School Board Elections in Cedar Rapids and throughout State of Iowa on Tuesday, September 13

Received the following e-mail on the Cedar Rapids Community Schools School Board Election:

http://creaonline.org/CREA.html

This has been under wraps by local media, but lots of folks are talking about it. Flyers with all 4 union-backed candidates are being distributed. Ring-leader, and conveniently not running, is Gary Anhalt, former CREA president and current CR school board member (elected unopposed in 2009 for a four year term).

ALL VOTERS VOTE FOR ALL RACES, but candidates running in districts must live in those districts.

5 people are running At-Large for 2 spots; 2 are running in District 1 and 2 running in District 4.

FUNDING of the union backed candidates:

At-Large CREA Kathy Ulrich: https://webapp.iecdb.iowa.gov/PublicView/county/Linn/School_Board/Ulrich_Kathleen/2011-09-08__DR2_Summary.pdf

At-Large CREA Karen Hartlep: https://webapp.iecdb.iowa.gov/PublicView/county/Linn/School_Board/Hartlep_Karen/2011-09-08__DR2_Summary.pdf

District 1 Iron Workers Dustin Weiland: https://webapp.iecdb.iowa.gov/PublicView/county/Linn/School_Board/Weiland_Dustin/2011-09-08__DR2_Summary.pdf

District 4 CREA Sunny Story: https://webapp.iecdb.iowa.gov/PublicView/county/Linn/School_Board/Story_Sunny/2011-09-08__DR2_Summary.pdf

Interesting recent links of 3 of these union candidates:

At-Large CREA Kathy Ulrich and District 4 CREA Sunny Story KCRG March 8 2011: http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Labor-Supporters-Speak-Out-at-Collective-Bargaining-Hearing-in-Des-Moines-117565038.html ; (at :56 for about 20 seconds on the video)

Also, halfway down the homepage of the CREA (http://creaonline.org/CREA.html) has a picture supposedly in Madison on March 12 2011 with what looks like At-Large CREA candidate Karen Hartlep (in black at left) and Gary Anhalt (in red on the right).

Our recommendations in Cedar Rapids on September 13:

Please vote to retain or elect these candidates...

Mary Meisterling (incumbent District 1)
John Laverty (incumbent at-large and current President of the School Board)
Ann Rosenthal (incumbent at-large)
Allen Witt (seeking to fill vacancy by Melissa Kiliper-Ernst, who is not seeking re-election)

Polls in Linn County are open Noon to 8 p.m.

P.S. - We support the Kirkwood Community College bond extension for facility upgrades and three new buildings around the Kirkwood CC district, including a new center to serve Cedar Rapids/Marion.

Education: High School Graduation, College Planning and Expanding Taxes ...

High Schools around Iowa are holding Senior Recognitions, Proms and are heading into Graduation in the coming weeks ...

Today's article is from the Monday, April 26, 2010 edition of The Des Moines Register featuring a. The column is titled, "College offer many options for Adults back in class." For more on college offerings read, “Iowa Higher-Education’s Third Way: Community Colleges’ 2+2 Programs.”

The Cedar Rapids Community Schools are moving to increase facilities with a new administrative building. All this despite the more than challenging economy right now, with Flood Recovery on top of that.

TONIGHT: Cedar Rapids school board to discuss new administrative building - The Gazette

“The need for a $45 million dollar administration building at this time is
totally without merit and will be an irresponsible act by the board.” - Dick
Fredericks of Palo

Slow Economy Could Help Cedar Rapids School District - KCRG
“The need for a $45 million dollar administration building at this time is totally without merit and will be an irresponsible act by the board,” Dick ...
Cedar Rapids School District Names New Executive Director of Special Services - KCRG

Choice of Schools in Cedar Rapids-Iowa City area tightening up ...

Many Corridor schools restricting open enrollment - The Gazette

peace

City Council takes right approach on Sugar Creek development of Darryl High

Council member Chuck Wieneke said most of the High Corp. proposal seemed to
be that the city was being asked to subsidize a typical, market-rate housing
development. He said it would be a terrible precedent to set and might open up
the council to paying for infrastructure and other help for every new housing
development that comes along. - The Gazette

Cedar Rapids not ready to assist housing project - The Gazette
The City Council has set aside a proposal for an 81-home development across...

Other Local News as we enter the Independence Day holiday weekend ...

Public Safety News:

Woman charged with prostitution during covert operation - The Gazette

UPDATE: Police detained six people tonight in what they called a
methamphetamine investigation after they were called to a house at 1552 Seventh
Ave. SE on a report of a chemical smell. - The Gazette

Six detained in Cedar Rapids meth investigation - The Gazette

Tax concerns and other governmental news:

This is going to be downtown, at the Tree Of Five Season, (that weird steel
tree thing, next to the river) Parking will be on street parking, on first Ave,
2nd, 3rd the parkades, or whatever is close. We are planning on having speakers
so far we have 5 speakers. You can participate by attending, you can bring signs
(anything related to the topic at hand, less taxes, smaller government, less
waste.... - Tim Pugh

Anti-spending Tea Parties gear up for July 4 - The Gazette

Cedar Rapids will study new downtown energy system - The Gazette

Cedar Rapids hiring private firm to manage downtown parking - The Gazette

Q&A with new Cedar Rapids superintendent Dave Benson - The Gazette

Cedar Rapids schools start shaping flood-recovery plan - The Gazette

Cedar Rapids’ Fong running for governor, blasts Culver's leadership - The Gazette

Happy Independence Day Holiday weekend everyone!

peace

E-mail alert: UPDATE ON MAN IN TRENCH COAT

TO: Washington Parents
FROM: Dr. Plagman, Washington High School Principal
RE: Update on Man in Trench Coat

We wanted to update you on a safety issue at Washington High School. Late last spring, a male in his mid-twenties began appearing in Washington school neighborhood and on campus. He has recently been seen wearing a black trench coat and with white paint on his face. Since the first sightings, we have maintained regular communication with the Cedar Rapids Police Department.
We advised the man that he would be charged with criminal trespass if he was found on school property, and students were asked to contact a staff member immediately if they saw him on campus. On Wednesday, October 28, this individual was found on the sidewalk at the south end of the high school campus. The police were summoned and he was subsequently arrested and charged with criminal trespass, interference with official acts, and simple assault (for threatening a Washington security officer). Several students witnessed the arrest.

As a precaution, we have extended security duty hours so that all three security officers will be on campus the entire day. They will be posted in locations where they will be able to see possible intruders on our campus. This will remain in effect until further notice.

It is important to note that the subject described has not harmed or threatened any student. However, safety is always our main priority. Please call or e-mail me if you have any questions or comments.

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News at one of our public high schools in the Cedar Rapids, Iowa community. On a good note, Cedar Rapids Washington (9-1) travels to Dubuque to face Hempstead (6-4) in the first round of the Class 4A Iowa State High School Football Playoffs.

peace