.
The Lake Delhi measure exempts the area along the Maquoketa River from a requirement that owners of a soon-to-be-rebuilt dam buy easements for any property that could flood if water overtops
the dam. Some lawmakers argued the bill could leave taxpayers vulnerable if future flooding damages homes surrounding the eastern Iowa lake, which drained when a dam collapsed in 2010.
The radio measure makes it a simple misdemeanor to steal an officer’s radio or cellphone. Penalties can be enhanced to a felony if the officer is injured during the theft.
Conservative Lawmakers Want To Cut Justice’s Salary
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A group of conservative lawmakers proposes cutting the salaries of Iowa Supreme Court justices who joined in a unanimous ruling that legalized gay marriage in Iowa.
Republican Rep. Larry Sheets of Moulton, who is joining four other lawmakers in backing the effort, acknowledges it’s a longshot, but he says it’s important to draw attention to the
ruling. Sheets says the justices “overstepped their constitutional boundaries.”
The amendment would reduce the salaries of the remaining four justices who joined in the 2009 ruling from about $163,000 annually to $25,000.
The pay cut wouldn’t be implemented unless voters approved a constitutional amendment stating that marriage was between a man and a woman. It would take approval of two legislative assemblies
elected in consecutive elections before a measure could be referred to voters.
