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Iowa National Guard soldier laid to rest

August 31, 2007 By

Scott Carney Friends, family and fellow soldiers gathered at a Catholic church in Des Moines today for the funeral of 37-year-old Master Sergeant Scott Carney of Ankeny. Carney died in a vehicle accident in Afghanistan August 24th while serving with the Iowa National Guard.

Father Larry Hoffman of Saint Theresa’s Catholic Church talked about God’s ability to create things, and how he created Carney. Hoffman said God had many ways of continuing to create Carney as he grew.

Hoffman says there was even some creation in reverse, as Carney’s work as a meat cutter let him know it was not what God had in mind for him. The priest says Carney underwent changes physically and as a person after joining the Army. He says Carney worked with all kinds of people and situations and that further refined how God was creating Carney. Hoffman says the refinement took another turn as Carney left the Army and took a full-time job with the Iowa National Guard in December of 2000.

Hoffman says the creation of Carney went on to include, his faith, his family, and work with others during his tour of duty in Afghanistan. Hoffman says even though God was not yet finished with his creating, Scott Carney had a strong influence on the soldiers he served with, his family, friends, as they new of his caring, giving and loving nature.

Hoffman says because of Carney’s strong faith, God with continue his creation as Carney moves into heaven. Carney was a member of the Iowa Army National Guard’s second brigade combat team of the 34th infantry. He leaves behind his wife Jeni, and twin sons Jacob and Justin. 

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With:

Veterans Administration hands over check for Iowa Veterans Cemetery

August 31, 2007 By

One of the final steps in completing Iowa’s new veterans cemetery took place today at the World War Two Veterans Memorial near the state capitol building. The Secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Jim Nicholson, today handed over the check for nearly eight million dollars to pay for the state’s new veterans cemetery. Nicholson is an Iowa native who returned to the state for the presentation.

Nicholson says we are very fortunate in Iowa to be in the heartland with its values, work ethic and commitment. He says the state has over one-quarter of a million veterans living in the state today. Nicholson says the cemetery will be a fitting tribute to veterans.

Nicholson says there are 25-million living veterans in the U.S. today, and there have only ever been 48-million. He says unfortunately, many of the veterans are getting older, and some 1,900 are dieng every day — mostly from the World War Two generation. Iowa Veterans Affairs Department director Patrick Palmershiem came up with the cemetery idea when then Governor Tom Vilsack asked him how the state could use the proceeds of the sale of veterans medals.

Palmershiem has pushed the project through since his first suggestion four years ago. He says it was emotional in seeing the check issued today. Palmershiem says there have many evenings and weekend hours on the project to get the paperwork done so the project doesn’t get pushed back. The cemetery is under construction in Dallas County near Van Meter. It’s expected to be completed by next fall, and be like the national cemetery in Washington.

Palmershiem says it will be like Arlington National Cemetery, as he says the V-A wants it maintained as a national shrine, the first to be maintained that way. He says Iowa veterans and their spouse are eligible for burial. Palmershiem says they’re putting in 2,000 vaults in the ground and each vault will hold a veteran and their spouse. There’s no cost to bury the veteran, and it will cost the spouse $300 for the vault and the headstone. Palmershiem says they already have the cremains of 20 veterans awaiting internment at the new facility.

Palmershiem says they also have 200 people who have been preapproved to be buried in the cemetery. He says veterans can go to the website: http://www.iowava.org and sign up for approval to be buried at the site. Palmershiem hopes to have the cemetery open by Veterans Day 2008.

Audio: Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Jim Nicholson’s remarks 11:00 MP3

Filed Under: Military, Politics & Government

July a deadly month on highways

August 31, 2007 By

Fifty-one people were killed in traffic crashes in Iowa in July, making it the second deadliest month for roadway accidents since 1999. Bob Thompson, with the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau, says the most recent survey shows 90-percent of Iowans wear a seltbelt. The 10-percent who do not buckle-up, represent about 200,000 people.

Thompson says the 10-percent who do not wear a seat belt make up about 40 percent of the victims in fatal crashes. Motorists who fail to buckle-up can lose a lot of money if they’re caught. The fine for a seat belt violation is $25, but with court costs, it amounts to $83. Iowa, meanwhile, ranks second in the country for having one of the lowest percentages of fatal accidents that involve alcohol. Still, Thompson says there’s room for improvement.

"This is the big way to solve this problem," Thompson says, "is to get people to use common sense and not get behind the wheel when they’ve had some drinks…for gosh sakes, designate a driver."

Filed Under: Fires/Accidents/Disasters

Unitarian minister performs first, and perhaps only, gay marriage in Iowa

August 31, 2007 By

First gay marriage in Iowa Two Iowa State University students believe they are the first and perhaps only gay couple to marry today in Iowa.

Late Thursday, a Polk County judge ruled the state law which restricts marriages in Iowa to those between a man and a woman is unconstitutional. Gay couples started lining up at the Polk County Recorder’s office early Friday morning to apply for marriage licenses.

Twenty-four-year-old Sean Fritz and 21-year-old Tim McQuillan not only got a marriage license, they got a waiver from a judge so they wouldn’t have to wait three days before marrying. An hour and a half later, the couple tracked down a Unitarian minister.

Reverend Mark Stringer stood under a shade tree in his front yard to conduct the hastily-arranged ceremony, which took six minutes. "You know, this is highly unusual that I have a chance to marry — in a real way — two people who love each other and who have been not allowed to marry each other in this state," Stringer said. "It breaks my heart that it’s taken us this long to be here, but I’m glad to be helping them do this today."

Both men had to stoop to sign the marriage license as the document was placed on the only flat surface available – the minister’s front sidewalk. "I just really need you to sign the marriage license. That’s what it takes to be married in this state now," Reverend Stringer said.

Two witnesses signed the document, then the minister added his signature and the date. "Check it out. It’s my anniversary," Reverend Stringer said. "That’s awesome. I’m marrying you on my anniversary. I like that."

Fritz and McQuillan plan to hold another, less-harried ceremony later, but the couple exchanged rings this morning. "The ring is a symbol of holiness and affection and peace and as you wear it on each other’s hands, you remind yourself of the commitment that you make today, a commitment that you’re really going to have a chance to really, fully take at another time," Stringer told the two. "But for expediency’s sake, and for the sake of your relationship which would not be allowed if we don’t do it soon, go for it. Put ‘em on each other’s hands."

Reporters and camera operators formed a semi-circle in front of the couple and the sound of clicking camera shutters could be heard throughout the event.

"You’re the first one. Do you feel you’re historic? Do you feel you’re making history?" a television reporter asked the couple.

"I think we’re married. That’s it. We’re married," Fritz replied. The couple then dashed to their car and drove to the Polk County office building to file the marriage license.

A group of Republican legislators met by phone to plot strategy for passing an amendment to Iowa’s constitution that would outlaw gay marriage.

Reverend Jeff Bradley of the Heritage Assembly of God in Des Moines is a member of the Iowa Family Policy Center’s pastors advisory council. "The primary concern here is I think that one judge rendered an opinion that basically overturned the law or the will of the people," Bradley says.

Bradley is among those who argue "traditional" marriage between a man and a woman is the foundation of our society. "Today we see a fundamental institution that has been proven over time to be what is best for families and what is best especially for children in those families — that has been tampered with and that has been altered," Bradley says.

Bradley is urging lawmakers to set the wheels in motion so Iowa voters can enact an amendment to the state’s constitution to make gay marriage illegal in Iowa. "I think too often we’re portrayed as someone who bashes people who are gay. We want what is best for them as well," Bradley says. "Our thinking here today is that they have changed something that has been fundamental to society or at least are in the process of trying to change something and that is really what is at issue here."

Governor Chet Culver issued a statement last night saying he "personally believes marriage is between a man and a woman." Late this morning, Culver said lawmakers should wait until the case has worked its way through the courts before taking any other action.

AUDIO: Henderson report (mp3 runs 2 min)

Filed Under: Politics & Government

Governor wants to talk with legislators before any special session on gay marriage

August 31, 2007 By

A top Republican legislator has called on the governor to include the gay marriage issue in a special legislative session that might be called to deal with Iowa’s caucus date. Governor Chet Culver, a Democrat, said today he wants to talk with legislators on both sides before calling a special session.

Culver says a special session is always an option, but he wants to talk with legislators on both sides, and also wants to see how the court proceedings work themselves out. Culver says he hasn’t decided on a special session for either issue at this point.

Culver says a special session is always on the table, whether it’s for the caucuses, gay marriage or any other matter that might pop up. "We’re not going to outrule it at this time, I don’t necessarily think we have to do anything, but we have to talk about it," Culver says. House Republican leader Christopher Rants of Sioux City called for the governor to include the gay marriage issue in any special session, or he asked that it be addressed first thing when the legislature reconvenes in January. 

Filed Under: Politics & Government Tagged With: , ,

Five presidential candidates to be in Iowa for Labor Day

August 31, 2007 By

Five presidential candidates plan to campaign in Iowa over the Labor Day weekend. Four are Democrats. The lone Republican candidate to schedule a trip to Iowa this weekend is John McCain, who will speak at the dedication of a veteran’s monument in Neola on Monday.

Democrats John Edwards and Joe Biden are campaigning today through Monday in Iowa and Bill Richardson’s staff says he plans to spend Labor Day here, too. Hillary Clinton plans to make stops in Sioux City and Des Moines on Labor Day, with her husband by her side.

"The next four months will be the real hard months of this campaign. We’re at a turning point now as Labor Day often is in the political season," Clinton said during a telephone interview with Radio Iowa. Clinton discounts the idea that she becomes "invisible" when her husband, the former president, is on the scene.

"Well, I don’t think so, obviously," Clinton said. "I’m excited to have him with me. He can’t campaign with me very often with me so, you know, holidays give us a chance to be together on the campaign trail." No word yet on their plans for Thanksgiving and Christmas, but the Clintons did spend this past 4th of July holiday campaigning in Iowa.

As she did in July, Clinton is trying to highlight the positives of Bill Clinton’s tenure, while stressing she is the candidate this time around. "It is about my campaign and my positions and what I believe I can do as president," she said.

Filed Under: Politics & Government Tagged With: ,

New ISU College of Design building to be "green"

August 31, 2007 By

Iowa State University is getting it’s first "green" building on campus. A groundbreaking will be held next Friday on a pavilion addition to the ISU College of Design building. Mark Engelbrecht, dean of the College of Design, says the addition will be constructed with recycled materials and will incorporate various energy saving techniques.

The building will have natural ventilation, daylighting, and rain-water control with a grass roof. The two-story facility has a price tag of 6.25 million dollars. "But, we expect we’ll be realizing substantial savings on this from the very first day we open," Engelbrecht says. "We’re looking at a two to four year payback on those additional costs. Of course, that’s part of the experiment here. We’ll be monitoring this to see exactly how well we do with this whole business." The pavilion addition will be used primarily by freshman and sophomore students.

"We need to look at (the building’s construction) as part of our curriculum," Engelbrecht says, "this is actually going to be a learning and teaching tool as much as it is simple housing for our activities." Iowa State alumni Steven and Barbara King have provided 1.5 million dollars to the pavilion addition, which is expected to be completed in early 2009.

Filed Under: Education, Environment & Conservation Tagged With:
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