‘Recent News’ 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 7th, 2010
Communications Internship
Speaker of the House & House Democratic Caucus
Description: Interns will work directly with the Speaker of the House and Democratic members of the Iowa House of Representatives at the State Capitol in Des Moines during the legislative session. They will assist the communications director in a variety of activities including:
- Press release production and distribution
- Media list management
- Newsletter production and distribution
- Web publishing/designing
- Video and radio production and editing
- Official photography for representatives and constituents
Skills Preferred (not required):
- Solid Writing Skills
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office software
- Experience with sound/video editing software
- Experience with HTML and web page production/design software
Minimum Time Requirement: 10 hours per week
Internship Dates: January through April, 2011 (flexible start and end dates)
Salary: Unpaid
Application Deadline: Friday, October 29, 2010
Send resume, cover letter and hours available to the address, email or fax below. Please contact Dean at 515-281-0817 if you have any questions.
Dean Fiihr, Communications Director
Speaker of the House
State Capitol
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
dean.fiihr@legis.state.ia.us
Phone: 515-281-0817
Fax: 515-281-3846
Tags: Inturns 2010, Iowa House Democrat Internships, Iowa Speaker of House
Category 2011 Session Information, Featured, 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
In a new report by 24/7 Wall St, Iowa was ranked third best run state because of its low unemployment rate, growing economy after the national recession, and it’s access to affordable health care.
From the 24-7 Wall St Report:
Iowa ranks 7th in education, with more than 90.5% of 25-year-olds having completed high school or the state equivalent. It is also sixth in lowest debt per capita and has the third-lowest rate of citizens without
health insurance, with only 8.6% without coverage. While the Hawkeye State may be known for its corn fields, its economy is meaningfully supported by The University of Iowa, which accounts for one in every 30 jobs in the state. Iowa’s governors have been smart to invest heavily in the institution, and have reaped the benefits: the state ranks eighth lowest in the U.S. for unemployment, which stands at 6.8%.
The 24/7 Wall St State of the States report is an analysis that focuses on state management and financial operations.
Tags: 24/7 Wall St, Best Run State, Economy
Category Featured, Jobs & Economy, Recent News, Uncategorized |
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 |
Carlos Venable-Ridley
