|
|
Sunday, August 7
Candidate Watch: Elesha Gayman - Iowa House District 84
by
Caroline Vernon
on Sun 07 Aug 2005 04:26 PM CDT
 Candidate Watch: Elesha Gayman - Iowa House District 84
by Caroline Vernon
Elesha Gayman is an outstanding candidate for Iowa House District 84. She is a breath of fresh air, and exemplifies the kind of down home values that will help to promote and preserve what it means to be an Iowan. Elesha will ensure that Iowa is a better place to live, work, and raise a family. What else could we ask for?
[Click here for a map of Iowa House District 84 in Scott County.]
Elesha Gayman was born in Davenport, Iowa. Her great, great grandparents were one of the original 13 families that settled in Davenport during the mid 1840's before Iowa became a state in 1846. In fact, the Gayman homestead is still in the family and their name can be found on the monument at the Scott County museum and pioneer village.
Initially inspired by former Republican State Representative, Neil Harrison, Elesha first became involved in politics at the age of thirteen when she became a member of the Davenport Youth City Council. Feeling a little rebellious at the time, Elesha advocated against youth curfews. Although she shared she was unsuccessful in changing anyone’s mind, the experience with the DYCC did much to enhance her confidence levels.
During her senior year in high school, Elesha helped to plan voter registration drives and engaged many of her peers in the process. Upon graduating in 1997, she recalls that Newt Gingrich’s “Contract with America” was in full swing. It was at that time that she started paying closer attention to the different platform issues and became more selective of who she would support and why. Although she was previously involved with the Republican Party throughout the 90's, their message at that time discouraged women from becoming involved in the political process as well as the workforce. As a result, Elesha said the last thing she wanted to hear was someone telling her what she couldn’t do. This got her more fired up than ever.
Click here to visit Elesha Gayman's website.
After attending one year at St. Ambrose University, Elesha attended the first semester of her sophomore year in Rome, Italy, majoring in Political Science with an emphasis in International Relations. Elesha shared with me that this experience imparted a deep sense of history. Many of the cobblestone roads still bore the deep grooves made by the wheels of ancient chariots. In addition to her political science classes, she also took advantage of taking classes in Catholicism, Art, and Philosophy.
Elesha arrived in Rome just two days after the embassy bombings in Africa and the Kosovo situation was also exploding over there at the time. These issues prompted her interest in law and military affairs, so she took as many military classes as she could in college. It was at that time that she became very interested in the career of General Wesley Clark. She later became part of the Draft Clark campaign for President although she ultimately went to the Democratic National Convention as a Howard Dean delegate.
more »
GET IRATE OVER MERCURY, MOMMIES
by
Molly Regan
on Sun 07 Aug 2005 11:00 AM CDT
 "GET IRATE OVER MERCURY, MOMMIES"
In December, 2003, this title to an article written by MOLLY IVINS
appeared in the Des Moines Register. I remember saving it at the
time, and it is still extremely relevant. Ms. Ivins said…"Mercury is a neurotoxin that damages the brains and nervous systems of fetuses and young children, and probably affects adults…
"Eight
percent of American women of childbearing age already have mercury in
their blood above the Environmental Protection Agency's 'safe
level'. MERCURY EMMISSIONS FROM
POWER PLANTS GET INTO RAIN CLOUDS AND COME DOWN IN LAKES AND RIVERS,
THUS POISONING FISH AND THE PEOPLE WHO EAT THEM. COAL-FIRED
POWER PLANTS ARE THE LARGEST SOURCE OF MERCURY, SPEWING 50 TONS A
YEAR INTO THE AIR, ABOUT 40 PERCENT OF THE TOTAL…
"The
truth is, EPA is doing nothing about mercury pollution. The
decrease to 34 tons a year is a byproduct of new filtering requirements
for NITROGEN (CAUSES SMOG) AND SULFUR DIOXIDE (CAUSES ACID RAIN), which aren't too much to write home about either…
Continuing, Ivins says, "I once heard a Texas politician being begged to consider doing something 'FOR THE CHILDREN of Texas'. He asked if they had a PAC. (Political Action Committee)
"Well,
no they don't. But they have mommies. Their mommies know
the difference between 50 tons a year and 5 tons a year. Mommies
know what a campaign contribution is. Mommies can tell the
difference between a cynical sack of excrement and safe babies. Mommies can get very angry. You've got to watch those mommies, Karl."
Don't you just love Molly Ivins? To check out her entire article, go here.
Take action against mercury pollution HERE!
Another well-spoken person from Texas was recently heard from. JIM HIGHTOWER was a guest on IOWA PRESS
Friday, July 29th. IOWA PRESS airs on IOWA Public TV Friday
evenings and repeats on Sundays. Mr. Hightower is a well-spoken,
funny political satirist, best-selling author, and radio commentator
with a twist on current events that makes you smile and say, "He really
hits the nail on the head." Hightower says we need a political
party FOR THE WORKERS AND THE FARMERS. He says the Republicans
have been the party for corporations and many Democrats have
become more and more like them in so far as big money
contributions.
But, Hightower did point out that started to change when GOVERNOR HOWARD DEAN
went to people via the Internet and asked for small donations from many
people. He says the Democratic STRENGTHS need to be talked about
again. Among them are ECONOMIC FAIRNESS, SOCIAL JUSTICE, AND
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL PEOPLE.
To read the entire text of the show and listen to the wit of JIM HIGHTOWER, go to www.iptv.org/iowapress/
Are you keeping track of your county officials and what goes on at the county board meetings?
How about your city council meetings, have you been to one
lately? Make yourself available to go at least twice a month to
public meetings in your community. It is the only way we can
continue the momentum and make positive changes. As a good
citizen, you will also become a good role model for the young
ones. THEY ARE WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT ANYWAY.
Don't forget to CPR: CONSERVE/PARTICIPATE/RECYCLE
Second Suit Filed Against Iowa City Over Wal-Mart
by
Trish Nelson
on Sun 07 Aug 2005 04:00 AM CDT
 Second Suit Filed Against Iowa City Over Wal-Mart Supercenter
Cedar Rapids Gazette
By Frank Gluck
IOWA CITY — Opponents of a proposed Wal-Mart Supercenter in Iowa City
filed a second lawsuit against the city Thursday, this time calling the
City Council’s land rezoning for the retail giant ‘‘illegal’’ and ‘‘an
abuse of discretion.’’
The [plaintiffs] sued the Iowa City Board of Adjustment last week for
its June 8 approval of a special exception for a drive-through pharmacy
and gas station that would be included with the Supercenter.
In this latest lawsuit, they argue that the council had a
responsibility to protect the community from the likes of Wal-Mart. The
company offers low wages and benefits, buys its merchandise
predominantly from China and works to kill off local businesses,
according to its critics.
The rezoning itself was also improper because the city, which applied
for that rezoning, had a vested financial interest in its passage, the
lawsuit argues.
The Iowa City City Attorney’s Office declined comment Thursday.
(click here to read the entire story)
_________________
You can help stop media bias right here in the Hawkeye state!
 Click here to receive action alerts from
|
|
