Gazette Daily News Podcast: Friday, February 9, 2024

– Speakers decry Iowa bill giving politicians more control over libraries

– Cedar Rapids seeks community-oriented leader as new police chief

– Summit pipeline moves closer to reconsideration in North Dakota

You’re listening to The Gazette’s Daily News Podcast on Friday, February 9, 2024. This podcast provides the latest headlines from the Gazette newsroom. I’m Becky Lutgen Gardner.

Library officials and supporters spoke out against a proposed bill Thursday that would give city councils authority over public libraries including book selection. They warned it would bring partisan, political decision-making into library operations.

The legislator who managed the bill said his goal is not to address the selection of books, but instead to provide elected local officials with more authority over the spending of taxpayer dollars.

Under the bill, a city council would be able to hire a library director, use library funds for library projects and initiatives by passing an ordinance … all without voter approval.

Wade Dooley, who chairs the library board in Albion, called the bill a "train wreck."

He says, “It opens up all sorts of possibilities for very disastrous consequences if you get an activist city council that starts see-sawing on what they believe for a library to be or not be. Our city council has barely any training to be a city council. Now, you also want them to run a library. that’s not a good idea.”

Rep. Carter Nordman, a Republican from Panora, advanced the bill. He says he’s heard from city council members who want more direct control over library spending and personnel decisions.

Nordman says, “Ultimately, the library board wasn’t elected; the city council was. And so, the buck stops with them when it comes to taxpayer dollars. They should have that authority.”

Nordman said he would be willing to consider an amendment to the bill to give city councils more authority over library boards but specify that content selection is with library officials.

Next, In Cedar Rapids’ search for a new police chief, some residents say they’re looking for a respected leader who focuses on community policing and fosters a police department culture that promotes citizen equity and trust.

Residents had the opportunity to speak one-on-one with all four police chief candidates Wednesday night in a meet-and-greet event at the DoubleTree by Hilton Convention Center.

With the City Council’s consent, City Manager Jeff Pomeranz says he will decide soon on which candidate will succeed Wayne Jerman. Jerman retired as police chief last April.

Three candidates — Jennifer Birkhofer, Jeff Coday and David Dostal — participated in media interviews before the event. Tom Whitten, chief deputy for the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office in Texas, declined media interviews.

Monica Vallejo is a citizens' review board member and met with all four candidates. She said it’s important that the next police chief works to establish more programs that promote diversity and inclusion with all communities.

Vallejo says the community overall feels comfortable and safe with Cedar Rapids police because of the “wonderful job they do.” She says Jerman left behind a stable community: "There are big shoes to fit. They have to be working with trust a lot.”

Finally, Summit Carbon Solutions and other pipeline companies won this week when the North Dakota Public Service Commission decided that state rules preempt local ordinances on pipeline zoning issues.

That decision paves the way for a rehearing on Summit’s application for a pipeline permit in North Dakota, which the state’s commission denied last year.

The proposed pipeline would run through Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and South Dakota before ending in North Dakota. The Iowa Capital Dispatch reports that hearings in Iowa have concluded. The Iowa Utilities Board is now charged with deciding whether the company is eligible for a permit and for eminent domain authority. Summit has obtained easements for about three-quarters of its more than 680-mile route in Iowa.

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Today’s weather in Cedar Rapids. Sunny with a high near 50. Tonight there’s a 20 percent chance of rain before midnight. It will be partly cloudy with a low around 30. Saturday will be sunny with a high near 42.

You can find a link to each of the stories featured in today’s episode in this episode’s description or at the gazette dot com.

Thank you for listening to The Gazette’s Daily News Podcast. I’m Becky Lutgen Gardner.

Comments: becky.gardner@thegazette.com