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SPORTS, page 7A
DOT broadens discussion on revenue sources By JAKE WADDINGHAM
CNA staff reporter jwaddingham@crestonnews.com
The Iowa Department of Transportation is widening the discussion of options to increase revenue for construction projects by suggesting a bump in new registrations for vehicles from 5 percent to 6 percent. This option is one of nine laid out by the Iowa DOT to encourage Iowa Legislature to consider a variety of options instead of focusing on raising the gas tax.
“This isn’t a recommendation and it’s not a legislative proposal,” said Iowa DOT Division Director of Planning, Programming and Modal Stuart Anderson. “The sole focus has been on gas tax. We want to look at other options as well as have a dialogue about it.” Iowans paid about $300.6 million to register new and used vehicles with the 5 percent fee. The increase to 6 percent would generate an estimated $60 million for road construction projects — the most effective of the nine plans suggested by the Iowa DOT.
M&M Motors’ Jack Davis understands the need to find increases for revenue, but worries the money won’t go to projects for all Iowans to see. “You never know what effect it might have (on sales),” Davis said. “If we have these increases, does the money go where they said it’s going to go or does it just go for raises.” Iowa has about 9,400 miles of road in the DOT system and about 4,000 bridges. Projects are programmed over five-year periods, so Stuart Anderson said it is dif-
ficult to say exactly where the next projects will take place. Rick Benson of Creston Automotive didn’t think it would impact sales, Benson but shared Davis’ concern and would like to see cuts in government spending to increase revenue instead of increasing fees. The Iowa Automotive Dealers Association’s 13-member board
is against the Iowa DOT’s suggestion for the fee hike. The association represents about 400 dealers, including M&M Motors, Creston Automotive and Stalker’s Chevrolet. “We are good-roads people and have always been a part of that coalition,” said the association’s President Bruce Anderson. “You have to have infrastructure to run on.” But Bruce Anderson said the Please see REVENUE, Page 2
HOLIDAY CHEER
More than 25 floats participate in the lighted Christmas parade Thursday evening in uptown Creston despite frigid, single-digit temperatures. Santa visits the depot and parade-watchers sip coffee and hot chocolate. See photos below. ■
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CNA photo by JAKE WADDINGHAM
More than 40 people braved the cold Thursday evening for a short candlelight vigil in the Creston Livestock Auction parking lot in memory of T.J. and Nathan Frey, who died in a drowning accident near Creston Nov. 30.
Merry Christmas:
Mandela’s legacy is love, forgiveness and reconciliation
CNA photo by KYLE WILSON
Santa and helpers Becky Cormeny and Angie Swedlund of Fansteel/Wellman Dynamics stroll down Adams Street during the lighted Christmas parade Thursday evening. Ellen Gerharz, Chamber of Commerce executive director, said more than 25 floats participated in the parade.
JOHANNESBURG (MCT) — Poverty would not entrap him, the vile system of apartheid could not destroy him and the bars of a jail cell were never able to imprison his awesome spirit and amazing mind. And although he has succumbed to death, not even the grave can entomb that extraordinary passion he had for his fellow citizens of South Africa and, indeed, all of humanity. Nelson Mandela, throughout his long, productive and inspiring life, refused to yield to hatred and racism, even though those evil forces were constantly unleashed against him. Despite his travails, Mandela he had a burning love for a country whose oppressive government showed no love or respect toward him — and millions of others who looked like him — for most of his life. The freedom fighter, a symbol of humankind’s resistance to tyranny and a Nobel Peace Prize winner, died Thursday at his home outside Johannesburg at the age of 95, surrounded by loved ones, while millions across his native land prayed not so much for a recovery but a “peaceful transition.” South African President Jacob Zuma said on hearing the news of Mandela’s death, “Our nation has lost its greatest son. Our people have lost their father.”
CNA photos by STEPHANI FINLEY and SARAH BROWN
By design:
Above, Suzanne and Skip Carlson of Afton scan the quilts at Quilts and Other Notions annual quilt show Thursday night before the lighted Christmas parade. Left, Evy Marlyn, 7, of Creston visits with Santa Claus at Creston’s Restored Depot Thursday to tell him what she’d like for Christmas.
Shoveling along: From
left, shovel brigade members include Mary Jo Borcherding, Barb Coenen, Lori Beck, Dee Buck, Teresa Pendegraft and Kay Ritter. This is the 10th consecutive year the shovel brigade — coordinated by the Chamber of Commerce — has marched through the lighted Christmas parade in Creston. CNA photo by KYLE WILSON
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Volume 130 No. 126 Copyright 2013
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Contents
Classified . . . . . . . . . . . 10-11 Comics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Community . . . . . . . . . 2B-3B Crossword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Deaths. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Heloise Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Local . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-10
Weekend weather High 19 Low 11 Full weather report, 3A