HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-05-20 CorrespondenceCITY [] CED,&r RAPIDS [] CORALvILLE
;997
May 6, 1997
City Council
City of Iowa City
Civic Center
Iowa City, IA 52240
Dear Councilor:
I support Joe Fowler's proposal to turn parking lot 641A temporarily into an
attended parking lot. We currently have a nice weather problem with youngsters
hanging out there in the evening because parking is free. This congregation often
makes walking that part of the Ped Mall a gauntlet of strong language and
sometimes even harassment by the youth. Joe's proposal, I believe, would solve
this problem. Please give favorable consideration to this proposal.
Sincerely,
A. Gross
President
JAG/sak
Plaza Centre One P.O. Box 1846
Iowa City, Iowa 52244
319-354-5950
Toll-Free 800-779-0093
FAX 319-354-8973
711 Center Point Road NE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402
319-364-7010
Toll-Free 800-779q3094
FAX 319-364-7133
1703 Second Street
Coralville, Iowa 52241
31 9-338-6274
FAX 319-338-7788
May 8, 1997
To the Iowa City Council Members:
I am very dismayed to find that the integrity of Hickory Hill Park is
again being threatened by the possible funding of the "First Avenue
extension." What this means is that our beloved park will have a highly-
travelled, paved road cutting right through what many of us regard and
use as park land.
Although the extension will not actually be on park land, it will
destroy the spirit of the park as we know it. There will no longer be
anywhere in the park that is truly quiet. Thousands of cars per day will be
traversing its eastern boundary, disturbing habitat, polluting the air, and
generally creating an environment that will spoil the beauty and serenity of
the only wild place left in our city.
I understand the pressures of development that are driving this
latest onslaught on the park. However, many cities have faced these same
pressures and have figured out how to preserve natural areas while
continuing to develop in a manner that is acceptable to the majority of the
citizenry.
Since there are already plans for a Scott Boulevard extension that will
join the east side of town to the interstate, surely another extension is not
truly necessary. I strongly recommend a vote against the First Avenue
extension, for once it is built, there is no way to undo the damage that will
occur. I believe that many citizens value the preservation of this precious
piece of land over another thoroughfare through our town and our park.
Sincerely,
627 Bradley Street
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
337-3313 -- work
354-0193 -- home
1 1997
City of Iowa City
'£"/f ORAk DLI
Date: May 7, 1997
To: City Clerk
From: Doug Ripley, JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner
Re:
Removal of On-Street Parking Prohibition on the South Side of the 2500 and 2600
Blocks of Walden Road
As directed by Title 9, Chapter 1, Section 3b of the City Code this is to advise the City Council
of the following action. Unless directed otherwise by the City Council, this action will occur on or
shortly after May 21, 1997.
Action
Pursuant to Section 9-1-3(A) 12 of the City Code, signage will be removed indicating no parking
on the south side of Walden Road from its intersection with Coil Drive to 120 feet east of
Jensen Street.
Comment
This action is being taken at the request of the Walden Road Neighborhood. Walden Road is
28 feet wide and the portion of Walden Road from Coil Drive to 120 feet east of Jensen Street
is adequate to allow parking on one side of the road. Parking was initially prohibited at the
request of the subdivision developer in 1988, prior to this portion of Walden Road being
constructed. Because of the wording in the 1988 parking prohibition, new segments of Walden
Road were automatically included under the prohibition. Allowing on-street parking is according
to a neighborhood survey indicating a preference for parking to be allowed on the south side of
Walden Road from Coil Drive to 120 feet east of Jensen Street. Twelve surveys were sent out,
nine were returned, seven favoring this action. Of the seven, four preferred parking on the
south side while three preferred parking on the north side of Walden Road.
Im\dr5-5.doc
May 8, 1997
C TV OF I0 WA CITY
TO:
RE:
The Honorable Mayor and the City Council
Civil Service Entrance Examination -
II - GOVERNME~BUILDINGS
WORKER
We, the undersigned members of the Civil Service Commission of Iowa
city, Iowa, do hereby certify the following named person(s) as
eligible for the position of Maintenance Worker II.
Jeff Cretsinger
Hired: 5/20/97
IOWA CTTY CIVIL SERVICE
Mic~Y'W. Kennedy/, Chai~
ATTEST:
~a~ian Karr, City Cle ~
410 EAST WASHINGTON STREET ~' IOWA CITY, IOWA $2'~40-1826 · (,~1~) 3~6=~000 · FAX (.~19) ~$~-~0(19
May 2, 1997
Mayor Naomi Novick and City Council Members
410 E. Washington Street
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
CiTY MANAGER'S OFFICE
Dear Members:
I am an employee of the City of Iowa City Streets, Water Distribution, Solid Waste and Traffic Engineering
Divisions. Our office building is at 1200 S. Riverside Ddve. The building has been not only an eyesore for
many years but has become so drastically dangerous that I am forced to write this letter. The lack of concern
for the safety of the employees that work inside the building everyday has to be addressed. Obviously the
methods used so far to correct the working conditions of the staff have not worked.
When the buildings were moved from the downtown urban renewal area to the current site, the intention was
that they were temporary only. I started working for the city in 1980. At that time the buildings were already
worn out, but not dangerous yet. ~Over the years since 1980, numerous costly repairs have been made just to
"get by" until more permanent arrangements could be established. Operating under instructions from city hall,
plans have been drawn up and budgets prepared many different times - only to be told after the preparations
were completed that they had to be scraped because City Hall offices had to be remodeled first or that one
thing or another had to be done before we could hope for a new building. In the mean time, the water keeps
coming into the offices, the building keeps sinking lower to the east and the overall condition continues to
deteriorate.
Last year the water started running in through the roof to the extent that plastic had to placed over all the
computers, the radios and the desks. Buckets had to be placed all over the building to catch the downpours we
experienced. Can you imagine trying to' continue to perform your work under the vast amount of plastic
covedng everything? This building houses four service odented divisions that are required to be immediately
responsive to the public. That entails a large number of telephone calls - which in turn have to be dispatched
out to the maintenance workers to perform on a timely basis. When you have to sit in plastic covered chairs
and try to answer the telephone from under the plastic sheets, then try to find your radio from under the plastic
in order to call out the request - something is wrong!
The safety of the personnel is the larger issue that needs to have your immediate attention. The occupational
safety training specialist hired by the city to address safety issues and keep the city in compliance does that
job quite thoroughly - FOR THE PERSONNEL THAT WORK OUTSIDE THE BUILDING IN THE
COMMUNITY. What about the personnel that work inside the building? Are we to be excluded from that
protection? We are warned that our paper whiteout may be dangerous to us, but have to work where the
ceiling or even the building itself may cave in anytime. When we have water poudng (not dripping) down our
walls into electrical outlets, poudng from overhead lighting and poudng from heating vents - is that not unsafe?
We have had to ddll holes in the floors to allow the excess water to drain from the building or walk in water up
to our ankles - is that not ridiculous? As late as Wednesday evening, Apdl 30th, the rain caused ceiling tile to
soak up so badly that it fell to the floor, just missing a desk. When it starts reining we get out the plastic and
buckets; then try to decide if we should attempt to tum on the computers to do our work or will they short out
from the water?. VVill the ceiling or worse yet the building come down on our heads. We have actually put hard
hats on to set at the desks. Is this the environment you expect your employees to contend with and still
demand their best performance for the city? Does it not seem strange that the Fire Department inspects this
building on an annual basis and cannot see the danger here? That they cite us for a burned out exit light bulb,
a mop sitting too close to the water heater - yet they by-pass the more dangerous conditions existing here!
One year ago dudrig one of our rain storms the press was called in to take pictures of this atrocity. Jim
Schoenfelder brought the city insurance agent to see the condition. We were told this building should not be
occupied by anyone after six months - yet we are still here. Jim also continues to send us notices that we are
increasing in our utility usage and wants to know if we could put in writing why? Another farce not worth
responding to. Would the Housing Department inspectors allow the pdvate sector to be in a building in this
condition? I am sure not.
Apparently City Manager Steve Atkins feels covedng up the outside view to the public is more important than
providing a safe worksite for his employees since he so vehemently objected to the appearance of the dying
trees and bushes surrounding the building that he has insisted in their removal. Now our office has been told to
contract a landscape company to replant the shrubbery to beautify the property. Excuse me - but there is
something wrong here! To spend $5,000 to make this property look pretty when the biggest eyesore and
dangerous situation will still be here behind the pretty face is a waste of the tax-payers money. A lot of money
has already been spent and wasted. How long do we continue this wasteful practice? Today we are having
roofing companies submit bids for a "temporary fix" again. They can~ even guarantee their work. We were to
have ground broke for a building last March 1997, then they told us July 1997. Now we have been told again
just to make this building and roof last through another winter. We continue to be placed on the back burner-
even though the situation is so dangerous.
I repeat - this letter is being written out of deep concems for safety issues. The people making decisions
regarding this issue don~ even want to visit the building. Someone has got to get serious about our problem.
The city spends considerable money on safety issues, personal health issues and morale issues. If the city is
so interested in these issues why are they ignodng our concems which definitely involve all those issues? We
invite you to visit our facility on any rainy day to see for yourselves that the facts are true and not exaggerated.
Perhaps then someone will take an active role correcting this gross error. I am sure the public would not like to
see money wasted. You have a very public service oriented set of divisions pleading for your assistance in this
matter.
Thank you for your time reading my deep concems. The employees of these divisions are asking for someone
to provide any prompt action that will resolve this problem.
Sincerely,
Joan Kennedy
City Streets & Water Distribution Divisions
1200 S. Riverside Drive
356-5181
May 1, 1997
Naomi Novict( and City Council Members
410 E. Washington Street
Iowa City: la 52240
Dear Iowa City Council Members:
I am writing to you on behalf of the employees who work out of the Streets and
Sanitation Building at 1200 S. Riverside Drive. This building is a definite safety
hazard and something needs to be done immediately. Every time it rains it sounds
like a tropical rain forest inside our building. There is water dripping in almost every
comer of our building. Employee safety is a top priority for most City employees
but apparently not for us.
This building was used during the Urban Renewal project in downtown Iowa City'.
It was then moved to Riverside Ddve to house the Streets and Sanitation Divisions.
This was to be a temporary building and it is still being used.
Tile roof on this building has had many costly repairs. The company that repaired
it last year gave us no guarantees. They said that it needs a new roof. Instead of
finalizing ,m,,e plans for a new building, we again face another costly repair. The
City wants to spend $5,000 to landscape this site. but we remain in a hazardous
building. Every rain we have had this year, water came in throughout the building.
Water drips in through light fixtures, and onto electrical wiring. (How does this
pass a fire inspection?) Ceiling tiles are being ruined again. (They were just
replaced this winter.) in the back office ceiling files came down due to the weight
of the water. in the ladies restroom you can see daylight through the ceiling when
the room is dart(.
I am asking you to visit this building on a rainy day and to ask yourselves if this
budding is a safe environment for City employees. Employee safeh/' should be a
top priority. It seems to be a fop pdodty for the employees out working in the
community, but not for us in these offices. City inspectors surely wouldn't allow a
private business to operate in a building in this condition. So why are we expected
[o work in these conditions? We are supposed to provide service to the public.
When our desks, phones and computers have to be covered with plastic to stay
dry we cannot provide the service the public deserves.
The Safety Training Specialist, Jim Gulland, the Public Wort<s Director, Chuck
Schmadeke., the Risk Manager, Kevin O'Malley, the City Manager, Steve Atldns;
and the City Architect, Jim Schoenfelder, have all toured our building and no action
has been taken to improve the working conditions or to build a new facility. On
numerous occasions i have called one of them to invited them down to see the
extent of the problems. None of them have accepted their invitation. If these
people don't care who are we to turn to? !t is very frustrating to have our building
plans keep being pushed aside. It seems that somebody or somewhere else is
always more important.
Something needs to begin NOW to get a building built. All we ask is that we can
come to work and not have to catch water when it rains. We want to be able to go
home without having to cover all of our furniture and equipment with plastic. I urge
you to experience the working conditions we have. Don't take my word,
experience for yourselves our daily conditions.
Please take immediate action. We feel our safety and our lives are m jeopardy
working under these conditions. We are simply asking for a building that provides
safe and acceptable working conditions. We are forced to turn to you as a last
resort, to put the plans into action to build a new facility. We are pleading for your
assistance and thank you in advance for your immediate action.
Sincerely
Tammy Salm
Clerk Typist
Iowa City Sanitation
1200 S. Riverside Drive
Iowa City, la 52246
Date:
To:
From:
Re:
I
City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
May 5, 1997
Tammy Salm and Joan Kennedy
City Manager
Correspondence to City Council
cannot tell you my disappointment with
not only the tone but the substance of the
correspondence you directed to the City Council. Not only did you provide information that was
inaccurate but much of it verges on falsehood. I am further disappointed you chose not to take
your concerns directly to your supervisor and/or even the director of your department
concerning this issue. I found myself particularly offended by comments such as "he so
vehemently objected to the appearance of the dying trees". For Joan, I never spoke with you
about any such objection and therefore find it hard to believe that you could decide how
"vehement" my objections were. I asked that the exterior of the building and grounds be
cleaned up and the Director of the Department and apparently the Street Superintendent chose
to undertake that work how they saw fit.
With respect to Tammy's comments, you indicated you have invited me down to see the extent
of the problems. Again, I recall no such request from you, let alone the allegation I may have
rejected such an invitation. I have been in that building on a number of occasions -- several
times when neither of you were present and I am aware of the problem.
In order to design and construct a public works facility we are looking at a $2 million investment.
This not only requires careful planning but also the accumulation of moneys to finance such a
project. We have explored other sites, we have engaged an architect and I have asked that
plans be drawn. To indicate that nothing is being done is not only a disservice to me but also to
your fellow workers. I will choose not to answer or go on further with respect to what I believe
are the damning comments in your correspondence. Your correspondence will be directed to
the City Council as indicated, and unfortunately if and when they raise questions I will tell them
to the best of my knowledge the facts.
CC:
Director of Public Works
Superintendent of Streets
Im\sa5-1-4.doc
Gaming Association
of lowa
May 12, 1997 .
Stephen J. ~s~ns
City Ma/n4ger
410~(Washington Street
a City, IA 52240-1826
/
Dear Stephen,
On behalf of the Gaming Association of Iowa, I would like to introduce myself and our
members. The organization is comprised of the following Iowa gaming licensees: Ameristar
Casino Hotel, Bluffs Run Track & Casino, Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino, Harveys
Casino Hotel, Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino and the President Riverboat Casino.
It was formed to share information and advocate for issues which will ensure Iowa's
gaming industry continues to provide entertainment and value that is responsive to Iowans.
We believe that together we can effectively address concerns and create programs which
benefit all Iowans.
The Gaming Association of Iowa has compiled a report to communicate how our
organizations are impacting the communities we serve and, indeed, the entire state. We are
proud to contribute to Iowa's tax base, economic development, tourism, job creation and
charitabl.e organizations. Together with the communities we serve, we are helping Iowa
grow and take advantage of the opportunities associated with the fastest growing
entertainment choice in the United States.
We would like to be your resource for information and invite you to call on any of us to
discuss issues that are of importance to you and your constituents. We will provide you
with data on our operations as well as industry issues throughout the year. The Gaming
Association of Iowa is a resource we hope you will feel free to use.
P.O. l~ox 1000 Altoona~ IA. 50009-0901
Thank you for taking time from your busy schedule to review the Gaming Association of
Iowa's annual report. We invite you to visit our member facilities and welcome the
opportunity to give you a personal tour and meet with you.
Sincerely,
Robert A. Farinella
President, Gaming Association of Iowa
Ameristar Casino Hotel Jeff Terp 2200 River Rd. Council Bluffs, IA 51501
712-328-8888 Fax: 712-329-8882
Bluffs Run Track & Casino Berry Sevedge 2701 23rd Ave. Council Bluffs, IA 51501
712-323-2500 Fax: 712-322-9354
Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino Bruce Wentworth 1855 Greyhound Park Dr. Dubuque, IA 52004
319-582-3647 Fax: 319-582-9074
Harveys Casino Hotel Verne Welch 1 Hareys Boulevard Council Bluffs, IA 51501
712-329-6402 Fax: 712-329-6490
Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino Robert Farinella 1 Prairie Meadows Dr. Altoona, IA 50009
515-967-1287 Fax: 515-967-1344
President Riverboat Casino Mark Lohman 212 Brady St. Davenport, IA 52801
319-328-8000 Fax: 319-322-2583
IOWA'S GAMING INDUS.* -
BUII.DING SUCCESSFU. I.
PARTNERSHIPS
PAR I'NERS IN
PROGRESS
Iowans are good at growing things.
From agriculture to manufacturing
and small business, our hard work,
self reliance, and ingenuity have
made us successful in all our
endeavors. In 1983, the Iowa
Legislature planted the seed for a
new industry which is now reaping
enormous statewide benefits; it's
Ioxva's gaming industry.
The Wagering Act (99D), which
legalized pari-mutuel gaming on
licensed Iowa horse and dog tracks,
was enacted to create statewide
opportunities in agriculture, tourism,
economic development, tax revenues
and charitable contributions. In
1989, xve were the first state in
the nation to enact excursion
boat gaming on our boundary
rivers as well as inland lakes
and rivers. Legislative
safeguards were established to
ensure the industry would be
controlled and responsibly
groxvn by Iowans. As a result,
the gaming enterprises in our
state are good neighbors and
valuable partners in Iowa's progress.
The Iowa Racing & Gaming
Commission, a t'ivc-mcnnbcr panel
appointed by the Governor and
confirmed by the Senate, provides
ongoing regulatory oversight and are
vested with the authority to ensure
the integrity of gaming in Iowa.
Patrick J. Gibbs/
Mayor of Dave~port
"The addizio~.t of gambli~tg to
Dave~tport sztrprisittgly caztsed a
decrease i~z oztr crime rate. IYb feel that
this is chte primarily to the m,~tber of
people that are comit~g dow~ to the
riverfront to e~zjoy the casino."
Gerze z¥ Icyer/~Zlssistanz
Director, Iowa Department
of Crimi~tczl Itzvestigation
"Ot~r first priority is to e,sttre the
imegrio, of ga,tittg i, Iowa. Eighteen
age~tts'prima~3' ~vspo,sibili(v is to
condttct backgrot,td checks on the
corporation-rs attd their senior
ma~tagcmet~t that c~re i~volved in the
,~atlage,~e~-tt of tztcet,zzcks cmd casinos
as well as those that sttpp(v materials
to licettsees. The procedttres and
systems we have iJt pMce are effective.
[ am confident that Iowa's gaming
operations are z'e~Lv clean and honest."
S' 1 ;3/1 'EWIDE
IxMPACT
The gaming industry is helping
build and grow Iowa. In 1996, Ioxva
gaming operations contributed more
than $120 million in state tax
revenues. This money provides need-
ed funding
to improve and
rebuild Iowa
roads and
infrastructure.
And, when you
think about it,
how many other
Iowa industries
have contributed as much as gaming
to our state in just 13 short years?
Brent Siegrist/
Ho~tse Majority Leader
"The gaming industry revenues are an
importa;,zt part of Iowa's budget process.
The Legislature, as a result of gaming's
contribution to the state
coffers, is able to dedicate necessary
funding to one time infrastructure
projects. This is critically important to
meet the long term needs of the state."
Mike Gronstal/
Senate Minority Leader
"One of the benefits we have realized
from gaming is the introduction of nezo
people to oztr state. This has created
new revertties in toztrism atgd has
fostered economic development. ~kly
district, Council Bh~ffs, & now a
LOCAL
IMPACT
Ioxva's gaming industry is an integral
part of local communities. Hotels,
restaurants, and retail businesses
benefit from the increased activity
generated by gaming. Last year,
gaming contributed more than $5
million in property taxes and
naillions of additional dollars in city
and county taxes.
Gene Meeker/Executive
Director, Davenport
Development Corp.
7The gaming industry has provided
Davenport with a major tourist
attraction which helps all bztsinesses in
,,4
the city thrive.,Zlrea residents now have
a reason to stay in town rather than
traveling to other commzmities to look
for something to do."
Michael C. l~n Milligen/
City Manager, Dubztqzte
"The Dttbuque Racing Associatio~t is
playing a major role in eh'minathtg
Dubztq~e's need to issue debt in FY
1997 and beyond due to lease p~Lvme~zts
and gaming laxes they co~m*ibtttc to
the city's coffers. The gaming revereres
have allowed zts to move forzoard on
two very important projects; the
Industrial Park Developme, t a~zd the
implement6ztion of the Rive~ro~t
Dubuqzte is appreciativz of the jobs,
Patrick J. Gibbs/
Mayor of Davenport
"From the outset, gaming has had a
totally positive eJfect on the City of
Davenport. This industry has made
many advances in our city's economic
development that zoould not have
othe~oise been possible. b~ addition,
gaming's fimding of many nonprofit
organizations has helped the
community as a whole?'
SUPPORTING
IOWA
BUSINESSES
Many thousands of local suppliers
were utilized by Iowa's gaming
operations last year which created
a positive impact and tens of
thousands of additional Iowa
employees. Suppliers in food and
beverage, construction, energy,
media and marketing services,
equipment, uniforms, transportation,
and agri-services provide valued
support to Iowa's gaming operations
and, as a result, have realized
increased revenues.
Vince Rezo/
TCI Media -
Council Bluffs
"The addition of legalized gaming in
Council Bluffs has helped spur our ad
revenues to an all-time high."
Terry Davis/
R & D Plumbing
Des Moines
"1~ have seen tremendous grozoth in
housing in the Altoona area, so much
that we've added another crew. While
zoe can't attribute all the
grozoth to Prairie Meadows,
we do know many of the people
building homes in Altoona zoork
at Prairie Meadozos?
IOWANS
ATWORK
More than 9,000 people are
employed by Iowa gaming
operations. Job training,
career advancement, good
wages (no employee earns
less than 25% more than
federal minimum wage) and benefit
packages which include life, health,
disability insurance, vacation, profit
sharing, and 401K plans put these
jobs in high demand. In 1996, Iowa
gaming properties had an annual
payroll of more than $140 million
and contributed more than $30 mil-
lion in employee benefits. The aver-
age compensation package for a
gaming employee was $24,000. This
translates into real spending power in
Iowa. Gaming is creating a better life
as well as peace of mind and security
for its employees.
Jennifer Thurow/
Human Resource Director,
President Riverboat
%Vhen I was hired, I was the sole
support of my five-month-old daughter
and was, unfortunately, on welfare.
Through job training provided by the
company, I've been given wonderful
opportunities. Today, I comJbrtably sup-
port my daughter and have health care
and other benefits that would not have
been poss3le had it not been for a grow-
ing and vibrant ganzing industry."
Roger lg4st/
Housekeeping,
Prairie A/Ieadows
"Before I joined Prairie Meadows I
never had a job that provided good pay
community projects. iowa's gaming
industry ~vill continue to be an
integral partner with communities
through the identification and
fi. mding of programs that create a
better life [br all Iowans.
Debra Debbaztt/
Grant Project
Officer,
Iowa lJ~st
Foundation
with benefits. Now [ actually have a
savings account and health and dental
coverage, as well as life and long term
disability to protect me. But the best
part of my job are the people ~ work
with; they treat me right and alzcays
have a smile."
LENDING
A HEI PING
HAND
Iowa law established funding of local
charities as a primary mission for the
gaming industry. Iowa's nonprofit
license holders donated more than
$15 million in charitable
contributions and grants in 1996.
In addition, gaming companies,
~vhich are partners/managers with
the nonprofits, provide additional
funds for local charities and
"We are extremely proud
' '~ and excited to have had the
,--... opportunity to distribute
$7.1 milliw~ in grants to
so ma~O, worthwhile
communicv p~vjects
one year alww. IV'k know that
these grant& made
possible ~v gaming
Council Bh(fs, are helpbig charitable
organizations enrich lives and
strengthen communities."
Dztrant Id)ht~zteer
Firefighters
"The comributions you have made
helped us bto, our z,e~v t~eeded new
fire truck. tV~ zoill be able to better
serve our communi(v and save properly
and lives as a result of the equ[plnent.
Thank yott."
Dr. Lisa Arbisser/
Foundation Presidere,
Davenport Schools
"Your contribution of $125,000
offers vital assistance toward our goals
of p~vviding opportunities for staff
developmere and creating a~td
awarding schok~rships for the
Davenport school dhtrict."
Carol Soremet/
Coordinator, DARE
"The Davenport Drug Abuse
Resistwtce Educatio, program
appreciates your g~z~nt. IVk look
forward to a sttcccs~J~tl prog~mt in
teaching leade~zhip skills to the
chikh'en that will attend the camp."
Dr. Dan Kinney/
President, Iowa I/(4stern
Commzmity College
"The Ameristar gift of $100,000 will,
on the interest alone, provide three to
four scholarships per year to deserving
students forever. I wish more businesses
would take such an active interest in
scholarships."
PROVIDING
SUPPORT
For a small percentage of our
patrons, gaming ceases to be casual
entertainment. Unlike any other
industry ~vhose customers develop
behavior problems, gaming takes
responsibility and helps these
individuals by funding treatment
and education programs. In 1996,
Iowa's gaming industry contributed
$3 million to the state Gambling
Treatment Program. In addition,
individual gaming operations across
the state have gone beyond what is
required by law and
have provided t~_tnding
fbr local education
and assistance
programs, displayed
resource materials, and
have identified the
Gambling Treatment
Program hotline
number on their
brochures, ads and other
print materials. Patrons
can also enter into an
agreement with gaming
operations for their vol-
untary exclusion from
the casino.
Frank Biagioli/
Director, Iowa Gambling
Treatment Program
"The casinos are doing an excellent
job of educating the public about
available treatment programs. They also
have displayed brochures and posters at
their locations."
Iowa's gaming industry is committed
to deterring underage gambling. To
ensure gaming customers are 21
years of age or older, procedures
have been implemented to heighten
awareness through employee
training, peer education scholarship
programs, and rigorous security
measures. Managers have vigorously
pursued all options to ensure Iowa
law is enforced.
Dick Christie/
Superi,'~lendent Schools,
Council BluJ)3
"i3v ?rovidittg schol~trships to studei~ts
who dc,tousttz~te the consequences q/'
ttmtcrage gaming through art or written
commtmicaliotts, the gambling (ndttsgrv
has showu their desire to educate our
youth regarding thh pwblem."
PRO%T N
POTEN FLSL
The Iowa Legislature's decision to
nurture and gro~v the gaming
industry is paying huge statewide
benefits. As ~ve continue to provide
gaming entertainment for Iowans, we
will do so responsibly and in compli-
ance wid~ Iowa code. We will contin-
ue to be good neighbors and corpo-
rate citizens and add economic and
social value to Iowa through the
responsible gro~vth and management
of our business. Worldng together,
~ve will ensure a bright future that is
filled with opportunities.
Mark Doll/Owner,
Doll Distributing -
Council Bluffs
"Gaming has had a tremendous
economic impact in the Omaha/
Council Bluffs area. Prior to the
casbws, Council Bhtffs was rarely
thought of as a destination for
convention business. We are now able to
hold our own when it comes to luring
conventio~ business attd other tourism
dollars. Because of the gaming taxes
and do~k~tio~zs, after 12 years we were
finally able to complete the V(4stern
Historic 73'ail Center by funding the $6
milh'on.h'om Council Bluffs required to
quahfy for matching federal money. And
the casi~os have been very good
..tb,' ,q5 ~"':s.."~;:.':'s."
BETTINg AWAY ~ITH MURDER
~hen a man intentionally kills a
~n~end ~o k[11 ouc ~on~ ~h~.k he flin[hed~
unp~.t~posful 4mmkJng o~ m~lm~- ~ flinch
upmight positzon, na~se h~ aP~, ~ h$s gun~ and onJy ~h~n p~11 his
threat ~hmt existed only in him own mi~d- hm killed ~irst~ checked
~or danger lmter. Intent to kill is obvioum- even Whi~ admitted,
on tape, on m local prodin talk ~how, and on the Today ~how, that
8iliaspic intmnded to pull the tr~mp
As to justification~ what posmible peason could Gillaspic give
~or killing our son am he sat facing the doorway in his brightly lit
shop talking on a tan colored phone which had a 12 ~oot cord
mtt~ch~d. Kelley ~rtd Gillaspic had absolu~mly no reamon and no
legal justi{ication to enter Erio'm shop with their guns drawn.
AccordiMg to thei~ own testimony there was no report o~ suspicious
activlty~ and they hmmrd nothing and ~aw nothing i~ide that could
have mroummd their ~uspicion, Ymt they attempted ~n illegal entry
which was recklems and dangerous in the e~tpemm. A killing which
results from illegal and reckless m~tions can not be ca!led an
acc~dmnt. No~ can these offic~r~ clmim self defense because there
was nothing to de~end themselws against.
Our son was murdered and everyone knows who did it~ yet Pat White
refused to prosecute. Evidence that would unquestionably convict
anyone ml~ o~ a crime all too often does not even result in
prosecution of a police officer- ~ons~dm~ that m video of
repem~edly bea~ing Rodney King was not mnough to convince a Los
~n~eles prosecutor or Brand Jury to charge ~hesm officers. When
fmit to prosecute the police we give them a license to
But the Rodney King video did outrage millions of people. The
question in Iowa City is why would p~ople be outraged when
bm~t~n by police off~cers~ but no~ be outragmd when a completely
innocent mmn is murdered by police o~ficerm? Th~ answer is of
~oursm vidmo- m video is mo~e powerful than word~
mo~ difficult to lie your wmy pmst picturm~, and bmcau~ a video
keeps it~ shock value longer than words mn~ can be shown over and
In my m~nd and my wife's mind there im a video o~ ~hese of $icmrm
murdering ou~ son- it will b~ with us mll our lives. ! have been
tryinQ all along to c~emte that v~deo ~n your m~nds too~ to make
see the imagem of Kelsmy hurrying around outside the well lit
building, i~nor~ng Eric's van parked right outside the shop,
spending only m few seconds l[~t~nin~ at the door, failin~ ~o notice
that the door h~d been opened with a key, 9lancing through thm alley
window, and running out to thm street to ~lag ~own Billmspi~ mnd
Zachmrims- I wmnt alt o~ you to watch the 49 second horror video of
8zllasp~e parkxng hxs cruzset, talking over entry plans wzth Kelley,
instructing trainee Zacharias on what to do, checking hi~ bullet--
proof vest, walking to the shop, getting his gun out mnd checking
it, hesitating fo~ one split second outsSde Eric's door and sayin~
to Kelley "but there are lights on in there", shoving the door open
after Kelsmy motions impatiently for him Eo ~o on in, and moving to
an upright pomition and raisin9 his gun and aimin~ and firing
bullet through our ann's heart~ We should not have to be th~ only
ones forced ~o watch the horrible images of police officers skulking
around outside Eric's sOop~ mnd the concurrent images o~ our son
innocently talking on the phone to his bemt friend, totally
thmt he is about to be murdered by police offi6ers~-'~i~-~h-~-~-~
he has ~elt himself to bm ~afe for 12 years; you t~ $hould hear
£ric's startled voice say "what's ~oina on" am his door im kicked
open, and see the ~ear in our son'm face as he looks up in horror at
a cop with a gun pointing at his hemrt; you too should hea~ that
gun shoe echoing forever in £ric's shop~ feel the bullet tearin~
into his body, see the phone falling to the floor, hear Eric's
screams as he ~all~, and see the blood pouring out of the wound in
Eric's chestl I want you to see Kelsay move a critical piece of
evidence, and turn out the lights. I want to ~¢e you to hmar
EriC'S {fiend telling us that ~omething terrible has happened in
Er~c's shop~ that he has heard a gun ~hot and screaming and gasping~
then the sounds of police officers. I want to ~orce you to listen
as the Iowa City police interpOBate Eri~'s friend over a period of
meretel hours without telling him that a poli~e o~+icer +ired the
shot he has heard; I want you to hear Eric's friend ask several
times how did the police ~et there me fast~ and then hear the
silence from the police~ ! want you to hear Keisay say that he
should not have to see this- referring to Eric'm mother crawling in
the alley toward her dead son; I want you to hear a police
almost certainly Kelmay, say to Epic's mother, "stop laying in the
dirt". I wmnt you to experience first hand that these o~icerm were
not arrested, were not sequestered, that they were allowed to talk
to each other, that their official statements wmre ~ot tmken until
two weeks later, and that contrmdictions betwmen statements tMey
mmda that nigh~ ~nd ~heir "official" stmtements were ignored by Pat
White; I want you to hear Kelmay and 8iliaerie beg~n lying to avoid
the punimhment that would certainly come to anyone except a police
o~ficer, It will take courage and imagination to really ~ee
horrible th~ngs, Eo experience them am we do every hou~ o~ our
lives. Please look at this "video" and see what these officers mnd
those who are protecting them have done- they ~o no~ ~e~erve your
sympathy. Onoe you have played this "video" over in your minds
few times, Y__O~TO.~_OWILL BE UqRRIF~ED~_IOVTRAe~p!, and you will
insist ~hat Kelsay and Winkelhake be fired, and you will inmimt that
Justice be done for our murdered son, Jay Shaw
THE NIGHTMARE THAT WON'T END
We are condemned to wake up ~very morning ~er the rest ~f our live~
to a nightmare which we can nmt end- th~ ~irst thought we have every
morninB is that police officers MURDERED our son- it wasn't some
dimease, or some accident, it was the police~ who are sQppQs~d tO
protect life above all else, who took our son fpom us, and whose
crime thi~ city wants to forget. This city h~$ condeaned us to a
HELL ON EARTH where police can get away with _murder.~p_d__.~_t_O_m__ ·
process get more sympathy than our murdered son. We are supposed tg
a¢cept~ as so many of you have~ that it is ok for the pol£cm to
murder because they are fighting crime. Everybody wants closure~
wants us to get on with life, but the real message here is that
p~ople want u~ to forget that the police murdered our son, and to
accep~ that the police are beyond the law which they mr~ ~worn to
uphold, that they can enter without probable cause and without
.warrantm mnd scare themselves into klllinu innocent people, and then
say, it wa~ a part of my job~ and since nobody is perfect you should
forgive this little epror. FOR 80D~S SAKE, NOBODY SHOULD HAV~ THE
RIGHT TO MURDER- it i~ a horror fop u~ to know that policemen
murdered our son, and it is a horror to know that this co~ncil and
~his city care so little about ac~ountability~ and about our
murdered son, and about us that they will not even insist that the
men responsible be ~iped from their positions of power. Winkelhake
and Kelsay mhould not work (or this city another.minute, Don't tell
me you do not have the power to dO this, because~ you do. You ~ound
a way to "fire" W~ito, whose bigest crime was that she didn't agree
wi~h you. You can (ind a way to +ire these men whose negligence and
reckless actions led to a death, You can instruct your City
Manager, Arkins, that i+ he ~oesn't +ipe these men, he will be
fired.
I'm going to end with the 4th ammendmmnt to the cenmtitution and a
quote from Lincoln. The Fourth Ammendment says that "The right of
the people to be secure in their persons, houses~ papers, and
effects, a~ainst unreasonable searches and seizure~ shall not be
violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable c~u~e~
~upported Oy Oath or affirmation, and particulary describing the
place to be mearched and the persons or things to b~ seized,"
Lincbin said this "It is much the duty of government to render
prompt justicm against itsel~ in ~avor of citizens, m~ it is to
administer the same between private individuals." Sod, how ! Wish
Lincoln were here because he would harm the power to make all of you'
who have stood ~ilent in the ~ace o{ this crime ashamed o~ wha~ you