Legislative Process

Letters to the Editor 3-14-2009 (03/16/09)
The 2008-2009 Spencer varsity girls basketball season has ended. Many exciting and memorable moments have also come and gone. However, the great community support and involvement will never be forgotten. The support for our team during the 2008-2009 season was tremendous. Who will ever forget the crowd at Estherville in the Regional Final Game against No. 2 rated and then-undefeated Algona? The crowd that night was unbelievable...

Patrick: The woman behind the productions (03/14/09)
Nancy Patrick is what you'd call a true artist. She's not only trained vocally, she's taken piano, organ, saxophone and dance lessons. Even so, she comes by her artistic, creative ways naturally. Patrick, the eighth of 13 children born to the late Sylvester Joseph "S.J." and NaDyne Patrick, was raised to value family, church and education. The native of Mapleton still holds those priorities near and dear today...

Eggs & Issues set for final installment (03/13/09)
Area residents have one more chance to tell local lawmakers what they want -- or want stopped -- in the 2009 session. The last of four 90-minute "Eggs and Issues" town hall sessions begins at 9 a.m. Saturday morning in Spencer City Council Chambers, 420 Second Avenue West...

Johnson declares 'rural Iowa under assault' (03/03/09)
The third Eggs & Issues meeting in a four-session plan that spans the winter took place before a full audience Saturday morning in council chambers at Spencer City Hall. With President of the Senate, Jack Kibbie unable to attend; Sen. David Johnson, Rep. Mike May, and Rep. Marcie Frevert spent the early portion of the gathering updating the northwest Iowa participants on the past week's activities...

District patrons asked for help (02/28/09)
Spencer school board members have voted to reduce up to $741,812 from next year's budget. Right before they did so, though, board member Ed VerSteeg apologized to the area residents who had gathered in the standing-room-only conference room Thursday night. By that point, board members had listened to well over two hours of public comments...

Eggs & Issues to follow county foundation award event (02/27/09)
State legislators serving Clay County and the surrounding communities, including Senate President Jack Kibbie, Sen. David Johnson, Rep. Mike May and Rep. Marcie Frevert are expected to take part in the third Eggs & Issues meeting Saturday morning beginning at 9 a.m., at the Spencer City Hall Council Chambers, immediately following the Clay County Foundation funding presentation which will begin at 8 a.m...

Governor sets Great Places plans into motion (02/18/09)
A delegation of community leaders were on hand as Gov. Chet Culver signed a Memorandum of Understanding to support community development projects through the Iowa Great Places Program. The city of Spencer was one of four communities to receive the "Great Places" designation in 2008. The program encourages Iowans to develop proposals that make their community stand out culturally...

School board considering $1.09 million for potential reduction (02/18/09)
As Spencer school board members prepare to enter a work session focused on potential budget cuts associated with next year's budget Thursday night, they added to the paperwork and insights they've compiled to date with additional input garnered last night from local residents who've volunteered to serve on a budget reduction input committee (BRIC)...

Eggs and Issues No. 2: Labor issues and taxes (02/17/09)
Labor issues and taxes, which are taking center stage this week as the Iowa Legislature enters its sixth week, also were at the center of several heated comments made during Saturday morning's Eggs and Issues session as the political ideologies of Sen. Jack Kibbie (D-Emmetsburg) and Rep. Marcie Frevert (D-Emmetsburg) differed with those of Sen. David Johnson (R-Ocheyedan) and Rep. Mike May (R-Spirit Lake)...

Board discusses park plan, grant application (02/12/09)
Spencer Park Board members contemplated the creation of a new master plan for Westview Memorial Park, agreed to apply for a SAFTEA-LU grant for trail enhancement work on the Spencer West Beltway project and were told about Grand Avenue enhancement project updates during a meeting held Tuesday night in city hall...

Area superintendents respond to lawmaker's proposed school mergers (02/11/09)
An Iowa lawmaker wants to speed up the consolidation of school districts in the state. State Sen. Matt McCoy, a Democrat from Des Moines, says he will introduce a bill to force about two-thirds of Iowa's districts to merge. He wants to target districts with fewer than 750 students, and free up tens of millions of dollars in administrative costs that could be spent on teachers and students...

Spencer graduate to run state recovery agency (02/10/09)
Gov. Chet Culver announced Thursday that Major General Ron Dardis, the retiring commander of the Iowa National Guard, will serve as Executive Director of the Rebuild Iowa Office effective February 9. Dardis was raised in the Spencer-Ruthven area and graduated from Spencer in 1961. His mother, Zerena, still lives in Spencer...

Board strategizes on district budget with IASB financial guru (01/10/09)
As they prepare to embark upon another year of cutting the district's budget, Spencer school board members found a friend in Larry Sigel, the school finance director for the Iowa Association of School Boards, Thursday afternoon. Superintendent Greg Ebeling began the cordial "virtual presence" discussion with Sigel, conducted via a Polycam, by saying, "We know that we're dealing with a constant battle of school finance, like a lot of districts are."...

Area men sentenced for meth deals (01/10/09)
Four northwest Iowa men will spend a combined 53 years and 8 months in prison for their roles in a methamphetamine pipeline. U.S. District Court Judge Mark W. Bennett gave 40-year-old Michael Roth of Spencer the most severe sentence, according to a statement Friday from U.S. ...

Budget cuts have abuse shelters in peril (01/09/09)
The journey from victim to survivor is long enough. Rhonda Dean, the executive director of CAASA, the Centers Against Abuse and Sexual Assault, would at least like to minimize the windshield time. CAASA serves eight northwest Iowa counties, with its main office in Spencer. Agency directors around Iowa, including Dean, are concerned about their agency's place, or lack of a place, in a shrinking state budget...

For Sylvia Schoer, the time has come (01/02/09)
These days, Sylvia Schoer would like to go down to Des Moines for a state tournament basketball game instead of a committee meeting on mental health. The proud grandparent thinks about the five players on the court more than the five people in a board room or the five terms she spent as a member of the Clay County Board of Supervisors. It was time, she decided, to swap out the meeting agendas for the high school sports schedules...

Superintendent urges watch on collective bargaining discussion, legislative action (12/26/08)
Spencer school board members have been alerted to speculations that state legislators may once again try to pass a new collective bargaining law, among others, in 2009. As Superintendent Greg Ebeling informed them of this recently, he also encouraged board members to contact area legislators and state legislative leaders in regard to the proposed changes, many of which were outlined during the Iowa Association of School Boards annual convention, held in mid-November in Des Moines...

SMS condo agreement on Tuesday's board agenda (12/13/08)
The Spencer Community Schools Board of Education will convene its regular monthly meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16 in the board room of the central administrative offices, located at 23 E. Seventh St. Following a public hearing on Community Housing Initiatives (CHI) and a proposed condominium agreement relating to the old Spencer Middle School building, action is anticipated to be taken by the board...

Johnson, May among state leaders (12/10/08)
DES MONIES -- State Senator David Johnson has again been named ranking member of the Agriculture Committee as well as the Health and Human Services Budget Subcommittee for the 83rd Iowa General Assembly, which convenes Jan. 12, 2009. "This is a great opportunity to serve my Northwest Iowa constituents and help lead the state in addressing our future challenges," said Johnson, a Republican from Ocheyedan...

Generation Iowa makes legislative recommendations (12/04/08)
Local Generation Iowa Commission members and local elected officials held press conferences Wednesday in five Iowa locations to discuss the 2008 Status Report from the Generation Iowa Commission. The report includes an analysis of progress made in the last year and updated legislative recommendations to the Iowa State Legislature to recruit and retain young people in Iowa...

Chambers to be deployed during session (12/03/08)
"Duty calls" topped the statement from state Rep. Royd Chambers, who announced that he will be unable to participate in the first session of the 83rd General Assembly. The Sheldon Republican serves in the Iowa Air National Guard and recently received notice that he will be deploying again...

Sundquist: Fulfilling God's plan (11/21/08)
Josh Sundquist, a nationally-known young speaker shared a message of courage and faith with teens and adults from as far away as Newell-Fonda. Sundquist, spoke to area church and youth groups and adults of all denominations at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Milford Wednesday then again last night at the Sami Bedell Center in Spirit Lake...

Johnson remains assistant minority leader (11/19/08)
Republicans in the Iowa Senate selected new leadership after an extensive caucus Tuesday in Des Moines. Sen. David Johnson, an Ocheyedan Republican, was under consideration for Minority Whip, the second position among Republican senators. That role went to Sen. Steve Kettering of Lake View...

Johnson seeks GOP's No. 2 post Tuesday Democrats retain Kibbie as senate president (11/18/08)
Senate Democrats, their numbers at the highest level ever, on Sunday rewarded top leaders with another two years in office and vowed to tackle a state budget that's struggling because of the economic slowdown. Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs, and Senate President Jack Kibbie, D-Emmetsburg, won new two-year terms without opposition...

Vets Trust Fund gets first $1 million from expansion (11/14/08)
State Representative Marcie Frevert of Emmetsburg said today that the Veterans Trust Fund has received the first $1 million of an expected $3 million this year thanks to a bill which dedicates a stable, long-term funding source for the fund. "The trust fund is designed to provide support and assistance for Iowa military families and veterans and I'm glad we were able to dedicate a stable funding source to ensure our veterans get the services they deserve," said Frevert...

Dardis plans recovery before retirement (11/08/08)
Maj. Gen. Ron Dardis isn't exactly easing into retirement. Thank the governor for part of that: Following the floods of 2008, Gov. Chet Culver appointed Dardis to serve as the Chairman of the Rebuild Iowa Advisory Commission. "General Dardis was one of the first people I turned to in order to lead our efforts to rebuild Iowa after this year's historic storms, and we are all fortunate that he will continue to serve in this important role for our state," Culver said...

Analysis: Western Iowa still solid ground for King (11/06/08)
Election night turned out to be another routine night for U.S. Rep. Steve King. And that may be a surprise to some, who were waiting for the Republican congressman's sometimes headline-grabbing statements to catch up to him. One of King's more recent and well-known controversies came on March 7 in Spencer when he talked about the message an Obama presidency would send to the rest of the world...

May, Chambers look ahead to 2009 session (11/05/08)
A pair of incumbent legislators emerged from uncontested races for another two-year term in the Iowa House of Representatives. Republicans Mike May, of Spirit Lake, and Royd Chambers, of Sheldon, both said they were keeping an eye on other Iowa House races around the state on election night...

Bailout passes Senate, House foes soften (10/02/08)
WASHINGTON -- After one spectacular failure, the $700 billion financial industry bailout found a second life Wednesday, winning lopsided passage in the Senate and gaining ground in the House, where Republicans opposition softened. Senators loaded the economic rescue bill with tax breaks and other sweeteners before passing it by a wide margin, 74-25, a month before the presidential and congressional elections...

Authorities find meth lab in old schoolhouse (10/01/08)
The toxic residue from a methamphetamine lab required emergency response from Clay County officials Sunday afternoon. A property owner discovered the possible meth lab in an abandoned schoolhouse in the southwest corner of Lake Center, which is just west of Trumbull Lake in far northeast Clay County. Deputies with the Clay County Sheriff's Office are still trying to find who is behind the cooking operation...

Obama, McCain argue over taxes, federal spending (09/27/08)
OXFORD, Miss. -- Barack Obama accused presidential rival John McCain of supporting Bush administration policies that produced the current economic crisis Friday night in their first debate of the campaign for the White House. Both men readily agreed Congress must act soon to prevent millions of Americans from losing their jobs and homes...

Harkin calls for close look at bailout plan (09/27/08)
U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin on Thursday cautioned Congress against being "stampeded" into a massive bailout of the nation's financial system. His concerns came as an Iowa legislative leader said he was worried that a severe economic downturn could hurt a state budget already under pressure...

King to appear before Rotary (09/27/08)
U.S. Repre-sentative Steve King, representing Iowa's Fifth District in the United States Congress, will be in Spencer for a 12 p.m. meeting with the Spencer Rotary Club and other service organizations at the Clay County Regional Events Center. Among the topics that King will be discussing, the $700 billion bailout legislation...

Bailout deal stalls as GOP lawmakers revolt (09/26/08)
WASHINGTON -- A Repub-lican revolt stalled urgent efforts to lash together a national economic rescue plan Thursday, a chaotic turnaround on a day that had seemed headed for a success that President Bush, both political parties and their presidential candidates could celebrate at an extraordinary White House meeting...

3rd Annual Buddy Walk Sunday (09/23/08)
The Northwest Iowa Down Syndrome Society will host its Third Annual Buddy Walk Sunday, Sept. 28 at Call State Park, located just south of Algona off of Hwy 169. Registration and silent auction begins at 1:30 p.m. with the Buddy Walk starting at 2:30 p.m...

Spencer showcased in 'Great Places' presentation (09/23/08)
From strolls downtown to evenings of theatre, more than 200 Spencer residents wanted to show the Iowa Great Places Citizen Advisory Board what they have to offer. City leaders did that Monday afternoon at the SCT Playhouse. If their hour-long presentation was successful, Spencer could receive a state "Great Places" grant of $250,000-$500,000. The city would disperse the money to about six different projects...

Spencer council to discuss use of city's railroad spur (09/13/08)
By Randy M. Cauthron Managing Editor When the Spencer City Council comes together for its first meeting of September, at 6:30 p.m., Monday, Sept. 15 at city hall, a full agenda will greet it. The city staff has been working with an existing company to explore the possibility of utilizing the city's railroad spur that would allow it to expand its services. One of the challenges to accommodate it request allowing them to utilize the spur could potentially reclassify the spur as a short line...

Briefs 9-11-08 (09/11/08)
The Clay County Farm Service Agency will host USDA informational meeting at 1 p.m. on Thurs., Sept. 11, at Frederick's of Royal, located at 303 Main St. in Royal. The meeting will provide information on SURE (Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program), which was enacted as part of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill), to provide supplemental disaster assistance...

Briefs 9-10-08 (09/10/08)
The Clay County Farm Service Agency will host USDA informational meeting at 1 p.m. on Thurs., Sept. 11 at Frederick's of Royal, located at 303 Main St. in Royal. The meeting will provide information on SURE (Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program), which was enacted as part of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill), to provide supplemental disaster assistance...

Candidate for Congress makes fair stop (09/10/08)
Congress "doesn't look at the problems, they don't answer the problems," according to Rob Hubler, the Democratic nominee who will challenge U.S. Rep. Steve King for the 5th District seat serving western Iowa in Congress. Hubler made his remarks Tuesday morning during a visit to the Clay County Democrats booth on the Clay County Fairgrounds...

Former Congressman Bedell named chairman of Hubler's campaign (09/02/08)
COUNCIL BLUFFS -- Berkley Bedell, who served western Iowa in the U. S. House of Representatives for 12 years, will serve as General Chairman of the Hubler for Congress Committee, it was announced today by the Hubler campaign. Bedell, who founded Berkley and Company in Spirit Lake in 1945 after returning from World War II, will join Hubler on Wednesday on a six-city swing the campaign is calling the "Bringing Back Real Representation Tour." Hubler, the Democratic nominee for Congress in Iowa's 5th district, has used "Real Representation" as his campaign slogan.. ...

Lawson: No impact on Spencer cameras (09/02/08)
DES MOINES (AP) -- The Iowa Supreme Court, in a split ruling on Friday, upheld the city of Davenport's use of traffic cameras to catch speeders and drivers who run red lights. The ruling involved the case of a man who challenged the city's ordinance, which authorized the use of cameras and sensors to catch motorists who violate traffic laws...

Sept. 9 election marks return of paper (08/30/08)
By Kris Todd Daily Reporter Staff When Clay County voters walk into their respective polling sites on election day, they'll register to vote the same way they have in the past. But the Sept. 9 school board election and the Nov. 4 general election will differ from recent years past in that voters will then be handed a paper ballot to vote on. ...

Obama sketches promise of America (08/29/08)
DENVER -- Barack Obama cast his presidential nomination as proof that no dreams are too high, savoring a historic moment for himself and the nation Thursday before setting out on a difficult struggle to break another barrier for a black American. Obama's success in obtaining the Democratic nomination was indeed a remarkable achievement, reached despite the misgivings of some Americans uncomfortable with electing the son of an African immigrant -- not "the typical pedigree," as he put it...

Dems choose Obama in thunderous acclamation (08/28/08)
DENVER -- Barack Obama swept to the Democratic presidential nomination Wednesday night, a transforming triumph that made him the first black American to lead a major party into the fall campaign for the White House. Thousands of national convention delegates stood and cheered as they made history...

Biden no stranger to Spencer Democrats (08/26/08)
U.S. Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware hoped for the top spot on the ticket less than a year ago when he stopped at the Clay County Fair. Friday he was selected as presumptive nominee Barack Obama's running mate. Democrats hope Biden's expertise in foreign policy and his blue-collar appeal will be a draw for voters in the Nov. 4 general election...

Democrats rally local troops on eve of national convention (08/26/08)
Clay County Democrats gathered at the Oneota Park shelter house Sunday evening for their annual fundraising steak fry. The meeting, coming just a day after Barack Obama named Sen. Joe Biden as his vice presidential running mate via a much hyped text message to supporters, had County chairman Bob Whittenburg's stressing organization to his fellow Democrats...

Official: Obama picks Biden for veep (08/23/08)

Steak Fry Fundraiser (08/23/08)
A candidate for Congress and one of the leaders in the Iowa Senate highlight the annual steak fry fundraiser Sunday for Clay County Democrats. Social hour begins at 5 p.m. at the Oneota Park Shelter in the first block of 10th Avenue East in Spencer. The public is invited to attend, but asked to RSVP Sylvia Schoer at 262-5237...

Briefs 8-20-08 (08/20/08)
The Iowa Great Lakes Region Antique Automobile Club will be on display through Sunday, Aug. 24 at the Southpark Mall in south Spencer. Car enthusiasts and history buffs will enjoy this display. On Aug. 24 The Hands of Harmony Swinging Seniors will be entertaining us at 2:30 p.m. Come enjoy the display and entertainment...

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