Featured Stories

–  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

Episode Transcript

You’re listening to The Gazette’s Daily News Podcast on Friday, February 9th,

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, 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...