The Iowa Turkey Federation donated two turkeys for each shelter and staff at the Governor’s Office donated other food for the Thanksgiving meals.

“The Thanksgiving holiday is a time for sharing our blessings and at this special time of year it’s important to remember our fellow Iowans in need,” the First Lady said. “The gift of food is a small way to let women and children in shelters know that they are in our thoughts this holiday season.”

The First Lady will begin the day with a tour and media availability at Youth Emergency Shelter Services, which has received $248,609 from the Culver/Judge I-JOBS initiative for shelter renovations. Below is the schedule of the First Lady’s shelter visits on Monday.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009

WHAT:   
First Lady Mari Culver will deliver Thanksgiving meals to four Des Moines shelters.

11:30 a.m.       
Youth Emergency Shelter Services
918 SE 11th Street
Tour and media availability

12:15 p.m.       
Iowa Homeless Youth Center – Lighthouse Host Home
1216 MLK Jr. Pkwy

1:00 p.m. 
Beacon of Life

1:45 p.m. 
New Directions Shelter
3001 Grand Avenue  

The Governor named Iowa Department of Management Director (IDOM) Dick Oshlo to chair the panel. The review will be due to IDOM at the close of business on Dec. 4, 2009. The panel will hold two public meetings to discuss the review in Des Moines and Cedar Rapids the week of Dec. 7, 2009. Dates and locations of the public meetings are yet to be determined.

The following letter was sent to agency directors today:

Dick Oshlo                                          
Iowa Department of Management                  
State Capitol                                        
Room G13                                          
Des Moines, IA 50319                              

Fred Hubbell                                        
Iowa Department of Economic Development    
200 East Grand Avenue                            
Des Moines, IA 50309                              

Jeff Ward
Iowa Agricultural Development Authority                                                  
505 Fifth Avenue, Suite 327                                
Des Moines, IA 50309-2322

Bret Mills
Iowa Finance Authority
2015 Grand Ave.
Des Moines, Iowa 50312

Cyndi Pederson
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
600 East Locust Street
Des Moines, IA 50319

Mark Schuling
Iowa Department of Revenue
Hoover State Office Building
1305 East Walnut
Des Moines, IA 50319

Rob Berntsen
Iowa Utilities Board
350 Maple Street,
Des Moines, Iowa 50319

Dear Agency Directors:

During recent months the Culver-Judge Administration has worked to address the budget challenges facing the State of Iowa. In preparation for submitting my budget to the general assembly in January, we are reviewing all areas of state spending, including annual state investments in the form of tax credits. It is essential that we evaluate the expense and effectiveness of each tax credit program to ensure that Iowans are receiving an appropriate return on our investment.

Today I am announcing the creation of a tax credit review panel to be headed by Department of Management Director Dick Oshlo.  As Directors of tax credit administering agencies, you will also serve on the panel. The panel is to prepare a report to the Governor with recommendations for each tax credit program, including oversight, accountability, transparency, public reporting, cost-benefit, and which programs should be continued, curtailed, and or eliminated.

There are many stakeholders in the state tax credit programs and we need to hear from each of them.  The panel will meet once in Des Moines and once in Cedar Rapids during the week of December 7th to allow the tax credit program participants as well as the general public to voice their opinions and concerns.

To assist the panel with their work, I am asking you to submit information on your respective departments’ tax credits to the Iowa Department of Management by close of business December 4, 2009. Submissions should include the following information for each tax credit program administered by your agency:

• General description of the purpose of the tax credit
• Minimum, maximum and average value of tax credits issued
• Contingency liability for each tax credit
• Number of tax credits issued each year
• Number of individuals and/or businesses served by the tax credit
• Whether the tax credit is transferable and, if so, how many times
• Whether the tax credit is refundable
• Processes for oversight and regulation of the tax credit
• The Return on Investment for the tax credit
• Data on the fiscal impact of the tax credit for the past ten years, if available
• A description of what information is currently made available to the public for the tax credit(s) administered by each agency

If you have any questions, please contact Dick Oshlo at 515-281-5201.Thank you for assistance in this important matter.

Sincerely,
Chester J. Culver
Governor of Iowa

“When manufacturers and other businesses look at Iowa, they see a very competitive business climate and a workforce that’s better than you’ll find anywhere else,” said Governor Culver. “With these investments, we will soon see new growth in our communities, and new jobs for Iowans at a time when we need them the most.”

Major growth in Davenport
Kraft Foods Global Inc., one of the Quad Cities’ largest employers, is considering a $25 million expansion of meat processing and slicing at the Davenport facility. If Davenport is selected, the expansion would create 45 jobs over the next two years. Consumer demand for Kraft products is increasing and the company is looking at expanding the capabilities of the Davenport facility to meet the increase in product demand. The Economic Development Board awarded Enterprise Zone tax benefits to compete for the project.

Von Maur, a department store chain headquartered in Davenport and operating in nine Midwestern states, is planning to construct an $8.6 million building in Davenport to handle rapid growth of Internet fashion retailing. The new office-warehouse-distribution facility is scheduled to open in the fall of 2010. The Economic Development Board today approved the project for Enterprise Zone tax benefits to support the creation of two jobs and the retention of eight jobs. Online business will extend the Von Maur’s reach to new customers outside of the Midwest and in rural areas.

Expansion in Postville
Agri Star Meat & Poultry LLC is investing $6.7 million to complete the upgrade and modernization of the kosher processing facility in Postville by the end of the year. Fryers and ovens will be installed to begin production of oven-baked beef and poultry as new lines at the plant. To support the expansion and improvements, the Economic Development Board today approved $600,000 from the value-added agricultural component of the Grow Iowa Values Financial Assistance Program (GIVFAP). The project was also approved for Enterprise Zone tax benefits to create 168 jobs and retain 140 jobs in Postville.

Seeking a breakthrough in Coralville
Cellular Engineering Technologies (CET) seeks to develop a more efficient technology platform to manufacture adult stem cells for use in medical research, drug development and clinical therapy. The Economic Development Board awarded $50,000 from the Iowa Demonstration Fund for the Coralville firm to seek proof of the concept. The award was recommended by the Technology and Commercialization Committee of IDED’s Innovation & Commercialization Division.  CET Inc. is Iowa’s only regenerative medicine company and a leading supplier of commercial adult stem cells and tissue culture media.

Printing services expansion in Des Moines
Gannett Satellite Information Services (GANSAT) was awarded tax benefits from the Enterprise Zone program to expand the Regional Toning Center in Des Moines which provides prepress services to the Des Moines Register and other Gannett newspapers. The application approved by the Economic Development Board pledges to create 20 jobs and retain 6 jobs in the expanded center by March of 2011.

Flood recovery awards in Linn county
Sign Productions of Linn county was awarded $385,000 to relocate to a new building and acquire new manufacturing equipment as a part of business recovery from the 2008 flood, retaining 74 jobs. Stamats Communications of Cedar Rapids was awarded $500,000 toward its flood recovery costs, retaining 93 jobs. The Economic Development Board approved both awards today from the disaster recovery component of the Grow Iowa Values Financial Assistance Program (GIVFAP).

Revolving loan funds to east central Iowa
The Economic Development Board approved a request from East Central Intergovernmental Association (ECIA) to recapitalize a revolving loan fund for local business assistance in Cedar, Clinton, Delaware, Dubuque and Jackson counties. The board awarded $133,000 to ECIA from the opportunities & threats component of the Grow Iowa Values Financial Assistance Program (GIVFAP).

Supporting success in targeted industries
Other applications pending review by the Director carry awards for information technology training, internship programs and networking events.  Recommended by the Innovation & Commercialization Division are the following awards:

• A total of $40,300 from the Targeted Industries Internship Program for five companies to hire interns: ESCO Electric-Safety, Marion (3 interns); ESCO Energy, Marion (2 interns); Automation Control Systems, Marion (3 interns); Brownells, Inc., Montezuma (3 interns) and ILNorplex, Postville (2 interns).
• An award of $5,158 from the Information Technology Training Program for TeamQuest Corporation, Clear Lake to upgrade the skills of 15 employees.
• And two Targeted Industries Networking Program awards: $5,000 for a workshop of the Bioeconomy Institute at Iowa State University and $1,827 to the Entrepreneurial Development Center, Cedar Rapids for the “Navigating the Shark Tank of Investors” event.

Small Business financing
Two Targeted Small Business (TSB) program applications were also recommended for IDED Director approval by the Targeted Small business Loan Review Board for businesses in Fort Dodge and Iowa City.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2009

Governor Chet Culver

WHAT:   
Governor Chet Culver will speak at the Iowa Association of School Boards annual convention.

WHERE: 
Hy-Vee Hall
730 Third Street
Des Moines, IA

WHEN:   
11:30 a.m.

First Lady Mari Culver

WHAT:   
The First Lady will highlight renovation projects at three Mason City shelters that received I-JOBS Public Service Shelter Grants: Northern Lights Alliance for the Homeless ($200,000), Francis Lauer Youth Services ($140,000), and NIAD Center for Human Development, a domestic violence shelter ($96,000).

WHERE: 
Northern Lights Homeless Shelter
307 N. Monroe
Mason City, IA

WHEN:   
1:45 p.m.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2009

Governor Chet Culver

WHAT:   
Governor Culver will participate in a press conference announcing the “Innovate Iowa” initiative, an extension of efforts by the Council for American Medical Innovation. This partnership is aimed at urging Congress to adopt a national policy agenda on medical innovation.

WHERE: 
Pappajohn Center, Room 208 (2nd floor)
1200 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA

WHEN:
11:30 a.m.

WHAT:
Governor Culver will sign a proclamation for Adoption Month (November) and Adoption Day (Nov. 21) in Iowa. In attendance will be staff and volunteers from the Iowa Foster and Adoptive Parents Association, foster and adoptive families, and adoption advocates.

WHERE:
Governor’s formal office
State Capitol, 1st floor
Des Moines, IA

WHEN:
1:30 p.m.

WHAT:
Governor Culver, First Lady Mari Culver and their children will participate in a Thanksgiving “turkey pardon” ceremony.

WHERE: 
State Capitol Grounds
Des Moines, IA

WHEN:   
2:45 p.m.

Under ARRA, the federal government created a series of competitive grants to promote economic growth and assist in the development of new technologies. Iowa will use its grant to gather information on the labor supply and demand involved in growing a green economy.

“As Governor, I am committed to growing our economy in all sectors – especially renewable energy,” said Governor Culver. “These funds will help us identify new and innovative ways to grow this important industry and create more green-collar jobs of the future. I want to thank the Obama Administration for recognizing our strength in renewable energy and helping us build Iowa’s future.”

The U.S. Department of Labor selected the Iowa State Labor Market Information Improvement Grant to receive $1,172,614. The project is a partnership between the Governor’s Office, Iowa Workforce Development, Iowa Central Community College, MidAmerican Energy and the University of Northern Iowa Institute for Decision Making. The funds will be used to study Iowa’s labor supply and demand within the green economy, and study the state’s need to build deconstruction and recycling capacities and develop a human capital inventory.

A partnership between the workforce agencies in Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming also received $3,877,949 to research the green economy’s impact across the states, develop a consortium for improvement processes and enhance the labor exchange process between the states.

Governor Culver and Lt. Governor Patty Judge have been tireless advocates for renewable energy in Iowa. Their signature energy independence initiative, the Iowa Power Fund, is a $100- million research and development fund that will discover the future of renewable energy and reduce our use of fossil fuels. They created the Office of Energy Independence, a statewide office that is helping to reduce our state’s energy use. In addition, they have worked hard to bring new green energy companies into Iowa.  As a result of their work, Iowa is home to several major wind energy manufacturers, and will soon be home to one of the first cellulosic ethanol plants in the nation.

This Understanding between the State of Iowa, Executive Branch and SPOC leadership will now be presented to the entire SPOC membership for a vote .  The terms of the agreement will not be implemented unless and until approved by a majority vote of the membership.

This Understanding involves the following:

1. Each of the approximately 640 state employees who are covered by the SPOC Master Agreement will be required to take 5 (five) mandatory unpaid days during the remaining 7 months of FY2010 which ends June 30, 2010. 529 Department of Public Safety and 111 Department of Natural Resources employees are members of the Council. This provision will create approximately $847,435 in savings.
2. The deferred compensation program for State Employees will undergo temporary changes to suspend the State’s contribution through June 30, 2010.  The employees’ contribution to the deferred compensation program will remain as currently allowed under the SPOC Master Agreement.  This provision will create approximately $226,232 in savings.
3. The combined savings of approximately $1,073,667 will be used to save 43 SPOC jobs that would otherwise have been laid off in order to satisfy the 10 percent across the board budget reductions mandated under Executive Order 19.
4. In the event the terms of the Understanding are approved by its membership, no SPOC state employee will be laid off between the date of approval and the end of the current fiscal year (June 30, 2010).
5. Through June 30, 2011, the end of the bargaining agreement, employees who are outside the bargaining units and who are being laid off will not be permitted to displace employees who are in the bargaining units covered by the SPOC Master Agreement.
6. Through June 30, 2011, any vacancies of bargaining until members that occur will not be filled by part-time, seasonal or contract employees.
7. Through June 30, 2011, any vacancies of bargaining unit members will be filled by seniority.

 
Next week , the SPOC Board will submit the understanding to the union members for a full vote. An announcement on the outcome of the vote is expected close to the AFSCME vote on November 25th, 2009.

“I want to thank the leadership at SPOC for joining with us to protect essential public safety jobs,” said Governor Culver. “This understanding will help to keep Iowans safe while meeting our obligation to balance the state budget.  I am very pleased by the agreement and I encourage the membership to vote yes on this measure.”

“SPOC bargained in good faith with the Governor and his staff to reach this understanding that will now be sent out to our entire membership for them to determine whether or not to approve this understanding”, explained Sue Brown, Executive Director of SPOC.  “Our Board and our membership are interested in any reasonable measures that can help keep our officers on the job, protecting the citizens of this State.” 

Statewide, Iowa has decreased its overall detention of juveniles by about 15%, especially for low-level juvenile offenders, in each of the last two years, without any impact on public safety. In Black Hawk County, detention rates of minority youth declined by more than 20% for calendar year 2008. In Polk County, minority detention declined by 23.2%, and in Woodbury County minority detention was cut by 5.2%.

“I created the Youth, Race and Detention Task Force with one simple goal in mind – to help reduce the overrepresentation of minorities in Iowa’s prison system,” said Governor Culver. “Today, I am proud to announce that these efforts are working. As Governor, I will continue to do everything I can to ensure that not only minorities, but all Iowans, have the tools and resources they need for a brighter future.”

Executive Order 5, signed on Oct. 30, 2007, established the Governor’s Youth, Race and Detention Task Force, administered by the Criminal Juvenile and Justice Planning Division of the Iowa Department of Human Rights. Because national studies suggest that detaining low-level juvenile offenders makes them more likely to become involved in the justice system later on, DHR officials solicited assistance from the Casey Foundation in 2007 in an attempt to reduce Iowa’s use of juvenile detention.

Three Iowa counties – Black Hawk,  Polk, and Woodbury – have received technical assistance from the Casey Foundation. Two have shown particular progress in making reductions in detention use. Between 2007 and 2008, Black Hawk reduced its average detention population by 31%. Polk reduced its average daily population even more: 40%. Figures for 2009 are expected to show continued reductions. Local officials assert that these decreases have been accomplished without an adverse effect on public safety.

With minorities – particularly African-Americans – over-represented in detention facilities, part of the reform effort is directed at reducing referrals of minority youth to detention. While figures so far don’t show a reduction in the percentage of minority youth referred to detention, they show that the reductions seen thus far have been accomplished both among white (-15.7%) and minority (-12.8%) youth.

Rep. Wayne Ford (Des Moines) joined Governor Culver in congratulating the Youth, Race and Detention Task Force on their promising initial results. “I also want to applaud Governor Culver’s efforts in appointing this group to look at an issue we have been facing for too long. I appreciate that Governor Culver’s experience as a former teacher and sports coach gives him a different type of sensitivity toward youth, especially minorities,” he added. 

These events have placed increased demands on nonprofits, with higher need for services and decreased funding from all revenue sources. Topics for the conference include collaboration among nonprofits, local and state governments, and business; volunteer solutions; and communicating with constituencies to better serve Iowans.

Below are details on the First Lady’s appearance.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2009

WHAT:   
First Lady Mari Culver will give opening remarks at the Iowa Nonprofit Summit

WHERE: 
State Historical Building
600 E. Locust
Des Moines, IA

WHEN:   
9:30 a.m.

Ten projects are funded in total or part through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act). Acceptance of the low-bid proposals and awarding of contracts are contingent upon final approval of the respective parties.

Also included in the Oct. 20, 2009, letting was the first I-JOBS project under the Bridge Safety Fund. A $674,550 bid from Peterson Contractors Inc. of Reinbeck was accepted for the replacement of a bridge on U.S. 57 in Black Hawk County over a creek 0.4 miles east of the Grundy County line.

“The process of getting shovels into the ground is beginning,” said Governor Culver. “This a very positive step forward in rebuilding Iowa’s infrastructure, putting people to work, and strengthening our economy. I-JOBS and the Recovery Act are essential pieces of our long-term strategy to build Iowa’s future, and I am encouraged by these actions by the Department of Transportation

Iowa will receive approximately $358 million for state and local roadway, bridge, trail, and freight rail projects through the Recovery Act. In addition, Governor Culver’s $830 million I-JOBS initiative will provide $115 million for transportation projects throughout the state. I-JOBS was the Culver/Judge Administration’s top legislative priority for the 2009 session.

Combined with regular state and federal highway funds and carry-over work from the 2008 construction season, Iowa will set an all-time record for highway and bridge spending in the 2009 construction season.

Recovery Act projects announced today are located in the following counties: Carroll, Clinton, Dubuque, Grundy, Johnson, Linn, Plymouth, Polk, and Pottawattamie. As noted above, the I-JOBS project is in Black Hawk County.

Below is a list of the 10 projects funded in total or part through the federal Recovery Act:

Cedar Rapids
Project: Concrete pavement with asphalt resurfacing for Iowa 100 (from Twixt Town Road to Commerce Way and Iowa 922 from 40th Street to Tama Street)
Award: $3,206,222.91
Contractor: Peterson Contractors Inc., Reinbeck, IA

Plymouth County
Project: Concrete pavement replacement for County Road K-22 (from Woodbury County line north to County Road C-60)
Award: $2,761,618.33
Contractor: Cedar Valley Corp., Waterloo, IA

Johnson County
Project: Concrete pavement grading/replacement for Iowa 965 (120th Street northwest to Linn County line)
Award: $1,826,568.75
Contractor: Concrete Foundations Inc., New Hampton, IA

Project: Concrete pavement overlay (unbonded) for Oak Crest Hill Road (from south city limits of Hills to the Washington County line)
Award: $1,845,120.47
Contractor: Metro Pavers Inc., Iowa City, IA

Clinton
Project: Concrete pavement grading/replacement for 19th Avenue (Mill Creek Parkway to Springdale Drive, phase 1)
Award: $815,052.79
Contractor: Wicks Construction Inc., Decorah, IA

Carroll
Project: Asphalt resurfacing of North Clark Street (Anthony Street to East Seventh Street)
Award: $808,257.90
Contractor: OMG d/b/a Tri-State Paving, Estherville, IA

Polk County
Project: Concrete pavement widening for U.S. 6 (U.S. 6 and NW 111th Street)
Award: $586,698.20
Contractor: Concrete Technologies Inc., Urbandale, IA

Council Bluffs
Project: Transverse joint repair for South 35th Street (Nebraska Avenue to 23rd Street)
Award: $492,346.45
Contractor: Bross, Chester Construction./C.B. Equipment, Hannibal, MO

Grundy County
Project: Asphalt sidewalk/trail around the east side of the Grundy County Lake and from the campground to the existing Grundy County Lake trail
Award: $433,008.94
Contractor: Peterson Contractors Inc., Reinbeck, IA

Cascade
Project: Asphalt resurfacing of Tyler Street (First Avenue East. to U.S. 51)
Award: $242,759.29
Contractor: Mathy Construction d/b/a River City Paving, Dubuque, IA

For more information on Iowa and the Recovery Act, visit recovery.iowa.gov. Project lists from previous letting results can be found at this link: City street and county road projects.

The new business assistance programs will be funded by $85 million of the state’s nearly $800 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

“It gives me great pleasure to say we have additional assistance for Iowa’s hard-working small business owners and landlords,” Governor Culver said. “As the state of Iowa continues to recover from one of the largest natural disasters in U.S. history, more help is now available to those trying to keep their doors open for business. We believe the programs announced today will fill a gap that currently exists.”

The Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED) and Rebuild Iowa Office (RIO) worked closely with business leaders and landlords across the state to develop the following programs, which will assist with remaining unmet needs:

Business Rental Assistance Program: 
This program is for businesses remaining in or locating in rental space that was physically damaged by the 2008 natural disasters. Initially, this program allowed business owners up to $50,000 to help offset building rental lease payments for a maximum of six months. Now in addition to rental payments, recipients will be allowed to use the $50,000 for expenses associated with replacing damaged machinery, office furniture, supplies and other equipment. The maximum award a business can receive through this program is $50,000.

Loan Interest Expense Program: 
The continued existence of many businesses is threatened by the expense of new debt acquired as a result of the disasters. This program provides funds to business owners to pay for the interest on an SBA or private loan for disaster recovery. Up to a total of $50,000 in funds will be provided to a business, for a maximum of three (3) years.

Commercial Rental Income Gap Program: 
This program is designed to assist with cash flow for commercial building owners to offset lost revenue from vacant rental space that was physically damaged by the disaster. A maximum of $25,000 for lost rent will be reimbursed to commercial landlords per unit.

Residential Landlord Business Support Program: 
This program is designed to compensate disaster-impacted residential landlords providing affordable housing for lost rental income. Landlords may receive up to $15,000 per business impacted by the disaster. 

One application will be available for all of these programs. Funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Small business owners and landlords should apply at their local Council of Government or Entitlement City. Applications will be available by December in most locations. 

At today’s press conference, Governor Culver also announced improvements to the housing duplication of benefits policy. When the Jumpstart Housing program was first announced, any type of down payment assistance – or award a homeowner received to purchase a replacement house – was considered a bridge loan, meaning eventually the money had to be repaid after a buyout took place. 

After long conversations with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the State has finally received approval for Iowans who received state or federal assistance through the Jumpstart program to keep up to $25,000 of their down payment assistance award towards a replacement or newly constructed home. Up to $25,000 of this money will no longer be deducted from a person’s buyout funds.

“The average price of a home in a buyout as a result of the 2008 disasters costs much less than the average price of a home sold in Iowa today, leaving people with a gap that we need to help fill,” said Governor Culver. “By allowing homeowners to keep up to $25,000 toward a new home, we can help meet that need.”

The Governor also encouraged impacted Iowans who are in a buyout and have identified a replacement home to apply for down payment assistance at their local Council of Government or Entitlement City as soon as possible, if they haven’t done so already. Depending on their income, homeowners may qualify for down payment assistance, which can then be used toward the purchase of a replacement home.

For additional information on these programs or for a listing of area Council of Governments or Entitlement Cities, log on to the Rebuild Iowa Office Web site at www.rio.iowa.gov or call (515) 242-5004.

The study, “The California Scorecard: States in Fiscal Peril,” rates states based upon six factors, including foreclosure rates, joblessness, loss of state revenue, state budget gaps, balanced budgets, and money-management practices.

“As I have often said, I believe we can literally work our way out of this recession,” said Governor Culver. “This study shows what we in Iowa have long known – that keeping our fiscal house in order, combined with aggressive job creation efforts – is a recipe for rebuilding the state’s economy.  While this is good news, we know there is still much work to do.  From I-JOBS, to responsible balancing of the budget, we will continue our efforts to keep Iowa a national leader in economic stability and growth, while building Iowa’s future.”

The Pew Charitable Trusts are an independent, non-profit public policy group, founded in 1948. The Pew Center on the States is a department of the Trusts, responsible for analyses of states’ public policies. To read the entire report cited above, please visit:  http://www.pewcenteronthestates.org/.

Technical Sergeant TereseAnn Lynch was a member of Iowa Air National Guard for a decade, and served in Iraq. She was also an employee of the Iowa Department of Human Services in the Child Support Recovery Unit. 

Below is the Governor’s statement made today at the Sullivan Brothers Award of Valor ceremony on the passing of TereseAnn Lynch.

“I want to take a moment to recognize an Iowan who symbolized the spirit of service we are honoring today. Yesterday, the state of Iowa lost one of our family with the tragic death of TereseAnn Lynch.

“She was a dedicated state employee at the Department of Human Services, an Iraq War veteran, and a member of the Iowa Air National Guard. She was also the mother of an 8-month-old son. I would like to extend my condolences to her family, loved ones, and friends. To all who knew her, I want to say this: Although no words can take away your grief, I simply want you to know that we are mourning with you, and we care for you.

“I would like to dedicate today’s ceremony to the life of TereseAnn Lynch and to her undying spirit of service to our fellow Iowans.

“TereseAnn Lynch was a victim of domestic violence. My wife, Mari, has made stopping domestic violence a focus of her work. She tragically lost her cousin, who was murdered by her husband in 2004. I stand with the First Lady – and all victims of domestic violence. So, if you or a loved one need help, please call the 24-hour domestic violence hotline at 1-800-942-0333. People are ready and waiting to help.”

Governor Culver said, “These brave men and women acted heroically, often placing their own lives at risk, to save the lives of others. It is my honor to award these selfless public servants with the Sullivan Brothers Award of Valor for protecting their communities and putting their own lives on the line to save their fellow Iowans.”

Public Safety Commissioner Eugene T. Meyer said, “The Iowa Department of Public Safety maintains the integrity of this prestigious award. Strict criteria must be met in order for an individual to earn the Sullivan Brothers Award of Valor. Many of these peace officers and firefighters knowingly place themselves in harm’s way to save the life of another person. Governor Culver and I are proud to present them with this award.”

The Sullivan Brothers Award of Valor program recognizes peace officers and firefighters who, while serving in an official capacity, distinguished themselves by the performance of a heroic act above and beyond the normal demands of police or fire service. The peace officer or firefighter was also fully aware of the threat to his or her personal safety.

Officers and firefighters receiving the 2009 Sullivan Brothers Award of Valor work for the following law enforcement agencies or fire departments: Jones County Sheriff’s Office, Allison Volunteer Fire Department, Aredale Volunteer Fire Department, Iowa Department of Public Safety/Iowa State Patrol Division, Grinnell Police Department, Bremer County Sheriff’s Office, Waverly Fire Department and the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office.

A description of why each recipient was honored is below:

Jones County Sheriff’s Office – Nominated by Senator Tom Hancock

• Deputy Brian Eckhardt
• Deputy C. J. Sullivan

On April 23, 2008, Deputy Brian Eckhardt and Deputy C.J. Sullivan jumped into a cold flooded creek and while fighting the strong current, with zero visibility in the water and a submerged upside-down vehicle, they were able to work as a team and locate and remove toddler Tatum McGlothlin from the vehicle.

Prior to the arrival of Deputies Eckhardt and Sullivan, a citizen, Robert Bierer, had already removed two additional children from the vehicle. However, he was not able to locate Tatum McGlothlin.

The actions of Deputies Eckhardt and Sullivan probably saved the life of Robert Bierer as well, since he had spent approximately 6-7 minutes in the freezing water and was fatigued when they arrived on the scene. Robert Bierer was given the Governor’s Lifesaving Award in 2008.

The Commendation Committee decided unanimously that Deputy Brian Eckhardt and Deputy C. J. Sullivan are deserving of the Sullivan Brothers Award of Valor for their heroic actions which resulted in saving the life of two-year old Tatum McGlothlin of Anamosa.

Allison Volunteer Fire Department, Aredale Volunteer Fire Department and Iowa Department of Public Safety/Iowa State Patrol Division – Nominated by Colonel Patrick Hoye-DPS/ISP, Chief Buck Nitcher-Parkersburg Fire Department and Chief Craig Cramer-Allison Volunteer Fire Department

On Sunday, May 25, 2008, in the wake of an EF-5 tornado that moved through the community of Parkersburg, Iowa, Fire Fighters Brad Cooper, Brett Cooper, Donald Scroggin, Assistant Fire Chief Dustin Cole, and Trooper Todd Souhrada risked their own personal safety to remove debris and rescue Dana and Karen Anderson (brother & sister) who were trapped under debris from their home at 712 3rd Street in Parkersburg, Iowa.  These men worked to save these individuals regardless of the instability of the residence/structure they were working in. The presence of natural gas and the hazardous debris field made it very dangerous for the rescue workers.

These men continued their rescue efforts throughout the night even though Trooper Souhrada sustained injuries to his back, leg and lungs from breathing the natural gas during the rescue efforts at the Anderson residence.

The Commendation Committee decided unanimously that all the officers nominated are deserving of the Sullivan Brothers Award of Valor for their heroic acts which resulted in saving several lives. 

Grinnell Police Department – Nominated by Chief Jody Matherly

• Officer Jeremy Stevenson

On October 12, 2008, Grinnell Police Officer Jeremy Stevenson, while on routine patrol, was called to a house fire at 513 4th Avenue, Grinnell, Iowa.  Upon his arrival he found four (4) persons on or near the front door of the house.  Officer Stevenson could see heavy amounts of smoke coming from all areas of the house. There were also flames showing near the rear of the house.  Officer Stevenson arrived minutes before the Grinnell Fire Department.  Officer Stevenson immediately got all the occupants away from the front of the house and began asking if everyone was out.  Lindsay Etter appeared to have been the last one out and told Officer Stevenson that her elderly grandmother was still in the house. 

Lindsey Etter had tried to rescue her grandmother, Dorothy Delk from the house, but her grandmother had fallen and Lindsey was overcome with smoke and was coming out the front door for air when Officer Stevenson arrived.  Officer Stevenson had experience in fire situations, and dropped to a crawling position and entered the house to locate Ms. Delk.  Upon entering the front door Officer Stevenson crawled 6-8 feet and located Ms. Delk lying face down.  Officer Stevenson pulled her towards the door, then picked her up and carried her to safety.  Grinnell Fire department was on scene by this time as well as medical personnel.

The Commendation Committee decided unanimously that Officer Jeremy Stevenson is deserving of the Sullivan Brothers Award of Valor for his heroic acts which resulted in saving the life of Dorothy Delk, 88. 

Bremer County Sheriff’s Office and Waverly Fire Department – Nominated by Connie Parkman

• Deputy Sean Hartman
• Fire Fighter Jim McKenzie

On October 21, 2008, Deputy Sean Hartman and Fire Fighter Jim McKenzie arrived at a house fire at approximately 3:56 a.m.  As Deputy Hartman and Fire Fighter McKenzie approached the engulfed home they were advised by Bradley Hedrick that his grandmother Luetta Ohlendorf was still in the house.  Hedrick said the back door on the northwest side of the house was locked and we would have to try and get in through the front door.  Deputy Hartman and Fire Fighter McKenzie went to the east side of the residence and opened the north door which was located on a deck.  This door was not locked.  When the door opened fire and smoke came out of the door.  Both men got onto their hands and knees and tried to enter the residence.  Unfortunately, due to the heat they were unable to enter through this door.  McKenzie and Hartman went to a second door just to the south.  Hedrick advised that Ohlendorf was just on the other side of the door in a chair.  This door was locked, so the men kicked the door several times until it broke open.  When the door opened fire, smoke, heat, and debris knocked McKenzie and Hartman to the ground.  At this time the deck could no longer support their weight, so the men jumped over the railing and went to the window on the east side of the residence.  They could see Luetta Ohlendorf walking toward the window.  Ohlendorf was covered in fire.  Hartman gave his ASP baton to McKenzie so he could break out the window.  Hartman ran to his patrol car and grabbed his fire extinguisher.  When Hartman returned to the window Ohlendorf was trying to climb out the window, she had her hands and part of her head past the window.  Ohlendorf was completely covered in fire and there was no place for us to grab to pull her out.  Deputy Hartman pulled the pin on the fire extinguisher and was going to try and knock down some of the flames around the window.  As Deputy Hartman tried to squeeze the trigger on the fire extinguisher a large explosion occurred throwing both men to the ground.  The explosion appeared to come from the area where Ohlendorf was.  Unfortunately, Deputy Hartman and Fire Fighter McKenzie’s rescue attempts were unsuccessful and Ms. Luetta Ohlendorf died in this house fire.

The Commendation Committee decided unanimously that Deputy Sean Hartman and Fire Fighter Jim McKenzie are deserving of the Sullivan Brothers Award of Valor for putting their lives in danger to attempt to rescue Ms. Luetta Ohlendorf.

Louisa County Sheriff’s Office – nominated by Trooper Allen Konecne and supported by Sheriff Curt Braby

• Chief Deputy Adam Caudle

On March 15, 2009 at approximately 3:30 p.m., the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call of someone on the Iowa River Bridge.  The caller stated that the person was on the outside of the rail and thought someone should check out the situation.  Deputy James Clasen, Chief Deputy Adam Caudle and Trooper Allen Konecne responded to the scene.  Caudle proceeded to the east side of the bridge while Clasen stopped by the person on the bridge, exited his car and attempted to speak with the person.  The person turned toward Clasen, with her back to the river, raised a hand in a “wait a moment” gesture and fell backwards off the bridge and into the river.  The river at that point was at the 20 foot flood stage and was approximately 40 degrees.

Chief Deputy Caudle then returned to the west side of the river and went downstream as Clasen stayed on the bridge and acted as a spotter.  Caudle got ahead of the jumper, went down the bank from the parallel road, removed his boots and gun belt and entered the flooded river and tried to get close enough to the victim to rescue her.  This rescue attempt was unsuccessful.  Chief Deputy Caudle returned to shore and got back in his squad car and drove further down the river to the boat landing where he again entered the river and was able to successfully get the victim and return her to the shore and awaiting ambulance.

Chief Deputy Caudle made this rescue in spite of the flood stage and temperature of the river. His decision to return to shore after the first attempt was made due to his inclement weather training received in his 20 years in the Marine Corps.  Had it not been for that decision, the task would have been a body recovery rather than a successful rescue.

The Commendation Committee decided unanimously that Chief Deputy Adam Caudle is deserving of the Sullivan Brothers Award of Valor for his heroic acts which resulted in saving the life of Diane Yotter. 

“Repairing the infrastructure of our state to smooth the way for a solid recovery continues to be a primary job of this office and all involved in the flood recovery,” said Governor Culver. “We will work with all of our partners to ensure that Cedar Rapids and every jurisdiction in Iowa receive all of the disaster aid they are eligible to receive.”

“As a representative of the 2nd District, flood recovery is my top priority. Repairing the roads that Iowans use to get to work, buy groceries, and visit family and friends is essential to rebuilding our communities,” said Congressman Loebsack. “The community of Cedar Rapids has been among the hardest hit, and these funds will go a long way toward helping Cedar Rapids recover from the floods of 2008.”

The State and FEMA have approved $1,338,225 for the City of Cedar Rapids to cover repairs of the First Street Parkade, 201 1st Street Southeast. Because of the Governor’s efforts to have FEMA pay 90 percent of the cost, the utility will save the local match of $200,733. State funds will be used for the remaining 10 percent.

These projects are part of an expected 13,300 projects that will be identified under the State/FEMA Public Assistance Program designed to help public and certain non-profit agencies rebuild Iowa infrastructure and pay for response efforts. Eligible entities in 84 counties qualify for public assistance under the State and FEMA program. To date, the State and FEMA have obligated more than $758 million in federal and state funds for public assistance projects in Iowa.

Note to the media: Governor Culver will be in Cedar Rapids this afternoon to announce several new disaster assistance programs for small businesses and landlords impacted by the 2008 storms and floods. He will hold a press conference at Town Centre (201 3rd Avenue SE, corner of 3rd Ave. and 2nd St.) at 2:45 p.m. today.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2009

WHAT:   
Governor Culver will announce new business assistance programs and improvements to the housing duplication of benefits policy. These new initiatives will help those affected by the floods of 2008 move further down the road to recovery.

WHERE: 
Town Centre
201 3rd Avenue SE (corner of 3rd Ave. and 2nd St.)
Cedar Rapids, IA

WHEN:   
2:45 p.m.