2020 Talks
Policing, 4th of July, Gardens
Originally broadcast 07/01/2020
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In the age of Social Distancing and Social Awareness Independence Day is different this year. Our program started with a statement from Nevada Public Safety Director Ricardo Martinez reporting on the events on the June 22 death of Jason J. Kruzic, followed by a statement from Nevada citizen Sannon Novak, organizer of a Black Lives Matter demonstration. We brought the issues together in the discussion of Nevada Peace Officers in the online Nevada Coffee Conversation about Policing. Moving to Independence Day celebrations in the era of COVID-19, Chris Blocker told us about the many outdoor activities planned in Boone County. Retreating to our gardens, we spoke briefly with Beth Cody, author of "Iowa Gardens of the Past: Lost and Historic Gardens of Iowa: 1850-1960" and reminisced about Griffeth Buck and the legendary Buck Roses. Paul Wierson joined us with some Independence Day nostalgia about Lake Comar.
Maxwell Farms LLC, Gilbert Graduation
Originally broadcast 06/24/2020
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Kim Stevens and Brenda Brink gave reports on the June 23 special meeting of the Story County Supervisors on whether to grant approval to Maxwell Farms LLC for a CAFO holding 4,960 hogs. The meeting was an example of community pressure on the CAFO issue with 71 citizen issuing statements to deny approval versus 2 in favor. The Supervisors, after personal impassioned statements of opposition, voted unanimously to deny the permit. Vic Vanderpol, Principal of Gilbert High School, came on to tell us about the livestream outdoor graduation ceremony held in Gilbert. Here is the link to the graduation ceremony. Wrapping up the show was Paul Wierson reporting on opening the high school summer baseball in the age of COVID-19.
Libraries, Centennial of Iowa State Parks
Originally broadcast 06/17/2020
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To celebrate the work that Iowa libraries have done during COVID19 we brought together librarians from three libraries in our listening area -- Kolleen Taylor of the Bertha Bartlett Library in Story City, Shanna Spear, director of the Nevada Public Library, and Zack Spier (Mr. Z) children's librarian at the Erickson Public Library in Boone. They discussed how they have served their patrons though not being officially opened, as well as the many ways the Iowa State Library Association supports and connects libraries throughout the year. The latter half of the program was devoted to the history and centennial celebration of the Iowa State Parks. Steve Lekwa, retired Story CountyConservation Board Director and Mark Ackelson, Former President of the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation talked about the resources available to guide people to enjoy the Iowa parks-- especially the new book, 100 Years of Iowa Parks: A Century of Stewardship, 1920-2020 and the "passport" available from the Iowa ParksFoundation, We ended the show with an announcement of the POOR PEOPLE'S CAMPAIGN, a virtual March on Washington scheduled for June 20, 2020.
Environmental Justice, Black Lives Matter, BSVRR
Originally broadcast 06/10/2020
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Leanne Harter, Story County Outreach Coordinator, started our program with the first Story County Report since COVID-19 began. Carolyn Raffenspirger gave us a moving account of how environmental injustice injures the poor and people of color far more than the general population. Mike Murphy provided recorded interviews with some of the hundreds of people at the Boone Black Lives Matter March on Monday night. Finally, Mike Wendel, director of the James H Andrew Railroad Museum told us about their new exhibit on electric railways as well as their reopening and that of the Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad in accord with CDC guidelines.
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