‘Candidates 2011’ Archives
Author: rachellethomas Published: October 7th, 2010
Carlos Venable-Ridley
House District 54
Sioux City
Contact: 712-276-5121
Growing up in the ghettos of Dallas, Carlos Venable-Ridley quickly identified ways to overcome obstacles with a how-to-succeed mentality. After delaying his own education and putting two brothers through college, Carlos received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Southern Illinois University in 1995, and later earned a Master of Science in administrative studies from South Dakota University in 1999.
Since moving to the Midwest in 1995, Carlos has tirelessly served the working class community of Sioux City as an activist and an advocate. Selected as one of Siouxland’s “Forty under Forty” in 2002 for his commitment to community issues, Carlos has an established record of public service. He is a former member of the Girls Inc. Board of Directors, a former treasurer for Mary Treglia House, the vice president of the Coalition for Cultural Awareness, the vice president of Task Force Friend, an executive board member of the Sioux Chapter of the NAACP, project coordinator for the Iowa Accountability Project and a former member of the Sioux City Human Rights Commission. Selected by Governor Tom Vilsack, Carlos served on the 3rd District Judicial Selection Committee for four years. His community volunteerism has also found expression in coaching fifth-grade football, boys’ and girls’ basketball and track and field.
Carlos lives out his philosophy that community advocacy is a mandate, not an option. Licensed as a minister and serving on the ministerial leadership team at New Life Family Center Church, Carlos serves as the church administrator, the financial manager and comptroller, the audio/visual technician and a substitute teacher for the children’s ministry.
Carlos has focused on improving the safety and well-being of his community’s most treasured resource: the children of Sioux City. He served as the project director of a $7.4 million grant awarded to the Sioux City Community Schools. The grant provided students, the school district and the local community with enhanced and comprehensive educational, mental health, social service, law enforcement and juvenile justice system services that promoted healthy childhood development and prevented violence and substance abuse.
For more than a decade, Carlos has given voice to struggling children, working families, disempowered workers and marginalized individuals in Sioux City and throughout the country. Through his advocacy and volunteerism, Carlos has participated in national forums, has served on statewide committees and has worked on local boards and initiatives to improve work and life conditions for Siouxlanders.
Carlos started C & A Properties LLC, a fully integrated real estate investment company, in 2003. He resides in the Morningside area of Sioux City with Michelle, his wife of 15 years; their son, Carlos II; and their daughter, Alijah.
http://www.venableridley.com
Tags: Carlos Venable Ridley, HD 54, Iowa House District 54, Sioux City
Category Candidates 2011, Recent News |
Author: deanfiihr Published: October 6th, 2010
Danuta Hutchins
House District 52
Storm Lake
Contact: 712-732-6779
Danuta Hutchins was born in 1940 in Warsaw Poland. She became a naturalized U.S.A. citizen in July 1976. As a young child, Danuta experienced the ravages of the Nazi occupation of Poland, merciless reprisals after the Warsaw Uprising of 1944, and the subsequent persecutions of her father Jerzy Zamojski at the hands of the Soviet imposed communist regime. Just before the Warsaw Uprising, he was arrested by the SS and was marched in front of the invading Nazi tanks as a prisoner of war. Danuta describes these experiences in her book “Torn Out Memories”. These memories re-emerged while she watched the 9/11 terrorist attacks on our country.
Danuta, sponsored by an American family in Minneapolis, came to the U.S.A. in September 1962 to study American Literature at the University of Minnesota. There she earned her M.A. and later, in 1986, a Ph. D. in Modern Languages Education, Literature and Linguistics. While a graduate student she taught first Polish Language and Literature courses there, establishing that section in the U. of M. Department of Slavic and Oriental Languages. The program she initiated continues to thrive to this day.
Danuta married her husband, Jonathan, in 1968 in Minneapolis, and their first child Edward was born there a year later. Subsequently the three moved to Los Angeles where Jon was offered an academic post at USC, having earned his Ph. D. in chemistry at the University of Minnesota. In 1972 they became parents again, as Danuta give birth to their daughter Maria.
While the children were growing Danuta was a stay-at-home mom. This continued when they moved to Storm Lake in 1976, where Jonathan became an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at the then Buena Vista College (now University). When Ed and Maria started school Danuta was invited to teach at BVC and was working part time, having been assigned a title of Research Professor of Slavic Studies. While at BVC she had a chance to present issues in the U.S. Constitution and discuss with her students and other Faculty our Founding Fathers’ drafting of the original text and the events at the birth of the United States of America.
She was chosen as a Visiting Professor to teach Russian Literature and Slavic Cultures and Literatures at Ohio State University for the academic year 1988-89. Subsequently she taught Russian, and German Languages and Literatures at Teikyo-Westmar, then Westmar University until its dissolution.
Since 1996 she has devoted much time to the art community. She has had successful solo art exhibits at Westmar University, Witter Gallery, Sanford Museum and Planetarium, and, her most significant to-date exhibit entitled “Our Land: a Celebration” held in 2000 at the Sioux City Art Center. Her works are in the collections of several universities, as well as the corporate and private collectors in the U.S. and abroad. She has been actively involved in several civic and community programs, organizations and events in Storm Lake. She was a president of the AAUW. She served on board of Storm Lake Arts Council, and recently has been named “Volunteer of the Year” by the Buena Vista County Historical Museum where she volunteers regularly. She has also volunteered her art skills at the Faith Hope and Charity – an exemplary home for the profoundly challenged children, and was an artist in residence at the Methodist Manor, a model elderly care facility, both in Storm Lake. Recently, Danuta helped obtain funding and grants for the post 9/11 programs at BVU, the Witter Gallery, and the Buena Vista County Historical Museum.
Tags: Danuta Hutchins, HD 52, Iowa House District 52, Storm Lake
Category Candidates 2011, Recent News |
Author: rachellethomas Published: October 5th, 2010
Dan Muhlbauer
House District 51
Manilla
Dan Muhlbauer was born and raised on an Iowa farm. He graduated from Manilla High School in 1976. He furthered his education at Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls, IA, receiving his agricultural business degree.
He is the son of the late Louis Muhlbauer who served as Crawford County Supervisor and State Representative. Louis served the Iowa House of Representatives from 1983-1993. Dan’s mother, Phyllis, resides in Manilla and is excited to see the family legacy continue.
He and his wife Patti were married in 1979. Shortly following their marriage, they purchased their home place and have been farming ever since. They have 3 grown children. Their oldest daughter, Beth, is married to David Swearingen and they have a son, Brody. Beth works for the city of Manning and David is an auto technician at Swearingen Auto in Manning also. Their son, David and his wife Linda, have 2 children, Chas and Ava. David is involved in the farming operation with them. Linda is the office manager at Manning Regional Health Center. Their youngest daughter, Megan, is married to Robert Riesselman. Megan is a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant for AEA 11 out of Carroll. Robert is also in the farming operation with them. Dan and Patti feel very blessed to have their children and grandchildren close to them!
Dan and Patti are members of the United Methodist Church in Manning, IA. They serve as church council chairs. Dan is involved with Men’s Group and Lay Ministry.
The Muhlbauer farming operation consists of row crop, cattle feeding and isowean hogs. Dan enjoys riding horses, and relaxing with his family and friends.
In November of ’04, Dan was elected as a Crawford County Supervisor. He has served in this position for 5 years. He served as chairman in 2006 and is currently the vice-chair. Some of his accomplishments as county supervisor are maintaining a $4 million balance in the reserve fund, building a new 28 bed county jail facility, installing a new heating and electrical system in the Crawford County Courthouse, and his efforts to change the gravel road maintenance practices.
Dan has served on several boards such as the Crawford Co. Development Corporation, Youth Emergency Services in Cherokee, and West Central Community Action in Harlan. He serves as secretary for West Central Community Action and is chairman of the emergency foods and shelter program for the West Central organization. Along with this, he has served on the M&M Divide board.
Dan is running for the State Representative in District 51 so he can be a strong voice for western Iowa. Dan’s 32 years of farming, along with his 2 terms as county supervisor, give him the background and experience necessary to best represent the district.
http://www.voteformuhlbauer.com
Tags: Crawford County, Dan Muhlbauer, HD 51, Iowa House District 51
Category Candidates 2011, Recent News |
Author: rachellethomas Published: October 4th, 2010
Mike Gerhart
House District 44
Rhodes
Contact: 641-493-2015
Mike Gerhart is in his second term as a Councilman for the city of Rhodes. He hass worked on many of the issues that face small towns in Iowa. Some of these things include a sewer renovation for the town, and ongoing community improvement projects.
Mike was born in Des Moines, and has called the Rhodes, Melbourne, and State Center areas home for most of his life. His wife Jennifer is an at-home daycare provider. Together they have three children: Madelyn, age 8, Landon, age 6, and Denton, age 2.
Mike attended West Marshall High School. After graduation, he attended Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo.
Mike has worked in factories, for local co-ops, and local family farmers since he has been old enough to work. His current employer are John Deere, and he is proud member of the United Auto Workers. He still helps out on his Father-in-Law’s farm when he has time and is needed.
Mike is a member of the Methodist Church. His wife Jennifer is an Awana’s teacher at their church.
Mike serves on his local union’s community services committee. He is a member of the Marshall County Democrats, and the Rhodes Betterment Committee. He has formerly served as a Chairman for his local union in Newton, a bargaining rep for his local union in Des Moines, his local’s CAP committee, and as the labor representative for Deere/UAW United Way program.
Category Candidates 2011, Recent News |
Author: deanfiihr Published: October 1st, 2010
Dan Kelley
House District 41
Newton
Contact: (641) 521-9260
Dan Kelley is a long time resident of Jasper County. He is a graduate Newton High School, and a Fred Maytag Scholar. He graduated with honors from the University of Iowa in 1993 with a BA in Communication Studies. Soon after, he returned to Newton to establish a small business and begin his real estate career.
Dan has led many Boards and Commissions in Newton. In 2007 he served as President of the Newton Board of REALTORs. He has also served on the boards of the Newton Chamber of Commerce, the Newton Housing and Development Corporation, the Newton YMCA, and the Newton Alumni Board. He assisted in the establishment of the ACES Teen Center through the Newton YMCA, and founded the H.A. “Pop” Lynn Scholarship Fund.
Tags: dan kelley, HD 41, Iowa House District 41, Newton
Category Candidates 2011, Recent News |
Carlos Venable-Ridley
