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	<title>Eastern Iowa Government</title>
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	<link>http://easterniowagovernment.com</link>
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	<lastBuildDate>Wed, 22 Feb 2012 22:46:27 +0000</lastBuildDate>
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		<title>&#8216;Shocking assessments&#8217; for some Linn County commercial property owners</title>
		<link>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/22/shocking-assessments-for-some-linn-county-commercial-property-owners/</link>
		<comments>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/22/shocking-assessments-for-some-linn-county-commercial-property-owners/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 22 Feb 2012 22:45:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Nadia Crow/SourceMedia Group News</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Government]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://easterniowagovernment.com/?p=188008</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[LINN COUNTY- For the first time in almost 30 years, some Linn County commercial property owners could have to pay thousands more in property taxes.  That&#8217;s because the county assessor says there hasn&#8217;t been a complete re-appraisal since 1983.  Property owners outside Cedar Rapids city limits could face dramatic increases in taxes for 2013-2014. Linn County Assessor Julie Kester says she expected what she calls &#8220;shocking assessments.&#8221;  Because it&#8217;s been 29 years, she says the biggest factor was the increased value in land.  The county was using the same calculator it used in 1983.  The new assessment takes into account more accurate sales numbers that better portray the property value, now. But some Linn County commercial and industrial property owners say they just can&#8217;t afford to pay so much more and keep their doors open. &#8220;I was shocked our increase was 66%,” said Linn County Property Owner Scott Ryan. President of Cedar Rapids Toyota and Volkswagen of Cedar Rapids Scott Ryan says a letter from the county assessor&#8217;s office means a big chunk out of the business&#8217;s bottom line. &#8220;It&#8217;s just unreasonable to put that kind of burden on any property owner,” said Ryan. &#8220;There could have been a better [...]]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Absentee Ballots Available February 23 for College Community School Special Election</title>
		<link>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/22/absentee-ballots-available-february-23-for-college-community-school-special-election/</link>
		<comments>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/22/absentee-ballots-available-february-23-for-college-community-school-special-election/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 22 Feb 2012 22:12:07 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Linn County</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Community]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Linn County]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/22/absentee-ballots-available-february-23-for-college-community-school-special-election/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Voters from the College Community School District will vote April 3, 2012, on a public measure seeking approval to issue General Obligation Bonds in an amount not to exceed $15,000,000. Absentee ballots for this special election will be available beginning Thursday, February 23, in the Linn County Election Services Office at Linn County West, 2500 Edgewood Rd. SW in Cedar Rapids. Continue reading]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/22/absentee-ballots-available-february-23-for-college-community-school-special-election/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Linn supervisors end deputy&#8217;s bonus pay</title>
		<link>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/22/linn-supervisors-end-deputys-bonus-pay/</link>
		<comments>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/22/linn-supervisors-end-deputys-bonus-pay/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 22 Feb 2012 21:38:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Steve Gravelle/SourceMedia Group News</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Government]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Linn County]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Brent Oleson]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Brian Gardner]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Joel Miller]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[John Stuelke]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Linn County supervisors]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://easterniowagovernment.com/?p=188002</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Linn County supervisors voted today to end a longevity bonus to Sheriff Brian Gardner&#8217;s second in command. Prompted by County Auditor Joel Miller, the supervisors voted unanimously to re-affirm a 1998 policy that ended longevity pay for elected officials and their appointed deputies. Sheriff&#8217;s Col. John Stuelke, appointed chief deputy by Gardner, had continued to receive the bonus under a policy established by Don Zeller, Gardner&#8217;s predecessor. Miller said a member of his staff noticed an $1,100 check to Stuelke in December that proved to be the annual longevity pay. The practice was discontinued, except for workers who receive it under their union contract, after a consultant&#8217;s study of county compensation practices. That change was accompanied by a one-time adjustment to deputies&#8217; salaries to compensate for the loss of the longevity pay. But Zeller&#8217;s chief deputy didn&#8217;t receive the adjustment because his salary was 85 percent of his boss&#8217;, the limit set by state law. The law also allowed Zeller to continue the payments, which he did, Gardner said. &#8220;It&#8217;s been ongoing,&#8221; Gardner said. &#8220;Stuelke inherited that practice by virtue of his being my chief deputy.&#8221; Assistant County Attorney Gary Jarvis told supervisors Stuelke&#8217;s longevity bonus was legal under state [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/22/linn-supervisors-end-deputys-bonus-pay/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Mayor Ron Corbett Presented State of the City Address Today</title>
		<link>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/22/mayor-ron-corbett-presented-state-of-the-city-address-today/</link>
		<comments>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/22/mayor-ron-corbett-presented-state-of-the-city-address-today/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 22 Feb 2012 20:52:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>City of Cedar Rapids</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cedar Rapids]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Community]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/22/mayor-ron-corbett-presented-state-of-the-city-address-today/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Date: 2/22/2012 Contact: Cassie Willis, 319-286-5055 Body: Today, Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett gave his annual State of the City Address. The written speech and handouts are posted on the City’s Web site here. Source]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/22/mayor-ron-corbett-presented-state-of-the-city-address-today/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Mayor Corbett Announces Naming Rights Agreement Today</title>
		<link>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/22/mayor-corbett-announces-naming-rights-agreement-today/</link>
		<comments>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/22/mayor-corbett-announces-naming-rights-agreement-today/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 22 Feb 2012 20:52:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>City of Cedar Rapids</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cedar Rapids]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Community]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/22/mayor-corbett-announces-naming-rights-agreement-today/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Date: 2/22/2012 Contact: Cassie Willis, 319-286-5055 Body: During Mayor Ron Corbett’s State of the City address today, he announced that the City of Cedar Rapids is about to execute a Naming Rights Agreement with U.S. Cellular. If the Cedar Rapids City Council approves the agreement at its February 28 meeting, the Cedar Rapids Convention Complex will become the “U.S. Cellular Center” and the hotel will become the “Doubletree by Hilton at the U.S. Cellular Center.”   The 10-year agreement with U.S. Cellular, which begins on July 1, 2013, includes a seven-year term plus one three-year option for extension. By 2023, the agreement will total $3.8 million. Last year, the City Council approved an agreement with Doubletree by Hilton to manage the hotel and the entire complex. The City will continue to sell additional sponsorships for the complex.    Source]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/22/mayor-corbett-announces-naming-rights-agreement-today/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Wilson Avenue SW Lane Closure</title>
		<link>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/22/wilson-avenue-sw-lane-closure/</link>
		<comments>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/22/wilson-avenue-sw-lane-closure/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:52:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>City of Cedar Rapids</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cedar Rapids]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Community]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/22/wilson-avenue-sw-lane-closure/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Date: 2/22/2012 Contact: Craig Hanson, (319) 286-5802 Body: Beginning Thursday, February 23, 2012, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., the east bound lane on Wilson Avenue SW between Williams Boulevard SW and Edgewood Road SW is closed for the installation of a bill board.   Traffic should seek an alternate route.   For a complete list of road closures please check: http://bit.ly/cJupdw Source]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/22/wilson-avenue-sw-lane-closure/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>North Liberty Spring Happenings</title>
		<link>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/22/north-liberty-spring-happenings/</link>
		<comments>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/22/north-liberty-spring-happenings/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 22 Feb 2012 18:32:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>the City of North Liberty</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Community]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[North Liberty]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/22/north-liberty-spring-happenings/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[North Liberty Spring Cleanup Spring Cleanup Day for North Liberty Residents Saturday, April 28, 2012 7:00 AM to 11:30 AM Spring Cleanup Day is for residents of North Liberty only. Please be prepared to verify that you are a North Liberty resident with a water bill stub or driver’s license. North Liberty residents pay $.30 each month on their recycling bill for this service. Miscellaneous large items are to be brought to the Public Works Facility, 620 Calvin Street. (Go south on Front Street to Golf View Drive. Turn right and go to Calvin Street. Turn right to Public Works facility.) The following items will be accepted: Furniture and other bulky items. White goods (appliances)** Brush and tree limbs Tires and batteries (car &#38; truck) Metal and car parts Electronics Dumpsters will be delivered on Saturday morning and each type of refuse will have a designated location. Assistance will be provided to the elderly or handicapped. Please call City Hall (626-5700) by April 26 to make arrangements. Regular household trash, paint and toxic materials will not be accepted. A permanent drop-off site for paint and other hazardous materials has been created at the Iowa City landfill. Items may be dropped [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/22/north-liberty-spring-happenings/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Corbett to announce new, $3.8-million naming-rights deal over 10 years for the U.S. Cellular Center arena and convention center; more than doubles value of current deal</title>
		<link>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/22/corbett-to-announce-new-3-8-million-naming-rights-deal-over-10-years-for-the-u-s-cellular-center-arena-more-than-doubles-value-of-current-deal/</link>
		<comments>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/22/corbett-to-announce-new-3-8-million-naming-rights-deal-over-10-years-for-the-u-s-cellular-center-arena-more-than-doubles-value-of-current-deal/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:41:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rick Smith/SourceMedia Group News</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cedar Rapids]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Government]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://easterniowagovernment.com/?p=187995</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Mayor Ron Corbett will announce a new naming rights agreement for the city’s U.S. Cellular Center at his noon-time State of City speech at The Hotel at Kirkwood Center. The new agreement is a 10-year one, which will bring in a total of $3.8 million over the period. The current deal with U.S. Cellular brings in $150,000 a year. The new deal will lend the U.S. Cellular name to the city&#8217;s entire Convention Complex &#8212; arena and new convention center.    ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/22/corbett-to-announce-new-3-8-million-naming-rights-deal-over-10-years-for-the-u-s-cellular-center-arena-more-than-doubles-value-of-current-deal/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Legislature&#8217;s action may reduce countes&#8217; property tax</title>
		<link>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/22/legislatures-action-may-reduce-countes-property-tax/</link>
		<comments>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/22/legislatures-action-may-reduce-countes-property-tax/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:24:31 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Steve Gravelle/SourceMedia Group News</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Government]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Linn County]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://easterniowagovernment.com/?p=187991</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[State lawmakers have approved restoring $7.2 million in state aid to counties for mental health services, a move that will reduce Linn County&#8217;s planned property tax levy by a nickel. An amendment approved by both the House and Senate would direct the money from the Economic Emergency Fund to restore the property tax relief fund, shortchanged last year when the Legislature passed a two-year budget. If Gov. Terry Branstad signs the bill, Linn County&#8217;s levy would be reduced by 5 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. That&#8217;s the supplemental levy the state had allowed the county to make up for the lost aid &#8211; a total of $466,700. By law, the state should distribute $88 million to counties to help reduce their property-tax levies for mental health and developmentally disabled (MHDD) services. But when the Legislature adopted a two-year budget cycle last year, it appropriated just $81 million for the fund. The move would reduce the basic tax levy to $6.11 per $1,000. Formal adoption of the budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1 is scheduled for March 14. &#160; &#160;]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/22/legislatures-action-may-reduce-countes-property-tax/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>UPDATED &#8212; Bills falling victim to this week&#8217;s legislative &#8220;funnel&#8221; deadline</title>
		<link>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/22/bills-falling-victim-to-this-weeks-legislative-funnel-deadline/</link>
		<comments>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/22/bills-falling-victim-to-this-weeks-legislative-funnel-deadline/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:54:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rod Boshart/SourceMedia Group News</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[courts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Crime]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Disaster and accident]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Employment/Jobs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Government]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lifestyle and leisure]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Politics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[public safety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[State government]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Statehouse]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[women's issues]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[crime]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[criminal HIV transmission]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Democrats]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Des Moines (Iowa)]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[employers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Iowa House]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Iowa Legislature]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[missing child]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Republicans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[schools]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[state government]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[unpaid leave]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://easterniowagovernment.com/?p=187989</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[DES MOINES – Judgment week in the Iowa Legislature left a number of hoped-for bills in ashes on Wednesday. House subcommittees opened the day by pulling the plug on measures that would have created a crime for failing to report a missing child, mandated that employers grant up to 200 hours of unpaid leave for workers who wanted to volunteer for or attend school-related activities, and required a duty for Iowans present at the scene of an emergency or an accident who know another person has suffered a serious physical injury to provide assistance to that victim. Those bills represented the tip of the iceberg of legislative ideas that will fail to meet Friday’s test of winning the support of a standing committee in the House or Senate to remain eligible for debate before the 2012 session adjourns in April. A measure to create a new criminal offense for failing to report a missing child to a law enforcement agency – supported by 13 House Republicans in response to constituent outrage over the Casey Anthony case in Florida &#8212; hit a legislative reality check when the Iowa Attorney General’s Office called it unworkable, unconstitutional and already addressed by current statutes [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/22/bills-falling-victim-to-this-weeks-legislative-funnel-deadline/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Flood Recovery Committee Meeting</title>
		<link>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/22/flood-recovery-committee-meeting-5/</link>
		<comments>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/22/flood-recovery-committee-meeting-5/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:52:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>City of Cedar Rapids</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cedar Rapids]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Community]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/22/flood-recovery-committee-meeting-5/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Title: Flood Recovery Committee Meeting Location: City Hall North, 3851 River Ridge Dr NE &#8211; North Conference Room Start Time: 2/24/2012 11:00 AM End Time: 2/24/2012 12:00 PM Description: Agenda to follow EventType: City Council Committee Meeting Source]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/22/flood-recovery-committee-meeting-5/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>City Council Member Gulick to Host Quarterly Meeting</title>
		<link>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/22/city-council-member-gulick-to-host-quarterly-meeting/</link>
		<comments>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/22/city-council-member-gulick-to-host-quarterly-meeting/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:52:08 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>City of Cedar Rapids</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cedar Rapids]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Community]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/22/city-council-member-gulick-to-host-quarterly-meeting/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Title: City Council Member Gulick to Host Quarterly Meeting Location: Visitors Center at Ushers Ferry Historic Village, 5925 Seminole Valley Trail NE Start Time: 2/25/2012 10:30 AM End Time: 2/25/2012 12:00 PM Description: EventType: City Council Special Meeting Source]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/22/city-council-member-gulick-to-host-quarterly-meeting/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>City Planning Commission Meeting</title>
		<link>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/22/city-planning-commission-meeting-9/</link>
		<comments>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/22/city-planning-commission-meeting-9/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:12:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>City of Cedar Rapids</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cedar Rapids]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Community]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/22/city-planning-commission-meeting-9/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Title: City Planning Commission Meeting Location: African American Museum of Iowa, 55 12th Avenue SE Start Time: 3/1/2012 3:00 PM End Time: 3/1/2012 5:00 PM Description: EventType: City Board or Commission Meeting Source]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/22/city-planning-commission-meeting-9/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>City Council Member Gulick to Host Quarterly Meeting on Feb. 25</title>
		<link>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/22/city-council-member-gulick-to-host-quarterly-meeting-on-feb-25/</link>
		<comments>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/22/city-council-member-gulick-to-host-quarterly-meeting-on-feb-25/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:12:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>City of Cedar Rapids</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cedar Rapids]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Community]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/22/city-council-member-gulick-to-host-quarterly-meeting-on-feb-25/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Date: 2/22/2012 Contact: Cassie Willis, 319-286-5055 Body: Cedar Rapids City Council Member Kris Gulick will hold his quarterly District 1 meeting on Saturday, February 25, from 10:30 a.m. to noon in a new location. This meeting will be held at the Visitors Center at Ushers Ferry Historic Village, 5925 Seminole Valley Trail NE. All District 1 residents are invited to attend.   District 1 residents are also encouraged to sign up for Gulick’s e-newsletter by subscribing at www.CityofCR.com/subscribe.    Source]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/22/city-council-member-gulick-to-host-quarterly-meeting-on-feb-25/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Mayor Corbett to Discuss State of Cedar Rapids Wedneday Afternoon</title>
		<link>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/22/mayor-corbett-to-discuss-state-of-cedar-rapids-wedneday-afternoon/</link>
		<comments>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/22/mayor-corbett-to-discuss-state-of-cedar-rapids-wedneday-afternoon/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:40:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jill Kasparie/SourceMedia Group News</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Government]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://easterniowagovernment.com/?p=187983</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[CEDAR RAPIDS &#8211; Mayor Ron Corbett will give his third state of the city address Wednesday afternoon. It&#8217;s an annual luncheon held by the League of Women Voters of Cedar Rapids and Marion to keep the community involved in local government. The mayor will speak inside the ballroom at the Hotel at Kirkwood Center. He has a full list of topics to cover, which includes updates on flood recovery projects and accomplishments from the past year. “I’m also going to talk about our challenges, like our street issues. A lot of people complain about the quality of our streets. I’ll also have a big announcement for our arena, a major sponsorship. It’ll be the largest sponsorship Cedar Rapids has ever had,” Mayor Corbett said. More than 500 people have purchased tickets to the annual luncheon. Organizers said it&#8217;s the first time in many years that they&#8217;ve sold out of tickets. &#8220;We&#8217;ve had a wonderful turnout from the business community. We have noticed, in addition to the high number this time, we have a lot of new people who are coming and have never been to one before. So this is going to be exciting,” said Gloria Frost with the League of Women Voters. Even though luncheon [...]]]></description>
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		<title>Iowa DOT offers property for sale in Lee County</title>
		<link>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/22/iowa-dot-offers-property-for-sale-in-lee-county/</link>
		<comments>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/22/iowa-dot-offers-property-for-sale-in-lee-county/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:12:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Iowa Department of Transportation</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Community]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/22/iowa-dot-offers-property-for-sale-in-lee-county/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[AMES, Iowa – Feb. 22, 2012 – The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) is offering a parcel of land for sale in Lee County. The 51.74-acre parcel is located approximately 6 miles&#8230; More]]></description>
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		<title>Iowa Supreme Court hears attorney arguments in Branstad item veto challenge</title>
		<link>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/21/iowa-supreme-court-hears-attorney-arguments-in-branstad-item-veto-challenge/</link>
		<comments>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/21/iowa-supreme-court-hears-attorney-arguments-in-branstad-item-veto-challenge/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 22 Feb 2012 03:14:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rod Boshart/SourceMedia Group News</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[courts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Economy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Employment/Jobs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Government]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Politics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[state budget]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[State government]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Statehouse]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Democrats]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Des Moines (Iowa)]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gov. Terry Branstad]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Iowa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Iowa Legislature]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Iowa Supreme Court]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[item vetoes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[workforce centers]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://easterniowagovernment.com/?p=187979</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[DES MOINES – A district judge “got it right” when he ruled as invalid Gov. Terry Branstad’s veto that effectively closed 36 workforce centers last year and the Iowa Supreme Court should not allow the governor to succeed in reversing that order, an attorney representing a group of Democratic legislators and a labor union leader argued Tuesday night. However, Branstad’s defense attorney, Richard Sapp of Des Moines, told seven Supreme Court justices they would be ignoring past judicial interpretations of the governor’s constitutional item-veto power if they upheld a lower-court ruling that “would take us back years and years” by clouding the perimeters of a tool designed to effectively control and manage government spending. When the General Assembly chooses to insert a policy provision into an appropriations bill, legislators must clearly express their intent in doing so, Sapp said, and he did not believe they met that standard when they crafted a budget bill that included money to fund workforce development services and policy language that was subjective and speculative. Past court directives established a clear premise that “if the Legislature wants to say something – say it,” Sapp said, but that standard was not met when lawmakers passed Senate [...]]]></description>
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		<title>Iowa City delays moratoriums on two zoning proposals</title>
		<link>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/21/iowa-city-delays-moratoriums-on-two-zoning-proposals/</link>
		<comments>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/21/iowa-city-delays-moratoriums-on-two-zoning-proposals/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 22 Feb 2012 03:04:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Gregg Hennigan/SourceMedia Group News</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Government]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Iowa City]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[apartments]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[City Council]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Iowa City Area Home Builders Association]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Iowa City.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[University of Iowa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[zoning]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://easterniowagovernment.com/?p=187978</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[IOWA CITY – Developers interested in student housing projects in Iowa City got some relief Tuesday night, but it likely will be short lived. The City Council delayed setting public hearings on two proposals aimed at addressing concerns over large apartments in neighborhoods near downtown and the University of Iowa campus. One would prevent construction of multifamily dwellings with more than three bedrooms per unit and limit the number of three-bedroom units allowed. The other would increase the number of parking spaces required for three-bedroom apartments in neighborhoods near campus. By not setting the public hearings, the council put off required 60-day moratoriums on projects not already under construction that would have run afoul of the proposals. Moratoriums are still likely, though. The council sent the items to the Planning and Zoning Commission, which will consider them and make recommendations back to the council. If the council wants to move forward, it would then set public hearings, and the moratoriums would kick in. The proposals are expected to be back before the council March 20. The delay could be significant for developers with projects nearly ready to start construction. If they can get foundations in before the public hearings are [...]]]></description>
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		<title>Linn County residents no longer required to sort glass for recycling</title>
		<link>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/21/linn-county-residents-no-longer-required-to-sort-glass-for-recycling/</link>
		<comments>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/21/linn-county-residents-no-longer-required-to-sort-glass-for-recycling/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 22 Feb 2012 01:06:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Emily Busse/SourceMedia Group News</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Community]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Linn County]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[1954 county home road]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[2250 a street sw]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cedar Rapids]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cedar Rapids/Linn County Solid Waste Agency]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kansas City]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Megan Murphy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mo.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[okla.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ripple glass]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tulsa]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://easterniowagovernment.com/?p=187956</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[CEDAR RAPIDS &#8211; Recycling glass in Cedar Rapids and the rest of Linn County just got a little easier, officials say. According to a news release Tuesday, residents no longer have to sort clear and colored glass into different buckets. Instead, locals can start setting mixed glass out for collection effective immediately. The change comes after the Cedar Rapids/Linn County Solid Waste Agency entered an agreement with Ripple Glass, a Kansas City, Mo., glass recycling business. According to the release, Cedar Rapids glass recycling was struggling under &#8220;stringent requirements&#8221; set by the material processors, and Linn County was underwriting glass processing for about $12,000 a year. With the cost of collecting, handling, and transporting the glass so high, Communications and Education Coordinator Megan Murphy said city officials were considering cutting glass as a collection item altogether. But officials found a &#8220;new opportunity&#8221; with Ripple Glass &#8211; who transports the glass free of charge and doesn&#8217;t require sorting, she said. Under the new agreement with Ripple Glass, Cedar Rapids will no longer underwrite glass processing, the release said. Added labor will include loading the collected mixed glass onto trucks for transport to Kansas City, Murphy said. The only added cost to [...]]]></description>
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		<title>Iowa City Council Green Lights Traffic Cameras in Final Vote</title>
		<link>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/21/iowa-city-police-chief-optimistic-red-light-camera-initiative-will-pass-council-vote/</link>
		<comments>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/21/iowa-city-police-chief-optimistic-red-light-camera-initiative-will-pass-council-vote/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:55:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jillian Petrus/SourceMedia Group News</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Government]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://easterniowagovernment.com/?p=187975</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Iowa City &#8211; In a tight vote Tuesday night, the Iowa City council voted to move forward with an initiative to add red light cameras. The council voted for the third and final time in favor of adding the cameras.  Rick Dobyns, Terry Dickens, Susan Mims and Mayor Matt Hayek voted for the initiative.  Michelle Payne, Connie Champion and Jim Throgmorton voted against the cameras. The measure needed to pass three times before being adopted by the council. &#8220;It&#8217;s been a long discussion that&#8217;s gone on for many months,&#8221; said Police Chief Sam Hargadine, &#8220;We&#8217;re trying to improve driver behavior.&#8221; Hargadine predicted the council would vote in favor of the cameras prior to Tuesday&#8217;s final vote. As for legislation looking to ban the cameras statewide, Hargadine says it&#8217;s something the city has watched carefully.  However, he says he feels confident enough to move forward in spite of any actions at the statehouse. &#8220;If these red light cameras go through, and everyone is compliant with the law, I think it makes us safer.&#8221; Hargadine says the cameras will likely be installed at ten different intersections throughout the city.  The decision on the number of cameras and the locations results from crash data.  [...]]]></description>
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		<item>
		<title>Some Buildings Now Offering Special Parking for &#8220;Green&#8221; Vehicles</title>
		<link>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/21/some-buildings-now-offering-special-parking-for-green-vehicles/</link>
		<comments>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/21/some-buildings-now-offering-special-parking-for-green-vehicles/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:47:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dave Franzman/SourceMedia Group News</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Linn County]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://easterniowagovernment.com/?p=187976</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[CEDAR RAPIDS- Drivers who invest in fuel-saving “green” vehicles will find ownership actually comes with a parking bonus in Cedar Rapids.  Two Linn County office buildings and two new engineering buildings at Rockwell Collins both offer close-in, reserved parking spots for alternative fuel or gas-electric hybrid vehicles. &#160; But the reason behind the parking preferences for certain vehicles isn’t what you might expect. &#160; Linn County’s Community Services building, 1240 26th Ave. Ct. S.W., actually got the signs first when that building opened after construction last fall.  A total of 10 parking spots, four in front and six at the six of the building, have signs saying parking for alternative fuel vehicles only.  County officials admit the signs may be a bit confusing, which is why the parking spots largely go unused. &#160; In fact, when asked how often he sees someone using a spot reserved for an alternative fuel vehicle, assistant facility manager Steve Nunemaker said “I have not, they’ve been empty.” &#160; By contrast, the signs at three parking spaces at the Juvenile Justice Center, 211 8th Ave. S.W., put up a few weeks ago, make the intent clearer.  Those signs welcome low-emission, fuel efficient vehicles only.  &#160; [...]]]></description>
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		<title>Some Riverside Residents Upset Over Mayor&#8217;s Veto</title>
		<link>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/21/some-riverside-residents-upset-over-mayors-veto/</link>
		<comments>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/21/some-riverside-residents-upset-over-mayors-veto/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 21 Feb 2012 23:49:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Mark Carlson/SourceMedia Group News</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Government]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://easterniowagovernment.com/?p=187965</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Some residents in Riverside are upset with the mayor after he vetoed a plan to build a community splash pad last week.  Mayor Bill Poch said the veto is in the best interest of the majority of Riverside residents, but supporters of the pad argue Poch is part of the minority on the issue. &#8220;Every project that you do with the city like this is not going to benefit everyone equally,&#8221; said city council member Chris Kirkwood, who was a driving force behind obtaining a $70 thousand grant to help pay for the project. Poch estimates the pad would use 75 thousand gallons of water per 10-hour-day, which is almost as much as the city currently uses on a summer day.  &#8220;If there&#8217;s any government body that needs to lead by example, it&#8217;s the city,&#8221; Poch said.  &#8220;Quite frankly, I feel that the decision I made was best for the silent majority of the citizens of Riverside.&#8221; Poch said the current plan doesn&#8217;t reuse or recycle the water used to run the splash pad.  &#8220;It&#8217;s something that takes three minutes to run in and get wet and enjoy a nice summer day,&#8221; said Roger Brand, a Riverside resident and father [...]]]></description>
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		<title>Capitol Digest 2-21-12</title>
		<link>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/21/capitol-digest-2-21-12/</link>
		<comments>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/21/capitol-digest-2-21-12/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 21 Feb 2012 23:29:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>James Q. Lynch/SourceMedia Group News</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cedar Rapids]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Government]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Iowa City]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Linn County]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Politics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[State government]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Statehouse]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://easterniowagovernment.com/?p=187966</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A roundup of legislative and Capitol news items of interest for Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012: NOBEL RECOGNITION: Iowa State University Professor Dan Shechtman of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Ames Laboratory and Technion-Israel Institute of Technology was honored by lawmakers with House Resolution 116 and Senate Resolution 109 for his receipt of the 2011 Nobel Prize in chemistry from the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. Shechtman, who serves as a professor of materials science and engineering at ISU, received his Nobel Prize for his 1982 discovery of the existence of quasicrystals, an atomic structure for solid materials that was previously thought to be impossible by the scientific and engineering community. According to Senate Resolution 109, Shechtman endured significant skepticism and criticism from professional peers but stood firm in his convictions and in the accuracy and import of his discovery. His findings were independently confirmed by other researchers around the world, including scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Ames Laboratory and Iowa State University. The discovery of quasicrystals resulted in textbooks being rewritten and it increased the knowledge and fundamental understanding of solid materials FOWL HONOR: Ducks Unlimited’s 75th anniversary was noted in a proclamation signed by Gov. Terry Branstad [...]]]></description>
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		<title>44 Iowa scientists issue joint call for state to address climate change</title>
		<link>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/21/44-iowa-scientists-issue-joint-call-for-state-to-address-climate-change/</link>
		<comments>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/21/44-iowa-scientists-issue-joint-call-for-state-to-address-climate-change/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 21 Feb 2012 22:33:24 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dave DeWitte/SourceMedia Group News</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Government]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://easterniowagovernment.com/?p=187959</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Forty-four scientists from 28 Iowa colleges and universities have issued a joint call for Iowa legislators to acknowledge and address climate change. The letter was sent to all Iowa legislators on Tuesday.  It was drafted by four researchers from the Climate Science Program at Iowa State University. It  calls for candidates for public office at the national, state and local levels to &#8221;acknowledge the overwhelming balance of evidence for the underpinning causes of climate change, to develop appropriate policy responses, and to develop local and statewide strategies to adapt to near-term changes in climate.&#8221; The letter was based on the January 2011 report &#8220;Climate Change Impacts on Iowa&#8221; by the 11-member Iowa Climate Change Impacts Committee to the Iowa General Assembly and governor, according to David Courard-Hauri, a Drake University professor of environmental science and co-author. That report said Iowa&#8217;s changing climate is already affecting the state&#8217;s economy and the welfare of its people. Climate impacts have included a long-term upward trend in precipitation, affecting Eastern Iowa more than Western Iowa, and an increase in extreme heavy summer precipitation in the last 40 years, the report said. Iowa has also experienced a long-term upward trend in temperature, the report said, with winter temperatures increasing [...]]]></description>
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		<title>Linn County Reappraisal Project for Commercial and Industrial Property is Complete</title>
		<link>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/21/linn-county-reappraisal-project-for-commercial-and-industrial-property-is-complete/</link>
		<comments>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/21/linn-county-reappraisal-project-for-commercial-and-industrial-property-is-complete/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 21 Feb 2012 22:32:07 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Linn County</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Community]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Linn County]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/21/linn-county-reappraisal-project-for-commercial-and-industrial-property-is-complete/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Linn County Assessor&#8217;s Office announces that the Commercial and Industrial property reappraisal, approved by the Conference Board in December, 2008, has concluded and the Assessment Notices were mailed February 17, 2012. Only commercial and industrial properties within Linn County, outside of the Cedar Rapids City limits are affected. Commercial and industrial property owners should contact the Linn County Assessor’s Office if they have questions after receiving their new assessments. Continue reading]]></description>
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		<item>
		<title>Government efficiency measures get legislative consideration</title>
		<link>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/21/government-efficiency-measures-get-legislative-consideration/</link>
		<comments>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/21/government-efficiency-measures-get-legislative-consideration/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 21 Feb 2012 22:23:07 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rod Boshart/SourceMedia Group News</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[collective bargaining]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[consumer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Economy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Government]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Politics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[social services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[state budget]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[State government]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Statehouse]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Democrats]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Des Moines (Iowa)]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[film tax credit program]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Iowa Legislature]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[local government]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[public owned land]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Republicans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[school elections]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[state Department of Natural Resources]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[state employee benefits]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[state government]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://easterniowagovernment.com/?p=187961</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[DES MOINES – A wide-ranging government efficiency bill got its first look Tuesday but is nowhere near its final form if it’s to meet its framers’ goal of finding bipartisan ways to save taxpayers’ money, key lawmakers said. House Study Bill 645 opened to mixed reviews at a House subcommittee meeting where representatives of varying groups questioned sections that sought federal waivers to restrict the use of food stamps and other assistance to buy food items with low nutritional value, required some health insurance coverage provisions with unionized state employees to be renegotiated, and pushed the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to sell up to $20 million of publicly held land by June 30, 2013. However, several speakers gave thumbs up to a proposal to not consider per-diem expense money that state legislators get paid while the General Assembly is in session as wages when calculating IPERS benefits. Other proposals within the reorganization bill sought to repeal the state’s film tax credit program retroactive back to Jan. 1 and change the voting requirement for the Legislature’s Administrative Rules Review Committee to delay or object to a proposed agency rule implementing a new state law. Another provision would change the [...]]]></description>
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		<item>
		<title>Stabbing arrest from September 22, 2011</title>
		<link>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/21/stabbing-arrest-from-september-22-2011/</link>
		<comments>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/21/stabbing-arrest-from-september-22-2011/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 21 Feb 2012 21:52:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>City of Cedar Rapids</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cedar Rapids]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Community]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/21/stabbing-arrest-from-september-22-2011/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Date: 2/21/2012 Contact: Sgt Cristy Hamblin (319) 286-5439 Body: CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – February 21, 2012 – On February 21, 2012, the Cedar Rapids Police arrested Jason Aaron Morris, 6/12/83, of 1764 Blackhawk Dr, Marion, IA and charged him with Attempted Murder. The charge stems from the September 22, 2011, stabbing at 110 Harbet Ave NW #4. Stephen Allen/32 of Cedar Rapids, had been stabbed several times in the head, neck and back. Morris was arrested today at his home without incident. He was taken to Linn County Jail. Attempted Murder is a Class B Felony, punishable up to 25 years in a penitentiary. Disclaimer: Any arrest information included above is based on the legal conclusion that, as with any criminal case, a charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. Source]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>Linn County commercial/industrial property value up 17 percent</title>
		<link>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/21/linn-county-commercialindustrial-property-value-up-17-percent/</link>
		<comments>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/21/linn-county-commercialindustrial-property-value-up-17-percent/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 21 Feb 2012 20:40:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Steve Gravelle/SourceMedia Group News</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Government]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Linn County]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dave Ellis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Linn County Assessor Julie Kester]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://easterniowagovernment.com/?p=187951</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Linn County commercial and industrial property has been re-appraised for the first time in nearly 30 years, boosting some property tax assessments. Overall, the value of commercial and industrial property in the county increased 17.23 percent, from $718,534,433 to $842,358,000, Chief Deputy Assessor Dave Ellis said. Ellis said 64 percent of the increase was due to higher land values, with buildings accounting for just 5.5 percent. Land typically appreciates faster than buildings, he said. The last countywide re-appraisal was in 1983, according to County Assessor Julie Kester. The re-appraisal began in 2008 and included inspections of commercial and industrial property and reviews of sales and improvements. The process was reviewed by Vanguard Appraisals of Cedar Rapids, whose staff also checked the resulting assessment manual, Kester said. Property owners have until May to challenge their new assessments, Kester said. The process begins with informal hearings with Vanguard and assessor&#8217;s staff and can include a hearing before the county&#8217;s board of review. Properties were equalized every odd-numbered year since the last re-appraisal, but the long period since the last review meant those adjustments weren&#8217;t keeping pace with increased land values, Ellis said. &#8220;When you do just percentage adjustments every two years, things [...]]]></description>
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		<item>
		<title>Cedar Rapids Police Youth Academy</title>
		<link>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/21/cedar-rapids-police-youth-academy-2/</link>
		<comments>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/21/cedar-rapids-police-youth-academy-2/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 21 Feb 2012 20:12:09 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>City of Cedar Rapids</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cedar Rapids]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Community]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/21/cedar-rapids-police-youth-academy-2/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Date: 2/21/2012 Contact: Officer Shannon Stokesberry (319) 286-5434 Body: CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – Date – The Cedar Rapids Police Department is pleased to announce they are taking applications for the Cedar Rapids Police Youth Academy. The Youth Academy will be held three times for different age groups. June 11 – 12, 2012, will be geared for children entering Kindergarten through 2nd Grades. June 13 – 14, 2012, will be for children entering 3rd through 5th Grades. June 26-27, 2012, will be for children entering 6th through 12th Grades. The cost of the Youth Academy is $20. Many fun activities are packed into the academy which runs from 9 am &#8211; noon. Attached is a poster for the Youth Academy.               Class size is limited. Register early is recommended as classes fill early.                         For more information or to request an application, parents/youth can contact Officer Shannon Stokesberry, at (319) 286-5434 or e mail her at s.stokesberry@cedar-rapids.org. Attachments: http://www.cedar-rapids.org/city-news/media-releases/Lists/Releases and News/Attachments/1286/youth academy poster 2012.pdf Source]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>Clear and Colored Glass Can Now Go Together</title>
		<link>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/21/clear-and-colored-glass-can-now-go-together/</link>
		<comments>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/21/clear-and-colored-glass-can-now-go-together/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 21 Feb 2012 19:12:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>City of Cedar Rapids</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cedar Rapids]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Community]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/21/clear-and-colored-glass-can-now-go-together/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Date: 2/21/2012 Contact: Megan Murphy 319-286-5162 Body: Glass recycling in Cedar Rapids and Linn County is changing, saving money and making the collection of glass easier for everyone.  The Cedar Rapids/Linn County Solid Waste Agency (Agency) has entered into an agreement with Ripple Glass, a glass recycling business based in Kansas City, Missouri, that will allow clear and colored glass to be collected together.  Previously Cedar Rapids residents with curbside recycling were required to set clear glass in one bucket and colored glass in a different bucket.  The new service allows customers to set clear and colored glass out in the same bucket.  Customers can start setting mixed glass out for collection immediately.  Glass still must not be placed in the CURBY cart. Glass recycling has struggled due to the stringent requirements set by the material processors and a significant drop in commodity pricing in 2008.  Prior to the agreement with Ripple Glass, the Agency was underwriting the processing of glass in Linn County with a cost of approximately $12,000 annually.  Ripple Glass constructed a state of the art sorting facility that allows them to separate types of glass even after it has broken.  In addition to the added convenience [...]]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Capitol Digest, 2-21-2012</title>
		<link>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/21/capitol-digest-2-21-2012/</link>
		<comments>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/21/capitol-digest-2-21-2012/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 21 Feb 2012 17:53:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rod Boshart/SourceMedia Group News</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[agriculture]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[consumer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[courts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Crime]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Disaster and accident]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[environment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Government]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Politics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[public safety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[State government]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Statehouse]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[transportation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA["move-over' highway law]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Des Moines (Iowa)]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[drivers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fence law]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Iowa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Iowa Legislature]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Iowa Senate]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Iowa State University]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Motorcycles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mufflers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[murder]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nobel Prize]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[solicitation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[state government]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://easterniowagovernment.com/?p=187949</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A roundup of legislative and Capitol news items of interest for Tuesday, Feb. 21: SOLICITING MURDER: A Senate subcommittee Tuesday approved a change sought by the Iowa County Attorneys Association to create a criminal offense relating to the solicitation to commit murder. Under current law, the offense is included with other criminal solicitations that are classified as class D felonies. Prosecutors said a situation where someone commands, entreats, or otherwise attempts to persuade another person to commit murder should carry a tougher penalty than soliciting another person to steal property. Senate Study Bill 3154 would establish the crime of solicitation to commit murder as a class “C” felony punishable by confinement for no more than 10 years and a fine of at least $1,000 but not more than $10,000. Sen. Rob Hogg, D-Cedar Rapids, expected the issue would be taken up by the full Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday. NOISY MUFFLERS: The Senate Transportation Committee voted 10-3 Tuesday to approve a bill that would set a uniform standard for noisy mufflers in Iowa. Senate File 2079 stipulates that a motor vehicle shall not be operated on a highway in Iowa with a muffler that emits a noise exceeding 95 decibels [...]]]></description>
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		<item>
		<title>Closure:  Valley Street, between Riker St. &amp; Southern Ave.</title>
		<link>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/21/closure-valley-street-between-riker-st-southern-ave-2/</link>
		<comments>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/21/closure-valley-street-between-riker-st-southern-ave-2/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 21 Feb 2012 16:32:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>City of Dubuque</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Community]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dubuque]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/21/closure-valley-street-between-riker-st-southern-ave-2/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Continue reading]]></description>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Cedar Rapids Housing Code Nuisance Abatement Hearing</title>
		<link>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/21/cedar-rapids-housing-code-nuisance-abatement-hearing-7/</link>
		<comments>http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/21/cedar-rapids-housing-code-nuisance-abatement-hearing-7/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:32:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>City of Cedar Rapids</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cedar Rapids]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Community]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/02/21/cedar-rapids-housing-code-nuisance-abatement-hearing-7/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Title: Cedar Rapids Housing Code Nuisance Abatement Hearing Location: Public Works Building, 1201 6th St SW; Building Services Conference Room Start Time: 2/21/2012 2:00 PM End Time: 2/21/2012 3:00 PM Description: 919 6th St SW; 408 A Ave NW EventType: City Board or Commission Meeting Source]]></description>
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