HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-04-03 Correspondence04/03/01 11:47 8319 339 5731 SHIMEK ELEM ~003
My name is Todd Elvcrs and I am a 6e ~radc student at Shlmck Elen~ntary. I am a
member of the school Safety Patrol. My responsx'bilities include assuring That all atudcnts
play safely around ~ school I ~njoy school and like to participate in many class
activities, My favorite classes are math and science. I also enjoy participating in team
spor~s like flag football and basketball, When I am not in school I enjoy helping my Dad
work in the yard, talclng care of my cat, helping with laundry, an,I doing other work
around the hoBBe as Well as playing with my friends.
04/03/01 12:31 8319 339 5731 SHI~EK ELEM [~002
My name is Betsay Richard. rm a sixth grader at 5himek Elementary.
T am responsible in many ways. ]:n school I try my hardest to learn and get my work done.
Z work well with anyone, and if they have a question, I try my best to answer their question. At
home it's the same thing. 32 make sure that ]2 haven't gone to bed without all my homework dane.
A lot of people call me after school asking how to do their math homework or to see whet the
assignment is.
I spend time at home caring for pets. One of the pets I care for is my fish. The other
pet is my rabbit, Eeajou. ]2 have to make sure she has food and hay. If her water gets low ~
clean her water bottle and fill it with fresh water. Also Z have to make sure she lives in a clean
environment. I clean her litter six or seven times a week and her droppings tray three or four
times a week. I find time in the day to take Beajou out for exercise.
When ]:'m outside I pick up litter. ]Zt bothers me to see disgusting things on the ground,
so 1: pick them up.
I go to the library at least once a week or more. 32 make sure I get all my books in on
time by arranging them in piles according to when they're due. When T finish a book T put it in
the go-back-to-the-library pile, so ~ can remember to take them back. Z also write down when
the books are due in the book, and I keep the receipt handy on the bulletin board.
The lest thing I'm going to mention about being responsible is that Z try to get everything
in on time. Yes, sometimes 32 procrastinate a little. ~ don't do it as much now that ]Z'm older,
because ]2 have learned the consequences of waiting to the last minute
All in all those are the responsible things that T do that have gotten me this citizenship
award.
I thank the city council and my teachers for presenting me with this award.
04/03/01 11:47 ~319 339 5731 SHIMEK E~M ~002
Citizenship Paragraph
Dan Rocl~lin
My teacher always says, "Learning: you get out of it what you put
into it." But that is not only true for learning. It is also true for life. If
you are a good citizen, you will probably be a happier person. Some
may ask what a good citizen is. I would say that a good citizen is a
person who helps when they can, for example, a person who is always
willing to hold the door for the person behind them. I don't think that I
am the best choice for my class, but I will try to name the things that
might make me a good citizen. I am a techspert, a person who helps
teachers with their computers. I am on the safety patrol, a group of
sixth graders who try to keep students at Shimek safe. I also
participate in chess club and in school projects such as fund raising and
playground cleaning. When my class had a movie night to raise money
to save the Englert, I worked a shift selling popcorn during the movie.
Outside of school I am involved in soccer and Sunday school. I always
try to exercise common courtesy.
I think our world would be much better if we remembered the
phrase, "T ,~fe: you get out of it what you put into it."
ungfr drive .o..
Mayor, City of Iowa City
410 E. Washington St.
Iowa City, IA 52240
509 S. DUBUQUE ST.
1OV~'A CITY, Enclosed please find a listing of the dates for events related to the
2001 Johnson County Student Hunger Drive. We would like to
IO~'A 52240 make you aware of these dates, and have them included on your
calendar of upcoming events for the year. As the Hunger Drive is
an annual event, and is recieving more and more public accolades
PHONE: 319-339-6800, EXT.69 for its endeavors, we would like to have as many of our community
and school dignitaries aware and involved in our events as
FAX: 319-339-6890 possible, as well as our sponsors.
EMAIL: You will be recieving formal invitations to the listed events as
their respective dates approach. However, in an effort to
partnersined@iowa-city.kl2.ia.us maximize turnout for these events, we are extending to you this
advanced listing of our events schedule in the hope that you will be
able to plan ahead to attend this year's events. Your presence at
these events sends a message to the participating students that
their efforts are being noticed and appreciated by some of the most
important people in Johnson County.
Again, you will recieve formal invitations and more detailed
information on these events as the respective dates draw nearer.
If, in the meantime, you would like more information on the
Johnson County Student Hunger Drive or any of its related events,
feel free to call me at (319)688-1201 or (319)263-2209.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Jennifer L. Moody
School Coordinator
Johnson County Student Hunger Drive
Hission Statement
"TO united and empower area
high school students in the
commitment to feed the hungry
and promote volunteerism."
Events Timetable
509 S. DUBUQUE ST.
IOWA CITY, Sept. 26, 2001: Sponsor Luncheon - JoCo SHD
sponsors honor and encourage participating
IOWA 52240 students in their pending endeavor. Sponsors and
students are given the opportunity to tour the
PHONE: 319-339-6800, EXT.69 Crisis Center and the Crisis Center Food Bank.
FAX: 319-339-6890 - Immediately following the Sponsor Luncheon,
JoCo SHD organizers will conduct a seminar for
EMAIL: student and faculty representatives of
participating schools in planning and publicizing
JoCo SHD events. Participating schools begin
partnersined@iowa-city.kll.ia.us
planning "food-raising" events.
Oct. 2, 2001: Kick-Off Party - JoCo SHD organizers
and the Crisis Center host a party for the
participating schools to create excitement and
rally support and camaraderie among the
students.
Oct. 3 - Oct. 31, 2001: Participating schools plan,
organize, publicize, and host "food-raising" events
in cooperation with JoCo SHD sponsors and their
own local communities and feeder schools.
Oct. 27, 2001: Make A Difference Day ""Bag
Hunger Blitz"" - Participating schools plan as many
activities as possible to collect as much food as
possible on this one day. Participation in Make A
Difference Day makes JoCoSHD elegible to win
up to $10,000 to further the program. The more
activities we have, and the more food we collect,
the better our chances to win!!
~ Nov. 1, 2001: Weigh-In Day and Press
c~rjVe ~ conference - Participating schools sort, box, load,
weigh, and unload air donations collected by their
school. Total weights are calculated and
'"" compared, and the grand total weight and
contest winners are announced at a press
conference later that day at the Crisis Center.
Hission Statement'
"To united and empower area bl/
high school students in the I~
commitment to feed the hungry ~
and promote votunteerism." g
Sponsors are also recognized and awarded with
certificates of participation at this time.
Nov. 8, 2001: Post-Event Debriefing - Faculty and
student representatives from all participating
schools, Crisis Center personnel, and sponsor
representatives are invited to join JoCo SHD
planning committee members in evaluating the
Hunger Drive overall, and to make suggestions for
improvement for the following year's drive.
26 March 2001
Mayor Ernie Lehman:
Enclosed is a tape, about forty minutes in length, on which Steve Bridges and
Anthony Weller, announcers at KCB radio, and Supervisor Terrence Neuzil respond to a
letter to the editor that I wrote. It was printed in the Iowa City Gazette on 8 March 2001.
I am particularly concerned that the announcers would suggest that Mayor Lehman
should shoot Steve Kanner or Irvin Pfab. I think it is despicable that they say Steve
Kanner is a shoplifter. They have been saying this for months and months. Gay bashing
is also a common feature of this program.
I think it is important for the community to become aware of what is being said on KCJJ.
We like to think we promote tolerance and diversity, but this programming goes a long
way in negating those goals. Some of the statements seem to me to be hate speech.
Thank you for taking the time to consider my concerns.
Dan Brock
416 Grant Street
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
319-338-0481
* Tape filed with Clerk and maintained for 2 years in accordance with State Code
T
SUMMARY TABLE OF
FY98 PERFORMANCE STATISTICS
Coralville Transit ~ Iowa City Transit ~ UI CAMBUS
Coralville Transit Iowa City Transit UI CAMBUS
Rxed Fixed Rxed
Route Paretransit* Route Paralransit* Route Paretransit
Performance Factor
Ridership 370,007 7,990 1,248,814 52,576 3,510,077 10,544
Total Operating Expense $755,212 $127,519 $2,462,583 $622,331 $1,277,903 $122,589
Fare Revenue $236,720 $11,179 $617,231 $55,515 $0 $0
Revenue Vehicle Miles 187,430 25,844 544,935 165,175 561,395 56,172
Revenue Vehicle Hours 1.6,,701 2,582 46,040 16,811 52,039 9,305
Cost Per Ride $2.04 $15.96 $1.97 $11.84 $0.36 $11.63
Cost Per Revenue Vehicle Mile $4.03 $4.93 $4.52 $3.77 $2.28 $2.18
Cost Per Revenue Vehicle Hour $45.22 $49.39 $53.49 $37.02 $24.56 $13.17
Farebox/Expense Ratio 0.31 0.09 0.25 0.09 0.00 0.00
Average Fare $0.64 $1.40 $0.49 $1.06 $0.00 $0.00
Operaling Deficit Per Trip $1.40 $14.56 $1.48 $10.78 $0.36 $11.63
Riders Per Revenue Vehicle Mile 1.97 0..31 2.3 0.3 6.2 0.19
Riders Per Revenue Vehicle Hour 22.1 3.1 27.1 3.1 67.4 1.1
SUMMARY TABLE OF
FY99 PERFORMANCE STATISTICS
Coralville Transit ~ Iowa City Transit ~ UI CAMBUS
Coralville Transit Iowa City Transit UI CAMBUS
Fixed Fixed Fixed
Route Paratransit Route Paratransit. Route Paralransit
Performance Factor
Ridership 397,252 7,612 1,331,227 48,166 3,433,991 10,214
Total Operating Expense $847,440 $118,716$2,610,262 $556,566 $1,353,623 $105,081
Fare Revenue $228,663 $10,116 $615,297 $48,313 $0 $0
Revenue Vehicle Miles 212,830 31,118 551,995 154,824 575,445 57,919
Revenue Vehicle Hours 16,898 3,140 45,825 15,635 54,979 9,282
Cost Per Ride $2.13 $15.60 $1.96 $11.56 $0.39 $10.29
Cost Per Revenue Vehicle Mile $3.98 $3.82 $4.73 $3.59 $2.35 $1.81
Cost Per Revenue Vehicle Hour $50.15 $37.81 $56.96 $35.60 $24.62 $11.32
Farebox/Expense Ratio 0.27 0.09 0.24 0.09 0.00 O. OI
Average Fare $0.58 $1.33 $0.46 $1.00 $0.00 $0.00
Operating Deficit Per Trip $1.56 $14.27 $1.50 $10.55 $0.39 $10.29
Riders Per Revenue Vehicle Mile 1.87 0.24 2.4 0.3 6.0 ' 10.18
Riders Per Revenue Vehicle Hour 23.5 2.4 29.1 3.1 62.5 1.1
SUMMARY TABLE OF
FY2000 PERFORMANCE STATISTICS
Coralville Transit ~ Iowa City Transit ~ UI CAMBUS
Coralville Transit Iowa City Transit UI CAMBUS
Fixed Fixed Fixed
Route Paratransit Route Paratranslt~< Route Paratransit
Peffoi!mance Factor
Ridership 398,248 6,451 1,256,263 47,745 3,360,169 8,881
Total Operating Expense $905,885 $143,070 $2,743,792 $584,949 $1,548,047 $104,297
Fare Revenue $242,416 $31,213 $571,879 $62,849 $0 $0
Revenue Vehicle Miles 191,815 30,102 535,335 55~ ~ 167,150 582,932 49,697
Revenue Vehicle Hours 18,894 2,860 45,699 15,817 56,460 9,420
Cost Per Ride $2.27 $22.18 $2.18 $12.25 $0.46 $11.74
Cost Per Revenue Vehicle Mile $4.72 $4.75 $5.13 L/, q Z $3.50 $2.66 $2.10
Cost Per Revenue Vehicle Hoar $47.95 $50.02 $60.94 $36.98 $27.42 $11.07;
Farebox/Expense Ratio 0.37 0.22 0.21 0.11 0.00 0.00
Average Fare $0.61 $4.84 $0.46 $1.32 $0.00 $0.00
Oparatin9 Deficit Per Trip $1.67 $17.34 $1.73 $10.94 $0.46 $11.74
Riders Per Revenue Vehicle Mile 2.08 0.21 2.4 0.3 5.8 0.18
Riders Per Revenue Vehicle Hour 21.1 2.3 27.5 3.0 59.5 0.9
JJ ~Paralransit for Iowa City includes SEATS & University Heights statistics.II
3/16/01 ~
Dear Mayor Lehman and Councilors: ~
Since the leaf season overlaps into the snow season, leaf collection ends before
trees are bare and property owners have the opportunity to rake. I suggest per-
mitting leaf burning for two weeks following final leaf collection.
When the snow comes, the City plows our driveways shut. In the not too distant
future, when I am too old to shovel, I'll be in a hell of a jam. Residents on
level side streets would be better off without snow removal.
Awaiting your reply, I remain:
Very truly yours,
Robert G. Dostal
326 Douglass St.
Iowa City, IA 52246
~ ~ M~R 19 2001 ~
CITY MA. NAG?,'S OFF CF-
Dear Ernie Lehman & Members
As a representative of our business in your district, would like the opportunity to provide
you with some information about my company, Fleck Sales Company.
Fleck Sales Company employs 80 people. We distribute our products to '1200 retailers,
contributing over $30 Million in economic impact of the beer industry in our state.
Being a beer distributor allows us to be a part of the celebrations and events that take
place throughout the Cedar Rapids, Iowa City and surrounding areas. We recognize the
importance of our involvement and the responsibility required in doing this. That's why
we make an effort to market our products responsibly. And we are proud to take the
time to give back to our community. The following is a small list of charitable giving and
community involvement. Alzheimer~s Assoc., American Cancer Society, American Heart
Assoc., United Way, Boys/Girls Club (local), Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Camp
Courageous, Iowa City Special Olympics, Variety Club, IMAX Theater C.R. Kemels,
C.R. Roughriders, and the Kidney Foundation.
Please consider spending an hour or two touring our company, talking with our
employees, and learning more about how we are partnering with local business on
issues facing us all today. We also want to hear about your concams and your ideas. I
will contact you in a week or two to set up an appointment that is convenient for you.
Si rel , ,,I
Dan Shay
Marketing Director, Fleck Sales Company
1825 Edgewood Road SW · Cedar Rapids, iowa 52404 · (319) 396-8981 · 1-800-287-BREW
2204 W Mt Pleasant St W. Burlington, Iowa 52655 (319) 754-6736 1-800 292 1257
City Council of Iowa City ~ 18 ~001
410 E. Washington St.
Iowa City, Iowa 52240 ~ O~
March 14, 2001
Dear City Council Members: ~
I am ~iting to contribute opiniom for the Tuesday, M~ch 20m ci~
council meeting that will ad&ess puning the p~king lot adjacent to the
public libra~ up for sale. (I will be brief as I ~ote a much len~hier leRer
regarding this issue l~t week.)
I urge city council members to inclu& the follo~ng in the RFP:
1. To include a ~assy mini-park ~ space
2. To ensure th~ the building that is develo~d is desired ~d sit~ted in
such a way that it bl~ks the least amount of sunshine that now f~ls on
the libra~ windows ~d the pedes~an mall
3. To desi~ a building or buildings that complement the turn-of the-
centu~ architecture that is in much of the doratom
Thank you for considering my commems.
T~di Brady ~"
Tundi Brady
538 Kimball Rd.
Iowa City, IA 52245
phone: 338-3394
email: tundibrady@yahoo.com
PAUL A. SODERDAHL
61.1 BROOKSIDE DR.
IOwA
Crr'Y, IA 52245-5105
I~AR ~ 12BO1
Iowa C~ Ci~ Council
410 E. Washington St
Iowa Ci~, IA 52240-1826
Re: Development of Libra~ Parking Lot
Dear Ci~ ~uncil Merebern:
I am ~ghtened by the sale of the libra~ parking lot ~is is the wrong way to proceed
for several Feasons.
Fir~, the ci~ is pulling a bait and ~itch on its r~iden~. I, and I'm sure many othem,
would have never vot~ in favor of the libra~ expansion at i~ pre~nt I~ation if I knew
the libra~ parking lot would be closed before the new libra~ opens. ~e benefit of a
downtown central libra~ facili~ nearly vanishes when that parking lot is taken out of
the pi~ure.
In addition, this space remains the only open space downtown. ~ough it's black space
and not green space, it ~ill opens up the pede~an mall. Once a multi~o~ building is
con~m~ed there, the ped mall will feel more like an alley. Ae~h~i~lly, developing
this s~t is a mi~ake; hm a quali~ of living perspe~ive, it is an outrage.
~ird, downtown needs fresh life in order to su~ive. ~e amount of vaunt re~il and
o~ce space downtown is ffightening. Adding more spac~ to lea~ is simply adding to
supply when the demand isn't there. Developing this lot will only ha~en the demi~ of
the downtown area, becau~ there are already not enough business to fill the dl~ri~.
Fu~he~ore, the Ci~ Council gravely undere~imates the value of a small parking lot
immediately across from the libra~ entrance. Our family goes to the public libra~ ~o
or more times each week, and we almo~ always find a paring spot in ~at lot It is
safe for young children in a way that pa~ing in a ramp, or ~o bloc~ away on the
~met, will never be. Consciously or not, I suspe~ I will not use the libra~ nearly as
much because of the added labor of parking. I expe~ others will also, and that libra~
usage will d~line at a time when the building is expanding. In fa~, I'm sure I will
come downtown less often. My usual pa~ern for paring downtown is to drive by that
lot If it's full, I circle the block and t~ the mine lot again. If it's ~ill ~11, I look for
parallel parking in the immediate vicinity. Zf none is available, Z usually return home or
head out to Coralville. T hate ramps that much. Z know others feel the same, as
evidenced by the outcry when the decision was made to remove much of the street
parking on TOwa Avenue in favor of yet another ramp. T know that ramps are efficient
for getting many cars in one spot. However, the burden of waiting to park (while
someone two cars ahead is blocking traffic because it looks like that person in the SUV
might be leaving imminently) and waiting in line to pay, plus circling round and round,
can often add 10 minutes to the parking routine. Thus, the City Council's attitude that
plenty of parking is available elsewhere is without foundation. The quality of parking
available anywhere else downtown is far inferior to this lot.
Finally, and most importantly, there will inevitably come a day - S years from now? 10
years? - when someone will have an outstanding idea for a new public structure.
(Surely not a rain forest, perhaps a museum of some sort, or an institution that
complements the public library, or maybe some use that no one has thought of yet.)
As the last remaining urban renewal lot, the City owes it to its citizens to be careful
stewards of that last remaining lot, so that it may be available as a public space in years
to come. It would be a shame not to have some prime downtown real estate available
for such a structure, just because the city wanted to make a quick buck in 2001.
I strongly urge you to reconsider this decision. Leave it as is for now. At most, repave
the lot for more effective use of the space or for adding some green. But please,
absolutely, do not sell the lot at this time.
Thank you.
ry truly
Pa~A.~Lrdahl
Madan Karr
From: sshoesmi [sshoesmi@blue.weeg.uiowa.edu]
Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2001 11:17 AM
To: council@iowa-city.org
Subject: Iowa Kids Judge! Neuroscience Fair
Dear Mayor and Members of Iowa City Council,
I am writing to invite you to a "Kids Judge! Neuroscience Fair" on Saturday
March 24, 2001 at the Iowa Children's Museum in Coralville Iowa. The fair will
take place from 10 am until 4 pm. At this fair, neuroscinece researchers from
the University of Iowa will present exhibits and activities that demonstrate
various principles of how the brain and nervous system function. 360 fifth
grader students have attended this event during the week and we are opening it
to the public on Saturday.
This event is being held in conjunction with Brain Awareness Week, an
international effort organized by the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives
(www.dana.org) to advance public awareness about the progress and promise of
brain research (i.e. "neuroscience"). It is also part of a research project
funded by the National Institutes of Drug Abuse to determine wheter or not
this is an effective method of communicating information about the brain and
nervous system to the general public. For this event, the Neuroscience
Graduate Program has partnered with the Iowa Children's Museum and the
National Kids Judge! Neuroscience Fairs Partnership (please see
www.kidsjudge.org for more information, as well as www.beemnet.com for
material from previous events held in other cities). A virtual version of the
Iowa Kids Judge! Neuroscience Fair will be available within this next few
weeks, enabling us to reach a much wider audience at www.kidsjudge.org.
The school visits on Tuesday March 20th and Wednesday March 21st, were very
successful: students, teachers, and the graduate students who presented the
activities all had a wonderful time. We hope you will be able to join us on
Saturday. We apologize for the late notice. At the Iowa Children~s Museum desk
there will be two free tickets for each of you to enter the fair.
If you have any additional questions please feel free to contact me at (319)
335-9859 (work), (319) 337-9521 (home), or via e-mail.
Thank you very much for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Sarah Berke
Co-chair, Brain Awareness Week Committee
University of Iowa Neuroscience Program
Sarah Shoesmith Berke
Neuroscience Program
Paulson Lab 3160 ML
University of iowa
Iowa City, IA 52246
(319)335-9859
04-03-01
Madan Karr 4f(8)
From: sshoesmi [sshoesmi@blue.weeg.uiowa.edu]
Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2001 11:17 AM
To: council@iowa-city.org
Subject: Iowa Kids Judge! Neuroscience Fair
Dear Mayor and Members of Iowa City Council,
I am writing to invite you to a "Kids Judge! Neuroscience Fair" on Saturday
March 24, 2001 at the Iowa Children's Museum in Coralville Iowa. The fair will
take place from 10 am until 4 pm. At this fair, neuroscinece researchers from
the University of Iowa will present exhibits and activities that demonstrate
various principles of how the brain and nervous system function. 360 fifth
grader students have attended this event during the week and we are opening it
to the public on Saturday.
This event is being held in conjunction with Brain Awareness Week, an
international effort organized by the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives
(www.dana.org) to advance public awareness about the progress and promise of
brain research (i.e. "neuroscience"). It is also part of a research project
funded by the National Institutes of Drug Abuse to determine wheter or not
this is an effective method of communicating information about the brain and
nervous system to the general public. For this event, the Neuroscience
Graduate Program has partnered with the Iowa Childrenls Museum and the
National Kids Judge! Neuroscience Fairs Partnership (please see
www.kidsjudge.org for more information, as well as www.beemnet.com for
material from previous events held in other cities). A virtual version of the
Iowa Kids Judge! Neuroscience Fair will be available within this next few
weeks, enabling us to reach a much wider audience at www.kidsjudge.org.
The school visits on Tuesday March 20th and Wednesday March 21st, were very
successful: students, teachers, and the graduate students who presented the
activities all had a wonderful time. We hope you will be able to join us on
Saturday. We apologize for the late notice. At the Iowa Children's Museum desk
there will be two free tickets for each of you to enter the fair.
If you have any additional questions please feel free to contact me at (319)
335-9859 (work), (319) 337-9521 (home), or via e-mail.
Thank you very much for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Sarah Berke
Co-chair, Brain Awareness Week Committee
University of iowa Neuroscience Program
Sarah Shoesmith Berke
Neuroscience Program
Paulson Lab 3160 ML
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA 52246
(319)335-9859
Johnson County
GRAIlAM D,\MERON MPH Board of Health
Maureen A. Connolly, MD
Kelley J. Donham, DVM, MS
Donna Henn
March 2'1,200'1 Mary Ann Murray, BSN, MS, RN
Pamela H. Willard, BSN, MS, RN
Iowa City City Council
Civic Center
410 Wash ington Street
Iowa City, IA 52240
Dear Members of the Council:
The provision of alcohol to those under the legal drinking age and intoxicated persons creates
significant and long lasting public health concerns for the youth and overall community of Johnson
County. Any measures that can be taken to prevent youth access to alcohol can and should be
taken as soon as possible.
To that end, the Johnson County Board of Health urges you to send a strong message to liquor
licensees in Johnson County by adopting the ordinance providing for civil penalties against those
who provide alcohol illegally in Iowa City. We strongly support you in your actions to date and
hope you will move quickly to allow implementation of the ordinance in question.
Sin ely,
Kell
1:\440\letter\lCCounci1032101 (~
1105 GILBERT COURT · IOWA CITY. IOWA 52240 · PHONE (319) 356 6040 · FAX (319) 356-6044 recycled paper
Kathi RUndell
1210 Highland Ave. ,
Iowa City, IA 52240
March 20,2001
Iowa City City Council
410 E Washington St.
Iowa City, IA 52240
Dear Council Members,
I am writing in regard to the decision on the drinking problem in Iowa City. As a
parent, cifjz. en, and food and drinking establishment owner I have sat back and
listened to the deliberations and proposals to eliminate or decrease the problems. The
accuse~em of ~ being respon~ hie? State ~y ~u~ ~t display their
merchandise in such a way that provokes my child to steal. Should we enforce that
they lock ,~1 ~ merchandi~ ~ to ~e~ my ch~ Jr~m stealing?
If Iwas a chronic speeder, drove 80 miles per hour when and wherever I could,
should J ~ ~ ~o ~ustry ~ ~ ~ ~nu~cture a car that would not
exceed the legal speed limit?
I realize these analogies do not pose the same problems to the city that
undera~ and ~ive drYking ~s ( incr~ ~, ~ruction of prope~y
and possible deaths) they still would be considered a drudge on society and present
risks to theatres. The thought th~ mor~ty can~ ~tated is absurd.
While I understand the need for changes I see the proposed changes as
ineffective. We recently had a sor~ily ~uest ~o ~ve a pady at our establishment.
From previous experience we had found the majority of people in these groups are
under t~ dri~i~ age. I met ~th t~ ~ner ~ ~e p~y and stated they were
welcome to come play pool, dance ~d ~cialize but was explicit that no underage
drinking ~ permit~, ~ ~e J~ ~ ~ly enfomed. They declined to have
their pa~y at our business and just moved it ~mewhere else. I am not ~r~ to have
lost the ~e~, that is not t~ k~ ~ b~a~ We want, but I am t~ing to show that
enforcement of the law on my end does not necessarily stop or alter the behavior.
A brief Sta~ment a~ut e~mi~ ~ials. As a business owner I feel that
restriction impairs my ability to offer legal customers a~ractive prices. These legal
customers will ~obably ta~ t~r ~s elsew~re, where specials are offered.
Once agSn, Iowa City pushing business out of the community. Not to mention, the
illegal ¢nkers w~ al~ fol~. The~ ~ ddnk~s are not intoxicated 7 days a
week, 24 hours a day. At some point they have made a decision to break the law.
They have fal~ ~entificat~, t~y ~ dri~s from legal drinkers, even bring in their
own alcohol to mix with ~ drinks purchased. They are a sma~ ~d mobile
population. They will go to where t~ ~n ~ it, unfodunately.
With eliminating specials, larger bars who are able to charge a cover will just
increa~ir ~r char~ ~ ~11 ~r ~ct ch~p all the time. Surrounding
63?4 ~et ~ !
· 63~5 ~ Nrj'ISk,N{ 04-03-01
4f(11)
~ative in all cases CHAPTER 657
~rties, as gathered
ling circumstances, NUISANCES
erest in real estate, Abandoned buildings, chapter 657A
the parties to the Anhydrous ammonia plants, §20021
:9, §12394; C46, 50, C~ s~nbo~d law vio~auo.s, §3XgA0
Liquor law violations, §123.60
9, 81, §656.6]
657.1 Nuisance -- what constitutes -- action to 657.6 Stay of execution._ _
abate. 657.7 Expenses -- how collected.
657.2 What deemed nuisances. 657.8 Feedlots.
he vendor for rea- 657.3 Penalty -- abatement. 657.9 Shooting ranges.
~curredbytheven- 657.4 Process. 657.10 Mediation notice.
of a contract gov- 657.5 Repealed by 72 Acts, ch 1124, §282. ../ . ~ operations
;....
hand for attorney
served. The maxi-
~n is fifty dollars.
:hapter, is limited
}quiring a lawyer.
~ clerical services
!d in a lawyer's of- 657.1 Nuisance -- what constitutes -- an- or places resorted to by Dersons using controlled
tion to abate. subst eftned in section~'2'4~lOt~hsec-
t of attorney fees, Whatever is injurious to health, indecent, or un- ' 5, in violation of law, or houses where drunk-
.to pay them, may reasonably offensive to the senses, or an obstruc- enness, quarreling, fighting, or breaches of the
orcement. tion to the free use of property, so as essentially to peace are carried on or permitted to the distur-
joymentoflifeorproperty, is a nuisance, andacivil ~~, signboards, and adv
action by ordinary proceedings may be brought to 1 ~etcd and con~t, u~Ccd on public
enjoin and abate the same and to recover damages or private property, which so obstruct and impair
1 through 656.5, sustained on account thereof. the view of any portion or part of a public street,
dings under this [C51, §2131-2133; R60, §3713-3715; C73, avenue, highway, boulevard, or alley or of a rail-
tractforthepur- §3331; C97, §4302; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12395; road or street railway track as to render danger-
s defined in sec- C46,50,54,58,62,66,71,73,75,77,79,8I,§657.1] ous the use thereof.
~outstandingob- 95 Acts, ch 195, §34 8. Any object or structure hereafter erected
~housand dofiars within one thousand feet of the limits of any mu-
] a mediation re- nicipal or regularly established airport or landing
unless the court 657.2 What deemed nuisances. place, which mayendanger or obstruct aerial navi-
ng that the time The following are nuisances: gation, includingtake-offand landing, unless such
would cause the 1. The erecting, continuing, or using any object or structure constitutes a proper use or en-
m. Title to land building or other place for the exercise of any joyment of the land on which the same is located.
t affected by the trade, employment, or manufacture, which, byoc- 9. The depositing or storing of fiammable
a mediation re- casionlng noxious exhalations, unreasonably of- junk, such as old rags, rope, cordage, rubber,
fensive smells, or other annoyances, becomes inju- bones, and paper, by dealers in such articles with-
~'h 73, §3 rious and dangerous to the health, comfort, or in the fire limits of a city, unless in a building of
property of individuals or the public. fireproof construction, is a public nuisance.
,roceedings __ 2. The causing or suffering any offal, filth, or 10. The emission of dense smoke, noxious
noisome substance to be collected or to remain in fumes, or fly ash in cities is a nuisance and cities
'ed after July 1, any place to the prejudice of others. may provide the necessary rules for inspection,
inst real estate 3. The obstructing or impeding without legal regulation and control.
!re proceeding, authoritythepassageofanynavigableriver, har- 11. Dense growth ofall weeds, vines, bcush, or
e proceeding, in bor, or collection of water. other vegetation in any city so as to constitute a
/ice of notice of 4. The corcupting or rendering unwholesome health, safety, or fire hazard is a public nuisance.
5 has been filed or impure the water of any river, stream, or pond, 12. Trees infected with Dutqh elm disease in
v recorder prior or unlawfully diverting the same from its natural cities.
course or state, to the injury or prejudice of others. [C51, §2759, 2761; R60, §4409, 4411; C73,
5. The obstructing or encumbering by fences, §4089, 4091; C97, §5078, 5080; S13, §713-a, -b,
buildings, or otherwise the public roads, private 1056-a19; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §5740, 5741, 6567,
ways, streets, alleys, commons, landingplaces, or 6743, 12396; C46, 50, §368.3, 368.4, 416.92,
burying grounds. 420.54,657.2; C54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81,
6. Houses of ill fame, kept for the purpose of §657.2]
prostitution and lewdness, gambling houses, 92 Acts, ch 1163, §116; 92 Acts, ch 1231, §56; 95
places resorted to by persons participating in Acts, ch 195, §35; 98 Acts, ch 1072, §1
crimin al gang activity prohibited by chapter 723A, s~ also §319.10, $29.2,329.5
From: Nancy Davin [davinn@home.com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 20, 2001 10:28 PM
To: 'council@iowa-city.org'
Subject: Alcohol debate
Dear Councilors,
I wish to express my opinion with regard to the underage drinking problem
in Iowa City. PLEASE, please put the onus on the offender. Fine the
offender (the drinker) $1,000 for the first offense. If an illegal ID is
used in conjunction with the Offense, hike up the charge another $500. If
it happens again, double the charge. it's time that everyone stop pointing
the finger at everyone else and start taking responsibilities for their own
actions. Fine the bar owner, but please put the biggest fine - and make it
huge - on the underage drinker.
Thank you for your consideration.
Nancy J. Dayin
A Citizen of Iowa City Since 1962
From: Rick Derrig [rderrig@uhl.uiowa.edu]
Sent: Tuesday, March 20, 2001 11:54 AM
To: council@iowa-city.org
Subject: Alcohol ordinance
Council members,
the ordinance you intend to officially pass restricting happy hours,
etc is NOT a beneficial ordinance. It will NOT restrict hinge drinking or
underage drinking, but it WILL be detrimental to downtown establishments
that serve alcohol, as well as the countless number of responsible,
occasional drinkers. This ordinance will only serve to move the drinking
to Coralville businesses or to parties, where both hinge drinking and
underage drinking will become far more prevalent than it is in any bar.
This also will mean that these people will be more likely to be driving
after drinking, creating more danger to everyone. Eliminating 2-for-1 or
any specials for "happy hour", such as 1/2 price will only cost customers
who are NOT hinge drinkers, such as myself, more money (not ALL of us
have the income, such as many of you apparently do, to not be noticably
impacted) and reduce the number of customers to all the Iowa City
establishments. I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but I don't think
there are really very many of us responsible adults who consider having
to pay twice as much for a couple drinks during happy hour, the economnic
hardship you're bringing the Iowa City businesses and/or the probably
increase in drinking drivers is something for which we should be thanking
you.
Please reconsider this folly before formally approving this ordinance.
Knowing that the drinkers are of legal age and their apparent level of
intoxication makes sense, but the rest is the most ridiculous proposition
since prohibition and will serve NO beneficial purpose.
Thank you for your consideration,
Sincerely,
Rick A. Derrig
March 22, 2001 -
Iowa City, Iowa .
Dear Council Members:
I am writing to express my opinion re the problem of underage drinking that has once again
surfaced in Iowa City. I was bom and raised in Iowa City and my father was a beer distributor
for many years until his death in 1968. I realize life was different in Iowa City all those years
ago. However, I can't believe that the quality of the people in Iowa City has changed all that
much. My father was a wonderful man, an astute businessman, who treated his customers like
friends, and he was grateful for their business. There was only my mother, father, and myself,
which didn't mean a whole lot of groceries for our family, but I vividly remember how my father
would distribute our grocery, purchases among his various customers, even if it meant only a can
here and a loaf of bread there. He always felt it was necessary to show his appreciation for his
customers.
Even as a child I remember hearing my parents talking about the problem of underage drinking.
I think that maybe the law was stricter back then because I remember a number of occasions
where one of my father's customers would lose a liquor license because someone sold alcohol to
a minor. It was a big deal back then as it is now. When a bar lost it's license, it created a real
hardship for the owner and his family.
Wouldn't it be something if once and for all Iowa City could set an example and place the blame
and the punishment where it belongs on the underage purchaser of the alcohol? They are the
ones who are breaking the law. Some say that the legal age should be lowered because if a
person is old enough to enter the military, etc., then they should be able to drink alcohol. But
until the age is lowered, wouldn't the rationale also apply that if the person is old enough to serve
their country in the military, that person surely would also have enough brainpower to know full
well they are breaking the law when they purchase alcohol before they meet the legal age? Olden
when sitting in our vehicles waiting for a red light to change when there is no other traffic in
sight, don't we think to ourselves how easy it would be to just drive through the light and
continue on our way? But most of us don't do that because we would be breaking the law, and if
we happened to be caught, we would receive a ticket and be fined on the spot. Why should it be
any different for underage drinkers?
Thank you for listening.
Sincerely,
Rosemary Paul
3907 West Ove~ook Rd NE
Iowa City, IA 52240
From: hlarew [hlarew@blue.weeguiowa.edu]
Sent: Monday, March 19, 2001 8:21 PM
To: council@iowa-city.org
Subject: greetings
Students should go and make the point that if it is the bar owners that the
council is REALLY after, that they will not adopt the state fines for
underage drinking, which would raise your cost from $100 or $135 /I forget
which), to $500. That's right: FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS.
>From: Caroline Dieterle <caroline-dieterle@uiowa.edu>
>To: slp@list.uiowa.edu
>Subject: [slp] City Council tonight
>Date: Mon, Mar 19, 2001, 12:48 PM
>
> The City Council is acting on the alcohol ordinance (according to the Press
> Citizen today) this evening - 6:30, Civic Center.
> Unfortunately, I can't go.
> CD
From: David Johnson [dajohnso@blue.weeguiowa.edu]
Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2001 7:45 AM
To: council@iowa-city.org
Cc: ernie_lehman@iowa-city.org; connie_champion@iowa-city.org; dee_vanderhoef@iowa-
city.org; ross_wilburn@iowa-city.org; steve_atkins@iowa-city.org; ipfab@avalon.net;
mlehman@co.johnson.iaus; cthompso@co.johnson.ia.us; pharney@co.johnson.ia.us;
tneuzil@co.johnson.ia.us; sstutsma@co.johnson.ia.us; vicki_lensing@legis.state.ia.us;
mary_mascher@legis.state.ia.us; barry_brauns@legis.state.ia.us;
richard_myers@legis.state.ia.us; ro_foege@legis.state.ia.us; joe_bolkcom@legis.state.ia.us;
richard_drake@legis.state.ia.us; robe~_dvorsky@legis.state.ia.us; djacoby@ci.coralville.ia.us;
dlundell@ci.coralville.ia.us; jweihe@ci.coralville.ia.us; hherwig@ci.coralville.ia.us;
jschnake@ci.coralville.ia.us; jfausett@ci.coralville.ia.us; jpwhite@co.johnson.ia.us;
chippee205@aol.com; madelko@ia.net; bandyrb@aol.com; johnso@fyiowa.com;
jwatson@goodwillseiowaorg; nonewjail@yahoo.com
To public servants serving Johnson County,
Last November the voters in Johnson county choose
overwhelmingly not fund a new jail. It is the
responsibility of all public servants to respect the
outcome of the referendum.
Apparently some representatives of the City of Iowa
City and Johnson County have continued to pursue the
construction of a new jail. Pursuit of this project on
the part of any government employee acting in an
official capacity is unacceptable as it demonstrates
disrespect for the democratic process.
The issue at hand is now one of assessing the
character of individual public servants based on how
they react to the decision made by the voters. All
representatives of government should be aware that the
voters are keeping tabs on this issue. Elected
officials who choose to ignore the will of the voters
may be remembered unfavorably during future elections.
Unelected officials who choose to ignore the will of
the voters may find themselves facing public pressure
to have their employment terminated.
The point of this message is to urge all public
servants employed within the Johnson County to cease
pursing a project the public has clearly rejected.
Sincerely,
David Johnson
Marjan Karr
From: Mbaltutis@cs.com
Sent: Friday, March 23, 2001 10:27 AM
To: council@iowa-city.org; ernie_lehman@iowa-city.org; connie_champion@iowa-city.org;
dee_vanderhoef@iowa-city.org; ross_wilburn@iowa-city.org; steve_atkins@iowa-city.org;
ipfab@avalon.net; mlehman@co.iohnson.iaus; cthompso@co.iohnson.ia.us;
pharney@co.johnson.ia.us; tneuzil@co.iohnson.ia.us; sstutsma@co.johnson.ia.us;
vicki_lensing@legis.state.ia.us; mary_mascher@legis.stateia.us;
barry_brauns@legis.state.ia.us; richard_myers@legis.state.ia.us; ro_foege@legis.state.ia.us;
joe_bolkcom@legis.state.ia.us; richard_drake@legis.state.ia.us;
robe~_dvorsky@legis.state.iaus; diacoby@ci.coralville.ia.us; dlundell@ci.coralville.ia.us;
jweihe@ci.coralville.ia.us; hherwig@ci.coralville.ia.us; ischnake@ci.coralville.ia.us;
jfausett@ci.coralville.ia.us; jpwhite@co.johnson.ia.us; CHippee205@aol.com;
madelko@ia.net; Bandyrb@aol.com; iohnso@fyiowa.com; jwatson@goodwillseiowa.org;
nonewjail@yahoo.com
Subject: New Jail Thoughts
To public servants serving Johnson County,
Last November the voters in Johnson county choose
overwhelmingly not fund a new jail. It is the
responsibility of all public servants to respect the
outcome of the referendum.
Apparently some representatives of the City of Iowa
City and Johnson County have continued to pursue the
construction of a new jail. Pursuit of this project on
the part of any government employee acting in an
official capacity is unacceptable as it demonstrates
disrespect for the democratic process.
The issue at hand is now one of assessing the
character of individual public servants based on how
they react to the decision made by the voters. All
representatives of government should be aware that the
voters are keeping tabs on this issue. Elected
officials who choose to ignore the will of the voters
may be remembered unfavorably during future elections.
Unelected officials who choose to ignore the will of
the voters may find themselves facing public pressure
to have their employment terminated.
The point of this message is to urge all public
servants employed within the Johnson County to cease
pursing a project the public has clearly rejected.
Sinoerely,
Michael Baltutis
Iowa City resident
Marjan Karr
From: Chris Kahle [chriskahle@alliant-energy.com]
Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2001 10:30 AM
To: bandyrb@aoLcom; chippee205@aol.com; ipfab@avalon.net; djacoby@ci.coralville.ia.us;
dlundell@ci.coralville.ia.us; hherwig@ci.coralville.ia.us; jfausett@ci.coralville.ia.us;
jschnake@ci.coralville.ia,us; iweihe@ci.coralville.iaus; cthompso@co.johnson.ia.us;
jpwhite@cojohnson.ia.us; mlehman@co.johnson.ia.us; pharney@co.johnson.ia.us;
sstutsma@co.iohnson.ia.us; tneuzil@co.johnsonia.us; johnso@fyiowa.com;
jwatson@goodwillseiowa.org; madelko@ia.net; connie_champion@iowa-city.org;
council@iowa-city.org; dee_vanderhoef@iowa-city.org; ernie_lehman@iowa-city.org;
ross_wilbum@iowa-city.org; steve_atkins@iowa-city.org; barry_brauns@legis.state.ia.us;
joe_bolkcom@legis.state.iaus; mary_mascher@legis.state.ia.us;
richard_drake@legis.state.ia.us; richard_myers@legis.state.iaus;
robe~._dvorsky@legis.stateiaus; ro_foege@legis.state.ia.us; vicki_lensing@legis.state.ia.us;
nonewjail@yahoo.com
Subject: no new jail
To public servants serving Johnson County,
Last November the voters in Johnson county choose
overwhelmingly not fund a new jail. It is the
responsibility of all public servants to respect the
outcome of the referendum.
Apparently some representatives of the City of Iowa
City and Johnson County have continued to pursue the
construction of a new jail. Pursuit of this project on
the part of any government employee acting in an
official capacity is unacceptable as it demonstrates
disrespect for the democratic process.
The issue at hand is now one of assessing the
character of individual public servants based on how
they react to the decision made by the voters. All
representatives of government should be aware that the
voters are keeping tabs on this issue. Elected
officials who choose to ignore the will of the voters
may be remembered unfavorably during future elections.
Unelected officials who choose to ignore the will of
the voters may find themselves facing public pressure
to have their employment terminated.
The point of this message is to urge all public
servants employed within the Johnson County to cease
pursing a project the public has clearly rejected.
Sincerely,
Christopher E. Kahle
Marian Karr
From: Joshua Reynords [reynoldsioshua@yahoo.com]
Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2001 10:33 AM
To: council@iowa-city.org; ernie_lehman@iowa-city.org; connie_champion@iowa-city.org;
dee_vanderhoef@iowa-city.org; ross_wilburn@iowa-city.org; steve_atkins@iowa-city.org;
ipfab@avalon.net; mlehman@co.johnson.ia.us; cthompso@co.johnson.ia.us;
pharney@co.johnson.ia.us; tneuzil@co.johnson.ia.us; sstutsma@co.johnson.ia.us;
vicki_lensing@legis.state.ia.us; mary_mascher@legisstateia.us;
barry_brauns@legis.state.iaus; richard_myers@legis.state.ia.us; ro_foege@legis.state.ia.us;
joe_bolkcom@legis.state.iaus; richard_drake@legis.state.ia.us;
robe~__dvorsky@legis.state.iaus; djacoby@ci.coralvjlle.iaus; dlundell@ci.coralville.ia.us;
jweihe@ci.coralville.ia.us; hherwig@ci.coralville.ia.us; ischnake@ci.coralville.ia.us;
ifausett@ci.coralville.ia.us; ipwhite@co.johnson.iaus; chippee205@aol.com;
madelko@ia.net; bandyrb@aol.com; johnso@fyiowa.com; jwatson@goodwillseiowa.org;
nonewjail@yahoo.com
Subject: A vote for no Jail means a jail is not wanted by Iowa City voters.
To public servants serving Johnson County,
Last November the voters in Johnson county choose
overwhelmingly not fund a new jail. It is the
responsibility of all public servants to respect the
outcome of the referendum.
Apparently some representatives of the City of Iowa
City and Johnson County have continued to pursue the
construction of a new jail. Pursuit of this project on
the part of any government employee acting in an
official capacity is unacceptable as it demonstrates
disrespect for the democratic process.
The issue at hand is now one of assessing the
character of individual public servants based on how
they react to the decision made by the voters. All
representatives of government should be aware that the
voters are keeping tabs on this issue. Elected
officials who choose to ignore the will of the voters
may be remembered unfavorably during future elections.
Unelected officials who choose to ignore the will of
the voters may find themselves facing public pressure
to have their employment terminated.
The point of this message is to urge all public
servants employed within the Johnson County to cease
pursing a project the public has clearly rejected.
Sincerely,
Joshua Reynolds
Do You Yahoo!?
Get email at your own domain with Yahoo! Mail.
http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/
Marjan Karr
From: Kurt Berge [KurtBerge@alliant-energy.com]
Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2001 10:42 AM
To: bandyrb@aol.com; chippee205@aol.com; ipfab@avalon.net; djacoby@ci.coralville.ia.us;
dlundell@ci.coralville.ia.us; hhervvig@ci.coralville.ia.us; jfausett@ci.coralville.ia.us;
jschnake@ci.coralvilleia.us; jweihe@ci.coralvi[le. ia.us; cthompso@co.johnsonia.us;
ipwhite@co.iohnson.ia.us; mlehman@co.johnson.ia.us; pharney@co.johnsonia.us;
sstutsma@co.iohnson.ia.us; tneuzil@co.johnson.ia.us; johnso@fyiowa.com;
jwatson@goodwillseiowa.org; madelko@ia.net; connie_champion@iowa-city.org;
council@iowa-city.org; dee_vanderhoef@iowa-city.org; ernie_lehman@iowa-city.org;
ross_wilburn@iowa-city.org; steve_atkins@iowa-city.org; barry_brauns@legis.stateia.us;
joe_bolkcom@legis.state.ia.us; mary_mascher@legis.stateia.us;
richard_drake@legis.stateia.us; richard_myers@legis.stateiaus;
robe~._dvorsky@iegis.state.ia.us; ro_foege@legis.stateia.us; vicki_lensing@legis.stateiaus;
nonewjail@yahoo.com
Subject: Johnson County jail
To public servants serving Johnson County,
Last November the voters in Johnson county choose
overwhelmingly not fund a new jail. It is the
responsibility of all public servants to respect the
outcome of the referendum.
Apparently some representatives of the City of Iowa
City and Johnson County have continued to pursue the
construction of a new jail. Pursuit of this project on
the part of any government employee acting in an
official capacity is unacceptable as it demonstrates
disrespect for the democratic process.
The issue at hand is now one of assessing the
character of individual public servants based on how
they react to the decision made by the voters. All
representatives of government should be aware that the
voters are keeping tabs on this issue. Elected
osficials who choose to ignore the will of the voters
may be remembered unfavorably during future elections.
Unelected officials who choose to ignore the will of
the voters may find themselves facing public pressure
to have their employment terminated.
The point of this message is to urge all public
servants employed within the Johnson County to cease
pursing a project the public has clearly rejected.
Sincerely,
Kurt Berge
Iowa City resident
Kurt Berge
Alliant Energy/GIS Data Dept.
Great America Bldg.- 625 1st St. SE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
(319)786-3716
Marjan Karr
From: t kratz [toddkratz@yahoo.com]
Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2001 8:57 AM
To: council@iowa-city.org; ernie_lehman@iowa-city.org; connie_champion@iowa-city.org;
dee_vanderhoef@iowa-city.org; ross_wilburn@iowa-city.org; steve_atkins@iowa-city.org;
ipfab@avalon.net; mlehman@co.johnson.ia.us; cthompso@co.johnson.ia.us;
pharney@co.johnson.ia.us; tneuzil@co.iohnson.ia.us; sstutsma@co.johnson.ia.us;
vicki_lensing@legis.stateiaus; mary_mascher@legis.state.ia.us;
barry_brauns@legis.state.ia.us; richard_myers@legis.state.iaus; ro_foege@legis.state,ia,us;
joe_bolkcom@legis.state.ia.us; richard_drake@legis,stateia.us;
robert_dvorsky@legis.state.ia.us; diacoby@ci.coraiville.ia.us; dlundell@ci.coralville.ia.us;
jweihe@ci.coralville.ia.us; hherwig@ci.coralville.ia.us; jschnake@ci.coralville.ia.us;
jfausett@ci.coralville.ia.us; ipwhite@co.johnson.ia.us; chippee205@aol.com;
madelko@ia.net; bandyrb@aol.com; johnso@fyiowa.com; iwatson@goodwiilseiowa.org;
nonewjail@yahoo.com
Subject: referendum results
To public servants serving Johnson County,
Last November the voters in Johnson county choose
overwhelmingly not fund a new jail. It is the
responsibility o~ all public servants to respect the
outcome of the referendum.
Apparently some representatives of the City of Iowa
City and Johnson County have continued to pursue the
construction of a new jail. Pursuit of this project on
the part of any government employee acting in an
official capacity is unacceptable as it demonstrates
disrespect for the democratic process.
The issue at hand is now one of assessing the
character of individual public servants based on how
they react to the decision made by the voters. All
representatives of government should be aware that the
voters are keeping tabs on this issue. Elected
officials who choose to ignore the will of the voters
may be remembered unfavorably during future elections.
Unelected officials who choose to ignore the will of
the voters may find themselves facing public pressure
to have their employment terminated.
The point of this message is to urge all public
servants employed within the Johnson County to cease
pursing a project the public has clearly rejected.
Sincerely,
Todd Kratz
Iowa City
Do You Yahoo!?
Get email at your own domain with Yahoo! Mail.
http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/
Marjan Karr
From: Jennie Embree [jennie-embree@uiowa.edu]
Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2001 9:25 AM
To: council@iowa-city.org; ernie_lehman@iowa-city,org; connie_champion@iowa-city.org;
dee_vanderhoef@iowa-city.org; ross_wilburn@iowa-city.org; steve_atkins@iowa-city.org;
ipfab@avalon.net; mlehman@co.johnson.ia.us; cthompso@co.johnson.ia.us;
pharney@cojohnson.ia.us; tneuzil@cojohnson.ia.us; sstutsma@co.johnson.ia.us;
vicki_lensing@legis,state.ia.us; mary_mascher@legis.state.ia.us;
barry_brauns@legis.state.ia.us; richard_myers@legisstate.ia.us; ro_foege@legis.state.ia.us;
joe_bolkcom@legis.state.ia.us; richard_drake@legis.state,ia.us;
robe~_dvorsky@legis.state.ia.us; djacoby@ci.coralvilleiaus; dlundell@ci.coralville.ia.us;
jweihe@ci.coralville.ia.us; hherwig@ci.coralville.iaus; jschnake@ci.coralville.ia.us;
jfausett@ci.coralville.ia.us; jpwhite@co.johnson.ia.us; chippee205@aol.com;
madelko@ianet; bandyrb@aol.com; johnso@fyiowa.com; jwatson@goodwillseiowaorg;
nonewjail@yahoo.com
Subject: No New Jail
To public servants serving Johnson County,
Last November the voters in Johnson county choose
overwhelmingly not fund a new jail. It is the
responsibility of all public servants to respect the
outcome of the referendum.
Apparently some representatives of the City of Iowa
City and Johnson County have continued to pursue the
construction of a new jail. Pursuit of this project on
the part of any government employee acting in an
official capacity is unacceptable as it demonstrates
disrespect for the democratic process.
The issue at hand is now one of assessing the
character of individual public servants based on how
they react to the decision made by the voters. All
representatives of government should be aware that the
voters are keeping tabs on this issue. Elected
officials who choose to ignore the will of the voters
may be remembered unfavorably during future elections.
Unelected officials who choose to ignore the will of
the voters may find themselves facing public pressure
to have their employment terminated.
The point of this message is to urge all public
servants employed within the Johnson County to cease
pursing a project the public has clearly rejected.
Sincerely,
Jennie Embree
Marjan Karr
From: Bruce Kinner [BruceKinner@alliant-energy.com]
Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2001 12:23 PM
To: bandyrb@aol.com; chippee205@aol.com; ipfab@avalon.net; djacoby@ci.coralville.ia.us;
dlundell@ci.coralville.ia.us; hherwig@ci.coralville.ia.us; jfausett@ci.coralville.ia.us;
jschnake@ci.coralville,ia,us; jweihe@ckcoralville.ia.us; cthompso@co.johnson.ia.us;
jpwhite@co.johnson.ia.us; mlehman@co.johnson.ia.us; pharney@co.johnson.ia.us;
sstutsma@co.johnson.ia.us; tneuzil@co.iohnson.ia.us; johnso@fyiowa.com;
jwatson@goodwillseiowa.org; madelko@ia.net; connie_champion@iowa-city.org;
council@iowa-city.org; dee_vanderhoef@iowa-city,org; ernie_lehman@iowa-city.org;
ross_wiJburn@iowa-city.org; steve_atkins@iowa-city.org; barry_brauns@legis.state.ia.us;
joe_bolkcom@legis.state.ia.us; mary_mascher@legis,state.ia.us;
richard_drake@legis.state.ia.us; richard_myers@legis.state.ia.us;
robe~._dvorsky@iegis,state.ia.us; ro_foege@legis.state,ia.us; vicki_lensing@legis.state.ia.us;
nonewiail@yahoo.com
Subject: Re: We said 'no new jail'
help By 'no new jail'
To public servants serving Johnson County,
Last November the voters in Johnson county choose
overwhelmingly not fund a new jail. It is the
responsibility of all public servants to respect the
outcome of the referendum.
Apparently some representatives of the City of Iowa
City and Johnson County have continued to pursue the
construction of a new jail. Pursuit of this project on
the part of any government employee acting in an
official capacity is unacceptable as it demonstrates
disrespect for the democratic process.
The issue at hand is now one of assessing the
character of individual public servants based on how
they react to the decision made by the voters. All
representatives of government should be aware that the
voters are keeping tabs on this issue. Elected
officials who choose to ignore the will of the voters
may be remembered unfavorably during future elections.
Unelected officials who choose to ignore the will of
the voters may find themselves facing public pressure
to have their employment terminated.
The point of this message is to urge all public
servants employed within the Johnson County to cease
pursing a project the public has clearly rejected.
Sincerely,
A Concerned Johnson County Citizen
Marian Karr
From: John Watson [jwatson@goodwillseiowa.org]
Sent: Friday, March 23, 2001 3:19 PM
To: council@iowa-city.org; David Johnson
Cc: ernie_lehman@iowa-city.org; connie_champion@iowa-city.org; dee_vanderhoef@iowa-
city.org; ross_wilburn@iowa-city.org; steve_atkins@iowa-city.org; ipfab@avalon.net;
mlehman@co.johnson.ia.us; cthompso@co.iohnson.ia.us; pharney@co.iohnson,ia.us;
tneuzil@co.johnson.ia.us; sstutsma@co.johnson.ia.us; vicki_lensing@legis.state.ia.us;
mary_mascher@legis.state.ia.us; barry_brauns@legis.state.ia.us;
richard_myers@legis,state.ia.us; ro_foege@regis.state.ia.us; ioe_bolkcom@legis.state.ia.us;
richard_drake@legis.state.ia.us; rober~_dvorsky@legis.state.ia.us; djacoby@ci.coralville.ia.us;
dlundell@ci.coralville.ia.us; jweihe@ci.coralville.ia.us; hherwig@ci.coralville.ia.us;
jschnake@ci.coralville.ia.us; ifausett@ci.coralvilleia.us; jpwhite@co.johnson.ia.us;
chippee205@aol.com; madelko@ia.net; bandyrb@aol.com; johnso@fyiowa.com;
nonewjail@yahoo.com; madelko@southslope.net
Subject: Re: Jail Messages
Greetings:
Although a public servant in my capacity as a member and chairman of the
iowa City Police Citizens Police Board (PCRB), it was puzzling to find my
name among the long list of elected officials that seemed to be the target
of the flurry of e-mail messages regarding the jail.
I wish to make it clear that the PCRB has never discussed or taken any
position on the jail referendum, and it is extremely unlikely that the
subject will ever be on our agenda in the future. The issue is simply not
within our purview.
I allowed my name to be used by the opposition group prior to the referendum
and voted "no" on the jail, but not for all the reasons cited by group. I
was concerned by the cost and scope of the project and was far from
convinced that there had been sufficient study of alternatives for persons
that were not a threat to public safety or for whom incarceration seemed
excessive and unjust (including some who are in jail because current law
requires it). My one vote did not mean that we should never have a new jail.
I gather from other conversations that this reflects the position of many
who voted against the new jail last November.
I understand that a broader study is now underway. I hope that it addresses
the issues that are of concern to me and I look forward to its findings and
recommendations.
John Watson
403 Elmridge Avenue
Iowa City, iowa 52245
337-9225
jdwatson9225Gmsn.com
..... Original Message .....
From: "David Johnson" <dajohnso@blue.weeg.uiowa.edu>
To: <council@iowa-city.org>
Cc: <ernie_lehman@iowa-city.org>; <connie_champion@iowa-city.org>;
<dee vanderhoef@iowa-city.org>; <ross_wilburn@iowa-city.org>;
<steve_atkins@iowa-city.org>; <ipfab~avalon.net>;
<mlehman@co.johnson.ia.us>; <cthompso@co.johnson.ia.us>;
<pharney@co.johnson.ia.us>; <tneuzil@co.johnson.ia.us>;
<sstutsma@co.johnson.ia.us>; <vicki_lensing@legis.state.ia.us>;
<marymascher@legis.state.ia.us>; <barry_brauns@legis.state.ia.us>;
<richardmyers@legis.state.ia.us>; <ro foege@legis.state.ia.us>;
<joe bolkcom@legis.state.ia.us>; <richard drake@legis.state.ia.us>;
<robert_dvorsky@legis.state.ia.us>; <djacoby@ci.coralville.ia.us>;
<dlundell~ci.coralville.ia.us>; <jweihe@ci.coralville.ia.us>;
<hherwig{ci.coralville.ia.us>; <jschnake@ci.coralville.ia.us>;
<jfausett@ci.coralville.ia.us>; <jpwhite@co.johnson.ia.us>;
<chippee205eaol.com>; <madelko@ia.net>; <bandyrb@aol.com>;
<johnso@fyiowa.com>; <jwatson@goodwillseiowa.org>; <nonewjail@yahoo.com>
Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2001 7:45 AM
To public servants serving Johnson County,
Last November the voters in Johnson county choose
overwhelmingly not fund a new jail. It is the
responsibility of all public servants to respect the
outcome of the referendum.
Apparently some representatives of the City of Iowa
City and Johnson County have continued to pursue the
construction of a new jail. Pursuit of this project on
the part of any government employee acting in an
official capacity is unacceptable as it demonstrates
disrespect for the democratic process.
The issue at hand is now one of assessing the
character of individual public servants based on how
they react to the decision made by the voters. All
representatives of government should be aware that the
voters are keeping tabs on this issue. Elected
officials who choose to ignore the will of the voters
may be remembered unfavorably during future elections.
Unelected officials who choose to ignore the will of
the voters may find themselves facing public pressure
to have their employment terminated.
The point of this message is to urge all public
servants employed within the Johnson County to cease
pursing a project the public has clearly rejected.
Sincerely,
David Johnson
Marjan Karr
From: David Johnson [dajohnso@blue.weeg.uiowa.edu]
Sent: Thursday, March 29.2001 9:41 AM
To: council@iowa-city.org; ernie_lehman@iowa-city.org
On April 3 the Iowa City city council will vote on new
regulations aimed at restricting alcohol consumption.
Supporters of the regulations claim their objective is
to reduce 'under age' drinking. However the new rules
will have unintended and undesirable consequences for
the city and will affect bar and restaurant patrons of
all ages. The proposed restrictions are short sighted
and should not become law in Iowa City. There are a
number of reasons to oppose the new regulations.
1. Underage (19-21 year old) drinkers do not patronize
bars in large numbers during 'happy hours' (Spm-7pm).
Young bar patrons usually do not arrive at the bars in
significant numbers until around 9pm. Restrictions on
'happy hours' will most affect bar and restaurant
patrons in the 21+ age range.
2. If 12,000 19-21 year olds who makeup 20% of the
population are prohibited from entering bars how and
where will they spend their time? It is unlikely that
young people eager to test their wings in their first
years away from home will stop looking for a 'party'.
Like high school students the 19-20 year old
population will probably resort to drinking in private
homes, apartments, parks, corn fields, etc.. The
result will be more drunk drivers on the roads, more
tax dollars spent to police student housing and an
unsafe environment where inexperienced drinkers have
no adult supervision and no protection against
physical confrontations or sexual assault. Remember
the two young women assaulted and murdered at an after
hours party a few years ago. If they had been in a
public bar instead of a private apartment they would
probably be alive today.
3. Iowa City is blessed with a downtown that serves
the co~nunity 20 out of 24 hours in a day.
Unfortunately the downtown is dying. Bars and
restaurants are all that remains to fill the majority
of visible store fronts. These establishments are an
integral part of the local economy that in part
depends on money spent by 19-20 year olds between the
hours of 7pm and 2am. It is likely that further
restrictions on the ability of these establishments to
make a profit will turn a once vibrant downtown into a
ghosttown. Visiting the downtown areas of Cedar
Rapids, Des Moines, Waterloo and a host of other cites
after 7pm sends a chilling message as to what can
happen when a city ignores, regulates and taxes its
city center out of existence.
4. Further laws restricting the consumption of alcohol
will lead to additional arrests and more people
spending a night in jail. Law enforcement in Iowa
City already arrests and jails up to 300% more
residents on alcohol related charges than do other
counties in Iowa. The overly zealous and
prohibitionist stance of the ICPD and University
1
Security has contributed to overcrowding at the
Johnson county jail.
The statistics below are from state records for the
year 1999(per 100,000 population)
Johnson County (Iowa City, UI):
public intoxication-l,495.5
liquor law violations-2,376.3
OWI arrests-1099.3
drug related arrests-779.8
Story County (}snes, ISU):
public intoxication-437.4
liquor law violations-1052.3
OWI arrests-595.1
drug related arrests-226.6
Black Hawk County (Cedar Falls/Waterloo, UNI):
public intoxication-384.6
liquor law violations-301.4
OWI arrests-443.9
drug related arrests-588.9
Despite its small size Iowa City is host to a variety
of activities for residents of all ages. To live up
to its reputation of being a community where tolerance
is a way of life the city should not restrict the
rights of its residents to choose where, when and how
to spend their free time. Further regulations aimed at
alcohol consumption are bad for Iowa City because they
chip away at the concept of personal liberty, have
counter productive consequences and stifle the local
economy.
Sincerely,
David Johnson
Marian Karr
From: Sara Epstein [Sara-Epstein@uiowa.edu]
Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2001 11:02 AM
To: council@iowa-city.org; ernie_lehman@iowa-city.org; connie_champion@iowa-city.org;
dee_vanderhoef@iowa-city.org; ross_wilburn@iowa-city.org; ipfab@avalon.net
Cc: nonewjail@yahoo.com
Subject: new achohol restrictions
On April 3 the Iowa City city council will vote on new
regulations aimed at restricting alcohol consumption.
Supporters of the regulations claim their objective is
to reduce 'under age' drinking. However the new rules
will have unintended and undesirable consequences for
the city and will affect bar and restaurant patrons of
all ages. The proposed restrictions are short sighted
and should not become law in Iowa City. There are a
number of reasons to oppose the new regulations.
1. Underage (19-21 year old) drinkers do not patronize
bars in large numbers during 'happy hours' (5pm-7pm).
Young bar patrons usually do not arrive at the bars in
significant numbers until around 9pm. Restrictions on
'happy hours' will most affect bar and restaurant
patrons in the 21+ age range.
2. If 12,000 19-21 year olds who make up 20% of the
population are prohibited from entering bars, how and
where will they spend their time? It is unlikely that
young people eager to test their wings in their first
years away from home will stop looking for a party.
Like high school students, the 19-20 year old
population will probably resort to drinking in private
homes, apartments, parks, corn fields, etc. The
result will be more drunk drivers on the roads, more
tax dollars spent to police student housing, and an
unsafe environment where inexperienced drinkers have
no adult supervision and no protection against
physical confrontations or sexual assault.
3. Iowa City is blessed with a downtown that serves
the community 20 out of 24 hours in a day.
Unfortunately, the downtown is dying. Bars and
restaurants are all that remains to fill the majority
of visible store fronts. These establishments are an
integral part of the local economy that in part
depends on money spent by 19-20 year olds between the
hours of ? p.m. and 2 a.m. It is likely that further
restrictions on the ability of these establishments to
make a profit will turn a once vibrant downtown into a
ghosttown. Visiting the downtown areas of Cedar
Rapids, Des Moines, Waterloo, and a host of other cities
after 7 p.m. sends a chilling message as to what can
happen when a city ignores, regulates, and taxes its
city center out of existence.
4. Further laws restricting the consumption of alcohol
will lead to additional arrests and more people
spending a night in jail. Law enforcement in Iowa
City already arrests and jails up to 300% more
residents on alcohol-related charges than do other
counties in Iowa. The overly zealous and
prohibitionist stance of the ICPD and University
security has contributed to overcrowding at the
1
Johnson County jail.
The statistics below are from state records for the
year 1999 (per 100,000 population).
Johnson County {Iowa City, UI):
public intoxication-l,495.5
liquor law violations-2,376.3
OWl arrests-1099.3
drug related arrests-779.8
Story County (Ames, ISU):
public intoxication-437.4
liquor law violations-l,052.3
OWl arrests-595.1
drug related arrests-226.6
Black Hawk County (Cedar Falls/Waterloo, UNI):
public intoxication-384.6
liquor law violations-301.4
OWl arrests-443.9
drug related arrests-588.9
Despite its small size, Iowa City is host to a variety
of activities for residents of all ages. To live up
to its reputation of being a community where tolerance
is a way of life, the city should not restrict the
rights of its residents to choose where, when, and how
to spend their free time. Further regulations aimed at
alcohol consumption are bad for Iowa City because they
chip away at the concept of personal liberty, have
counter productive consequences, and stifle the local
economy.
Sincerely,
Sara Epstein
1107 1/2 Prairie Du Chien R.
Iowa City, IA 52245
Marjan Karr
From: t kratz [toddkratz@yahoo.com]
Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2001 11:02 AM
To: council@iowa-city.org; ernie_lehman@iowa-city.org; connie_champion@iowa-city.org;
dee_vanderhoef@iowa-city.org; ross_wilburn@iowa-city.org; ipfab@avalon,net;
nonewjail@yahoo.com
Subject: vote no on proposed alcohol regulations
On April 3 the Iowa City city council will vote on new
regulations aimed at restricting alcohol consumption.
Supporters of the regulations claim their objective is
to reduce 'under age' drinking. However the new rules
will have unintended and undesirable consequences for
the city and will affect bar and restaurant patrons of
all ages. The proposed restrictions are short sighted
and should not become law in iowa City. There are a
number of reasons to oppose the new regulations.
1. Underage (19-21 year old) drinkers do not patronize
bars in large numbers during 'happy hours' (5pm-7pm).
Young bar patrons usually do not arrive at the bars in
significant numbers until around 9pm. Restrictions on
'happy hours' will most affect bar and restaurant
patrons in the 21+ age range.
2. If 12,000 19-21 year olds who makeup 20% of the
population are prohibited from entering bars how and
where will they spend their time? It is unlikely that
young people eager to test their wings in their first
years away from home will stop looking for a 'party'.
Like high school students the 19-20 year old
population will probably resort to drinking in private
homes, apartments, parks, corn fields, etc.. The
result will be more drunk drivers on the roads, more
tax dollars spent to police student housing and an
unsafe environment where inexperienced drinkers have
no adult supervision and no protection against
physical ~onfrontations or sexual assault. Remember
the two young women assaulted and murdered at an after
hours party a few years ago. If they had been in a
public bar instead of a private apartment they would
probably be alive today.
3. Iowa City is blessed with a downtown that serves
the community 20 out of 24 hours in a day.
Unfortunately the downtown is dying. Bars and
restaurants are all that remains to fill the majority
of visible store fronts. These establishments are an
integral part of the local economy that in part
depends on money spent by 19-20 year olds between the
hours of 7pm and 2am. It is likely that further
restrictions on the ability of these establishments to
make a profit will turn a once vibrant downtown into a
ghosttown. Visiting the downtown areas of Cedar
Rapids, Des Moines, Waterloo and a host of other cites
after 7pm sends a chilling message as to what can
happen when a city ignores, regulates and taxes its
city center out of existence.
4. Further laws restricting the consumption of alcohol
will lead to additional arrests and more people
spending a night in jail. Law enforcement in Iowa
City already arrests and jails up to 300% more
residents on alcohol related charges than do other
counties in Iowa. The overly zealous and
prohibitionist stance of the ICPD and University
Security has contributed to overcrowding at the
Johnson county jail.
The statistics below are from state records for the
year 1999(per 100,000 population)
Johnson County (Iowa City, UI):
public intoxication-l,495.5
liquor law violations-2,376.3
OWI arrests-1099.3
drug related arrests-779.8
Story County (Ames, ISU):
public intoxication-437.4
liquor law violations-1052.3
OWI arrests-595.1
drug related arrests-226.6
Black Hawk County (Cedar Falls/Waterloo, UNI):
public intoxication-384.6
liquor law violations-301.4
OWI arrests-443.9
drug related arrests-588.9
Despite its small size Iowa City is host to a variety
of activities for residents of all ages. To live up
to its reputation of being a community where tolerance
is a way of life the city should not restrict the
rights of its residents to choose where, when and how
to spend their free time. Further regulations aimed at
alcohol consumption are bad for Iowa City because they
chip away at the concept of personal liberty, have
counter productive consequences and stifle the local
economy.
Sincerely,
Todd Kratz
http://www.press-citizen.com/news/032001alcohol.htm
7pm.
Do You Yahoo!?
Get email at your own domain with Yahoo! Mail.
http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/?.refer text
Marian Karr
From: caroline dieterie [caroline_dieterle@hotmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2001 5:45 PM
To: council@iowa-city.org; ernie_lehman@iowa-city.org; connie_champion@iowa-city.org
Cc: nonewjail@yahoo.comross_wilburn@iowa-city.org; ipfab@avalon.net;
dee_vanderhoef@iowa-city.org
To the City Council:
On April 3 the council will vote on new
regulations aimed at restricting alcohol consumption.
Supporters of the ~egulations claim their objective is
to reduce 'under age' drinking. However the new rules
will have unintended and undesirable consequences for
the city and will affect bar and restaurant patrons of
all ages. The proposed restrictions are short sighted
and should not become law in Iowa City. There are a
number of reasons to oppose the new regulations.
1. Underage (19-21 year old) drinkers do not patronize
bars in large numbers during 'happy hours' (Spm-Tpm).
Young bar patrons usually do not arrive at the bars in
significant numbers until around 9pm. Restrictions on
'happy hours' will most affect bar and restaurant
patrons in the 21+ age range.
2. Ef 12,000 19-21 year olds who makeup 20% of the
population are prohibited from entering bars how and
where will they spend their time? It is unlikely that
young people eager to test their wings in their first
years away from home will stop looking for a 'party'.
Like high school students the 19-20 year old
population will probably resort to drinking in private
homes, apartments, parks, corn fields, etc.. The
result will be more drunk drivers on the roads, more
tax dollars spent to police student housing and an
unsafe environment where inexperienced drinkers have
no adult supervision and no protection against
physical confrontations or sexual assault. Remember
the two young women assaulted and murdered at an after
hours party a few years ago. If they had been in a
public bar instead of a private apartment they would
probably be alive today.
3. Iowa City is blessed with a downtown that serves
the community 20 out of 24 hours in a day.
Unfortunately the downtown is dying. Bars and
restaurants are all that remains to fill the majority
of visible store fronts. These establishments are an
integral part of the local economy that in part
depends on money spent by 19-20 year olds between the
hours of 7pm and 2am. It is likely that further
restrictions on the ability of these establishments to
make a profit will turn a once vibrant downtown into a
ghosttown. Visiting the downtown areas of Cedar
Rapids, Des Hoines, Waterloo and a host of other cites
after 7pm sends a chilling message as to what can
happen when a city ignores, regulates and taxes its
city center out of existence.
4. Further laws restricting the consumption of alcohol
will lead to additional arrests and more people
spending a night in jail. Law enforcement in
City already arrests and jails up to 300% more
residents on alcohol related charges than do other
counties in Iowa. The overly zealous and
prohibitionist stance of the ICPD and University
Security has contributed to overcrowding at the
Johnson county jail.
The statistics below are from state records for the
year 1999(per 100,000 population)
Johnson County (iowa City, UI):
public intoxication-l,495.5
liquor law violations-2,376.3
OWI arrests-1099.3
drug related arrests-779.8
Story County (Ames, ISU):
public intoxication-437.4
liquor law violations-1052.3
OWI arrests-595.1
drug related arrests-226.6
Black Hawk County (Cedar Falls/Waterloo, UNI):
public intoxication-384.6
liquor law violations-301.4
OWI arrests-443.9
drug related arrests-588.9
Despite its small size Iowa City is host to a variety
of activities for residents of all ages. To live up
to its reputation of being a conununity where tolerance
is a way of life the city should not restrict the
rights of its residents to choose where, when and how
to spend their free time. Further regulations aimed at
alcohol consumption are bad for Iowa City because they
chip away at the concept of personal liberty, have
counter productive consequences and stifle the local
economy.
Sincerely,
Caroline Dieterle
Walnut St., Iowa City
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com
Marjan Karr
From: kratzsusan [kratzsusan@uswest.net]
Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2001 9:45 PM
To: council@iowa-city.org
Subject: no more restrictions on IC drinking!
Ernie--
I teach at Kirkwood Community College and deal with students who party
too much, but more legislation is not the answer. Student drinking is
just a symptom of a much deeper problem and we cannot legislate the
solution. The problem of students being away from home for the first
time is not new. The problems of loneliness and trying to fit in are
not new. Students don't need fines and jailing for stupidity that does
not endanger. They need a firm but not overbearing hand from our local
police who, like it or not, are stand-in parents, teachers, mentors, and
protectors in the wee hours of these students' early adult lives. Well-
trained police officers can handle young people without resorting to
extreme measures. Maybe we can legislate that officers must be trained
in this endeavor; judging by the information that follows, they need
it. And let's investigate more alternative entertainments.
On April 3 the Iowa City city council will vote on new
regulations aimed at restricting alcohol consumption.
Supporters of the regulations claim their objective is
to reduce 'under age' drinking. However the new rules
will have unintended and undesirable consequences for
the city and will affect bar and restaurant patrons of
all ages. The proposed restrictions are short sighted
and should not become law in Iowa City. There are a
number of reasons to oppose the new regulations.
1. Underage (19-21 year old) drinkers do not patronize
bars in large numbers during 'happy hours1 (5pm-7pm).
Young bar patrons usually do not arrive at the bars in
significant numbers until around 9pm. Restrictions on
'happy hours' will most affect bar and restaurant
patrons in the 21+ age range.
2. If 12,000 19-21 year olds who makeup 20% of the
population are prohibited from entering bars how and
where will they spend their time? It is unlikely that
young people eager to test their wings in their first
years away from home will stop looking for a 'party'.
Like high school students the 19-20 year old
population will probably resort to drinking in private
homes, apartments, parks, corn fields, etc.. The
result will be more drunk drivers on the roads, more
tax dollars spent to police student housing and an
unsafe environment where inexperienced drinkers have
no adult supervision and no protection against
physical confrontations or sexual assault. Remember
the two young women assaulted and murdered at an after
hours party a few years ago. If they had been in a
public bar instead of a private apartment they would
probably be alive today.
3. Iowa City is blessed with a downtown that serves
the community 20 out of 24 hours in a day.
Unfortunately the downtown is dying. Bars and
restaurants are all that remains to fill the majority
of visible store fronts. These establishments are an
integral part of the local economy that in part
depends on money spent by 19-20 year olds between the
hours of 7pm and 2am. It is likely that further
1
restrictions on the ability of these establishments to
make a profit will turn a once vibrant downtown into a
ghosttown. Visiting the downtown areas of Cedar
Rapids, Des Moines, Waterloo and a host of other cites
after 7pm sends a chilling message as to what can
happen when a city ignores, regulates and taxes its
city center out of existence.
4. Further laws restricting the consumption of alcohol
will lead to additional arrests and more people
spending a night in jail. Law enforcement in Iowa
City already arrests and jails up to 300% more
residents on alcohol related charges than do other
counties in Iowa. The overly zealous and
prohibitionist stance of the ICPD and University
Security has contributed to overcrowding at the
Johnson county jail.
The statistics below are from state records for the
year 1999(per 100,000 population)
Johnson County (Iowa City, UI): public intoxication-l,495.5
liquor law violations-2,376.3
OWI arrests-1099.3
drug related arrests-779.8
Story County (Ames, ISU}:
public intoxication-437.4
liquor law violations-1052.3
OWI arrests-595.1
drug related arrests-226.6
Black Hawk County (Cedar Falls/Waterloo, UNI):
public intoxication-384.6
liquor law violations-301.4
OWI arrests-443.9
drug related arrests-588.9
Despite its small size Iowa City is host to a variety
of activities for residents of all ages. To live up
to its reputation of being a community where tolerance
is a way of life the city should not restrict the
rights of its residents to choose where, when and how
to spend their free time. Further regulations aimed at
alcohol consumption are bad for Iowa City because they
chip away at the concept of personal liberty, have
counter productive consequences and stifle the local
economy.
Do not vote for more restrictions! (And I hardly ever drink!) Let's
act like a community that cares about all its citizens, especially those
who are still children in our charge.
Sincerely,
Susan Kratz
It is springtime in Iowa City, so the yearly ritual begins. No, I don't mean
preparations for Riverlest and spring graduation, I mean the City Council is
once again talking about more poorly thought out laws in a misguided attempt to
try to "control" underage drinking.
This year's batch is even less well thought out than usual. In the past the
laws have sought to punish servers and bar owners, this year the laws seem
targeted at punishing legal drinkers. So now when I'm out with friends, they'd
like to disallow me from buying a pitcher of beer, because I might share it
with underage drinkers. And don't want to let me buy two drinks, to bring one
to a friend, for the same reason.
Why do I suspect that this would only be enforced at downtown bars students
frequent? While the law would state it is a law for all nflowa City, I'm sure
the police would be instructed about where to enforce it, because if it
inconveniences too many voters, the City Council will lose their support. Why
else do you think that despite all the worry about "hinge drinking", the police
don't enforce public intoxication laws on the many 50-something alumni
tallgating at home football games? I guess they just don't want you to binge
drink in college, but once you graduate, get a good job, pay some nice big
property taxes and start giving money to the athletic department, your hinge
drinking is no longer a problem. I guess they feel that decades of experience
make you a more responsible binge drinker.
The big problem with enforcement constantly being targeted at only the downtown
bars is that it pushes underage drinkers elsewhere where the police don't
check, and the staff aren't trained to spot fake IDs. Not to mention that such
places are not in walking distance, so someone is going to be driving a car
there. If you want to fix a problem, be smart and fix it in a way that won't
create a bigger problem!
Its really not hard. If you want to reduce underage drinking, you can't do it
by trying to cut off all the ways they can get hold of drinks. There are too
many, and when you cut a few off, they'll just find new ways. You can't win
that battle. If you really want to put a stop to it, how about a $500 or
$1,000 fine for underage possession? Money talks.
The City Council also seems to be concerned about "diversity" downtown, and
don't want too many bars. So why not just put a moratorium on new liquor
licenses? Or maybe require license holders to be local residents, so you can
be sure they will have the best interests of the community at heart, and be
putting the money they make back into the community. At least be honest about
it, instead of trying to make things harder and harder for them until you drive
them out of business.
Douglas Siebert
Iowa City
<>
Marian Karr
From: Russell T. Brown [russell-t-brown@uiowa.edu]
Sent: Monday. April 02. 2001 3:48 PM
To: council@iowa-city.org
Subject: Current Issues
Councilors,
My name is Russell Brown and I am a 21 year-old junior at the University of
Iowa. As you may have guessed, I am writing concerning the proposed alcohol
ordinance. I am unable to attend the council meetings due to work, but I
felt I should let you know what I feel.
I worked as a Resident Assistant (KA) at Mayflower Residence Hall for 1.5
years, and also work as a Student Orientation Adviser for the Admissions
Office. Both of these positions brought me into contact with alcohol related
issues. As an Orientation Adviser, the incoming students had many questions
about alcohol and its consequences. As an RA I confronted many parties
involving alcohol. I have seen first hand the effects of underage/binge
drinking and feel very strongly that the city has a responsibility to
address the issue. However, I feel that the proposed ordinance is targeted
at the wrong population. All too often in our society, responsible people
are punished for the actions of the irresponsible. This is another of those
times.
Being 21, the underage drinking problem is behind me. I was in favor of
raising the bar entry age to 21 when I was 19, and I continue to support
this action today (providing alternative activities are in place *before*
raising the age). Even as a 21 year old, however, binge drinking is still
something I could choose to participate in. I understand the council's
feeling that drink specials could play a large part in binge drinking. While
this may be true, there are many people who take advantage of drink specials
with no intention of getting drunk and stumbling through the ped-mall. My
friends and I often go to La Casa for happy hour. During this time, one of
their drink specials is two-for-one margaritas. Alcohol is expensive, there
is no argument there. One margarita costs $4.50 at La Casa. That's $9 for
two. I think it is crazy when your drinks cost more than a meal. This is why
my friends and I go during happy hour. Four of us can get drinks, and have
them cost half as much. We are there to eat and socialize, we have no
intention of getting drunk. Why should we be required to pay more for our
drinks because some 19 year old is downing 2 pitchers a night at the Field
House?
This is not the only example. There are numerous people who go to the bars
during happy hours to be social. The drink specials may make binge drinking
more "affordable" but they are also for people who just want to socialize
without paying $3.50 for one drink. If people really want to drink a lot,
they don't do it at the bars anyway. Four shots of some liquors at the bar
can cost as much as a whole bottle of the same at a liquor/grocery store.
This ordinance will do wonders for keeping people out of the bars -
underage, legal, binge and non-binge drinkers will all flock to the grocery
stores to buy their alcohol. House parties will increase, carrying the
problems of noise and vandalism away from downtown and into the community.
Drunk driving will likely increase, as will student distaste for the city.
There are other options. While visiting downtown Minneapolis last year for a
conference, some friends and I wanted to go out dancing. Most of the clubs
in Minneapolis were 21+, which made it difficult to find a place to go where
our entire group could stay together. When we did find a place that allowed
underage patrons, we were surprised upon entering. My friends who were 21 or
older received an orange wristband that glowed under a black light (and this
place was filled with black lights). I, being underage at the time, was
given a non-black light responsive blue wristband, and an "X" was written on
the back of *both* of my hands with a black marker. It would have been
nearly impossible for me to be sold a drink, or to be seen with one without
getting caught. The bouncers were very particular about unattended drinks
left on the table. If an underage person was seen at a table full of drinks
without of age people around, the drinks were immediately removed. This is a
far cry different from Iowa City. Even now that I am 21, I am rarely asked
to show my "legal stamp" when ordering a drink, and waitresses often come
around to the tables asking for orders, also paying no attention to who is
legal and who is not. I was pleased to see that Brothers has implemented the
wristband policy here in Iowa City. It is time the other bars stepped up to
the challenge as well.
My point in this e-mail is to ask you to consider other methods of combating
the alcohol problem in Iowa City. The current proposals will force the
problem elsewhere, where it will be even more difficult to monitor. Also,
forcing "responsible drinkers" to pay higher prices is not an appropriate
response to the issue. In my experience, binge drinking occurs far more at
house parties than at the bars, and the proposed ordinance does nothing to
deal with that issue. In fact, the proposal indirectly encourages it.
The students are the heart and soul of this city. Without them Iowa City
would be just another 1-80 exit on the way to Des Moines. Alienating the
student population is not the answer. There is not enough student input into
issues. I'm not saying it is the city~s fault that students do not come to
the council meetings. However, when we do speak up, it often appears as
though we are ignored, which does nothing to promote our further
involvement. I feel a permanent student position on the City Council would
go a long way toward bridging the gap between the University of Iowa and the
City of iowa City. Students would be more encouraged to become involved if
they knew they had a voice on the council - someone like them, to speak for
them.
After all of that, I had better get going to class. I know you'll work with
the information you have and make a decision that benefits all the residents
of this wonderful city. Have an excellent week.
Respectfully,
Russell T. Brown
Russell T. Brown
"I've always believed that the world is what we make of it."
-Jodie Foster as Dr. Eleanor Arroway in "Contact"
russell-t-brown@uiowa.edu
rtbrown@blue.weeg.uiowa.edu
Student Orientation Adviser
Office of Admissions
The University of Iowa
706 E. Jefferson St.
Iowa City, IA 52245-2423
(319) 358-6483
Page 1 of 1
From: Tom Rietz [thomas-rietz@uiowa.edu]
Sent: Tuesday, April 03, 200'12:34 PM
To: council@iowa-city.org
Subject: ITEM 8
Dear Council Members,
I strongly encourage you to vote against changing the city code in the proposed manner to limit out-of-site sales
and drink specials. I see only costs and no benefits to this proposal. It will create a great deal of confusion and
enforcement problems. While having minimal impact on underage drinking, it will encourage drunken driving.
Thomas A. Rietz
Thomas A. Rietz
Robert L. Jensen Fellow in Finance
Henry B. Tippie College of Business
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1000
Phone: 319-335-0856
Fax: 319-335-3690
e-Mail Thomas-Rietz@uiowa.edu
4/3/01