I'M for Iowa
By Lynn Heuss
Today, March 1, is Ed’s birthday!
Ed has passionately, courageously, tirelessly and often independently fought for issues that affect thousands of Iowans: election reform, local control over CAFOs, responsible land use, reform of the criminal justice and human service departments, fiscal responsibility and transparency in government spending, peace, and, of late, the need to address global warming.
His life offers a blueprint for ways to make a difference.
*Along with Rep. Pam Jochum (who continues to fight the fight), Ed has worked for years to pass clean elections legislation. This year there’s a real chance to make that happen. It’s called VOICE (Voter-Owned Iowa Clean Elections).
*He’s biked nearly 500 miles this year (yep, since January 1!) and if he’s not biking, he’s usually walking. He does the majority of his local meetings and errands without a vehicle.
*He recycles and composts.
*He’s started several varieties of vegetables from seed, and will plant a garden that should provide produce enough to share with friends and neighbors.
*He invites people to join him for meals many times each week – not just for business, but because he believes breaking bread together (and sometimes baking bread together) is also a way to build community.
*He strives to live a balanced life. He typically begins and ends each day by stretching his body and mind, through meditation, prayer and exercise.
*When he does need to purchase something or eat at a restaurant, he’s adamant about making the purchase from a local merchant or restaurant owner. Whenever possible, he tries to purchase products made locally or food grown locally.
*To begin an early celebration of his birthday, last night we watched “An Inconvenient Truth” – while he took notes. It wasn’t just entertainment – it was about education.
*A group of us went to Ames two weeks ago to square dance, eat great local food, listen to a marvelous jazz pianist from Washington, Iowa and finally, to hear the keynote speaker – Bill McKibben. After hearing McKibben speak, Ed was captivated and troubled by what he learned. While he was well aware that the issue of global warming was serious, McKibben’s explanation of the limited timeline we have to make a difference and his own passionate call to action spurred Ed to do just that – get active.
If each person who reads this note will make a call or send a BRIEF e-mail to your elected officials (local, state or national) about an issue that’s important to you, it would be a great way to do something to recognize Ed’s birthday — not just with words but also with deeds.
If you don’t know how to reach your state representative or senator, or if you don’t know who they are, here’s the website to look them up: http://www.legis.state.ia.us. You can also find legislation there, by subject if you don’t know the bill number. I can offer a few general suggestions.
• HSB105 — VOICE (Voter-Owned Iowa Clean Elections)
• HF 444 — a moratorium on CAFOs (confined animal feeding operations)
• HF 164 – a bill to increase the bottle reimbursement to redemption centers
• HF 539 – a bill that deals with separation distances between CAFOs
I hope you’ll join me in celebrating Ed’s birthday by working to make a difference – as a way to thank Ed for his work over the years for the people of Iowa.
Upcoming Events:
Saturday, March 3, 6:30 p.m.
Chet Guinn and Eloise Cranke receive the Dingman award
Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart Church
501 E. 1st St., Ankeny
Contact: Brian Terrell (515) 255-8114
Thursday, March 8, 7:30 p.m.
Ed gives the Stringfellow Lecture: “Politics as a Religious Vocation”
St. Catherine de Siena/Student Center
1150 28th Street, Des Moines
Contact: Dale Patrick (515) 271-3836 or dale.patrick@drake.edu
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