The Pioneer Enterprise
2
Thursday, March 3, 2015
NATIONALS
THE
PIONEER
ENTERPRISE
LEGISLATORS earlier, she said cuts were more common, and there was “too much time fighting” on the issue, but that there was an opportunity to improve things. “I’m fairly optimistic we’re getting close to figuring this out,” she said. Questions surfaced about Gov. Terry Branstad’s January proposal to direct some SAVE funds, meant for school infrastructure, towards water quality projects. SAVE expires in 2029, and his plan would extend it, with some money going towards the projects related to farm runoff pollution. “If we just continued it, there would be two intentions,” Upmeyer said. “Building schools, and property tax relief.” She said the proposed bill is not well outlined. “It’s really hard to approve something like that without a plan,” she said. An audience member brought up related issues of Hampton’s new wastewater treatment facility and recent heightened levels of radium in
the water supply. “It’s all really in flux right now,” Upmeyer said. “And I don’t think anything is going to happen real quick.” A conversation about eminent domain abuse surfaced, with an audience member saying that foreign companies are indirectly taking private property, and that the practice doesn’t fit with eminent domain’s intended purpose. “That purpose should be pretty narrow,” Upmeyer said. “So we push back pretty hard when big companies come try to bully their way in.” She suggested people talk further with U.S. Rep. Steve King (R-IA) about that issue. In Medicaid privatization talks, Ragan said the focus is on providing care and making sure that people are being treated fairly after the federally approved April 1 start date. Upmeyer said that Medicaid wasn’t perfect before the talks of privatization, and Ragan added that the system is so big, it might never be.
have access to the MCO’s financial records to make sure that Medicaid funds are being used properly. “We’re talking about a $4.2 billion budget and they will have 10 to 12 percent for administration,” said Sen. Amanda Ragan, D-Mason City, during a public meeting in Hampton on Friday. “We’re talking about taxpayer money and we need to make sure that it’s money well spent.” On the Republican side of things, the House of Representatives is waiting for the Senate’s oversight bill before they take action. House Majority Leader Linda Upmeyer, R-Clear Lake, expressed similar concerns about oversight during the Friday meeting, but defended the new program, noting that the state run system wasn’t without its own faults. “It wasn’t a perfect system before, I would argue,” said Upmeyer. “Could we have done something different or better? Maybe, but there was nothing out there. Nobody had a proposal. The governor presented this and there wasn’t an alternative.” Iowa’s 560,000 Medicaid recipients were already divided among the MCOs last year. Their services will automatically be transferred over to the MCOs on April 1.
West Fork elementary classes to present “The Principal and the Pea”
lage, Leader Dogs for the Blind and a program that provides glasses and hearing aids to those who need them. Community groups were also given a platform to raise money at the pull last year, when the Lions decided all of the vendors would be nonprofits. Girl Scouts supplied breakfast Saturday for the pullers and their guests. Boy scouts sold popcorn.
Professional tractor pullers converged on the Rockwell Chamber Acres in July 2015 for the pull, hosted by the Rockwell Lions Club. KELLY MCGOWAN PHOTO
choose a new principal. Of course, the students find the perfect fit, “a grown-up who cannot stand peas,” only to find out that their new principal is a fan of … Brussels sprouts! The elementary students are looking forward to presenting a fun-filled evening with this entertaining, side-splitting musical that’s sure to peas, er, please, audiences of all ages. See you there!
tasked with finding her replacement. In a January article, Jones said she would miss watching her “library kids” grow and learn. “I am just excited to get to know new people,” Price said. “[Jones] is sad to be leaving, and I know the community has really embraced her as director. “The city council just thinks she’s done a wonderful job and they really value her in the community. I’m just excited to get in there and hopefully be embraced as she was.” As director in Meservey and now Swaledale, she has been working hard to attract patrons to the library’s monthly programs. “It’s really fun to think about new creative ways that get people in the door,” she said. Past events have included varied crafts and snacks, and participation has increased since last year. She also hopes to make people
aware of other library programs and services. People know about the library’s free movie rentals and Wi-Fi, but there are other services that Price said are underused, like that they can bring books to elderly or homebound people. “We’re willing to work with them,” she said. “If they tell us what kind of books they like to read, I would drive right on over, bring a box of books and let them choose. I would love it if more people took advantage of that.” Price reads all the time, and doesn’t go anywhere without a book. She especially likes memoirs and biographies, but likes to read everything, including children’s books. Her favorite one is “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane.” “I read it and I just sobbed,” she said. When she gets her monthly shipment of new books, she hauls them
home to read. “My husband’s like ‘Why are you reading kids’ books?’” She says she’s a librarian –it’s part of the job. “Sometimes they’re even better than adult books, I think,” she said. Libraries now are different than they were when Price was growing up. “It’s harder to get people in libraries now,” she said. “The focus now is on technology, rather than the books.” But it’s important for libraries to keep up with technology too, she said, and her husband, Jared Price, serves as the IT person in Meservey, offering ideas to keep the technology current. “My goal as a librarian is to get the books into the kids’ hands,” she said. “That’s all I did when I was a kid, and I think I’ve benefitted a lot from reading a lot.”
Lime Creek to host “Remarkable Reptiles” program A special spring break presentation, The Remarkable Reptiles, will be held on March 16 at 1 p.m., at the Lime Creek Nature Center. Reptile expert Jim Gerholdt will present this program using a variety of artifacts and live reptiles. Gerholdt has been presenting reptile programs since 1985, and is the author of 32 children’s books on
reptiles. His photos of reptiles, amphibians, insects and spiders have appeared in numerous magazines. For 26 years, he taught classes on reptiles and amphibians at the Science Museum of Minnesota. Gerholdt is a founding member of the Minnesota Herpetological Society, and has aided the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in field
studies with the timber rattlesnake and other species. This exciting and educational program is sponsored by the Clear Lake Jaycees. It is free but registration is required. Please call 423-5309 to register or for more information. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Free MacNider movie series continues with “The Visitor” The Charles H. MacNider Art Museum’s 2016 Winter Film Series, “Films in February, Movies in March,” continues on Saturday, March 5 at 2 p.m., with “The Visitor.” Admission to all films is free and open to the public. Popcorn will be provided. “The Visitor” tells the story of a lonesome widower and college economics professor who finds his mundane existence suddenly shaken when he befriends a pair of illegal immigrants, one of whom has recently been threatened with deportation by U.S. immigration authorities. In an effort to fill the empty void that his life has become, 62-year-old
Walter Vale makes a half-hearted attempt to learn to play classical piano. Later, when his college sends him to a conference in Manhattan, he is surprised to discover that a young couple has moved into his seldomused apartment in the city. Tarek and his Senegalese girlfriend Zainab have fallen victims to an elaborate real-estate scam, and as a result they no longer have a place to call home. When Walter reluctantly allows the couple to remain in his apartment, talented musician Tarek insists on repaying his host’s kindness by teaching him to play the African drum. Over the course of Walter’s lessons, the ageing academ-
Official Newspaper for Cerro Gordo County City of Rockwell City of Thornton City of Meservey City of Swaledale West Fork School District Member of Iowa Newspaper Assn. National Newspaper Assn. A Division of Mid-America Publishing Corp. P.O. Box 29 Hampton IA 50441 Ryan Harvey, President and CEO
ic finds his spirits revitalized while gaining a newfound appreciation for New York jazz clubs and Central Park drum circles. “The Visitor” (2008) is rated PG-13 and is 104 minutes long. The movie is being sponsored by Bob and Carrie Berg. For more information about the film series or for a complete list of films with descriptions, please visit www.macniderart.org (Events & Programs) or call (641) 421-3666. The Charles H. MacNider Art Museum is located at 303 Second St. SE in Mason City.
The Pioneer Enterprise is published weekly at 314 Main St. E., Rockwell, IA by Mid-America Publishing Corp. and Periodicals Postage paid at Rockwell, IA 50469. Postmaster: Send address changes to: The Pioneer Enterprise, P.O. Box 203, Rockwell, IA. 50469 USPS #505640 7KH 3LRQHHU (QWHUSULVH 7KH 3LRQHHU (QWHUSULVH
7KH 3LRQHHU (QWHUSULVH 7KH 3LRQHHU (QWHUSULVH
West Fork kindergarten and first grade classes will present the mini musical “The Principal and the Pea” tonight at the Sheffield campus south gym at 7 p.m. Taking its inspiration from the classic Hans Christian Anderson tale, “The Princess and the Pea,” the kids in this musical, wondering why they’re never asked what they think or what they want, devise the perfect plan when the teachers cannot
Club estimated last year that they’d donated $881,772 to the Rockwell community over the past 15 years. Their donations have gone towards the Rockwell swimming pool, EMT, fire department, Chamber of Commerce, tennis courts, library, schools, athletic fields, the nursing home and other local causes. They also donate to state and national projects including Opportunity Vil-
LIBRARY
MEDICAID ing concerns about dismantling the state’s currently existing case management system in favor of putting Iowa’s Medicaid population in the hands of for-profit organizations. Earlier this month the Senate passed a bill that would scrap the privatized Medicaid program and restore the state-run system of administration, however, with the governor’s plan gaining federal approval, there’s little chance of the bill going anywhere in the Republican controlled House of Representatives. Instead, the Senate is focusing on an oversight bill to regulate and supervise the MCOs. Oversight of the MCOs has been an area of concern, as there are fears that the for-profit companies will act in the interest of their bottom line at the expense of Medicaid recipients and service providers. The lack of conf lict-free case management has been a big concern for critics, noting that the case managers tasked with providing Medicaid services will be employed by companies with a financial incentive to pay for as few services as possible. Repayments for service providers are another area of concern. The Senate is pushing to make sure that state controlled ombudsmen will
Prep has been underway since fall for this summer’s July 8-9 event, and Jones said the committee is “getting ready for another great show this year.” “I think it’s amazing the crowd it brings to our town,” he said. “And what that does to our community is amazing. I hope to see everybody out there this year.” The event is going up from the regional to grand national level this year, meaning pullers will come from all over the country, which Nuehring said will make for a more competitive show. He expects about 100 different pullers each night. “It’s going to be very exciting,” he said. “Lots of noise and lots of smoke.” Graham Tires of Mason City was the event’s main sponsor last year, and the committee is currently looking for this year’s sponsors. They will continue to have volunteers from many community organizations. “It’s a community effort,” Nuehring said. “And all the money goes back to the community in some form. It goes to a lot of good causes and it’s very exciting to host.” He said the Lions Club recently donated $20,000 to the R-S EMS new ambulance fund. The Lions
Drop box at First Security Bank & Trust, Thornton. Pick up is 5 p.m., Friday The Pioneer Enterprise (formerly the Southern County news) is a combination of the Thornton Enterprise and the Rockwell Tribune; dedicated to serving the communities of Thornton, Rockwell, Meservey, Swaledale, Dougherty, and Chapin. We reserve the right to edit any and all copy presented to our news department. We reserve the right to reject any advertising, request pre-payment and cancel at any time. Contract rates available on request. Quantity discounts available. Newsroom Editor/Photographer: Travis Fischer, 641-456-2585, ext. 129, or email t.k.fischer@hotmail.com. Use this contact for engagements, anniversaries, weddings, new arrivals, achievers, press releases, letters to the editor and other news items. Circulation & Subscriptions Deb Chaney, 1-800-558-1244, ext. 122 or email mapcirculation@iowaconnect.com, subscriptions and renewals can take up to two weeks to process, and may cause lags in service if not planned ahead. Didn’t Get Your Paper? If you do not receive your paper in Thursday’s mail, call the Poineer Enterprise at 866923-2684. Billing & Accounting Pam DeVries, 1-800-558-1244, ext. 119 or email pamdevries@iowaconnect. com Classified, Paper or Internet Advertising: Call Sandy Evans at 712-490-9692 or email leaderads@qwestoffice.net Printing, Retail Lisa Flack, 641-456-2585, ext. 113, LisaFlack.MAP@gmail.com We offer complete printing for brochures, newsletters, business cards, posters, photos, clothing, specialties and more! Administration Publisher: Ryan Harvey, 515-6891151 or email ryanharvey@iowaconnect. com Composition: Sara Paulsen 641-4562585, ext. 114, sara.paulsen.map@ gmail.com News Tips The Pioneer Enterprise welcomes any and all news tips. At the office, call tollfree 1-800-558-1244 or email PioneerEnterprise@qwestoffice.net To request a photographer, please give at least a day’s notice. Deadlines Legal Notices .................. 5 p.m., Friday Classified Ads ..............1 p.m., Monday Display Ads .................1 p.m., Monday Submitted News ..........1 p.m., Monday Obituaries .................. 10 a.m., Tuesday Breaking News ...........9 a.m., Monday* Event coverage requests .......... 24 hours *This news may not be published in the current issue. The Pioneer Enterprise Staff Regular employees in order of continuous years of service: Sue O’Brien, Correspondant; Ryan Harvey, Publisher, Ad Sales; Sandy Evans, Ad Sales; Sara Paulsen, Composition; Travis Fischer, News Editor, Photographer, Kelly McGowan News Editor, Photographer.
7KH 3LRQHHU (QWHUSULVH 7KH 3LRQHHU (QWHUSULVH
Orville and Bernice Caspers will celebrate 65 years of marriage on Tuesday, March 8, 2016. You may send well wishes to PO Box 121, Swaledale, IA 50477.
Lions Club members pose for a photo with a framed aerial photo of the 2015 North Iowa National tractor pull in Rockwell, which was named regional pull of the year by the National Tractor Pullers Association. From left: Travis Steenhard, Bill Nuehring, Brad Jones, Todd Robeoltman, Tim Nuehring. SUBMITTED PHOTO.
7KH 3LRQHHU (QWHUSULVH 7KH 3LRQHHU (QWHUSULVH
Caspers Celebrate 65th Anniversary
1-800-558-1244 toll-free 641-923-2685 fax www.pioneerenterprise.com PioneerEnterprise@qwestoffice.net Mailing Address: P.O Box 203 Rockwell, IA 50469 Office Location: 314 Main St. E Rockwell, IA