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.