Update from September 10, 2007

Dear Friends,

I’d like your help with four matters related to education.

1. VOTE IN TOMORROW’S SCHOOL ELECTION

Tomorrow, September 11, every registered voter in Iowa can make a difference in the quality of our kids’ education.  It’s an embarrassment that only about 5% - 10% of registered voters even bother to vote in school elections.  Help change that, and encourage others to vote as well.

2. IF YOU LIVE IN DES MOINES, VOTE FOR PAUL KNUPP

In Des Moines, you get to vote for two candidates tomorrow.  It’d be great if you’d cast one of those two votes for Paul Knupp.  I’ve known Paul for years and think very highly of him.  Here’s a link to a recent Des Moines Register article telling you more about where he stands and why he’s running:  http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070905/NEWS02/709050375/1001/NEWS.  

3. SCHOOL ELECTIONS CAN ALSO BE ABOUT HISTORIC PRESERVATION

My hat’s off to the vigilant citizens of Decorah, who discovered a way that we, the people, can have the final say over whether or not historic school buildings are preserved.  (I’m kicking myself for not thinking of this when the Des Moines school board went on a demo-rampage a few years back.) Section 278.1(2) of the Iowa Code says that “voters at the regular {school}election shall have power to . . . {d}irect the sale, lease, or other disposition of any schoolhouse or site or other property belonging to the {school district}”.

If you’ve got an historic school building in your community that is in danger of being torn down, you might consider getting it on the ballot next year.  For a citizen perspective on the upcoming vote in Decorah, see a posting by Kevin Lee in Decorah News at  http://www.decorahnews.com/cgi-bin/csvsearch.pl?mydatabase=db3&mytemplate=tp7&StoryID=25&records=1.

4. WHAT TO DO ABOUT THE COST OF HIGHER EDUCATION?

Over the past twenty years, the cost of enrollment at an Iowa college or university has risen 200%.  The typical Iowa college student now graduates with debt of between $25,000 and $30,000.  Not only does this make the dream of a college education harder to reach, but it presents a range of other far-reaching consequences.  A lot of young people take jobs that merely pay the bills instead of working in the field that actually interests them.  Some work second jobs, delay buying a home or even live with their parents in order to make ends meet while paying down their debt.

I’d like to put together a set of recommendations as to what can be done about this problem, and I’d like to begin by inviting you to share YOUR thoughts and ideas.  Write to me, and later this fall, I’ll share a summary of your collective input and wisdom with as broad an audience as possible. Thanks!

Oh, and one more thing:  ACTIVIST POSITION AVAILABLE.  Iowans for Sensible Priorities is looking for a Communications

Director to work full-time through the Iowa Caucuses.  For details, visit www.SensibleIowans.org or contact peggy@sensiblepriorities.org.  The deadline for applications is September 14.

Thanks for reading, and I look forward to hearing back from you about the cost of higher education.

Ed Fallon


UPCOMING EVENTS WE’RE INVOLVED WITH

Wednesday, September 12 (Waterloo)

City Development Board meeting to discuss annexation related to the proposed coal plant
Waterloo Center for the Arts, Schoitz Room, 225 Commercial Street, Waterloo
Contact Renata at rudsack@mchsi.com


Thursday, September 13 (Corydon)

Wayne County Democratic Party Fundraiser
Walden Park Community Building, Corydon, 7:00 p.m.
Ed to speak on behalf of John Edwards
Contact Chris or Pat at (515) 288-0766


Thursday, September 13 (Iowa City)

“Inconvenient Jokes:  Hot Humor for a Hot Planet”
Organized by Iowa Physicians for Social Responsibility
Hancher Auditorium, Iowa City, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $10 for students, $20 general admission
Visit www.iowa-psr.org


Friday, September 14 – Sunday, September 16 (Iowa City)

Health Consequences of Global Warming conference
Organized by Iowa Physicians for Social Responsibility
Hotel Vetro Conference Center, 201 S. Linn Street, Iowa City
Contact Maureen at (319) 828-4789 or www.iowa-psr.org

Sunday, September 16 (Indianola)

Thirtieth Annual Harkin Steak Fry
Indianola Balloon Field on Highway 92 east of Indianola
Featuring presidential candidates Biden, Clinton, Dodd, Edwards, Obama and Richardson
Tickets are $30 in advance, $35 at the event
Visit http://www.tomharkin.com/


Thursday, September 20 (Hampton)

House Party to discuss John Edwards’ campaign and watch the AARP Forum
Featuring Ed Fallon and Lynn Heuss
At the home of Jan and Berry Johnson, 207 Spring Creek Lane, Hampton
6:00 – 7:00 – Discussion of John Edwards campaign for president
7:00 – 8:30 – Watch the AARP Forum, followed by informal discussion
Contact us at (515) 201-9405


Thursday, September 20 (Davenport, and live statewide on Iowa Public Television)

AARP Democratic Presidential Forum
Alder Theatre, 136 E. 3rd Street, Davenport
Watch the forum live on Iowa Public Television at 7:00 p.m.
Contact Jennifer Glover Konfrist with IPTV at (515) 242-3146


Saturday, September 22 (Waterloo-Cedar Falls-Waverly)

Green Bike Tour, 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
8:00 – Start at Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo, or . . .
10:00 – Start at Center for Energy and Environmental Education, UNI campus
Bike to Wartburg College in Waverly
Organized by the Iowa Policy Project
Contact Kristi at klohmeier@iowapolicyproject.org


Saturday, September 22 (Des Moines)

Des Moines Peace Fair
Featuring entertainment, information, kids activities and more
Court Avenue Bridge in downtown Des Moines, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Contact Kathleen at (515) 274-4851 (x22)


Wednesday, October 3 (Storm Lake)

Iowans Talk Back on Climate Change
Dows Conference Center, Buena Vista University, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Organized by the Iowa United Nations Association
Contact Katy at (319) 337-7290


Friday, October 19 (Des Moines)

Polk County Democrats Fall Dinner and Auction
125 N Broadway, Des Moines, 6:00 p.m.
Tickets are $25
Contact Tamyra at (515) 285-1800