Coralville Courier

Structure Fire at 3205 East Court Street

At 1057 hours, the Iowa City Fire Department received a report of a structure fire at 3205 East Court. A next door neighbor reported seeing the fire on the rear of the single story ranch style home.

On arrival, the first arriving fire company reported heavy black smoke pushing from the home and from around the eves of the roof. A large amount of fire was found on the rear of the house on the deck and spreading to the interior of the building through the eves.

Fire crews knocked down the exterior fire and then made an interior attack through a set of patio doors on the rear. A search of the home found no occupants, but a small black dog did escape when fire crews opened the rear doors. The dog was uninjured and Iowa City Animal Control was contacted to care for the dog. The dog was turned over to family members on their arrival.

Crews had to pull an extensive amount of ceiling to gain access to the fire that had spread to the attic. Crews also gained access to the attic through a scuttle hole in the garage and by opening the roof near the chimney at the peak of the roof.

The fire was brought under control in approximately 30 minutes. Crews were on scene for approximately 3 hours completing salvage and overhaul.

The home sustained extensive smoke, heat, fire and water damage. The home owned by Dennis and Bonnie Doyle received an estimated $75,000 damage.

The Iowa City Fire Department was assisted by the Iowa City Police and Animal Control, Johnson County Ambulance, West Branch and Coralville Fire Departments, Mid American Energy and Red Cross.

A call back of all Iowa City Fire Department personnel and mutual aid from Solon, Tiffin, and North Liberty maintained emergency response capabilities at the three fire stations in Iowa City.

There were no injuries and the fire remains under investigation at this time by the Iowa City Fire Department.

Iowa City Public Library Debuts New Web Site

On July 1, 2009, the Iowa City Public Library launched its newly redesigned Web site to the public, offering easier navigation and better organization of the content Johnson County residents have said they seek out most frequently.

The Library Web site was last redesigned in 2004, to coincide with the opening of the new building that was finished that same year. It is now five years later and, though the physical walls of the Library space remain intact, the virtual walls of the Library Web site were beginning to show signs of design fatigue.

In February 2008, the Iowa City Public Library commissioned a usability study of our site to identify areas that users found difficult to use, or information that was difficult to find. Volunteers were recruited to come to the Library and be videotaped performing a list of tasks using the Web site. Hand motions and search strategies were then analyzed for each subject.

Another set of volunteers was recruited to participate in an exercise called "card sorting." Participants are presented with a stack of cards with each card listing a particular task or piece of information found in the Web site. Each user then sorts the cards into what they consider to be relevant groups. These groupings are then statistically correlated and the consensus groupings are used to form the nucleus of a Web site navigational scheme.

Navigation was one of the weaknesses revealed by the usability studies. Users found there was a lack of navigational consistency from page to page and that some services were difficult to locate. The new navigation scheme will be consistent and constant throughout the site.

In addition to developing a new navigation structure, a Web site design committee consisting of Library staff from all departments worked for over a year to reorganize and rewrite content that conformed to these design principles:
1. Provide shorter, clearer pages for easier readability, and less scrolling.
2. Convey a warmer, more human experience tied to the Library's own environment.
3. Create a wider, shallower site so more pages are accessible via fewer clicks.

Recognizing that no Web site is ever really finished, we at the Library are confident this new design will provide us with the means for structured growth into the near future. Search it, explore it, and let us know what you think.

Just a few highlights from ICPL's new Web site
(Explore our new site at icpl.org)

Books and More
• Book reviews and reading suggestions
• List of books, videos and music added this week and maps of collection locations
• Downloadable books
• Books clubs and reading programs

Reference and Research
• Improved access to online databases

Library Newsroom (http://newsroom.icpl.org/)
• Library news
• Press releases
• Event photos

Sotomayor has a chip on her shoulder

"If I were advising these Senators like the press thinks I am, you know what they'd be asking?  'Ms. Sotomayor, do you come before the committee with a chip on your shoulder?  Do you think that United States of America is unfair and unjust?  And do you view your role as a judge to level the playing field between the majority and the minority?'"  - Rush Limbaugh

U.S. Representative King: Pelosi's mouse gets taxpayer funded cheese

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Steve King today made the following statement regarding $16.1 million in the Democrats' "stimulus" bill that went to wetlands restoration projects in San Francisco. The taxpayer money went to protect the salt marsh harvest mouse, even after Speaker Nancy Pelosi - who represents San Francisco - publicly stated there would be no earmarks in the stimulus bill. “Months ago, over the objections of House Republicans, Nancy Pelosi muscled a non-stimulating bill full of liberal pet projects through Congress at a price of over a trillion dollars. We are starting to see what our hard-earned money went towards. “We are learning about numerous states failing to meet the goals and requirements of the ‘stimulus’ package. Our national unemployment rate is rising, and few, if any, new jobs have been created. Now we learn that Nancy Pelosi’s famous pet project - the salt marsh harvest mouse – got a piece of taxpayer funded cheese after all. “How many jobs could we have saved if we left these mice alone? This is just the latest example of how Nancy Pelosi’s failed economic philosophy has led to wasteful spending and job losses.” Note: Two San Francisco wetlands restoration projects received $16.1 million as part of the stimulus passed by Congress: http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2009/20090630_restoration.html. Congressman King previously spoke out about Nancy Pelosi’s mouse. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3axu5d0A44

Paulsen Comments on State’s Bond Rating

DES MOINES, IA. -- Closing the books on the 2009 fiscal year, the nonpartisan Legislative Service Agency announced yesterday that net state revenue came in $161 million below the Revenue Estimating Conference’s (REC) estimate. This news, coupled with the historic spending levels, means the 2009 and 2010 budgets are now both out of balance. Also, the 2011 budget now has a gap exceeding $1 billion.

Today House Republican Leader Kraig Paulsen (R-Hiawatha) commented on the state’s bond rating and the current fiscal condition of Iowa.

“Bond ratings are not what will help put Iowans back to work. Iowa needs a economic growth plan - not a government growth plan. The facts are clear: the governor spent too much, cut too little and borrowed even more money which led to the most spending in Iowa’s history. We now have a generation's worth of debt, and my fear is that this irresponsible spending will be used as an excuse to raise taxes and further slow Iowa's recovery.”

In May, the governor signed a bonding package that plunged the state $1.664 billion in to debt to pay for $765 million worth of projects. All House Republicans were opposed to these measures.

David Chung Resigns Post on Republican State Central Committee to Support Christian Fong for Governor

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA. -- Today David Chung resigned his post on the Republican State Central Committee in order to volunteer and publicly support Christian Fong’s campaign for Governor.

Chung posted the letter he sent 2nd District Republicans on his web site, http://www.hawkeyegop.com.

Here’s an excerpt from the letter:

“…I further promised that while serving on the State Central Committee, I would remain neutral and not make any endorsements in contested Republican primaries. I am excited that we have such an excellent field of Republican candidates for governor. It has always been my intent to remain neutral in the upcoming gubernatorial primary and give my full support to the winner.

However, last week everything changed. Last Friday my good friend and fellow Eastern Iowan, Christian Fong announced that he intended to run for governor. I ran for State Central Committee because I wanted to make a difference, I wanted not just to elect Republicans but to see those core principles defined in our platform enacted. Christian is a social conservative with excellent business and financial credentials; he is a visionary and a leader in our community; he is a husband, a father and most importantly a man of integrity. He is exactly what Iowa needs. With Christian in the race I now believe that I can make the biggest difference for our state, our district, my community and my family by working as a volunteer to help him win the GOP nomination and beat Chet Culver in 2010.”

“David Chung’s sacrifice in stepping down from the Central Committee and the work of the Republican Party, something he is so passionate about, in order to publicly support my campaign is humbling. David is a stalwart in the Republican Party. I am honored to have him on our team to restore our shared Iowa values to state government,” said Christian Fong.

Christian Fong graduated from Underwood High School in Southwest Iowa at the age of 16 and then attended Creighton University, graduating at age 19. After college he and his wife, Jenelle, located in Cedar Rapids and Christian started work at AEGON. Fong put his career on hold to attend Dartmouth, earning his MBA. He and his family returned to Cedar Rapids, where they reside today and attend River of Life Ministries church. When the floods of 2008 hit Cedar Rapids, Fong founded and still serves today as the CEO of Corridor Recovery, a non-profit flood relief organization that coordinated recovery efforts. The Fongs have three children.

Paid for by Iowans for Christian Fong

Five UI alumni receive Fulbright fellowships for 2009-10

Five University of Iowa alumni will travel across the globe to conduct research or teach English as Fulbright fellows in 2009-10.

The United States Fulbright Program, which is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, awards outstanding students and alumni comprehensive scholarships to conduct international research and teaching fellowships to foster cultural exchange between the United States and other nations. This year's recipients will travel to Mexico, Portugal, South Korea and Italy. Recipients are selected for awards based on academic achievement and leadership potential in their fields.

UI President Sally Mason commended the UI alumni for their accomplishments and the vital roles they are filling in building diplomacy and strengthening international educational exchange.

"I am very proud that these outstanding alumni have received Fulbright fellowships," Mason said. "This is a huge honor for these individuals and for our institution. The Fulbright fellowships are very important to our university's role in international education and cultural exchange. I am grateful for our recipients' dedication to strengthening bonds with those across the globe, and I appreciate their role as UI ambassadors to the entire world."

The UI International Programs Grants Office and the UI Honors Program both provide assistance to UI students wishing to pursue Fulbright fellowships.

For more information visit http://international.uiowa.edu/grants/students/funding/graduate/fulbright-grants.asp or http://honors.uiowa.edu.

UI College of Education helps teachers learn about U.S. Constitution July 15-22

Almost everyone can recite the opening words of the U.S. Constitution: "We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union ... ." But how much do they really know about this document, the foundation and framework for the organization of the U.S. government?

Thirty educators from all five congressional districts in Iowa and surrounding states will attend the Iowa "We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution Teacher Institute" Wednesday, July 15, through Wednesday, July 22, at the John Pappajohn Business Building. The institute is hosted by the University of Iowa College of Education Department of Teaching and Learning.

The program focuses on the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights, and it fosters civic competence and responsibility among elementary, middle and secondary school students in public and private schools, according to Gregory Hamot (left), a professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning in the UI College of Education.

"The program provides teachers with important resources such as textbooks, lesson plans and professional development opportunities so that they can help their students understand the history and principles of our constitutional government," Hamot said. "The teachers will be 'doing' the actual curriculum that they will be teaching next school year."

The program exists in all 50 states and the U.S. territories, but there are only three institutes per year, and Iowa was awarded one of them, Hamot said.

The teachers are mainly high school teachers, with some middle school teachers and one elementary school teacher. They were chosen by self-nomination or by recommendations from their school administrators or from the Center for Civic Education, the grantor for the institute. There is no cost for the teachers to participate.

"Given the need to understand our increasingly complex role as citizens of the United States and our position as members of a wider world community, the program offers our students an opportunity to learn about the constitution and participate in statewide and national mock congressional hearings so they can become engaged and educated citizens," Hamot said. "Any program that helps to promote the development of what Jefferson called the highest office of our nation, that of citizen, is commendable."

During the week, teachers will learn from John Patrick, professor emeritus, at Indiana University, an internationally prominent civic educator, as well as Jasmine Farrier, an associate professor of political science from the University of Louisville; and Richard Hardy, formerly a professor of political science at the University of Missouri and a University of Iowa alumnus. Iowa legislators have also been invited to drop in to the institute.

The culminating event is a mock congressional hearing from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, in the Pappajohn Business Building. The hearing will be based on contemporary issues concerning questions such as "What are the philosophical and historical foundations of the American political system?" "How did the framers create the Constitution?" and "How has the Constitution been changed to further the ideals contained in the Declaration of Independence?" just to name a few.

Mock trial judges include the following: Al Damico and Cary Covington, both UI political science professors in the UI College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS); Terrence Neuzil, Johnson county commissioner; and Bruce Fehn, associate professor in the UI College of Education.

Currently 22 years old, the program is funded by the U.S. Department of Education through an act of Congress and administered nationally by the Center for Civic Education. The UI College of Education is the home of the statewide annual "We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution Program."

Several studies by the Educational Testing Service indicate that students who used the curriculum "significantly outperformed comparison students."

"This ultimately helps teachers not only improve their understanding and teaching of the U.S. Constitution, but creates more engaged and educated citizens of Iowa and the nation," Hamot said.

For more information or a complete schedule, contact Hamot at 319-335-5382, 319-338-5891, or 319-594-3879.

Rush Limbaugh: Sotomayor is a radical who reflects the beliefs of Obama

"If done right -- and the Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee got off to a good start today -- these hearings could help inform the country about who Barack Obama is because this woman, Sonia Sotomayor, is a reflection.   She is a radical who reflects the beliefs of Barack Obama, including his own racial attitudes." - Rush Limbaugh

Notice of Revised Agenda - Planning and Zoning Commission

IOWA CITY, IA. -- A revised agenda has been posted for the upcoming meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission.

View the revised agenda for this meeting

View map of meeting location