Washington County ethics trial highlights candidates’ integrity
The not guilty verdict in the Seward and Yoder campaign ethics case tests local politics. Megan Tooker of the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board noted reporting errors occur often and are fixable, crimes only when intentional or egregious. The author urges trusting the state board and urges voters to assess beliefs values and character in candidates.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington County
Jack Seward Jr
Bob Yoder
Megan Tooker
Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board
Seward
Yoder
Ethics Board
Tooker
Hospital and County Conservation Board
Board of Supervisors
Moe
Curly
Larry
Time to embargo Iran
A guest editorial urges drastic sanctions to cripple Iran's economy and halt its nuclear program. It cites protests inside Iran and reports from The Wall Street Journal on expanding sanctions via a de facto trade embargo by early 2013, with U.S. and international lawmakers backing stronger measures.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chicago Tribune
Ahmadinejad
Iran
The
Wall Street Journal
European Union
Mark Kirk
Illinois
U.S
Opposing TSA style screening at new Johnson County Justice Center
A guest column argues against airport like security at the planned courthouse entrance if the November bond passes. Martha Hampel of Iowa City, a civil liberties activist, warns TSA style checks would re victim ize sexual and physical assault survivors and cites trauma, privacy, and fear as reasons to reject the plan.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Johnson County
TSA
Ted Down
Jcjusticecenter. Com
Iowa
Justice Center
Martha Hampel
Iowa City
Aim
Oeed Theweewee
Cedar Rapids Missed Gambling Revenue Sparks Debate
Cedar Rapids residents clap back at casino opponents and accuse city leaders of losing gambling money to external areas. Russell Slaman denounces a Oct. 4 story quote claiming gamblers neglect basic necessities, urging 'wake up and smell the money' amid mounting frustration.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Cedar Rapids
Renee Otto
Russell Slaman
Letters critique new Cedar Rapids parking kiosks
Laura Behrens writes that readers report mixed experiences with the new parking system in Cedar Rapids. Some coins work after retries, causing delays and occasional fines, while the system’s promises of convenience and low rates depend on reliable machine operation.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Cedar Rapids
Laura Behrens
Property tax cuts target small business in debate
The audit centers on Branstad plans to cut commercial property taxes with Democrats pushing targeted credits for small firms while Republicans seek a 40 percent cut for all businesses. Critics warn local governments would lose revenue, shifting burden to middle class. Nate Willems and Kathryn Guilgot Manchester weigh in.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Branstad
Walmart
Nate Willems
Kathryn Guilgot
Manchester
Parking meters fail when system malfunctions
The reader reports a malfunctioning downtown parking kiosk that refused coins and repeatedly rejected credit cards. The episode underscores issues with the system described in The Gazette story on C R parking core and Jon Dusek comments, suggesting the machine’s failures undermine the program’s usefulness.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Gazette
C.R
Jon Dusek
City stalls on meaningful stormwater fees and runoff cuts
In Cedar Rapids the council rejects a tiered stormwater fee based on hard surfaces. The compromise keeps flat fees rising with property size to fund sewer work. Critics say it delays incentives for property owners to reduce runoff and protect waterways, risking future floods and water quality.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Cedar Rapids
Kingston Village
Ars
Also Mentioned on This Page
Glenda McDowell Seward
West Chester
Glenda Seward
National Sexual Violence Resource Center
Optfel
BND Reddy
Terry Branstad
Todd.dorman
Sourcemedia
Todd Dorman
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