Page 4 - Clear Lake Mirror Reporter E-Edition 2-17-2016

Opinion
Page 4 • Feb. 17, 2016
Amanda Ragan
State Senator
515-281-3371 or 641-424-0874
[email protected]
Iowa has skilled job opening to fill
One of the biggest challenges
Iowa faces is ensuring students and
workers have good career opportu-
nities, and businesses have access to
the skilled employees they need. But
we are on the right track with Iowa’s
Apprenticeship Training Program,
STEM internships and programs at
our community colleges preparing
current and future workers. More
than half of employment in Iowa is
projected to be in middle-skill jobs
by 2022, according to a report by
Iowa Workforce Development.
Middle-skill jobs require some
education and training beyond high
school but less than a bachelor’s
degree, such as construction work-
ers, occupational therapy assistants,
paralegals and massage therapists.
The mean annual wage for middle-
skill workers falls between $30,000
and $60,000. The higher paying jobs
in that range are often in business
operations, finance, healthcare, con-
25 Years Ago
February 1991
A quick and anonymous bomb
threat led to the early dismissal of
Clear Lake Junior High and High
School students Friday. According to
Police Chief Dan Jackson, a call was
received on the regular phone lines at
the police station. The caller said there Frampton, Ryan Ruppert, Andy Han-
were two bombs at the high school
and hung up.
Fifty-five workers were laid off
from the Clear Lake Unisys Plant.
The layoff was the result of current
manufacturing ™needs. Approximate-
ly 450 workers remain at the plant.
A public hearing has been set by
the City Council to discuss the pos-
sible re-zoning of an area on North
24th St., in the Fieldstone area, to ac-
commodate a 29-unit senior housing
condominium project.
According to Interstate Power
Company weather statistics, January
1991 was 41.2 percent colder than
January 1990 and 10.1 percent colder
than an average January.
Winners in the Iowa Music
Teacher Association District Audi-
tions were Carolyn Nicholas, Eliza-
beth Jaden, Andrew Severtson, Kirk
Severtson, Elizabeth Leonard, Laurine
Thompson and Samuel Langholz.
Three employees of Community
State Bank in Clear Lake and Ventura
have received promotions. Sheryl Pe-
terson, Marilyn Johnson and Karen
Badker all received promotions.
12 N. 4th St., Clear Lake, IA. 50428 • Ph. • 641-357-2131 • Fax • 641-357-2133
Kim Ritter Kathleen Thul
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
• Sales • Production Manager
• Graphic Design
John Schmidt
• Distribution
Contact us at [email protected]
struction and installation.
While 55 percent of Iowa jobs are
expected to be middle-skill jobs in six
years, today only 32 percent of work-
ers have what it takes to fill them. In
2012, Iowa had 926,000 middle-skills
jobs. That number is expected to in-
crease to one million by 2022. That
means Iowa needs to step up efforts to
meet demand for middle-skill work-
ers.
A statewide meeting on April 19
at Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines will ad-
dress how to train skilled workers and
connect them to in-demand careers.
The 2016 Future Ready Iowa Summit
is an all-day event, open to the public,
with space for about 1,000 partici-
pants, including business, labor and
nonprofit leaders; educators, students
and parents; and state and local policy
makers. For more information and
to register, go to https://futureready-
iowa.gov.
Paul Ebeling and Jeff Perkins,
Clear Lake High School football play-
ers, signed letter of intent to play foot- degrees Sunday, bringing out several
ball with Mankato State University.
The Lion wrestlers beat Lake Mills
on the strength of eight pins. Picking
up the pins were Dan Hansen, Craig
Billings, Chad Whitecotton, Brandon
sen, Jason Salge and James Turnbull.
Four Clear Lake basketball play-
ers were listed among the top players
in North Central Conference action.
Matt Freeseman tops the list with an
average of 29.2 points in conference
games. Adam Callanan has an aver-
age of 13-points and Scott Schroeder
made the group with nine-points.
Paul Ebeling averaged six-points per
contest. Freeseman, Schroeder and
Callanan were also included with the
top 10 rebounders.
Jenni Fey put together 44-points
to lead Ventura to a 72-67 victory over
Northeast Hamilton for top honors in
the North Star Conference.
50 Years Ago
February 1966
Several thousand people attended
the sale of furnishings from the Lake
Shore Hotel. Assorted items from
rugs, to chamber pots, dining room
chairs, mirrors, dishes, curios, two
wire candelabras, smoking stands
from door knobs, hat racks, rose
bowls, silverware, to knotted rope that
were to be used in case of a fire, were
Serving Clear Lake & Ventura
communities since 1869
Chris Barragy
[email protected] [email protected]
• Photography
• Graphic Design
• Production
Clear Lake Mirror-Reporter
Under The Take My
Golden Dome, Too Survey About
Representative Linda Upmeyer Surveys
515-281-3221 By Guest Columnist Dorothy Rosby
[email protected]
Looking forward to deadline This may come as a surprise to ply) they won’t like what I have to say/
you, but a lot of people care about my they’ll like what I have to say so much
Soon the Legislature’s first “fun- plan makes education our top priority, opinion and some of them are even they add me to their email list.
nel” deadline, where House bills must devoting 93 percent of new available willing to pay for it, or at least give
pass at least one House committee, revenue to K-12 education. With rev- me a coupon for it. Lucky for them, I When you answer a survey, what is
and Senate bills must pass at least one enue growth of $153 million, schools always have an opinion—plus I’m al- your motivation?
Senate committee, to remain eligible are receiving $143 million of that in- most always right. 1) Impact. I love that I can help
for debate. With that deadline fast crease. In order to make this fit within That must be why, in the last few change the world by sharing my deep-
approaching, House members are ongoing revenue, other areas of the weeks alone, I’ve been surveyed by two est thoughts with people who really lis-
working hard in subcommittees and budget will see reductions that will be clothing stores, a hotel, an office sup- ten.
committees to make sure that priority worked out by individual budget sub- ply store, three restaurants, a bank, a 2) Financial. Coupons and the
bills remain eligible for discussion this committees. pet store, a political group, and the possibility of winning cash are part of
session. House Republicans have kept our flashlight app on my cell phone. my retirement strategy.
This week, House Republicans re- promise to Iowans of fiscal restraint, Clearly I’m a much sought-after 3) Guilt. They need me. If I don’t
leased their budget targets for the up- by continuing to abide by the budget- thought leader. Maybe you are too. answer the survey and they go out of
coming fiscal year. Our budget plan ing principles that we set forth five That’s why I’m inviting you to fill out business, it will be my fault.
is realistic and responsible in setting years ago: the following survey: 4) What motivation? If I were mo-
funding amounts for Iowa’s priori- 1. We will spend less than the tivated I’d be doing my taxes right now
ties. Our budget fits within the pro- state collects; The Survey about Surveys: instead of filling out this survey.
jected ongoing revenue and does not 2. We will not use one-time How many surveys have you been
rely on one-time funding sources like money to fund on-going needs; invited to fill out in the last month? What is the best incentive you’ve
the Ending Balance, Cash Reserve, or 3. We will not balance the 1) None. Nobody cares what I ever received for answering a survey?
Economic Emergency funds. Iowa budget by intentionally underfunding think. 1) The satisfaction of knowing I’ve
families and businesses budget in this programs; and 2) Just a few, but I was (circle all helped an organization improve their
common sense way, and government 4. We will return unused tax that apply) out of the country/under customer service.
should do no different. dollars to Iowa’s taxpayers. quarantine/in a coma. 2) $5,000!
The House Republican budget Our budget principles have 3) If surveys were dollar bills, I 3) A coupon for free French fries.
served the state well and it’s because could have bought a Super Bowl ad.
of these common sense principles that How do you prefer to be surveyed?
we have been able to avoid disastrous How many surveys have you actu- 1) By mail so that I can do the sur-
across-the-board cuts like we saw dur- ally completed in the last month? vey at my leisure…or never.
ing the Culver administration. 1) None. Nobody cares what I 2) By email so that I can do the
Medicaid continues to get much think. survey at my leisure…or never
debate. Medicaid has been, and con- 2) Just a few. I only fill out sur- 3) By phone so that I can take a
tinues to be, the safety net for the veys from (circle all that apply) orga- break from dinner with my family to
neediest Iowans. These Iowans de- nizations I love/ organizations I work answer it.
serve a plan that focuses on access to for/organizations I’m angry with but
care, quality of care and coordination afraid to say what I think to their face. In your opinion, are surveys effec-
of care with a goal of a more healthy 3) I’ve lost count, but it must be tive?
future. Our current system is a very a lot because I have a stack of coupons 1) Yes.
bureaucratic and inflexible system the size of a garden shed. 2) No.
that pays for episodes of illness instead 3) Effective at what?
of paying for outcomes. When you fill out a survey, how
The Governor has the authority do you feel about sharing your contact What is your overall satisfaction
and responsibility to create a system of information? level with surveys?
care. The Legislature is responsible for 1) I share my name and contact 1) I love them! I just quit my day
funding the program and providing information in case I can be of further job so I can fill out surveys full-time.
oversight, as we do with all activities assistance. (Also so they know where to 2) I can take them or leave them.
of government. After much input, send my cash prize when I win it.) Mostly I leave them.
2) I prefer to remain anonymous 3) Make it stop. Please make it
See UPMEYER on page 5 because I’m afraid (circle all that ap- stop.
REMEMBER WHEN
auctioned. Stag Night sponsored by the Gun The lot is part of the purchase made Several bunches of cattle near
Temperatures hit a high of 37 Club. by the Masonic order from S.J. Clau- Ventura stampeded Saturday morn-
sen less than a year ago. ing on account of the storm. Several
hundred fishermen out on the ice at 100 Years Ago We have a pretty good ice crop wolves have been spotted in the south
the Ventura end near Lone Tree Point. this week from the sleet. All the trees part of Union Township.
The place looked more like a used car February 1916 look like weeping willows. Women suffrage is bound to win
lot than a lake. A deal was consummated where- Innocent looking milk wagons at the next election. Some of the la-
The Clear Lake cagers took the by the Library Association comes into have been delivering beer in Des dies don’t care to vote, but as far as
measure of the Garner Cardinals Sat- possession of the corner directly across Moines. What will they think of next? that goes some of the men don’t either.
urday night, 78-59. Don Anderson from the Congregational Church.
was the big point producer for the
Lions with 31-points. Jim Elting had
16-points.
60 Years Ago
February 1956
Clear Lake’s newest small indus-
try, Chao-Perkins, Inc. began opera-
tions to place their first product, po-
tato seeds, on the commercial market.
George Heetland is the new state
liquor store manager for Clear Lake.
Announcement was made of the
formation of the partnership of Son-
drol and Powell, attorneys at law,
Clear Lake. John M. Powell, formerly
of Tipton, Iowa, has moved to Clear
Lake and has associated with Thorkel
E. Sondrol, Jr. in the practice of law at
12 S. 4th St., Clear Lake.
Construction of a shelter house
in McGowan Park has been approved
as a contribution of Clear Lake Junior
Chamber of Commerce.
1991 CLHS Girls Basketball Team Over 1,000 people, which was a
miracle in organization, were served
a buffalo dinner at the community
building in Ventura for the annual Members of the 1990-91 Clear Lake girls basketball team included front row (L-R): Sheila Barlow, Sara Wempen, Heather
Datema, Mindy Day, Abbie Johnson and Shannon Quigley. Middle row (L-R): Ronda Paulus, Jennifer Kiefer, and
Kendra Berge. Back row (L-R): Head Coach Kay Bacon, Kathy Walls, Cathy Crews, Joy Freeseman and Laura Haugen.
Owner/Publisher...... Mike Finnegan The Clear Lake Reporter is a member of the “National
Newspaper Association” & an award winning
[email protected] member of the “Iowa Newspaper Association.”
Editor.................. Marianne Morf Subscription Rates/Year Visit our home page at www.clreporter.com
[email protected]
1 year Cerro Gordo County $59.00 (6 Mo. $35.00) The Clear Lake Reporter web-site
Michelle Watson Amy Palmer 1 year adjoining counties $68.00 (6 Mo. $42.00) includes up-to-date information:
1 year out-of-state $91.00 (6 Mo. $52.00)
Single copy price $150 • News • Sports • Classifieds
To transfer a subscription out of state ....$500 Plus complete real estate listings found in the
• Opinion •Classifieds All subscriptions are Non-refundable.
• Agri.-Business • Billing • Clear Lake Home Buyers Guide
The Clear Lake Mirror Reporter is an official county newspaper (USPS 117-120).
• Sports • Circulation A legal newspaper prescribed by law, published weekly by Prefin Inc., 12 N. 4th Send us your suggestions,
• Social • Legals St., Clear Lake, Iowa 50428. Periodical Postage paid at the post office at Clear comments, or classified ads to:
• Home Buyers Guide Lake, Iowa 50428.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Clear Lake Mirror Reporter 12 N. [email protected]
4th St., Clear Lake, Iowa 50428 or phone (641) 357-2131.