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Two major Iowa businesses not facing credit crunch

November 1, 2008 By

The leaders of two major Iowa manufactures say they really haven’t run into a credit crunch despite what’s been happening on the financial markets. Charles Sukup is head of Sukup Manufacturing, one of the world’s leading makers of grain bins, is also chairman of the Iowa Association of Business and Industry.

"What we’re hearing from our members…is basically they haven’t seen too much effect yet from the national economy," Sukup says. "We’ve kind of been an island of stability and like most cases, it takes a little bit of time for things from the coast to reach us here, which is an advantage for us at this point." Joe Crookham, president of Musco Lighting, says the federal bailout of major banks and the insurance giant A-I-G hasn’t had a direct impact on his company.

"They stabilize the financial market around us and that’s important to have a stable market, but a business that’s not out on the edge financially probably has relationships that will work through that," Crookham says. "You may be doing business with a bank that gets itself in trouble and you have to find another one, but in general we’ve not found any real problem with that." Crookham says none of the banks Musco deals with have had problems. 

Filed Under: Business

Election culminates voting effort by League of Women voters

November 1, 2008 By

Next Tuesday is Election Day — which marks the culmination of many months of work by members of the Iowa League of Women Voters . President Audrey Hauter of Cedar Rapids, says the league’s members in 15 chapters across the state have been involved in several voter education projects.

Hauter says: "State League is mainly interested in state priorities, except for immigration reform. That, of course, is national, and campaign finance reform. Our other priorities are all statewide." The League is a non-partisan voter education organization presenting information on the issues that impact all Iowans.

Hauter says one main focus is on getting Iowans registered to vote. She says registration drives have been underway in places including shopping malls and colleges. The League also contacts state legislators on issues ranging from water quality to immigration. Hauter says one concern the legislature should address deals with consumer scams.

She says: "We would like to protect Iowans from predatory lending and consumer fraud. We want to encourage the legislature to pass legislation to reduce payday loan fees. There are quite a number of these payday loan companies that have cropped up in Iowa."

The League also wants a law change so consumers can sue any entity when they believe they have been scammed or defrauded. Hauter says Iowa’s consumer fraud act only allows the Iowa Attorney General to sue, not individuals. Iowa’s the only state in the U.S. where this is the case. Membership in the League of Women Voters is open to everyone — including men.  

Filed Under: Politics & Government

It’s Alzheimer’s Awareness Month

November 1, 2008 By

Today marks the beginning of National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. Gayle Brubaker, with the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Iowa, says the brain robbing disease doesn’t always attract the attention it deserves. "It’s one of those diseases that really isn’t spoken about much. We don’t have survivors…yet. I say that with very cautious optimism at the science that is being done every single day in this country and around the world," Brubaker said.

The first observance of Alzheimer’s Awareness Month was 25 years ago in 1983. The proclamation was signed by then President Ronald Reagan who suffered the same disease from 1994 until his death in 2003. Brubaker says Alzheimers is difficult for both the patient and the caregivers, who are often the patient’s family members.

"It’s a scary disease. Nobody likes the thought of losing their memories and ultimately their awareness and abilities," Brubaker said. "That’s why we use National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month to bring awareness to the 5.1 million Americans living with this disease today and to fight for everything they need." Of those 5.1 million Americans, 65-thousand are Iowans with Alzheimers.

"With Iowa’s rapidly aging population, we are poised to be one of the states that has the highest incidents of Alzheimers Disease by 2025," Brubaker said. More information about Alzheimers, the symptoms and care options is available at www.alz.org/GREATERIOWA/ or by calling 515-440-2722.

 

Filed Under: Health & Medicine

West Burlington police chief caught in middle of smoking debate

November 1, 2008 By

West Burlington police chief Alex Oblein has found himself in the middle of the debate over the state smoking ban that went into effect in July. Otis Campbell’s Bar and Grill in the city is the first bar to face the possible loss of its liquor license for violating the law.

Oblein testified at the Alcoholic Beverages Division hearing Friday on the bar’s liquor license. Bar owner Larry Duncan is openly defying the ban as he tries to fight the issue, and Oblein says that’s led to a lot of calls and complaints, even some to his wife.

He says his wife is a nurse and doctors have talked to her about it, and others early on complained to him. Oblein says he had to explain there is a process to go through. The city made the decision to let the state pursue the issue because of the cost to take it to court. Oblein says he doesn’t have a problem with not cited the bar owner, since there is a state process in place.

Oblein says it’s not a criminal law, but is a civil law and all the penalties involve fines and not jail time. Oblein says Duncan talked with him early on and said he was going to go against the ban, and says they have a mutual respect for each other, even though they disagree on each others position. Oblein says the issue has generated fewer calls as the community waits to see what happens.

Oblein says everyone is aware of what is happening and are just waiting for things to take their course. The state hearing wrapped up Friday, but the Administrative Law Judge will not make a ruling until sometime in December. 

Filed Under: Crime & Courts Tagged With: