Preisser to lead Iowa DOT aims to cut rattles and unify agencies
Victor Preisser, 37, named first director of Iowa Department of Transportation, plans to consolidate highway and aviation units and licensing boards by July 1. He will oversee about 5,000 employees with a roughly 200 million dollar budget, and will work from Des Moines and Ames while commuting from Chicago. Preisser stresses steady planning, inflation aware spending, and faster, coordinated traffic planning to boost state mobility and economy.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Des Moines
Iowa
Victor Preisser
Department of Transportation
Preisser
DOT Commission
Chicago
Ames
Highway and Aeronautics Commissions
Department of Public Safety
Transportation Regulation
Iowa Commerce Commission
Robert Ray
DOT
Recommendation to create internal audit staff in Iowa
Iowa state auditor urges the Iowa Employment Security Commission to establish an internal auditing unit. Loyd Smith says current desk reviews of vouchers for payments show a general lack of internal auditing procedures and notes a year old recommendation to study creating an internal audit staff reporting to the commission.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Des Moines
UPI
Iowa Employment Security Commission
Loyd Smith
Smit
Commission
Shortage of Handicapped Applicants Ties Up Civil Service
Des Moines reports a staffing gap at the civil service commission as only 13 handicapped individuals have been tested in two years. The handicap program now links the Iowa agencies and the governor's committee to promote federal job opportunities, with mobility and location factors shaping placements. A toll free information line, 800 362 2066, has been added.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Des Moines
IDPA
Civil Service Commission
Commission
Carl Brockmeyer
Brockmeyer
Iowa Commission For the Blind
Iowa Employment Security Commission
Iowa State Vocational Rehabilitation Center
Governor’s Committee On Employment of
Iowa
Amers
Atlantic
Burlington
Cedar Rapids
Creston
Decorah
Dubuque
Fort Dodge
Iowa City
Mason City
Ottumwa
Sioux City
Spencer
Waterloo
Few Takers for New Plates in Scott County
Davenport AP Scott County officials confront surplus 1975 Iowa license plates bearing GAY as demand proves negligible. Mary Ament reports the auto license division seeks permission to delete them, while State Auditor Lloyd Smith says action is up to elected treasurer Ken Gaines.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
County
Davenport
Scott County
Iowa
Mary Ament
Treasurer’s
Lloyd Smith
Smith
Ken Gaines
Gaines
Highway Patrol Chief Candidates Narrowed Down
Public safety officials in Des Moines say the Iowa highway patrol chief search has reduced to three finalists. Ten candidates interviewed to replace Col. Howard Miller who resigned Sunday. the new chief is expected to come from current patrol staff. Assistant Chief Al Chrystal has been temporarily promoted but is not among the final candidates.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Des Moines
UPI
Iowa Highway Patrol
Public Safety
Howard Miller
al Chrystal
Pinball Machine Thefts Hit Iowa City Dorms and Tavern
A thief targeted three University of Iowa dorms and a local tavern in Iowa City on Monday, prying open pin ball machines at Stanley Currier and Burge dormitories and stealing unspecified amounts. Another break in Sunday night affected the Sanctuary tavern, with an undetermined loss.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Iowa City
University of Iowa
Stanley
Currier
Burge
Sanctuary
Investigation Launched into Des Moines Police Conduct
Des Moines city manager Richard Wilkey has opened an inquiry into alleged police misconduct following a grievance hearing. The probe involves claims that a stolen tractor was not returned and that a suspect was investigated by a police officer brother, with additional accusations of 46 handguns not returned to owners.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Des Moines
UPI
Russell LaVine
Richard Wilkey
Wilkey
Jack Woods
Wendell Nichols
LaVine
Delegation Sets Monthly Iowa Joint Meetings
Democrats in Iowa’s congressional delegation will hold monthly meetings to coordinate their Iowa project efforts. They also plan to invite incoming Republican Rep. Charles Grassley to participate in the talks.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
UPI
Iowa
Charles Grassley
Merrill Held on Open Murder Charge
Don ald Merrill, 43, of Keosauqua is held on an open murder charge in the stabbing death of Esco Henkle, 60, at the Henkle farm. Bond set at $100,000. Merrill in Van Buren county jail after magistrate court appearance.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Donald Merrill
Keosauqua
Esco Henkle
Merrill
Henkle
van Buren
Audit questions Keokuk hospital payments
State Auditor Lloyd Smith cited a $15,825 double payment for an air conditioning unit and questioned a roof repair costing $18,799 done by the hospital board chairman’s firm. The auditor urged careful bidding and an independent review to assess value and prevent conflicts of interest.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Sigourney
Keokuk County
Lloyd Smith
Smith
W. C. Conner
Ruggles
Conner
GOP Nominates Kann For 19th District Race
Dubuque Republican Donna Kann a 29 year old junior high teacher will oppose Democrat Tom Jochum a 22 year old Loras College student for state representative from the 19th district in a Dec 30 special election. Kann was nominated to fill the vacancy created by the death of Rep Joseph Clark. Democrats had already nominated Jochum. State Rep Robert Carr announced his resignation effective Monday.
Rockefeller Meets With Clark in Capitol Hill Session
Vice presidential nominee Nelson Rockefeller met with Sen. Dick Clark and several new senators in Clark's Iowa Democrat office for an informal briefing on the Pentagon budget. Clark aide said no action will result and Clark is undecided on how to vote when the nomination comes before the senate. Carr resigns from state senate to run in special election. Blouin term to be filled Dec 30. Dubuque Democrats name candidates. Republicans seek contenders including Tauke Ludwig and Meriwether.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
Nelson Rockefeller
Dick Clark
Iowa
Capitol Hill
Clark
Pentagon
Rockefeller
Senate
Plans Received For Elderly Housing Project
Iowa City has three proposals for an elderly housing project with about 62 units each. First Christman Church suggests Chauncey Swan plaza west end, Old Capitol Associates targets Dubuque and Court, and Mid-States Development Inc proposes West Benton street near Hillsboro apartments. A public meeting is set for December 12 and a council decision by December 17.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Iowa City
Christman Church
Chauncey Swan Plaza
Old Capitool Associates
Dubuque and
Court Streets
Mid-States Development, Inc
Sioux City
Benton Street
Hillsboro
Also Mentioned on This Page
Gordon Hanson
U.S
Weld Agency
Priesser
Midwest Management Corp
North Western Railway
DOT Post
Drake University
United States
Army
Defense Contract Audit Agnecy
Small Business Administration
Highway Patrol
Senior Citizen
Bill Malloy
Malloy Jewelers
D.M
Robert Louis Stevenson
Samoa
Hormel
Horme
Keokuk Hospital
Ruggles Sheet Metal Co
Conner Bros. Construction Co
Glen Bradley
Bureau of Criminal Investigation
Iowa Attorney General's Office
D. C. Taylor Roofing Co
Gop
Kann
Carr
Michael Blouin
Blouin
James Esmail
Wythe Willey
Ray
Dubuque County
20Th District
Democratic Committee
Westminister Presbyterian Church
Pat Smith
Ethel Cheriol
Robert Klein
Joe Sullivan
Loras
Tom Tauke
Dick Ludwig
Bruce Meriwether
Lindale Plaza
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