As the election season heats up in Iowa, more than 200 Iowans gathered at Terrace Hill Saturday to rally, protest and deliver a letter to Gov. Culver, telling him to: "End his vacation and get to work on critical issues affecting thousands of everyday Iowans."

The group raised concerns over local control, Voter Owned Iowa Clean Elections (VOICE), the rights of all workers, and consumer protections.

The protest was part of Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement's annual statewide convention, of which the theme was, "Real People, Real Power, Real Change."

"It's up to Governor Culver to use the power of his office to make things happen -- he's the state's Chief Executive," said CCI member and Board President Barb Kalbach from Dexter. "But he is failing Iowans who elected him and who he is supposed to represent. He has been 'on vacation' for the last two legislative sessions, and his ignoring of everyday Iowans and our issues has to stop -- it's time for him to get to work."

CCI member Misti Craig of Des Moines said, "We deserve as everyday Iowans to govern what happens at the statehouse. We will show the governor and our legislators that we are a powerful voting bloc on these issues and cannot be ignored."

Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement also launched its Count on Me Voter Campaign designed to build support from more than 5,000 Iowans to vote on their designated critical issues in the coming statehouse elections.