Gazette Daily News Podcast: February 9, 2024

Featured Stories–  Speakers decry Iowa bill giving politicians more control over libraries–  Cedar Rapids seeks community-oriented leader as new police chief–  Summit pipeline moves closer to reconsideration in North DakotaEpisode TranscriptYou’re listening to The Gazette’s Daily News Podcast on Friday, February 9th,2024. This podcast provides the latest headlines from the Gazette newsroom. I’mBecky Lutgen Gardner.Library officials and supporters spoke out against a proposed billThursday that would give city councils authority over public librariesincluding book selection. They warned it would bring partisan, political decision-makinginto library operations.The legislator who managed the bill said his goalis not to address the selection of books, but instead to provide elected localofficials with more authority over the spending of taxpayer dollarsUnder the bill, a city council would be able tohire a library director, use library funds for library projects and initiativesby passing an ordinance … all without voter approval.Wade Dooley, who chairs the libraryboard in Albion, called the bill a "train wreck."He says, “It opens up all sorts ofpossibilities for very disastrous consequences if you get an activist citycouncil that starts see-sawing on what they believe for a library to be or notbe. Our city council has barely any training to be a city council. Now, youalso want them to run a library. that’s not a good idea.” Rep. Carter Nordman, a Republican fromPanora, advanced the bill. He says he’s heard from city council members whowant more direct control over library spending and personnel decisions.Nordman says, “Ultimately, the library board wasn’t elected; the citycouncil was. And so, the buck stops with them when it comes to taxpayerdollars. They should have that authority.”Nordman said he would be willing to consider an amendment to the bill togive city councils more authority over library boards but specify that contentselection is with library officials.Next, In Cedar Rapids’ search for a new police chief, some residents saythey’re looking for a respected leader who focuses on community policing andfosters a police department culture that promotes citizen equity and trust.Residents had the opportunity to speak one-on-one with all four policechief candidates Wednesday night in a meet-and-greet event at the DoubleTree byHilton Convention Center. With the City Council’s consent, City Manager Jeff Pomeranz says he willdecide soon on which candidate will succeed Wayne Jerman. Jerman retired as policechief last April.Three candidates — Jennifer Birkhofer, Jeff Coday and David Dostal —participated in media interviews before the event. Tom Whitten, declined media interviews. Monica Vallejo is a citizens' review board member and met with all fourcandidates. She said it’s important that the next police chief works to establishmore programs that promote diversity and inclusion with all communities. Vallejo says the community overall feels comfortable and safe with CedarRapids police because of the “wonderful job...