Gazette Daily News Podcast: February 9, 2024
Featured Stories
– Speakers decry Iowa bill giving politicians more control over libraries
– Cedar Rapids seeks community-oriented leader as new police chief
– Summit pipeline moves closer to reconsideration in North Dakota
Episode Transcript
You’re listening to The Gazette’s Daily News Podcast on Friday, February 9th,
2024. This podcast provides the latest headlines from the Gazette newsroom. I’m
Becky Lutgen Gardner.
Library officials and supporters spoke out against a proposed bill
Thursday that would give city councils authority over public libraries
including book selection. They warned it would bring partisan, political decision-making
into library operations.
The legislator who managed the bill said his goal
is not to address the selection of books, but instead to provide elected local
officials with more authority over the spending of taxpayer dollars
Under the bill, a city council would be able to
hire a library director, use library funds for library projects and initiatives
by passing an ordinance … all without voter approval.
Wade Dooley, who chairs the library
board in Albion, called the bill a "train wreck."
He says, “It opens up all sorts of
possibilities for very disastrous consequences if you get an activist city
council that starts see-sawing on what they believe for a library to be or not
be. Our city council has barely any training to be a city council. Now, you
also want them to run a library. that’s not a good idea.”
Rep. Carter Nordman, a Republican from
Panora, advanced the bill. He says he’s heard from city council members who
want more direct control over library spending and personnel decisions.
Nordman says, “Ultimately, the library board wasn’t elected; the city
council was. And so, the buck stops with them when it comes to taxpayer
dollars. They should have that authority.”
Nordman said he would be willing to consider an amendment to the bill to
give city councils more authority over library boards but specify that content
selection is with library officials.
Next, In Cedar Rapids’ search for a new police chief, some residents say
they’re looking for a respected leader who focuses on community policing and
fosters a police department culture that promotes citizen equity and trust.
Residents had the opportunity to speak one-on-one with all four police
chief candidates Wednesday night in a meet-and-greet event at the DoubleTree by
Hilton Convention Center.
With the City Council’s consent, City Manager Jeff Pomeranz says he will
decide soon on which candidate will succeed Wayne Jerman. Jerman retired as police
chief last April.
Three candidates — Jennifer Birkhofer, Jeff Coday and David Dostal —
participated in media interviews before the event. Tom Whitten, declined media interviews.
Monica Vallejo is a citizens' review board member and met with all four
candidates. She said it’s important that the next police chief works to establish
more programs that promote diversity and inclusion with all communities.
Vallejo says the community overall feels comfortable and safe with Cedar
Rapids police because of the “wonderful job they do.” She says Jerman left
behind a stable community: "There are big shoes to fit. They have to be
working with trust a lot.”
Finally, Summit Carbon Solutions and other pipeline companies won
this week when the North Dakota Public Service Commission decided that state
rules preempt local ordinances on pipeline zoning issues.
That decision paves
the way for a rehearing on Summit’s application for a pipeline permit in North
Dakota, which the state’s commission denied last year.
The proposed pipeline
would run through Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and South Dakota before ending in
North Dakota. The Iowa Capital Dispatch reports that hearings in Iowa have
concluded. The Iowa Utilities Board is now charged with deciding whether the
company is eligible for a permit and for eminent domain authority. Summit has
obtained easements for about three-quarters of its more than 680-mile route in
Iowa.
Join The Gazette for Iowa Ideas In-Depth Week on Homelessness in
Iowa, beginning February 12th. Register for free to participate in the daily
lunch-hour virtual sessions on homelessness, resources, and long-term solutions
in Iowa. Visit Iowa Ideas dot com for full details and to register, that's Iowa
ideas dot com.
Today’s weather in Cedar Rapids. Sunny with a high near 50. Tonight there’s
a 20 percent chance of rain before midnight. It will be partly cloudy with a
low around 30. Saturday will be sunny with a high near 42.
You can find a link to each of the stories featured in today’s episode in
this episode’s description or at the gazette dot com.
Thank you for listening to The Gazette’s Daily News Podcast. I’m Becky
Lutgen Gardner.
