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Black endorses Hubbell for Dem Governor By David Dolmage Newton Daily News Retired businessman Fred Hubbell may have more than a puncher’s chance in the crowded field of democratic gubernatorial candidates now he’s got a new ally in his corner. Retired state senator Dennis Black, of Newton formally announced his support for Hubbel Wednesday, stating in a press release that “Iowa was in dire need of new lead-
Hubbell
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ership.” In a statement released by Hubbell’s campaign Hubbell thanked Black for his
endorsement, stating “I am honored to have the endorsement of Former Sen. Dennis Black, an experienced leader and public servant. I look forward to working with him to get Iowa growing, in Jasper County and around the state.” Sen. Black has long been in Hubbell’s corner, having urged him to seek the state’s highest office for years. As a former lawmaker, Black said he’s convinced Hubbell has what it takes to make Iowa
go. The fact that Hubbell is a political outsider doesn’t scare off the retired Senator, he thinks it gives him a distinct advantage over candidates in the crowded field. “He’s a new face, a non-political face, a individual that knows how to deal with people, because he’s dealt with them, you can’t help but like him,” Black said. In a statement released by his campaign Hubbell pointed out the extensive public and private experience that
Donations keep clothing closet stocked When her son Owen told her he was concerned about his friends not having clean clothes to wear to school, Megan Guldberg knew she needed to do something. Guldberg, who manages Cato’s Fashions, 315 Iowa Speedway Drive in Newton knew she wanted to do something to help. “My kiddos are in the schools, and I know my oldest son is always concerned about helping his friends,” Guldberg said. Guldberg had boxes of clothing in the back of the store, items that had been marked down to zero and could no longer be sold. For the past several years, she’s been donating the excess clothing to the Newton Community School District. The district has two clothing closets for students and their families, one at
the high school and another at Berg Middle School. The clothing closets, funded entirely by donations, are stocked with new and gently used clothing. Berg also has a food pantry that is open to every student in the district and their families on the secondnd and fourthth Wednesday of each month. Working and living in Newton Guldberg said she feels like it’s important to give back to the community in any way that she can. She was glad to learn that the donated items would be available to families as well as individual students. “That was really important to me when she told me that,” Guldberg said. “They can just go there and get what they need and not have to worry about being able to pay for it.” Michaela Gunsaulus, a success coach for seventh and eighth-grade students
By Jamee A. Pierson Newton Daily News
ilies are informed about the resources that are available is key. “I think that there’s a lot of need, and I’m not sure if the people who would benefit the most know about it,” Gunsaulus said. The food pantry at Berg, now entering its second year, began when Gunsaulus left her position at Aurora Heights Elementary and started teaching at Berg Middle School. At Aurora Heights, she had students who participated in the Backpack Buddies program, which is offered at all four of Newton’s elementary schools. The program, which gives children in need a boost by offering extra snacks only runs until the end of elementary school. “The need was still there, but they were too old, they’d aged out,” Gunsaulus said. She contacted the Food Bank of Iowa, and they agreed to help out, stocking the shelves of the food pantry at Berg. Most of the food that Gunsaulus receives at the food bank is a mixture of canned and dry goods, and she said she’s always on the lookout for more donors. “We always need socks and hygiene products, and meat is hard for me to get,” Gunsaulus said.
Four new grant funded positions were approved for the Jasper County Health Department by the Jasper County Board of Supervisors of Tuesday. An emergency preparedness grant writer for the department and three part-time Parents as Teachers Pryor home visitors positions will look to be filled to serve the citizens of Jasper County. “Both of these are new positions that are being funded 100 percent by grants,” human resources director Dennis Simon said. The emergency preparedness grant coordinator position was created for the six county emergency preparedness coalition, which is now called 1B. Because it is a grant position, there are a number of check list items the person must accomplish including building the coalition, bringing partners together and doing exercises and drills for emergency preparedness for the counties. The initial grant cycle is five years with the county receiving $116,000 to fund the position. Supervisor Doug Cupples questioned if the funding completely covers the position or if there would be any costs for the county. “We received grant funding up to $116,000 to fund the position covering all salary and benefits,” JCHD Administrator Becky Pryor said. The position looks to continue work that is already underway by the Jasper County Emergency Preparedness Coalition. “We saw the opportunity with the partnerships and the momentum that was created from our original single county coalition and saw it an opportunity to continue to enhance what the citizens of Jasper County are getting,” emergency
PANTRY | 3A
JCHD | 3A
David Dolmage/Daily News Megan Guldberg, the manager at Cato Fashions, boxes up items to be donated to the clothing closet at Berg Middle School in Newton.
at Berg said these programs are in existence to fill a critical need for students and their families. However, making sure students and their fam-
David Dolmage/Daily News Michaela Gunsaulus, the success coach for seventh and eighth-graders at Berg Middle School stands in the middle of the school’s food pantry. Gunsaulus manages the food pantry program.
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HUBBELL | 3A
JCHD adding four new positions
A donation from Cato Fashions will keep the shelves full at Berg By David Dolmage Newton Daily News
he brings to the table, promising to fix the problems plaguing the state. “[Politicians] have consistently underfunded education, jeopardized Iowans’ health and allowed incomes to stagnate, all while failing to protect Iowa’s precious natural resources and ensure clean water,” said Hubbell. On his website, www.fredhubbell.com Hubbell lays out his vision for Iowa.
Comics & Puzzles...........6A Dear Abby........................6A Local Sports......................1B
Obituaries.......................5A Opinion............................4A State News......................7A
Newton Wellness Coalition
Residents encourages to join walk event / 3A
Volume No. 116 No. 67 2 sections 14 pages
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