Newton Independent

UAW discusses ways to prop up building fund

2010-07-29T10:02:40-05:00

By PETER HUSSMANN

UAW Local 997 union members and retirees brainstormed ideas on how to build up revenues in its building fund during meetings on Tuesday as the membership faced the dwindling financial condition of the organization.

Larry Shaver, a UAW retiree, said more than 100 ideas were discussed on how to prop up the fund during the meetings, but any proposal would first need approval by the international organization.

UAW membership dues are directed to specific funds within the organization, according to the group's bylaws. The building fund is used to keep the facility operational, including the payment of property taxes.

"Property taxes are killing us," Shaver said.

Built in 1955, the building at 1813 1st St. N. has a current assessed value of $219,350, including the more than one acre of lot area. It's current tax bill is $9,052.

The major problem facing the local is the declining membership. When Maytag closed in 2007, the membership stood at about 2,900, Shaver said, although down from its hay days in the 1970s when the 997 boasted 5,000 active members. Today's membership is 239, he said.

The Local 997 does have a large number of retired members, though their voluntary $2 monthly dues don't raise significant amounts.

Shaver said the UAW has had two lots it owns adjacent to the building for sale for more than two years but has yet to receive a bid.

Union leadership will study the ideas generated at Tuesday's meetings before calling for additional gatherings to discuss the situation, Shaver said, noting there are no plans to sell the building at this time.

"We had lots of good ideas," he said.

Letter: Can't we all just get along?

2010-07-29T09:26:30-05:00

To the Newton Independent:

Pete, I was almost thinking!

Newton, Iowa and many other communities are facing similar situations concerning the loss of jobs and many other problems are glaring at us; such as hospitals, closing of schools and saving places like the Maytag Bowl. Of course the main issue is holding families together.

My question is, What can we the people of the world believe to be worthwhile and true?

This I know for sure. All humans have different values, beliefs and many of us will steal from each other at the blink of an eye. This is the human factor.

Stealing, according to me comes to us in many flavors. I could list them all here, however I believe most of you know within your own hearts what you and others will attempt to steal no matter if it is money, political votes and/or other wonderful salable deals or scams.

So my dear peoples of the world, what newspaper or TV station, email or other will enlighten or deliver real truths? According to me, none! I, for one, am fed up with the games that are played politically and/or other! My hope is that one day, more and more people will care about one another as humans. I really doubt if that will ever happen, but one can hope!

There is always more to say, but is it worth saying?

James Wilson McKinstry
Newton

Trinity Industries releases second quarter results

2010-07-29T09:11:37-05:00

Newton Independent

Trinity Industries, Inc., the Dallas, Texas-based parent company of the Newton wind tower plant located in a portion of the former Maytag production plant, recorded net income of $18.4 million in the second quarter ended June 30, compared to a $209 million loss for the same quarter a year ago.

Trinity released its earnings report at the end of trading on Wednesday.

In regard to its business segment located in Newton, the Energy Equipment Group recorded revenue of $115.3 in the second quarter, compared to $134.4 million in the same period in 2009. Operating profit for the quarter was $13.5 million in the second quarter of 2010 compared to $25.2 million the year before.

The order backlog for structural towers stood at approximately $1.1 billion at the end of the second quarter, the same level estimated at the end of the previous quarter.

Forbes planning to close its west side Newton square location

2010-07-28T19:49:29-05:00

Newton Independent

Forbes, the 50-year-old plus office equipment retailer and supplier in downtown Newton, announced last week that it plans to close its west side Newton square office location and consolidate that operation into its northeast corner square location.

Mark Carlock, president of Forbes Office Solutions, announced in a release dated July 20 (and just previously released to the N.I.) that "due to the current business climate, Forbes will be consolidating its business operation to the original location" on the northeast corner of the Newton square.

"This will allow us to continue all business units under one roof, allowing for true 'one stop shopping,'" Carlock said in the release.

Carlock said he foresees no further changes in business operations at the current time.

The west side square location, at 115 and 117 W. 2nd St. N., will be available for sale or lease once the consolidation is completed. Anyone interested in the facility is asked to contact Carlock or Gary Forbes at 641-792-6168.

Windstream says it will focus on broadband

2010-07-28T12:30:12-05:00

Newton Independent

Windstream Corporation CEO Jeff Gardner told a national TV audience on Tuesday that the Little Rock, Ark.-based company will continue to focus efforts on broadband.

Gardner appeared on CNBC's "Fast Money" where he noted the company now sees about 53 percent of its revenue coming from broadband, compared to about 35 percent when the company was spun off from Alltel in 2006.

Windstream, which recently completed its $1.2 billion acquisition of Newton-based Iowa Telecom, has applied for a $238 million stimulus grant to expand broadband across rural areas of the country.

Watch the video here.

Skiff ends fiscal year with $4 million loss

2010-07-28T11:56:53-05:00

By PETER HUSSMANN

Skiff Medical Center Trustees were being informed at today's late morning meeting that the hospital lost more than $4 million in the fiscal year ended June 30, about a $700,000 increase from the loss recorded the fiscal year before.

The statement of operations report provided to Trustees showed the city-owned hospital ending the fiscal year with revenue over expenses totaling a negative $4,012,642 compared to $3,365,368 loss at the end of fiscal year 2009.

For the month of June, Skiff recorded a loss of $497,667, an improvement from the $644,972 loss recorded the month before. The hospital recorded only one profitable month in the past fiscal year, in March when revenues over expenses amounted to approximately $175,000.

Skiff has taken several steps to stem the tide of red ink, including a reduction in force initiative, wage freezes and an internal reorganization. The hospital is also taking active steps to increase patient volumes, including the addition of new doctors to practice at the hospital.

Dr. Dominic Formaro, a general surgeon, started with Skiff this month and Dr. Malini Dandu, a family practice physician specializing in obstetrics is scheduled to start with the Newton Clinic on Aug. 16.

In addition, two other doctors are expressing interest in the Newton community. Dr. Gerald Stanley, a family practitioner currently working in Missouri as part of a program to serve rural/under-served areas, is looking to have his commitment transferred to enable him to join the Newton Clinic. Dr. Ian Munger, a Newton native, is currently in residency in Mason City and considering Newton as a future location for his medicine practice.

Iowa League of Cities sues EPA

2010-07-28T10:53:49-05:00

By PETER HUSSMANN

The Iowa League of Cities is petitioning the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals to take up its lawsuit alleging the Environmental Protection Agency has illegally changed federal rules concerning the operation of wastewater treatment plants and heavy rain-related discharges that potentially expose cities to huge costs to come into compliance.

The lawsuit, filed on Monday on behalf of the League by Hall & Associates of Washington, D.C., claims the EPA has reinterpreted federal rules, without going through the administrative rule-making process, that places more stringent requirements on city operated wastewater treatment facilities. Plants that previously had been in compliance because of the EPA's allowance for alternative approaches to address peak flow periods now find themselves at odds with federal rules, the League assets.

Previously, cities were allowed to use alternative approaches and technologies to handle high water periods, such as the heavy storms that hit northeast Iowa and the Newton area earlier this month. Cities were also given options concerning treatment facility design to safely process high water events.

Now, the League says, the EPA is initiating more stringent federal rule interpretations regarding collection system design, bypass rules and plant design/operations that are placing previously compliant systems into ongoing violation. The result, the League states, is that municipalities could be required to spend millions of dollars to bring their systems into federal compliance.

The lawsuit seeks to overturn what it calls the illegal rule changes, limit the federal authority when it comes to wastewater plant design, require the EPA to follow the requirements for developing rules and allow states to continue to use cost-effective options to safely process peak flows.

You can read the petition for review and the associated documents filed in connection with the lawsuit below:

Download Iowa League of Cities v. EPA

NOM soliciting funds from Iowans

2010-07-28T09:41:41-05:00

Newton Independent

The National Organization for Marriage is soliciting funds from Iowans in advance of its stop in Des Moines on Sunday as part of its Summer for Marriage Tour.

Iowans are receiving pre-recorded messages soliciting funds to help NOM overturn and oppose same-sex marriage provisions. The group says it is working to oust state lawmakers and judges who do not oppose same-sex marriages.

The pre-recorded message states that NOM has received a challenge grant of up to $2 million and is working to raise matching funds.

A rally by NOM in Madison, Wis., on Tuesday that attracted about 50 supporters was met with opposition from about 500 supporters of gay marriage, a news report states.

The tour rolls into Minnesota today with stops planned for St. Paul, St. Cloud and Rochester over the next several days.

The group's Summer of Marriage Tour will roll into Des Moines for a 2 p.m. rally on Sunday at the State Capitol.

Letter: You be the judge

2010-07-28T09:04:31-05:00

To the Newton Independent:

Prior to the meeting of the Newton School Board on July 26th, I told the superintendent and the school board that I did not believe the $3 per square foot was an adequate amount to charge AEA for space in the Emerson Hough building.

The board president asked to back up my statement with facts and he told me "having overseen the sale of three commercial buildings in town this past year and currently working with prospects that are looking to lease space here in town, I feel I have a pretty good vantage point from which to view the local market. My opinion is that this is a fair amount for both sides."

Fair enough. This is what I found:

Advertised Leased Space

Iowa Telecom/Windstream - $7 to $10 per square foot. (They have some for $12 per square foot.)

Dan Johnson (owner of AEA's current location) - $7.20 per square foot.

True Value Plaza - $10.80 per square foot.

Current Actual Leased Space

Heartland AEA Newton location - $7 per square foot. (This includes utilities, snow removal, mowing, etc.) I spoke with Dave King, business manager at AEA's Johnston office.

Jasper County Extension - Current location is the DMACC facility. $12 per square foot for 2,000 square feet. (This includes snow removal, utilities, etc.)

Newton Community School System for Basics and Beyond - Current location is DMACC facility. $9.25 per square foot for 4,296 square feet plus $1,000 for phone expense.

Recently leased space True Value Mall - $8.14 per square foot. 1,400 square feet. In addition, the tenant paid all utilities, pay for any repairs, install a new breaker and would have to pay the first $500 of any air conditioning repair.

The board president continued to maintain at the meeting on Monday night that $3 per square foot was a realistic figure and that another reason for this rate was that AEA is our partner in education. I believe that DMACC is, also, our partner in education and they are not giving away their ship. I would, also, consider the Jasper County Extension office a partner in education.

Is this a good deal for AEA? Yes it is. Is this a good deal for the citizens/taxpayers of the Newton Community School District? I'll let you be the judge.

Fran Henderson
Newton

Letter: Facts are our friends

2010-07-27T12:57:28-05:00

To the Newton Independent:

Recent opinions offered by various individuals and organizations on the topic of shopping loally may benefit from some fact-finding as well as some fresh perspectives.

In terms of fact-finding, Dave Swenson at Iowa State University, in 2009, published an article called "Understanding and Misunderstanding Retail Multipliers." Additionally, he has conducted research about the impacts in Iowa of localized buy-local campaigns. HIs published contact info at ISU is: 515-294-7458 or e-mailing dswenson@iastate.edu

For an additional perspective that speaks to the inevitable tension created between capitalism and democracy, one could find interesting perspectives at www.reclaimdemocracy.org

Facts are our friends, especially when coupled with thoughtful consideration of how actions affect each other, our communities, and the world at large.

Here's to figuring it all out.

Elaine Mattingly
Newton

McDermott issues press release on school issues

2010-07-27T12:16:29-05:00

Newton Independent

Newton Community School District Superintendent Steve McDermott posted a press release on the district's web site on Monday that addresses a number of school-related issues in preparation for the coming school year.

The two-page release discusses elementary school realignment, busing, educational programming, registration and Emerson Hough Elementary School's uses in the coming school year.

You can read the release here.

Letter: Main stream media's role in elections diminished

2010-07-27T10:48:03-05:00

To the Newton Independent:

For 16 years, T Party Terry kept getting elected because Democrats did not run the right people against him. I have always believed that Lt. Gov. Robert Anderson could have beat Branstad but Democrats chose the flashy guy from southern Iowa who that big paper in Des Moines thought was a wing-ding daddy and Yepsen couldn't say enough good stuff about him until after he got the nomination. Then Yepsen and the paper dropped the junk bond salesman like a hot potato and T Party Terry got re-elected.

The good news is that the big paper in Des Moines is not the deciding factor in who gets elected. News sources such as this one you're reading now play an important part in elections in Iowa now.

So, I hope people will take a look at Dan Kelley, the Democrat that is running for Paul Bell's seat in the Iowa House. Dan is a good man and I don't know of a better person for that job.

And for people who think I was unfair to that big paper in Des Moines, they failed to expose Iowa's embarrassment Congressman Steve King while he was in the Iowa Legislature and then went on to recommend him twice for Congress.

Olen W. Lambert
Newton

UAW to discuss selling Newton union hall

2010-07-27T10:25:42-05:00

By PETER HUSSMANN

The possibility of selling the UAW Local 997 union hall building will be discussed by the membership during meetings set today.

The Newton Independent has learned the topic will be brought up as a possibility due to the lack of financial resources to keep the building operational.

Built in 1955, the building at 1813 1st St. N. has a current assessed value of $219,350, including the more than one acre of lot area. It's current tax bill is $9,052.

The local UAW membership fell significantly following the closure of the Maytag plant in Newton. Other UAW organized local operations include Thombert and Vernon.

The Newton Independent will follow this story and provide updates as information becomes available.

Newton school district rents out Emerson Hough library to AEA

2010-07-27T10:04:35-05:00

By PETER HUSSMANN

The Newton Community School District's Board of Education on Monday agreed to lease the library at Emerson Hough Elementary to the local Area Education Agency beginning Monday.

The five-year lease, with two options to extend the contract for an additional five years, requires the AEA to pay the school district $3 per square foot for the 3,790 square foot library space. The monthly charge will be $947.50.

The school district will pay utility costs and provide routine janitorial services, including weekly vacuuming and emptying of waste baskets. Snow removal and lawn care is also included as part of the rent. The AEA will be required to pay for telephone and internet services.

Increases in the rent cost will be negotiated based on increases in the costs of utilities at the conclusion of any five-year term.

The AEA's use of the former elementary school library facility follows the school board's decision last March to close the structure as an attendance center. In doing so, however, the board decided to maintain the building and seek other uses for the facility.

In addition to the AEA, the school district plans to use the north end of the facility to house the Head Start and its new early childhood education programs.

The lease agreement also contains language concerning the pending Emerson Hough school closure appeal. Should the school district be required to reopen Emerson Hough as an educational center, the lease states the school district will find "alternative suitable space" within the school owned properties to relocate the AEA office. The lease states the school district will pay all costs associated with such a relocation. A hearing on the matter is currently scheduled to begin Aug. 26 in Des Moines.

The lease rate the AEA will pay the school district is significantly lower than the cost they currently pay at a privately-owned office building in the 300 block of First Street South. AEA officials say they are currently paying $7 per square foot for that leased office space.

The Newton school district rents space at the DMACC campus for its Basics and Beyond alternative high school program. The district pays a total of $9.25 per square foot for the 4,296 square feet it occupies. Including a $1,000 yearly phone charge, the rent the district pays DMACC is $40,738 per year or $3,394.83 per month.

The Jasper County Extension Service, a quasi-governmental agency, also rents space at DMACC. Its cost is $12 per square foot for the 2,000 square feet it occupies.

Letter: Editorial's logic is flawed or misleading

2010-07-26T15:11:14-05:00

To the Newton Independent:

I see where the "other" local paper has an editorial supporting the Newton City Council decision to "give" (at taxpayer expense) a $1,300 stimulus to a local business in a bid situation that has been written about in this paper and I have commented on here.

I would like to point out a flaw in their editorial justification.

I quote from the Newton Daily News editorial, page 4A, Friday, July 23, 2010: "City buying local helps to maintain businesses, tax base."

"In this case, the extra $1,300 council chose to spend (in this letter writer's opinion a better choice the "spend" would have been "waste") locally not only helps a Newton business, but it will save money on travel to Grinnell for the lifetime of the truck. That extra will equate to less over the life of the truck when all is said and done."

This writer called a customer "800" number for Ford Motor Company consumer questions and asked if I bought a truck from a Ford dealer 20 miles away and the closest Ford dealer to my home was about a mile would I have to take it back to the selling dealer (20 miles every trip) for warranty repairs?

I was told positively NOT, the Ford factory warranty that came with my new Ford was a contract between myself and Ford Motor Company, not the selling dealership and ANY authorized Ford Motor dealership would perform ANY needed and justified warranty work per that dealer's sales and service agreement with Ford Motor Company. Any Ford dealer that refused to perform said warranty repairs for the above stated question I had asked would be in violation of their individual sales and service agreement with Ford Motor Company and could have their respective franchise agreement terminated for such actions.

The City of Newton could certainly upon the expiration of the factory warranty use their own, or a multitude of other local (Newton) repair facilities if said "jilted" dealer refused to repair it after the warranty had expired (I'd say refusing a paying customer (City of Newton) for repair work is tantamount to shooting oneself in the foot) to keep this truck in good repair for its life cycle.

The logic of the Newton Daily News editorial writer of this pro higher taxes editorial of July 23, 2010 is either flawed or purposely misleading.

This letter writer wonders if the Shaw Newspapers Co. is as generous with their checkbook when bidding and buying for Shaw Newspapers as they'd like the taxpayers of Newton to be?

William McLeod
Lakeland, Fla.

Windstream announces Iowa Education Connections program

2010-07-26T14:57:07-05:00

Newton Independent

Windstream announced today the inception of its Iowa Education Connections program, a community giving initiative aimed at enhancing educational opportunities at schools and charitable organizations in Iowa through funding for technology upgrades.

Windstream said it will award $70,000 to educational programs at schools and non-profit organizations that impact Iowa's communities.

"We are thrilled to introduce Iowa Education Connections and have the opportunity to connect with the Windstream community in Iowa," said Ric Crane, Windstream's chief marketing officer. "Our standing commitment to educational enhancement through technology donations is important to Windstream, and we look forward to furthering that initiative in the newest addition to our coverage area."

An individual or community member may nominate an organization for Iowa Education Connections. Nominated organizations will be notified by Windstream and encouraged to submit an online application. Organizations not nominated can still apply for the program.

The deadline to apply is Sept. 3. Eligibility, nomination and application information can be found online here.

Eight finalists will be chosen in October and a public online vote will determine the top four organizations to be awarded charitable donations from Windstream, with three runner-up organizations to receive $15,000 each and one grand prize winner to receive $25,000.

The Iowa Education Connections program is being promoted in Iowa this week through Windstream's mobile tour, called the Lifetime Tour. The company's vintage 1953 green pick-up truck will make stops in Grinnell, Knoxville and Newton and also travel to Manchester on Friday to participate in RAGBRAI activities.

More information on the Lifetime Tour can be found here.

UAW says court should delay ruling on Whirlpool's motion to dismiss lawsuit over Maytag retiree health insurance

2010-07-26T10:02:38-05:00

By PETER HUSSMANN

Lawyers for the UAW say a federal district court judge should delay ruling on Whirlpool's motion for summary judgment in its health insurance coverage class action lawsuit against Newton Maytag retirees until after the court of appeals has decided whether it will take up the union's petition to have the court's certification of class order overturned.

Whirlpool, in court documents both sides filed on Friday, counters by saying that the litigation is in its late stages and delaying a ruling on its motion to have the case dismissed would likely push the trial date back once again from its now-scheduled December start.

The world's largest appliance maker also says the union stands little chance to have the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals take up the appeal of the district court's order that the union act as class representative for the more than 3,300 retired Newton Maytag workers impacted by Whirlpool's decision to cut medical benefits to retirees.

In its petition for summary judgment, Whirlpool argues that it was in its authority to change the health care benefits to retirees making a trial on the matter unnecessary.

Federal District Court Judge James Gritzner has yet to rule on whether he will proceed. The Eighth Circuit has also yet to rule on whether it will take up the union's petition to appeal Gritzner's order setting the class.

You can read the most recent filings below.

Download UAW brief in opposition to proceeding with motion for summary judgment ruling

Download Whirlpool support for proceeding on ruling for motion for summary judgment

Keeping in Touch: Iowa finances encouraging

2010-07-26T08:58:02-05:00

By SEN. DENNIS BLACK
Democrat, Lynnville

By its very nature, government tends to be reactive. This is not new. Conversely, it has been the trend for at least a century. The downside to this is the fact when something occurs where any level of government is adversely affected, whether man or naturally induced, then the source of funds to "fix" the problem are seldom available.

Communities, counties and schools look to the state during times of shortfalls or disaster, and the state expects cooperation from the federal government. That is what occurred during the past several years in Iowa, other states and the national level. Then, with a global economic meltdown, changes in the spending habits of the populace exacerbate the problem. Unemployment grows, as capital investment in existing or intended small business and industry creation or expansion is put on hold. This is basic economics.

Add nature's wrath, whether in the Gulf of Mexico with the oil disaster, or moisture brought to the Midwest from the rotation of weather systems laden with moisture from the Gulf, or Pacific Coast fires and earthquakes that add to the cost of repair and replacement of infrastructure, and government is expected to accept the predominate burden of these costs. With that, the source of funding comes from our pockets. Needless-to-say, the last couple of years have been devastating from a national perspective.

From a provincial standpoint, Iowa is one of only eight states to win top financial marks. Eight states have received the highest possible rating, AAA, from the top three financial ratings agencies. Iowa's across-the-board AAA rating is a vote of confidence in our state's economic future. Proudly, we have the fourth best and stable state budget in the nation.

In other words, not only was Iowa's budget balanced on June 30 of last month, the last day of the fiscal year, that balance was $175 million more than anticipated by the Revenue Estimating Conference. With this, our ending balance for the fiscal year was $275 million. These extra funds will go into our cash reserves, which will top $500 million by the start of the year. Financially, Iowa is the envy of nearly all states in the nation.

With the figures all in, we find this to be very encouraging news, especially in view of the fact that the economy is not rebounding as quickly as expected. And yet, our unemployment across the state is relatively stable at about 6.7 percent. It is higher in the Jasper portion of my Senate district, but lower in the Polk County segment.

The function of the state is not job creation. Rather, the state can provide incentives, but we must strive to keep government at affordable levels. Again, by its very nature, the historic trend is for government to be all things to all people. That was not the intent of the founding fathers of this nation, for a bloated government not only thrives on taxes, but finds itself doing things for people that they were meant to do for themselves.

As a nation and state, we will succeed in overcoming this deep recession. It has not been one experienced before, because the world is far more complex with its internationally entwined financial markets and interaction. The economics I loved and excelled in at college is not somewhat antiquated. The world now operates on a different plane, and surely one in which we must learn to accept and lead. But the basic fact remains the same, whether it's our family budget or our state budget - we must learn to live within our means.

Questions or comments? Call me at 515-975-8608 or email dblack@black4senate.com

Prairie Gas convenience store sold at sheriff sale

2010-07-23T12:18:24-05:00

By PETER HUSSMANN

Great Southern Bank purchased the former Prairie Gas convenience store near the Iowa Speedway for $599,300 at sheriff sale earlier this week.

The sale is the result of a foreclosure action brought in January by Great Southern Bank, successor of First Federal Bank, following the store's closure just before Christmas last year.

The foreclosure action was brought against David Fisher and Douglas and Jones Development, LLC, Fisher's convenience store development corporation.

In March, the court granted summary judgment to Great Southern finding a total judgment outstanding of $775,391.57, plus accruing costs, on the property located at 4300 S. 22nd Ave. E.

Fisher, who is also involved in the separate but now-stalled development of the Prairie Suites motel adjacent to the convenience store, has filed for bankruptcy, listing more than 150 creditors, including many local residents who provided capital for the convenience store and motel projects.

A dozen mechanics liens approaching nearly $600,000 in value have been filed against the motel project and its developers, HNF Development. Fisher, along with Alan Halferty, are the principals in that development group.

Officials with the Jasper County Sheriff's Office said they have received inquiries from individuals interested in the convenience store property, though Great Southern was the sole bidder at the sheriff sale.

Reporter's Notebook: 'This back and forth has got to stop'

2010-07-23T11:46:49-05:00

By PETER HUSSMANN

From outward appearances, one might think that City of Newton is gaining some traction on efforts to "fix" the Maytag Bowl. I dare say, however, that the possibility exists for the situation to slip back into the chasm that has divided the community for more than a year.

On Monday, the Newton City Council agreed to the Fred Maytag Bowl Project Committee's request to hire an engineering consultant to review the top priorities the committee had identified. City Administrator Tom Wardlow was tasked with soliciting bids for the work and if it came in under $7,500 (his spending authority) directly hire the consultant. If not, the action would have to be brought to the council for approval.

Newton Parks Director Denny Slings and Public Works Director Keith Laube were directed to create a request for proposal document to identify the issues they want the engineering consultant to address. In addition, and here's the rub, project committee chair Eveyln George and committee member Maxine Udelhoven, representing Newton's historic preservation committee, were allowed to provide input on the hiring of the engineering consultant and the details they want the engineer to explore.

Sounds OK on the surface. Have a professional look at the facility, give some ideas on what is possible and the cost of addressing the committee's top priorities, and present the plan to the bowl project committee and eventually the city council for consideration.

Now back to the rub.

Supporters of the Save the Bowl group, local residents adamant in their opposition to the Restore the Pride's previous $2.5 million proposal to renovate the Maytag Bowl facility into a modern entertainment venue, are seething because they were left out of the loop when it comes to providing input on what the consultant might initially consider as a plan is developed.

During the discussion, it was suggested that George - who previously lead the Restore the Pride effort - be allowed to provide input as the project committee chair. That lead council member Jim Plumb, fully aware of the divide between the two camps, to suggest that Joyce Moen also be allowed to provide initial project input as a project committee member part of the Save the Bowl camp.

Sounds fair, the council members appeared to agree (and likely thought they were consenting to). But then, from the back of the council chambers, Udelhoven's name was suggested and it was she, not Moen, who was allowed to help guide the initial discussion.

Save the Bowl supporters say what transpired Monday helps prove their contention that they've been short-shifted in the whole process. And they say that Mayor Allen's decision to cut Moen off ("This conversation is over. This back and forth has got to stop.") at Monday's meeting as she attempted to explain her claim the Restore the Pride group has held a dominant position on the project committee shows that maybe the Mayor should recuse himself from leading discusson on the matter going forward. (He was, they note, involved in a fund-raising effort on behalf of Restore the Pride.)

It's funny what can stir the passions of a community. A school board election provides no contested races and only about 1 percent voter turnout. How best to go about "fixing" the Maytag Bowl pits community member against community member.

I have a suggestion. Maybe the city council could just take it from here. A priority list has been developed, an architectural engineer is going to help put together a proposal and the council is going to have to make the final decision in the end. Sorry guys, but that's why you get paid the big bucks. It's your responsibility to lead.

And though the Mayor may not have handled Monday's meeting as best he could, he's right about one thing. "This back and forth has got to stop."