NDN-10-13-2016

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NEWTON

BIGGEST CHALLENGE

Newton prepares to take on WDM Valley on the road / 1B

DAILY NEWS THURSDAY, OCT. 13, 2016 • WHERE TO GO WHEN YOU NEED TO KNOW

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Commission searches for American-made flag cases By Jason W. Brooks Newton Daily News

File photo Doug Cupples, left, speaks as Sandy Shaver listens during a candidate forum event held in May. Cupples and Shaver, along with Keith Laube, who are running for the same Jasper County Board of Supervisors seat, are among the candidates invited to speak at an Oct. 20 forum hosted by the Jasper County League of Women Voters and the Newton Daily News.

Local candidate forum slated for Oct. 20

League of Women Voters, Newton Daily News to host event By Jason W. Brooks Newton Daily News The Jasper County League of Women Voters and the Newton Daily News are co-sponsoring a candidates forum at 6 p.m. Oct. 20 in the Newton City Council chambers. The invitees include Iowa House District 29 Rep. Dan Kelley, along with Democratic challenger Wes Breckenridge, and Republican candidate Pat-

rick Payton. House District 28 incumbent Rep. Greg Heartsill (R-Columbia) and challenger Martin Duffy (D-Knoxville) have also been invited. The Jasper County Board of Supervisors candidates, vying for the seat to be vacated by Denny Stevenson, who is stepping down, have also been invited to the forum. They are Democrat Sandy Shaver, Republican Doug Cupples and Libertarian Keith Laube, all of Newton.

Candidates from Senate District 14 will not be participating as incumbent Sen. Amy Sinclair has a previous commitment on that date. Catherine Fouts will moderate for House candidates, who will hold their forum at 6 p.m., and Linda Kirchhoff will moderate for supervisor candidates, whose forum will begin at about 7:30 p.m. Fran Henderson of the League of Women Voters said Newton-area Mediacom customers can watch the forum on TV.

Triangular wooden boxes were a main item of discussion at Wednesday’s monthly Jasper County Veterans Affairs Commission meeting. One of the functions of the Jasper County Veterans Affairs Department, traditionally, has been to provide wooden flag cases to the families of deceased veterans,

who are laid to rest in a ceremony involving an American flag draped over a casket. Unfortunately, many items these days are made outside the U.S., and one of the few places Commissioner Jerry Nelson could locate were sold by the Michaels’ arts and crafts store in Ankeny — and are made in China. Kurt Jackson, a clerk VETERANS | 3A

Jason W. Brooks/Daily News Kurt Jackson of the Jasper County Department of Veterans Affairs shows a wooden flag case made in China. The county’s Veterans Affairs Commission voted Wednesday to proceed with an order of cases, but to also continue to find American-made cases at a reasonable cost to the department.

NCSD looking City to introduce executive at new scrolling rental incentive program signs for schools By Jamee A. Pierson Newton Daily News

The City of Newton is rolling out an executive rental incentive program to help address housing needs for those relocating and executives who make travel stops in town. Newton City Council recently approved the program to create high-quality housing. The program was presented to the council by Newton Director of Planning and Zoning Erin Chambers.

It is part of the Newton Housing Initiative which aims to create momentum for housing development within the community. “I’m really excited about this program,” councilwoman Miranda Kulis said. “It is something that I think is really needed in the community, that I, myself, would have utilized but also in speaking with businesses, is definitely a need as well.” The target of the program is to develop 40 executive level rental units. To accomplish this, the

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city is offering incentives in the amount of $5,000 per unit, with a minimum 1:1 match required. A total of $100,000 set aside for the program. Specifications for the units include an average size of at least 1,000 square feet with special consideration given to units of smaller than average size if they are located in the upper-story apartments located within the Main Street District. INCENTIVES | 3A

By Jamee A. Pierson Newton Daily News An upgrade in electronic signage at each campus — along with the administration center— is being explored by the Newton school district’s maintenance department. Maintenance Supervisor Jack Suttek discussed changes with the Newton Community School Board at its

meeting on Monday. Previously, the board discussed placing a digital scrolling sign at the EJH Beard Administration Center as the new display. Following the Sept. 26 board meeting, Suttek thought over proposals and brought a new idea to the board Monday for all of the schools. SIGNS | 3A

Election Central: Q&A with Jasper County Supervisor Candidates Editor’s Note: The following is part the Newton Daily News’ Election Central coverage ahead of the 2016 General Election. Today’s edition features the replies of Jasper County Supervisor candidates Republican Doug Cupples, Libertarian Keith Laube and Democrat Sandy Shaver. Submissions were not edited for grammar, spelling or punctuation. 1. What makes you a strong candidate for county supervisor? Doug Cupples Desire to serve people. All people are important not just those who are like me or agree with me. Doing what is right. I can say “no” Being

Cupples

Laube

humble. Problem solver Fresh perspective. Professional. Protecting the people of Jasper, there money and assets by doing what is necessary to do so. Government needs to be run on wise council and not just on opinion or the financial backs of its employees or the tax payers. Listening to the people

and doing what is right! Moving toward the future and not forgetting the past! Sticking to my values but not letting my opinion be fact. I will seek Shaver wise council. The most successful people in history had many advisers! Government should not be run like there is an endless supply of money. Instead be very conscious of how tax money is spent. Keith Laube The 3 County Board of Supervisors act as the general

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benefit. I look at and evaluate decisions not only in the short term, but also in the long term. People are tired of party politics. If I am elected, Jasper County will have 1 Supervisor from each of the 3 largest political parties. There will be no party politics on the Board. Sandy Shaver I LISTEN to people. I solve problems. I would seek out expert advice. I would always keep the budget in mind before making any decisions. I have served on boards and done budgets. I also have local grassroots experience in several leadership positions. SUPERVISORS | 9A

FEATURE

WHERE IT’S AT Astrograph......................5B Calendar..........................5A Classifieds......................4B

business manager for the county. Jasper County needs good, quality leaders to serve on the Board of Supervisors. Growing up on an Iowa family farm, I have first-hand knowledge of rural issues. I understand business practices, contracts, budgets, and human resources. I have gained this knowledge through my education (degrees in civil engineering and business administration), 18 years in private business (half of those years owning and operating a civil engineering consulting practice), and 7 years as a city Public Works Director. I make decisions based on a cost-benefit analysis. Taxpayer money should not be spent if the cost is more than the

Comics & Puzzles...........6A Dear Abby........................6A Local News......................2A

Obituaries.......................5A Opinion............................4A State News......................7A

Breast Cancer Awareness

Things to know about prevention / 2A

Volume No. 115 No. 103 2 sections 20 pages

Thank you Ruth Rutter of Newton for subscribing to the Newton Daily News. To subscribe, call 641-792-5320 or visit newtondailynews.com.


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