I was whiling away my life the other night by watching the Des Moines City Council on Channel 7. The City was getting hammered, non-stop, by their local citizens over the prospects of a new homeless shelter at I-235 and Keo Way. It was punching bag treatment to which the Council has become almost inured. [...]
Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category
The Little Shelter on Keo Way
Posted in Uncategorized on March 16, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Brownell sworn in today
Posted in Uncategorized on January 2, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Saying public officials have a responsibility to “conduct ourselves in a professional and optimistic way” as the nation forges its way through the current down economy, Robert Brownell took the oath of office to begin his third term on the Polk County Board of Supervisors.
Brownell, a Clive Republican, and E.J. Giovannetti, an Urbandale Republican, were [...]
Good Day for Iowa
Posted in Uncategorized on December 17, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Today is a day to feel pride and show our support for a fellow Iowan: former Gov. Tom Vilsack.
It’s still difficult for many Republicans to feel much excitement about the Democrats’ sweeping victories last month, but if we’re going to have a Democratic administration it’s good for Iowa that Tom Vilsack will be part of [...]
It’s time for an Iowa Infrastructure Summit
Posted in Uncategorized on December 9, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Faced with an economy that officially has been in a recession for 12 months now, President-elect Barack Obama has suggested that he’ll ask Congress for funding for a massive public works program designed to create 2.5 million jobs by 2011.
It’s a time-honored tradition for administrations to propose and implement public works programs during economic downturns. [...]
The Color of Savings
Posted in Uncategorized on December 1, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
It seems like everyone is looking for savings these days. From Christmas shoppers to business executives to the Mom managing the family budget, finding greater value is a priority.
The most interesting value play I think I’ve seen recently was reported today on AdAge.com involving the multinational consumer goods company, Unilever.
The company, according to Jack Neff’s [...]
A Well-Deserved Recognition for a Respected Public Servant
Posted in Uncategorized on November 20, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
There was a silver lining today in the dark clouds of the June floods that hit the Birdland neighborhood particularly hard and virtually shut down the Des Moines downtown for several days. Polk County Emergency Management Director A.J. Mumm was named 2008 recipient of ISAC’s Excellence in Action Award in the Outstanding Individual Category.
A.J. directed the [...]
Even with Good Ideas, Sometimes “No” is the Right Way to Go
Posted in Uncategorized on November 19, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
When it comes to good ideas, sometimes you still have to say “no.” That’s the situation I found myself in yesterday as the Board of Supervisors voted on a $785,000 no-interest loan for the Southeast Polk school district to cover the costs for a pedestrian tunnel between its current high school and the new one [...]
The Right Leader for The Times
Posted in Uncategorized on November 19, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Change is almost always hard, but I was pleased to see Iowa Senate Republicans select Paul McKinley as their new leader.
Sen. Paul Wieck of Sioux City, who has been in the post since 2007, has been a capable leader during difficult times for our party. But, just as we’ve seen with the Iowa House, fresh [...]
Jailhouse Blues…and Reds
Posted in Uncategorized on October 21, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
If you’ve ever had your house or car broken into, aside from feeling angry, violated and helpless, you want to see the person who did it to you receive a measure of justice.
You’re not too interested in what “jail diversion” option might be available to the miscreant. You just want to see that person in an [...]
