Democrats: 'No comment' on terrorists' endorsement

Democrats: 'No comment'on terrorists' endorsement
DNC, Clinton, Pelosi, Kennedy decline to discuss jihadists' vote of confidence
Posted: November 3, 20065:00 p.m. Eastern
By Bob Unruh© 2006 WorldNetDaily.com

National leaders in the Democratic Party, including Howard Dean's Democratic National Committee, potential House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, possible presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and longtime party stalwart Ted Kennedy don't want to talk with WorldNetDaily about an endorsement their party has received.

The endorsement came via a WND article by Jerusalem bureau chief Aaron Klein, who interviewed leaders of several prominent Mideast terrorist organizations, including Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades and Islamic Jihad.

"Of course Americans should vote Democrat," Jihad Jaara, a senior member of the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades terror group, and infamous leader of the 2002 siege of Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity, told WND.

(snip)But WND was unable to get a single comment from dozens of telephone calls made over two days and messages left with various leaders' offices and press secretaries.(/snip)

Candidate under fire for ad (Hanusa)

Candidate under fire for ad
Mary Ann Hanusa, running for secretary of state, tries to tie her opponent to the CIETC salary scandal.
By BERT DALMER

REGISTER STAFF WRITER
November 3, 2006

(snip)A newspaper advertisement in the race for Iowa secretary of state has stirred controversy in the camps of both candidates, with a familiar scandal at the center of it all.

Republican Mary Ann Hanusa launched the first of a five-day ad Monday in The Des Moines Register that makes a thinly veiled reference to her Democratic opponent, Michael Mauro, and CIETC, the disgraced public job-training agency whose top executives collected hundreds of thousands of dollars in bonuses.

The cartoon-style ad portrays the thoughts of a voter who recalls the Mauro name in association with CIETC.(/snip)

Baudler Calls on O'Brien to Explain Animal Cruelty Charges

Baudler Calls on O'Brien to Explain Animal Cruelty Charges

RPI: Baudler Calls on O'Brien to Explain Animal Cruelty Charges in Limited Time Before Election
11/2/2006
Contact: Rep. Clel Baudler, 641-431-3309

Greenfield, Iowa -- State Representative Clel Baudler, member of the Iowa House of Representatives Agriculture Committee, called on Denise O'Brien to explain the animal cruelty charges filed by the Cass County Sheriff in 1987 before voters go to the polls next Tuesday.

Denise O'Brien and Larry Harris are married and according to her television commercials, have farmed together for 30 years. The Cass County sheriff filed charges of intentional cruelty to animals against Larry Harris which resulted in Denise O'Brien and Larry Harris paying restitution to resolve the charges.

According to the complaint, the Iowa Department of Agriculture contacted the sheriff's office concerning “starving cattle” owned by Larry Harris. The Sheriff writes: “The cattle were very thin and had only water to consume. It was evident from imprints and hair on the ground that there were three dead cattle which had been removed. We took pictures of all of the cattle and in my opinion, as well as the opinion of Norm Rasmussen [Dept of Agriculture], the cattle had been seriously injured and a few had possibly died from the lack of adequate care.”

“Before Denise O'Brien is put in charge of all Iowa livestock, she should first explain why she and her husband failed to take care of the livestock they had in their care,” said Baudler.

The check to resolve the issue carries the names of Denise O'Brien and Larry Harris. Its made out in the amount of $319.45 of which $250 was a donation to the local animal shelter.

While O'Brien's husband, Larry Harris, is the named defendant in the criminal complaint, O'Brien has claimed in her political advertising that the two of them have farmed together for thirty years.

“If Denise was farming with her husband, then she had must have known about the cattle in their care dying of starvation. She owes the state an explanation about these charges and why she would allow this to happen,” said Baudler.

O'Brien's website, http://www.deniseobrien.com claims: “Denise understands the challenges and rewards of Iowa agriculture firsthand. She and her husband Larry Harris have operated a family farm near Atlantic, Iowa since 1976 where they milked cows until 1995. ”See the complaint and cancelled check

Terror Leaders: "Of course Americans should vote Democrat"

"Of course Americans should vote Democrat"

Mideast terror leaders to U.S.: Vote Democrat
Withdrawal from Iraq would embolden jihadists to destroy Israel, America
Posted: November 2, 20069:27 a.m. Eastern
By Aaron Klein© 2006 WorldNetDaily.com


JERUSALEM – Everybody has an opinion about next Tuesday's midterm congressional election in the U.S. – including senior terrorist leaders interviewed by WND who say they hope Americans sweep the Democrats into power because of the party's position on withdrawing from Iraq, a move, as they see it, that ensures victory for the worldwide Islamic resistance.

The terrorists told WorldNetDaily an electoral win for the Democrats would prove to them Americans are "tired."

They rejected statements from some prominent Democrats in the U.S. that a withdrawal from Iraq would end the insurgency, explaining an evacuation would prove resistance works and would compel jihadists to continue fighting until America is destroyed.

They said a withdrawal would also embolden their own terror groups to enhance "resistance" against Israel.

"Of course Americans should vote Democrat," Jihad Jaara, a senior member of the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades terror group and the infamous leader of the 2002 siege of Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity, told WND.

MUST READ!!!...

Register Reader Opinion: Even a weak nod too much

Even a weak nod too much
November 1, 2006

The Register's weak nod for Ako Abdul-Samad for House District 66 Oct. 27 made no sense to me ("Abdul-Samad Gets Weak Nod"). You are critical of the other candidates for getting into the race late because of Abdul-Samad's perceived problems, as if that is unfair. Does that mean that after a certain time has passed, a candidate has a free pass? I don't think so.

I would have thought that just based on all the questions surrounding various state and local agencies' use of funds, Abdul-Samad, who is deeply involved with them, and who has had questions raised about his oversight ability, does not deserve an endorsement of any kind.

- Jerry Cope,
Des Moines.

Abdul-Samad gets weak nod

Abdul-Samad gets weak nod
REGISTER EDITORIAL BOARD
October 27, 2006

(snip)Sometimes none of the candidates in a race seems to deserve election, and that's the case this year in House District 66, in the heart of Des Moines.

But voters have to make a choice, so we will, too: We recommend Ako Abdul-Samad, a Des Moines school board member and founder and CEO of Creative Visions, a nonprofit social-services agency. The seat is open because of Ed Fallon's unsuccessful campaign for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination.

It's hard, though, to have confidence that Abdul-Samad, a Democrat, will be a watchdog for the public's interests. Abdul-Samad resigned from the board of the Central Iowa Employment and Training Consortium this spring after a state audit exposed excessive salaries. A federal investigation is under way. Perhaps even more stunning, it was revealed that CIETC had shorted his own agency nearly $180,000, yet Abdul-Samad was unaware of it.

The problem is the three other candidates seeking the seat seem to know little about the issues, especially education.(/snip)

Republican collects more cash than rival

Republican collects more cash than rival
A local activist calls Jack Whitver's success over the past 5 months positive, but race favorite Ako Abdul- Samad downplays the feat.
By LYNN CAMPBELL
REGISTER STAFF WRITER
October 22, 2006

(snip)A young Republican candidate seeking a legislative seat in the heart of Des Moines mustered more donations over the past five months than the Democratic favorite, campaign finance records show.

Republican Jack Whitver, 26, a businessman and former Iowa State University football player, collected $6,285 between May 19 and Oct. 19, while Democrat Ako Abdul-Samad, 55, raised $5,010 during the same time period.

The candidates are vying to represent Iowa House District 66, which includes downtown, Sherman Hill, King-Irving Park, River Bend, Capitol Park and some of the south side.(/snip)

Four House District 66 Hopefuls Debate Issues

Four House District 66 Hopefuls Debate Issues
Candidates Discuss Gay Marriage, Homelessness

Four candidates want to replace longtime State Rep. Ed Fallon in House District 66.

That's an area that includes downtown Des Moines and several surrounding neighborhoods. The downtown house district is overwhelmingly Democratic and has been for years.

Besides the traditional Democratic and Republican challengers, independent and Libertarian candidates joined in Tuesday's forum on J. Michael McKoy's radio program on WOW-FM.

All the candidates said they are against gay marriage, that they do not in support bringing back the Touchplay machines, and they agreed crime, drugs, prostitution and homelessness are some of the key issues in the district.

So how would they fix the problems?

"My (plan) would be one of using a special forum that already exists and find out what we can do about the problem," said independent candidate Jeff Johannsen.

"The current system that addresses addiction is not working. We need to have better treatment programs instead of incarceration," said Republican candidate Jack Whitver.

"We need to fund those treatment centers. We have to have jobs and job training," said Democratic candidate Ako Abdul-Samad.

"We can look to other districts and other bigger cities to see what they are doing to end homelessness," said Libertarian candidate Brett Blanchfield.

Hot buttons hit in District 66 forum

Hot buttons hit in District 66 forum
Candidates offer their prescriptions for area's social ills
By LYNN CAMPBELL
REGISTER STAFF WRITER
October 18, 2006

Forget political correctness.

Radio talk show host J. Michael McKoy on Tuesday steered the four candidates for Iowa House District 66 in Des Moines through a frank discussion of hot-button issues ranging from prostitution to gay marriage to illegal immigration to TouchPlay.

"Everyone knows that District 66 is a pit of drugs, prostitution and homeless people," McKoy said during a three-hour candidate forum on the talk show "Mac's World" on 98.3 KWQW-FM.

Democrat Ako Abdul-Samad, 55; Libertarian Brett Blanchfield, 31; independent Jeff Johannsen, 44, and Republican Jack Whitver, 26, are vying to represent the district in the heart of Des Moines. The seat is open due to Rep. Ed Fallon's unsuccessful bid for the Democratic nomination for governor.

The candidates acknowledged problems in the district and called for more drug treatment, job training, education and neighborhood collaboration to tackle problems. Highlights of Tuesday's forum included:

- Gay marriage: Only Blanchfield said he would support gay marriage. He said government does not have a right to be the one to "split hairs" between same-sex marriages and civil unions, or to tell churches which couples should be recognized. "The state should not get involved with that," he said.

- Cigarette tax: Only Whitver said he would increase the state's cigarette tax. He expressed frustration at House Speaker Christopher Rants blocking the effort earlier this year. "That tax had a wide amount of support," he said. The other three candidates said they do not support raising taxes.

- CIETC: Blanchfield questioned Abdul-Samad's ability to oversee taxpayer spending. Abdul-Samad is a former board member of the Central Iowa Employment and Training Consortium, which is under investigation for using taxpayer money to pay excessive salaries. He's also founder of Creative Visions, which was recently audited but cleared of wrongdoing. "Creative Visions has been exonerated," Abdul-Samad said. "As for CIETC, I am not being accused of mismanaging any money."

- Homeless shelter: Although it's not an issue for the Legislature, none of the candidates favored moving the Churches United homeless shelter to the proposed location south of Interstate Highway 235 and east of Keo Way. Blanchfield called the move "irresponsible," while Abdul-Samad said it was too close to children in the Homes of Oakridge.

- TouchPlay: All candidates voiced opposition to TouchPlay, the Iowa Lottery devices that looked like slot machines and were banned by the Legislature this year. Only Johannsen indicated a willingness to bring them back to some degree, but not in areas such as grocery stores that are frequented by children.

- Illegal immigration: Candidates voiced support for fining businesses that employ illegal immigrants. However, Johannsen, who's president of a catering and vending business and has had immigrants work for him, said government needs to do its job keeping up with the paperwork on the issue.

- Campaign finance: Whitver spoke most vehemently about not accepting money from political action committees, and said he turned down money from U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley's PAC. "It does make it tough, but it's the right thing to do," he said. Blanchfield said limiting PAC money is a slippery slope. "Money is a form of free speech," he said. "It is a limitation of free speech to say you can't send your money to this."

- Experience: Johannsen, a co-founder of the Downtown Neighborhood Association, criticized Whitver for his lack of experience and for moving into the district within the last two months. "Pay your dues," he scolded. Whitver, a businessman and former Iowa State University football player, shot back that he shouldn't be attacked for being one of the youth who chose to stay in Iowa.

- Priorities: If elected, Blanchfield said he would lower taxes and bring power away from government and back to communities. Johannsen would address poverty in the district. Whitver would address the "education crisis" by investing more in the classroom, while Abdul-Samad would remove drugs, address the homeless and put education on a level playing field.

Democrats outnumber Republicans among the district's registered voters, 54 percent to 14 percent. McKoy downplayed the importance of party affiliation in the race. "I'm not sure that the donkey and the elephant are going to matter as much as individual ideas and people who are running," he said.

House District 66 includes downtown Des Moines and areas surrounding it: Sherman Hill, King-Irving Park, River Bend, Capitol Park and some of the south side. District boundaries include 28th Street on the west, East 18th Street on the east, Jefferson Avenue on the north and Park Avenue on the south.

4 vie to win House seat in central Des Moines

4 vie to win House seat in central Des Moines
Controversies draw eyes to D.M.'s diverse District 66
By LYNN CAMPBELL
REGISTER STAFF WRITER
October 17, 2006

For years, Republicans have written off the legislative district in the heart of Des Moines that includes the city's near-north side, affectionately called "the hood" by the man currently representing the district.

Iowa House District 66 is one of the most racially diverse districts in the state. It's also a stronghold for Democrats, who outnumber Republicans in registered voters by 54 percent to 14 percent.

But this year, the seat is open after Rep. Ed Fallon made an unsuccessful bid for the Democratic nomination for governor. Democrat Ako Abdul-Samad has found himself with three opponents in the Nov. 7 election: Republican Jack Whitver, Libertarian Brett Blanchfield and independent Jeff Johannsen.

City Lifts Freeze On Creative Visions Funds

City Lifts Freeze On Creative Visions Funds

The city said that there's no evidence of wrongdoing by an agency that works to help at-risk youth.

Creative Visions, a social services agency headed by Ako Abdul-Samad, was accused of falsifying documents to help justify the agency's funding.

In August, Des Moines City Hall froze federal grant money it channels to Creative Visions for job placement and training programs after an unnamed whistle-blower leveled the charge.

This February, the city said it found, for the second time in two years, that Creative Visions' paperwork was lacking. The city also claimed that many client files were missing.

Abdul-Samad had agreed that his agency has had its paperwork problems, but he denied there were missing files.

City Manager Rick Clark said Friday that that agency's remaining $75,000 of its block grant as outlined in its approved contract have been unfrozen.

A decision about the future funding of Creative Visions beyond the current program year will be up to the City Council, a news release said.

House District 66 Reconstruction Plan - Issue #2

House District 66 Reconstruction Plan - Jack Whitver

Issue #2 - Economic Development

The commoditization of crisis has become Iowa’s chief economic development strategy. We build prisons. We build casinos. We lobby for taxpayer money to create social programs that fail to address the population intended to be served but we do enrich those employed in those industries thus creating an economy built around blight.

In the 1970s, a professor out of Northwestern published his study on how a poor neighborhood in Cook County supported multiple middle class and affluent neighborhoods in the surrounding communities. Current estimates document that we spend on average more than $80,000 per poor person in our society on services and programs created to serve them. In reality these programs serve more the people employed in them then the people the programs were intended to serve.

Recent examples highlight this. CIETC, a program designed to help people, like recent parolees, find jobs was a trough from which local corrupt officials slopped. Rock and Prevention, a youth drug prevention program saw one person take 39% of the program's budget for himself. This summer we read national reports about the Legal Services Corporation rejecting clients but spending money on $400 limousine rides and other outrageous luxuries. Finally Iowa has been ordered to reduce significantly the numbers of individuals in our state that are welfare dependent. If employment and opportunity aren’t the reasons for reducing these numbers over the next five years, governmental mandate and the elimination of benefits, with no back up plans, will be.

Regarding economic empowerment, my goal is to work to improve the wealth and success of the people of this district and to impact poverty, not just maintain it. To accomplish this, I will stress four main areas.

1. Promote Gainful Employment: Competent workers and available workers are the two major obstacles limiting business expansion and growth in this state. The level of blight and poverty in this district can be turned to opportunity because the land exists here to create new business and industry. If you go out to Urbandale or West Des Moines the land is being swallowed up. Our district, however, has the infrastructure and the capacity to absorb new and exciting opportunities. High levels of unemployment also means this district has a labor force that can be educated and trained to fulfill the labor needs of local businesses and industry. This is another reason we need effective and accountable job training programs instead of corrupt and exploitive programs like CIETC

2. Wealth Creation: Poverty maintenance is no longer good enough. Poor people in this district have supported entire neighborhoods in the Western suburbs of Polk County. An aggressive effort using programs like the Institute for Social and Economic Development must begin with the goals of creating wealth and opportunity. We must also collaborate with local churches and community groups like Citizens for Community Improvement that provide consumer education and classes on credit reparation. Residents of this community have the resources to invest whether that means in the market, a home or the ideas of their friends and families. If this were not the case rent-to-own centers, Prairie Meadows, the lottery, and local exploitation businesses like the payday loan stores and the title loan companies wouldn’t be flourishing. Instead, it is a top priority of mine to pull together collaborative efforts to help educate the residents of this district on how to create and sustain wealth despite the perception this district can’t do that.

3. Smart Spending/Smart Saving Efforts: Currently the residents of this district spend a dollar to purchase approximately 82 cents. This happens in three ways: We spend money to get money at places like the check cashing centers. We spend money to spend money because there are few amenities in this district like grocery stores and movie theaters. And we spend more money to spend money on things like higher insurance rates and rent-to-own products. Smart spending/smart saving efforts can literally result in tens of millions of dollars in resources redirected directly into the pockets and family budgets of the residents of this community. In fact, if we can get the residents of this community to spend a dollar for a dollar, it would result in the redirecting of more than $70 million into the pockets or budgets of the residents of this district.

4. Home Ownership: Home Ownership remains the American Dream. At the federal level this has been a priority but it has also been a priority of the Vilsack Administration through the Iowa Finance Authority. We must work with both governmental agencies, groups like CCI and financial institutions that have credit reparation and consumer education programs to prepare people for home ownership and then move them to home ownership in this district. Nothing will stabilize this district more than creating home owners, neighborhoods and communities with vested interests.

(Des Moines City) Council Vows More Scrutiny Before Giving to Nonprofits

NOTE: Creative Visions is one of many organizations Jack Whitver's Democratic opponent Ako Abdul Samad is associated with.

Council vows more scrutiny before giving to nonprofits
By JASON CLAYWORTH
REGISTER STAFF WRITER
October 10, 2006

"Des Moines City Council members agreed Monday to review criteria for grants and conclude investigations before they allocate more money to nonprofit groups, some of which are in the midst of scandal."

(snip)"On Monday, a citizen committee gave recommendations for how to allocate almost $5 million to services for low-income residents for next year. The recommendations included $50,000 to Creative Visions, whose allocation for the current year is suspended pending the outcome of a city review of records."(/snip)

House District 66 Contenders to Face Off

House District 66 contenders to face off

WHO:

• Democrat Ako Abdul-Samad
• (website) Citizens for Ako
• Libertarian Brett Blanchfield
• (website) District 66
• Independent Jeff Johannsen
• (no website found)
• Republican Jack Whitver
• (website) Jack Whitver Watch

WHAT:

• 3 Hour Open Discussion Forum For Candidates, House District 66

WHEN:

• Oct 17th, 1:00 - 4:00 P.M.

WHERE:

• J. Michael McKoy's "Mac's World" on 98.3 KWQW-FM

WHY:

• The seat is open due to Rep. Ed Fallon's unsuccessful bid for the Democratic nomination for governor.

HOW:

• No question list
• No Creative Visions/CIETC discussion unless audit findings releases
• "They won't use my program to bash a candidate," McKoy said.

HOUSE DISTRICT 66 bits:

• includes downtown Des Moines, Sherman Hill, King-Irving Park, River Bend, Capitol Park and some of the south side
• is one of the most racially diverse in the state
• Democrats outnumber Republicans in registered voters, 54 percent to 14 percent

House District 66 Reconstruction Plan

House District 66 Reconstruction Plan - Jack Whitver


ISSUE #1-Education

No factor contributes more to the expenditure of tax dollars in Iowa than education, or the failure to educate and prepare Iowa students. Taxpayers spend nearly five billion dollars annually on early childhood education, K-12 education, community colleges and the Regent Universities in Iowa. From federal appropriations to local option taxes, education commands broad support and vast resources. It is the single top priority of our citizenry and our state government, dwarfing all other considerations.

The failure to educate students also results in significant taxpayer investments in the criminal justice system and health and human services. Across the nation, academic failure has become such a significant predictor of lifelong failure that states now use test scores to plan prison expansion. The failure to educate students is also a major factor in the inability to secure and maintain gainful employment. As a result, significant demands are placed on our health and human services functions. In addition to the money spent directly on education, taxpayers spend approximately two billion dollars annually on these two areas.

A well educated workforce is also vital to the future of our state’s economy. If we are to keep the jobs we have in this state and attract new business and industry in an age of globalization, we must have a competitive workforce. Regarding education, my goal is to serve as a catalyst for improving academic achievement in this district. To accomplish this, I have four areas I will emphasize:

1. Parental Involvement: The first step to improving academic achievement in the district is to get parents or significant adults involved in our students’ day-to-day education. There are various reasons why students lose academic ground in middle school and high school. I believe a primary reason is parents are very involved in their students’ academic lives in elementary school but that participation falls off in middle school and virtually disappears in high school when it is needed most.

The one area, ironically, we find parents stay involved or get more involved in the lives of their children as they get older is when their children demonstrate athletic prowess. The same involvement we see from parents in supporting athletic achievement and development is the same involvement we need to see from parents in supporting academic achievement and development.

2. Investing In The Classroom: The next step to improving academic achievement in the district is investing the dollars generated by our students, on our students. This district contains some of the poorest students in the state and a high number of special education students. The dollars generated by this population is disproportionately high compared to the student bodies found in other districts. Yet the actual percentage of the dollars generated by this group of students spent on them, in the classroom, is among the lowest in the state.

Too much education money is spent on the education bureaucracy. A minimum of 90% of the money generated by students in our state should be spent at the building level and a minimum of 70% of that money should be spent directly at the classroom level.

3. Accountability: Data inconsistencies, high levels of absenteeism, and poor academic achievement are unacceptable. Too much of the conversation surrounding public education has focused on the intent and the aims and too little has focused on the accuracy of data, the delivery of services, academic achievement, graduation, and preparation for competing in a global economy.

This must change! Iowans have proven they are willing to invest in the education of their children. The education bureaucracy must be equally forthcoming in telling us the truth about our children and in producing results with the resources we provide them.

4. Lifelong Learning: The world is changing very rapidly. Outsourcing, corporate takeovers, evolving technologies, and international instabilities all contribute to an uncertain economy and an uncertain future. By stressing lifelong learning, Iowans will stay prepared for changes in the global market place. In a state our size this is vital to staying competitive.

By emphasizing lifelong learning we also equip Iowans to compete socially, recreationally and culturally. Iowans do best when they are engaged. By promoting lifelong growth, personal development and learning, Iowans will find new and creative outlets to explore themselves, their families, their communities, and their state.

We hear so much about keeping young people in Iowa. Iowa has done a lot for me. Iowa is a great place to live. Iowa is a great place to own a business, raise a family and to enjoy a high quality of life. We need to invest less in the glitz of casinos and hundred million dollar structures and invest more in our youth, recreation, culture, and family oriented activities.

Not forgotten

Not forgotten
Saturday, September 23, 2006

Iowa State players will be remembering former teammate Cris Love today. Love, a Round Rock High School graduate, died June 14 from cancer at age 24. Love, a quarterback, played in 17 games for Iowa State from 2001-04. The first start of his career came against Texas in 2003.

"Cris was a Texan to a T," former Iowa State receiver Jack Whitver was quoted as saying in a tribute to Love on the first page of the Cyclones' 2006 media guide, "from his hat to his belt buckle to his boots."

Speed and Agility

So many (athletic) choices, but one fits best
Kids who want competitive edge focus on single sport
By DAWN SAGARIO
REGISTER STAFF WRITER
September 23, 2006

Speed and agility

Geoff Jensen coaches 8- to 18-year-olds on speed, agility and jumping. The co-owner and director at Acceleration Iowa in Urbandale said he and business partner Jack Whitver thought they'd be working mostly with high school students when they opened in 2004.

CIETC Updates

Enough already: Just pay the CIETC tab
Don't add long legal battle to taxpayers' bill.
REGISTER EDITORIAL BOARD
September 22, 2006

If taxpayers' money was misspent by a Des Moines-based job-training consortium, the money should be paid back. That much is clear.What's not so clear is who should pay — the Central Iowa Employment and Training Consortium, which is alleged to have misspent the money, or the state Department of Workforce Development, which is alleged to have failed to properly oversee CIETC's handling of the job-training money.


CIETC considers changing name in wake of scandal
By CLARK KAUFFMAN
REGISTER STAFF WRITER
September 22, 2006

On Thursday, CIETC attorney Jonathan Wilson presented the agency's board of directors with a proposed new name: the Regional Workforce Investment Alliance."

Given the fact that 'CIETC' does not have a lot of residual good will, it probably would not hurt to change the name," Wilson said. "One of the names we considered was 'Regional Employment and Training Alliance.' But we didn't like 'RETA.' It sounded like a hurricane."


Petitioners want Vlassis to quit D.M. City Council
But the councilman, who left the CIETC board, says he has no plans to resign.
By JASON CLAYWORTH
REGISTER STAFF WRITER
September 22, 2006

Critics plan to deliver a petition Monday with more than 750 signatures in an effort to force Des Moines Councilman Tom Vlassis from office over his role in the CIETC pay scandal.

If Vlassis ignores the petitioners - he said Thursday he has no plans to resign - the group will ask for a council "vote of confidence" so that each member's support for Vlassis is publicly recorded.


CIETC Board Says Register's Lawsuit Lacks Merit

Leaders of a job agency said that a lawsuit filed against it by the Des Moines Register doesn't have any merit.

Board members of the Central Iowa Employment and Training Consortium met Thursday. CIETC is being investigated about high salaries and bonuses paid to executives, according to a report from the state auditor.

The Register accuses the CIETC board of violating state open meetings laws by its frequent closed-session meetings.

Somebody You Should Know: Jack Whitver

Somebody You Should Know: Jack Whitver

tim paluch

juice staff writer

(snip)Jack Whitver. If you know Iowa State football, you know that name. He's the 5 foot 10, 180-pounder who played wide receiver for some pretty solid Cyclone squads from 1999 to 2003.

And if you really know Iowa State football, you know him as the hard-working Dean's List regular who earned both an undergrad and a master's degree in four and a half years, the too-short receiver who showed up unwanted with no scholarship offer, then busted ass and earned himself a role with the first-teamers and a full ride.

Jack Whitver was an underdog then. And he's an underdog again - but in a completely different game.

This summer the 26-year-old announced his run for Iowa House seat 66, vacated by Ed Fallon. The district, one of the largest, covers the area from Forest Avenue to Wakonda Drive and Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway to the Capitol.Whitver, 26, is a Republican. More than 70 percent of the district's registered voters are Democrats. The state Republican party had all but given up on the seat.(/snip)

CIETC Still in the News and Feeling "Abused"

CIETC issue not up to Vilsack, state says

(snip)"But Wednesday, Grant Dugdale of the Iowa attorney general's office informed CIETC's lawyers that the governor's responsibility is merely to ensure that the state has administrative procedures that allow for the resolution of such disputes. Nothing in the federal rules requires that the governor "play a personal role" in resolving those disputes, Dugdale said in a letter to CIETC attorney Jonathan Wilson.

Wilson has asserted that Vilsack should personally play a role resolving the issue."(/snip)

AG's office warns CIETC against contacting governor for appeal

(snip)"The letter also warns CIETC against contacting the governor directly again: "(T)he attorney general's office represents Gov. Vilsack and his office on matters relating to CIETC," Dugdale's letter reads.

Wilson contends the appeals process should not go through the Iowa Workforce Development - the agency he blames for allowing the funds to be misspent. Wilson said giving IWD the power to enforce its own bill makes CIETC feel "abused."(/snip)

Whitver Campaign Media Release

Media Release
Re: Proposed Debate Format for House District 66
Contact: Jack Whitver – 1-515-460-3318 or Jon Narcisse 515-280-8092

Today an invitation to debate House District 66 issues was extended to Mr. Ako Abdul Samad from Jack Whitver. His campaign declined the invitation. His campaign further charged the Whitver campaign with being insensitive to Mr. Abdul Samad's family member being ill.

This was not the case. Our campaign has sent an expression of sympathy to Mr. Abdul Samad. It is important to note, however, that Mr. Abdul Samad has not suspended his campaign operation nor did he postpone plans to be recognized at tonight's school board meeting.

Jack Whitver was scheduled to walk House District 66 this morning including Mr. Abdul Samad's precinct. As a courtesy he informed Mr. Abdul Samad of his intention to deliver an invitation to debate. Upon learning of Mr. Abdul Samad's sick relative he shared he could leave the request with a campaign staffer or at Mr. Abdul Samad's house in the door.

The reaction from Mr. Abdul Samad's campaign was unfair, unwarranted and a tragic performance to divert attention from the primary point - debating the issues.

Mr. Abdul Samad's campaign manager could have simply accepted the invitation and closed the door. Mr. Abdul Samad could have done the same. Instead he utilized a formula that has become his standard response to requests for answers this summer - he played the victim.

Throughout this campaign Jack Whitver has been offered opportunity after opportunity to discuss Mr. Abdul Samad's involvement with CIETC and the scandal surrounding Creative Visions. He has declined, instead focusing on House District 66 issues. At the same time Mr. Abdul Samad has rejected numerous opportunities to publicly discuss his agenda for House District 66 including rejecting invitations extended from WOW 98.3 and WHO 1040 AM.

Prior to making our decision to deliver the invitation this morning we discovered his intentions to attend tonight's school board meeting where he was scheduled to receive recognition from Sisters on Target, the AALC and other supporters of his.

Ms. Tamra Saltzman-Moss, his publicist, also confirmed this morning his intention to attend the school board meeting, which he in fact did tonight. Mr. Abdul Samad had time to accept awards today, time to campaign today, and time to conduct other normal business today yet he became tearful when presented an invitation to debate Jack Whitver.

While we are sympathetic to family tragedy, family tragedy should not be used to further political agendas as Mr. Abdul Samad attempted to use his today.

The challenges facing this district are very important and the voters deserve to know where both candidates stand on the issues. We are therefore extending another invitation to his campaign to debate. Attached is the proposed format.

It is substantive and very fair. We await his campaign's response.

School board welcomes new member

School board welcomes new member

"In addition, members of three black leadership organizations thanked Ako Abdul-Samad for his three years of service. Abdul-Samad did not seek re-election because he is running for the Iowa Legislature."

House District 66 Debate Debate

Jack Whitver's attempts to foster debate between himself and his Democratic opponent called "political stunt".

House District 66 Debate

Candidate Calls Opponent's Move Political Stunt

House District 66 Confrontation

Ferentz: "Talk about getting ulcers"

This is a nice read, IMVHO, if you like ISU/UI football and their occasional rivalries. But, it makes me wonder about Jack contributing to any ulcers the pricey Coach Ferentz may suffer from...;)

Memorable Iowa-Iowa State quarterback moments
This year should be no exception
By Andy HamiltonIowa City Press-Citizen

(snip)Facing a third-and-11 play from the Iowa State 5-yard-line, Wallace sprinted to his left, fired back across the field to Jack Whitver for a 29-yard gain.

"That would be my snapshot moment," Ferentz said. "Talk about getting ulcers."

The Cyclones chewed up more than five minutes on the drive, kicked a field goal and went on to a 36-31 win.(/snip)

Recent Headlines Related to HD 66 Candidates

JMVHO, the first one must be one of the most creative uses of shifting the blame and declaration of victimhood. The CIETC board claims that they weren't watched closely enough by highers, so it's not really their fault they were corrupt, and that taxpayers statewide should bear the cost... things that makes one say "hmmm..."

CIETC asks Vilsack to decide who's responsible for $1.6 million in salaries (Sep 15th)

UPDATE: Vilsack says he won't make call on CIETC (Sep 16th)

CIETC talks about claim in closed session (Sep 14th)

Poll Shows Democratic Candidates Lead Races (Sep 13th)

Listen to Jack Whitver Interviews

Jan Mickelson's Mickelson in the Morning Podcast

Wednesday September 13 2006


Steve Deace, 9/4/06: Jack Whitver (running against Ako in the South Side District) spends time with Steve discussing his views on the issues

http://tinyurl.com/q63g8

WHO is Jack Whitver?

He's a Business Man:

Jack Whitver, Facility Director

Acceleration Iowa

http://www.accelerationiowa.com/index.html

Jack grew up in Grinnell, Iowa, as a four-sport athlete--football, basketball, baseball, and track. In high school Jack was a captain of the state runner-up football team, a starter for the state-qualifying basketball team, and finished third in the state 110m high hurdles.

Following high school, Jack was a three-year starter as wide receiver for the Iowa State Cyclones. He finished his eligibility ranked in the top ten in two career statistical categories-#8 in all time receiving yards and #10 in all-time receptions.

After just his first three seasons of eligibility, Jack graduated with a B.S. in Exercise Science. Jack went on to earn his Masters in Business Administration in December 2003, and was named a Verizon Academic All-American as well as first team All Big 12 Academic team twice. While at Iowa State, he helped his teams to three bowl games, the Eddie Robinson Classic, and the highest AP ranking ever in school history.

Jack's responsibilities at Acceleration Iowa will include that of Facility Director. As such, he will oversee day-to-day activities while helping athletes of all ages and ability levels improve their overall athletic ability by training them in a competitive atmosphere.

"I feel very strongly that without training on the Frappier Acceleration program, I would not have had the athletic success I did. I went from an above average high school football player, to making the team at Iowa State, earning a scholarship, and becoming a three-year starter. I truly believe this would not have been possible without the FAST program."

He's a Candidate for House-District 66

WHOtv.com's Iowa Vote:

Jack WhitverDes Moines, IA

Republican

see http://tinyurl.com/g4cbs

for About the Candidate and Main Issues

VS.

Ako Abdul-SamadDes Moines, IA

Democrat

http://tinyurl.com/j8wby or

see http://www.citizensforako.com/

for Citizens for Ako website