West Burlington IA News-Sports-Opinion

Falcon:

Your viewers should read the following report issued by the Public Interest Institute of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa

This report is more than enough to make most Iowans sick to their stomachs to say the least. Just another reason Iowa taxes are extreme and places most Iowans in need of help to survive.

We have the population being robbed by state employees who earn far more than the average Iowan will ever earn while doing less. Iowa state employees are nothing more than wards of the taxpayer living the good life at taxpayer expense.

It just sickening to realize how government employees steal from the private sector in order to live the good life without the accountability or responsibility of private sector employees.

http://www.limitedgovernment.org/publications/pubs/studies/ps-09-9.pdf

-Disgusted

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

IOWANS HONOR THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT

In honor of the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Iowa ADA Planning Committee and the VISTA Civil Rights Project of the Iowa Civil Rights Commission would like to announce four exciting events taking place in July. Parallel to other celebrations across the state, these events are part of a yearlong ADA recognition campaign by the Iowa ADA Planning Committee, which is composed of AmeriCorps VISTAs, government agencies, disability organizations, and other private and public sector groups. Working with state government, businesses, minor league baseball parks, and disability advocates, this partnership is facilitating efforts to celebrate what the ADA has accomplished and to generate dialogue concerning what is has yet to achieve.

On Wednesday, July 21st, the Iowa Cubs will host an ADA Night at the Ballpark. Beginning at 4:30pm, there will be a pre-game reception and a performance by the New Visions Dance Troupe on the grassy area in front of Gate D. Disability organizations will have tables at each gate, handing out information and ADA temporary tattoos. VSA Iowa will provide face painting and spin-art. Minor league ballparks in Cedar Rapids, the Quad Cities, Sioux City, and Waterloo will be holding similar ADA celebrations.

On Saturday, July 24th, VSA Iowa and the Iowa Civil Rights Commission will team up for a booth at the Downtown Des Moines Farmers Market. Visitors will be able to decorate free bags, sponsored by the Prader-Willi Association of Iowa, filled with information about services offered for people with disabilities and their families.

Also on July 24th, from 10:00AM - 2:00PM, the ADA Planning Committee and the VISTA Civil Rights Project of the Iowa Civil Rights Commission are holding an anniversary celebration on the West Terrace of the Capitol. Federal and state elected officials, advocates, and Iowans who were present at the actual signing of the ADA will be speaking. This will be a free, family-friendly event open to the public. Attendees may pick up information about disability organizations and engage in interactive, educational activities for all ability levels. VSA Iowa artists will be providing art and entertainment. The Olmstead Consumer Taskforce, Principal Financial Group, the Iowa Department of Human Services, and Relay Iowa will serve as sponsors for this event. The rain location for this event will be the State Historical Building.

On Monday, July 26th at the State Capitol, there will be a series of workshops and trainings on various disability topics for employers on working with people with disabilities. In addition, the Iowa Department of Human Services will hold a workshop and public forum on a new mental health plan for Iowa. "As someone who has lived her whole life with a disability, it is important for us to remember these last 20 years, and use these celebrations to educate the public," comments Nancy Witt, from Reinbeck and a commissioner with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission. To learn more about these exciting events, activities planned in other parts of Iowa, and the entire ADA recognition campaign, please visit http://www.adaiowa.webs.com .

Crystal Schrader, VISTA
Iowa Civil Rights Commission
Grimes State Office Building
400 E. 14th St.
Des Moines, IA 50319
www.state.ia.us/government/crc
(515) 281-3041
crystal.schrader@iowa.gov