Allan Thoms Named Interim City Manager in Cedar Rapids
The Cedar Rapids City Council hired Allan Thoms as interim city manager for at least three months amid flood recovery tasks and a stalled permanent replacement search. Thoms brings local and state government experience from Dubuque and Iowa agencies plus private sector roles, including Verizon and other firms, and he says he has no interest in the permanent post.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Cedar Rapids
Allan Thoms
Jim Prosser
Hir
Thoms
Casey Drew
Dubuque
City Planning Commission
Ence
Iowa Utilities Board
Iowa Department of Economic Development
Terry Branstad
Iowa Department of Transportation
Verizon Communications Inc
Dubuque Packing Co
Rowley Interstate Transportation Co
Dubuque Bank & Trust Co
Thomas
ATM fee cap sparks owner ire and banking panel view
A May 21 letter argues a 50 cent ATM transaction fee cap would hurt small operators while banking experts say banks could still profit. The piece notes a historic 2002 Iowa protection law change and contrasts the impact on small ATM businesses with consumer protections. The second letter from Becky Elson-Ehlts of Nashville expresses sympathy for Amanda and reflects on family failure to intervene in abuse.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Steven Gendreau
Tom Harkin
Harkin
National Banking Association
Iowa
Sara Riley
Cedar Rapids
Amanda
Becky Elson-Ehlts
Nashville
Tenn
Grassley fair minded on high court nominees
Letter writer praises Senator Grassley for fair mindedness on Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan. The piece argues for constitutional advice and consent and urges questions on Kagan’s judicial temperament while noting past filibuster lessons. It also endorses Dave Jacoby in Iowa House district 30 with a Coralville Tiffin North Liberty focus.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Betsy Cassatt
Chuck Grassley
Supreme Court
Elena Kagan
Senate
Kagan
D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals
Grassley
Bob Anderson
Swisher
District 30
Dave Jacoby
Dave
Coralville
Tiffin
North Liberty
Iowa City
Iowa
Jacobyforhouse. Org
Diana Lundell
Blumenthal’s Vietnam claims draw scrutiny and backlash
Kathleen Parker argues Blumenthal overstated his Marine reserve service during the Vietnam era. She recalls family veterans and notes the political fallout as McMahon and Simmons vie for Senate, urging voters to prioritize honesty over self aggrandizement.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Blumenthal
Chris Dodd
Linda McMahon
New York Times
McMahon
Rob Simmons
Vietnam
America
Branding plans vs regional identity in Corridor debate
A reader questions the Corridor Branding push led by the Corridor Business Alliance and North Star Destination Strategies. They argue branding can’t replace genuine regional cohesion and cite examples of slogans that feel superficial. They warn reputation is earned, not bought, and urge focus on collaboration over catchy names.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Alliance
North Star Destination Strategies of
Nashville
Tenn
North Star
Columbus
Ind
Moose Jaw
Saskatchewan
Jacksonville
Miss
Chicago
Paris
Iowa
Also Mentioned on This Page
the Gazette
Prosser
Amanda Daniel
Keith van Elson Jr
Jacoby
Camp Pendleton
San Diego
Khe Sanh
Hell
Jack
Naval Hospital
Philadelphia
Richard Blumenthal
Connecticut
Harvard
Cambridge
Kathleenparker
Washpost.com
Kathleen Parker
Tribune Media Services
Jennifer.hemmingsen
Gazcomm.com
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!