| | 
The
Official Newspaper of Anamosa, located in Jones County, Iowa
Anamosa News
Since 1855
 Thursday,
January 25, 2007 |
Iowa Delegation Responds to Botched Announcement of Unit’s Extension
by Michelle Phillips |
Controversy stirred, last week, over media reports that the Iowa National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry would have their tour in Iraq extended by 125 days–before the soldiers were notified.
The issue spurred questions of how the military could have told the press before it notified the men and women affected. Many heard of the extension through family members and Internet news.
US House Representative Bruce Braley joined other US Legislators in writing a letter to Defense Secretary Robert Gates.
The letter follows:
The Honorable Robert M. Gates
Secretary of Defense
United States Department of Defense
1155 Defense Pentagon
Washington, DC 20301
Dear Secretary Gates,
As Members of the Iowa Congressional Delegation, we are concerned with the recent news that members of the Iowa National Guard learned of the extension of their tour of duty only after the public had already been notified. We seek assurances that this will not happen again.
News of an extension can have a significant psychological impact on America’s brave men and women in uniform. Similarly, the way in which the troops receive this news is of the utmost importance. We find it unacceptable that members of the 1-133rd Infantry Battalion learned of the extension of their tour through reading websites and from family members, and not through the proper chain of command. They should have been notified either in advance, or in conjunction with, notification to the public. Under no circumstances should the troops be notified after the public.
We have two specific requests. First, please offer an explanation as to why members of the 1-133rd Infantry Battalion did not receive notification of the extension either prior to, or in conjunction with, the notification of the public. Second, we request that you take steps to ensure that, in the future, America’s men and women in uniform always receive notification of a redeployment or extension either prior to, or in conjunction with, notification to the public.
Thank you for your consideration of our request. We look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Rep. Bruce Braley
Sen. Chuck Grassley
Sen. Tom Harkin
Rep. Tom Latham
Rep. Leonard Boswell
Rep. Steve King
Rep. David Loebsack
Monticello resident and District 31 Iowa House Representative Ray Zirkelbach is part of the unit and will leave a vacant spot in the House of Representatives again this session. The legislature meets January 8 and adjourns April 27.
“Ray indicates he and his fellow soldiers are pretty bummed out. He has a real concern that the press and families were aware of the extension before they were ever notified,” said Senator Tom Hancock.
Hancock added, “I will continue to fill Ray’s obligation in his district.”
Zirkelbach, a 28 year-old corrections officer at Anamosa State Penitentiary, was reelected to office on November 7.
|
Anamosa School Foundation to Hold Raffle, Auction
By Michelle Phillips |
The Anamosa School Foundation (ASF) has held an annual dinner and auction since its conception 14 years age, but this year the group will make a change.
Instead of serving dinner, the ASF will serve hors d’oeuvres, have a cash bar and hold a raffle. The dinner will be dropped, but the group will still conduct silent and live auctions.
The raffle will give ticket holders a chance to win $2,000, $1,000 or $500, with tickets costing $25 each or five for $100.
“We decided to try something different this year,” said ASF Secretary Matt McQuillen. “We’ll also have a door prize. The three banks Citizens, Security and F&M are all pooling together $500.”
Those who purchase tickets will automatically be entered in the drawing and McQuillen said you don’t have to be present to win.
McQuillen said the live auction will offer several large items to bidders, including a pool party at Camp Courageous, Dinner for 8 prepared by the Kellys and Warners, a chest made by Dick Lensing, a VIP parking spot at Anamosa High School, a quilt created by the Strawberry Hill Cornerstone class and desserts to be delivered each month for a year.
Brett Barner will be the auctioneer for the event, and the live auction will begin at 7:30 p.m.
Cocktail hour will begin at 6:30 p.m. and the cash drawing will be at 8 p.m.
“All of the money we raise is used to promote enhancement,” said McQuillen. “It’s not for bricks and mortar, it’s just for educational enhancement.”
Some of the things that have been funded by the ASF include $4,500 for library materials ($1,500 at each school), a $1,000 author visit at Strawberry Hill, a $995 online ACT prep course and an $8,000 Advanced Placement Biology class, which added equipment that has benefited all the science classes.
“The teachers are starting to see the value of the foundation and utilize the funds,” explained McQuillen, who said the ASF often fills a void in the school budget.
The ASF Raffle and Auction will be Fawn Creek Country Club at 6:30 p.m. on February 3. To purchase tickets contact Tom Dole at 319-462-3150, Connie McKean at 319-462-5432 or the Superintendent’s office at 462-4321. |
Middle School Event Slated for Early Out
By Michelle Phillips |
Fifth Quarter has provided high school students with entertainment after basketball games and now the Iowa State University (ISU) Extension office is planning an event for middle school students.
Middle School Early Out will be held at the Lawrence Community Center (LCC) on January 26 from 12:45-5 p.m. and give West Middle School Students the chance to play Fear Factor-type games, enjoy snacks and utilize the LCC.
Jacki Luckstead, ISU Youth Coordinator for Jones County is planning a large turnout for the event, which will include squid bowling, garbage can dining, bobbing for…something undisclosed and foaming at the mouth.
“Dr. (Dale) Monroe is bringing a team to challenge the kids,” included Luckstead, who said each team would have a score sheet to keep track of the challenges.
Luckstead said the after school event is designed to provide a safe and structured environment for middle school kids.
“I would like to do this more often, but we need a team of adults to help run events. We know that after school programming is wanted and needed and ISU Extension can help plan events,” she said.
Later, after the varsity basketball game, the LCC and ISU Extension will host Fifth Quarter for high school students, also featuring a Fear Factor theme.
Luckstead said the teens will play pack the Jetta, mousetrap minefield, fly trap and egg breaker. Food and beverages will be served.
Both events cost $3 and bussing will be offered for West Middle School students immediately after school.
Volunteers and donations are still needed, call the ISU Extension office at 319-462-2791. |
First 100 Hours Up, Braley Discusses Votes
By Michelle Phillips |
Editor’s Note: At the beginning of the year we began a series about new 1st District US House Representative Bruce Braley. In the first story on January 4 Braley outlined some of the items on the congressional agenda for the first 100 hours in office. This week’s story takes a look at the issues since they have made their way through the House.
Bruce Braley and fellow Democrats in the US House of Representatives had a list of items they wanted to pass in the first 100 hours in session. During a telephone interview on January 19 Braley said he was very pleased with the outcome of the votes as well as his committee and subcommittee appointments.
Minimum Wage-Passed
“That was a campaign pledge I made early in the primary, and throughout the campaign it was important to me to make sure we got this passed,” said Braley.
He included that although he knew $7.25/hour was not a living wage, it was a start. He was also happy by the bi-partisan support the bill received.
Stem Cell Research-Passed
This bill was originally sponsored by Senator Tom Harkin and Congresswoman Diana DeGette, but was vetoed by the president last year.
Braley said he spoke with DeGette before the vote.
“I mentioned my nephew Chris Kalb from Dubuque, who has Juvenile Diabetes, Kathy Reisdorf, also of Dubuque, who has Parkinson’s Disease, Des Moines Register columnist Rob Borsellino, and his struggle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) and former clients with spinal cord injuries,” he explained.
Clean Energy Act-Passed
Braley spoke on the House floor concerning this bill, and told other Congress people how important it is to Iowa that the bill was passed because of our budding alternative energy industry.
He will serve on the Transportation and Infrastructure sub-committees and said he looks forward to addressing issues of transporting renewable fuels.
Big Oil Subsidies-Passed
“I talked about the number of ethanol and biodiesel facilities being built in Iowa. I talked about how it was time to shift from the Middle East to the Midwest and reduce foreign oil dependency,” Braley stated.
Congress voted to reduce billions in oil subsidies to be redirected into alternative fuels.
Education-Passed
“As someone who graduated from ISU (Iowa State University) and benefited from Federal Student Loans, I know it’s important to offer low interest loans to benefit those in college.
“I think by passing these bills we are doing the people’s work with bi-partisan support,” Braley added.
To become law, these bills must also be passed by the Senate and signed by President George Bush.
Since Session began on January 4, Braley has been appointed to several committees and subcommittees. They are as follows:
The Aviation, Railway and Highway subcommittees of Transportation and Infrastructure–Braley said he was hoping to get on two of the transportation subcommittees, so he was ecstatic to be placed on three. He said the priority of the Transportation and Infrastructure committee and subcommittees is to find better ways to move goods and people.
National Security and Foreign Affairs–This committee deals with the 9/11 Commission’s recommendations and how and what to implement.
The Government Oversight and Reform committee– This committee has jurisdiction over government fraud and abuse.
The Domestic Policy subcommittee–This includes things like energy, labor, education and the economy.
“I’m very excited to be serving on these committees and subcommittees,” Braley said.
Now that he has gotten into the swing of things in Washington DC, Braley said he is looking forward to spending time in the district and meeting with those who live in the district. |
PO
Box 108, 208 W. Main Street, Anamosa, IA 52205
319-462-3511,
FAX 319-462-4540
Copyright
Anamosa Publications
Anamosa Journal-Eureka / Town Crier 2005
Thede Web
Works - Website
Questions
|