Urges Coralville Residents to Fill Out Census Forms to Ensure they are Counted

Washington, Mar 12 - Today, in a letter to U.S. Census Bureau Director Robert Groves, Congressman Dave Loebsack (D-IA) called for the U.S. Census Bureau to apologize to Coralville residents and to issue new census forms to citizens in Coralville. The letter is being sent in reaction to residents from Coralville coming to Loebsack’s office with census forms that listed incorrect addresses. The census forms listed Iowa City, and not Coralville, in the address block.

"The citizens of Coralville have their own community, history, and pride and it is essential that this alarming omission of their identity be rectified and an apology issued. Coralville is its own town, and should not be lumped into a neighboring community,” said Loebsack. “An accurate count is vital to help ensure that our communities get adequate funding for schools, roads, and hospitals."

Loebsack wrote a letter to the U.S. Census Bureau, urging a new mailing to the city of Coralville with the correct addresses. Citizens of Coralville have come forward with concerns that the error in the address block, which lists Iowa City, and not Coralville, will harm census data collection efforts. An accurate count is essential to bringing in federal funding, and Loebsack harbors serious concerns that this error will lower Coralville’s count.

Senator Wally Horn of Cedar Rapids won Senate support for House File 2384 to the Senate today, Wednesday March 3. The bill is a compromise that allows houseboats to remain in Ellis Harbor in Cedar Rapids.

Congressman Dave Loebsack, as part of his ongoing initiatives to bolster small businesses, joined local Cedar Rapids business owners today to discuss the 3/50 Project. The 3/50 Project is a national effort being spearheaded in Iowa by Cedar Rapids business owners to encourage shoppers to support more locally-owned businesses. Today, Loebsack met with owners from Brewed Awakenings and Fix Salon.

Loebsack discusses the 3/50 Project with local business owner Heather Younker, at her coffee shop, Brewed Awakenings.

"Across the country, people are struggling to make ends meet, and as many families are cutting back, our small businesses are feeling the crunch," said Loebsack. "In Cedar Rapids, our economy has been hit twice, first by the floods and then by the current downturn. The 3/50 Project is the perfect example of Iowa businesses working towards economic recovery and stability."

On Wednesday, February 24, Senator Swati Dandekar of Marion won passage of Senate File 2234 to the Iowa State Senate. The bill helps Iowa car dealers get a fair deal when negotiating with the auto giants.

State Representative Kirsten Running-Marquardt gives her opening remarks on Monday, February 22, 2010.

State Representative Tyler Olson (D-Cedar Rapids) makes his opening remarks on Monday, January 25, 2010 about the Iowa House moving to make sure cancer patients continue to get insurance coverage.

Rep. Kirsten Running-Marquardt (D-Cedar Rapids) is escorted to his desk on the opening day of the Iowa legislative session. Running-Marquardt won a special election in November 2009.

Although many Iowans simply show up at their precinct caucus location to take part in the event as it happens, there is a great deal of work required before the caucuses can take place. Temporary caucus chairs need to be recruited and trained, locations need to be identified and secured and a host of other tasks -- big and small -- need to be completed so that the tradition can continue.

On Saturday, Linn County Democrats met at the Marion Public Library in order to ready a packet of information and accounting materials for each of the 86 precincts. As the saying goes, many hands make light work ... so the group was able to complete its mission within an hour.

Special thanks to all of those who came to help out -- and thanks to all the Linn County Democrats who perform numerous tasks behind the scenes that allow so many party activities to run so smoothly. We appreciate all you do!

On Saturday June 13th, 1 year to the day the historic floods ravaged Linn County, the Linn County Dems served lunch to several volunteers with Habitat for Humanity. Habitat for Humanity is undertaking a massive Build-a-thon in cooperation with AmeriCorps. 20 homes will be built in 1 week, with the majority of the new homes being reserved for flood victims to enter.

The menu served was hamburgers, hot dogs, chips and lemonade, along with various desserts donated by members of the Central Committee. The Habitat volunteers, both in-state and out-of-state, were appreciative of the hot meal and expressed many caring words! Below find pictures from the event!!