The Des Moines Register from Des Moines, Iowa • Page 15

Page 2B Thursday, October 11, 2001 The Des Moines Register DM County aims to cut budget $54 million Metro Record From Register staff and news services CITY SUBURBS tied to projects that were delayed last year or weren't expected until next year. More than $8 million is attributable to new commitments or unforeseen revenue shortfalls. The county is expected to lose $3.2 million in interest income this year, after nine successive interest-rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. The rates have fallen from 5.5 percent to 2 percent since the fiscal 2002 budget was approved in March. "Usually, we try to be very conservative in our estimates," Treasurer Mary Maloney said.

"We did not see interest rates going into a free fall." Budget officials have warned of tight times since last winter, when analysts predicted that the county By BERT CALMER Rt GISTLH STAFF WRIIbR Polk Gmnty's budget manager asked the Board of Supervisors Wednesday to cut at least $4 million from the million operating budget, largely because of plummeting interest rates and unanticipated road project costs. Barely three months into its fiscal 2(X)2 budget, the county is on a pace to spend $13.8 million more than officials had expected. Budget manager Jan Sears said some expenses can be covered with savings. That's a strategy supervisors have fallen back on in four of the past five budget years. "Obviously, this is an inappropriate trend," Sears said.

Some of the extra spending is everybcxly comes out on top." Supervisors said they're not yet considering layoffs to balance the budget, but they might have to leave some spots vacant. "I think nothing's immune when you're talking about three or four million dollars," said Supervisor Jack Bishop, who supports reducing employee ranks. "That first million is easy to get. The third or fourth million gets real tough." The county will hold a public hearing Nw. 6 before supervisors vote on amending the fiscal 2002 budget, which took effect July 1.

The proposed changes would increase the budget from $174 million to $188 million. Reporter Bert Oalmer can be reached at (515)284-8136 or dalmertjnewi.dnireg.com might have to freeze hiring or lay off workers. Officials agreed to provide public and private projects and organizations with $4.5 million this year, including $3.3 million for a new interchange in Ankeny at Northeast 66th Avenue. The supervisors have not yet figured out when or how they will pay more than $2.1 million they committed to the Des Moines Menace soccer club and the Altoona Community Recreation Complex. Supervisor Robert Brownell justified the looming expenses as investments.

"Most of our revenues come from property taxes," Brownell said. "So if you can generate additional property taxes, Budget bits WILDCAR0: Although most of Polk County's property taxes are at the maximum rate allowed by state law, the local government earns extra revenue from Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino. The publicly owned, privately run track will bring the county $28 million next year. Most or all of the county's future track revenues have been earmarked for bond payments on the $208 million Iowa Events Center. WHERE IT GOES: The county's biggest expense is the salaries and benefits of its employees, which cost $67 million last year.

The county has added 1 75 jobs over the past five years. Students join parents, teachers for conferences Ankeny graduate named winner of Chrystal award Bian Li, a 2001 graduate of Ankeny High School, is the winner of a World Food Prize award for Iowa high school students. Kenneth Quinn, president of the World Food Prize Foundation, announced at a Statehouse ceremony Wednesday that Bian Li is the winner of the John Chrystal Award, which honors the student whose work as an international intern best exemplified a commitment to global understanding and peace through agriculture and food security. Chrystal, a Coon Rapids banker, Democratic political activist and expert on agriculture in the former Soviet Union, died last year. "Bian Li truly captures the spirit of John Chrystal's life through her work in remote areas of Kenya, and her genuine interest in the people of that region," said Quinn.

World Food Prize events kick into high gear next week with an international conference in Des Moines on potential disruptions in global food supplies because of terrorism. Speeding a likely factor in crash, examiner says Speeding probably contributed to a weekend car crash that killed 29-year-old Des Moines man, the Polk County medical examiner said Wednesday. An autopsy shows Kevin Carney of 3904 Fagen Drive died of chest injuries, said Dr. Francis Canity. Tests for alcohol and other drugs are not complete.

Carney was partially thrown from his Jeep Grand Cherokee when it crashed into two concrete barricades and two metal gates in the 4100 block of Southwest Mc-Kinley Avenue. The vehicle came to rest on its top. The accident was discovered early Sunday morning by a passer-by who went to a nearby convenience store and reported the wreckage. lining i.mw i ii nuti-, rw- -) Popular drug dog Oby dies By TOM ALEX HEUISIF.H STAFF WRITER Oby, the Des Moines Police Department's drug-sniffing golden retriever who retired in after six years on the force, died Wednesday. A favorite with schoolchildren who traded his "Cop Collectible" card, Oby was instrumental in the seizure of more than 128 pounds of illegal narcotics with a value of more than $860,000.

He also was given credit for the seizure of nearly $725,000 from traffickers. Officers draped medals of appreciation over his shoulders when he retired at the age of 8. Cake was served at his retirement party. Oby's tenure at the department occurred during the height of the city's gang problems and gang-generated drug trade. Oby had his own photograph-identification card that he sometimes wore on a chain around his neck.

Using a golden retriever whose most notable characteristic was his wagging tail represented a shift for Des Moines police when Oby joined the department in 1990. The department had used larger dogs capable of defending their handlers. After one of those dogs attacked a police officer, who was hospitalized with serious injuries, Bond sale lifts VISION, from Page 1 The Vision Iowa program, launched last year, is an effort by state leaders to make Iowa a more attractive place to live, especially for young people. Communities receive help with the cost of developing cultural, recreational and educational facilities that have regional appeal. The governor praised Iowans for buying the Vision Iowa bonds, backed by the state's share of gambling proceeds, which went on sale Tuesday.

He said Iowa residents bought $31 million of the bonds. "What has taken place with the sales of these bonds is clearly an indication of a vote of confidence in the future of the state by the citizens of this state," Vilsack said. Several dozen project planners Disposable Contact Lenses minimum 4 box purchase Some restrictions apply. an mmmimm 2533 Ecrfe to tfH3 5112 14a 4j CM 287-5422 111 1. SSK2S8 XF JsJ iMmW ii i IYE 1 1 SCHOOL, from Page 1B parent participation and make students more accountable for their academic progress.

Involving sixth- through eighth-graders in conferences has become increasingly common across the country during the past decade. Numerous teachers and principals have written articles for professional magazines praising the format, saying it draws more parents to conferences and increases students' confidence. Hoyt Middle School began involving students in conferences about four years ago. Since then, parent participation has increased, scores on national standardized tests have improved, and suspensions have dropped. District administrators repeatedly have pointed to Hoyt's student-led conferences as the key to the east-side school's improved student performance.

"Research has shown time and time again that when a parent is involved with their child's education, the child's chance for academic success is much greater," said Tom Drake, who oversees Des Moines' secondary programs. Hoyt's success prompted administrators to change the middle-school conference format districtwide. North High School also began involving students in conferences this year. Drake said the district's other high schools will make the change next year. Hoyt teacher Ginger Johnson wants students involved in the conferences.

"It is their progress. They need to understand why they got the grade they did. They should be at the conferences to explain it to their parents," she said. Brody Middle School teacher Laura Larsen has been involving students in conferences for about three years. "In the real world when you interview for a job, you are expected to describe your strengths and weaknesses.

This helps students prepare for the real world." Student Samm Alford, a Brody eighth-grader, likes the format. "It's good because IU be there and I'll know what the teacher is saying about me." Preparing for the conferences is timeonsuming, something some teachers have grumbled about. Teachers took time out of their classes last week to help students prepare folders with examples of work and tests. At some schools, students also filled out self-evaluation forms and wrote letters to their parents detailing their school day and semester goals. Many teachers also led students Griffieon receives THE REGISTER'S IOWA NEWS SERVICE Columbia, Ma Iowan LaVon Griffieon has been selected as a -1 "-i $249599 IOOO t.

Ft. Installed Design Choices Premium Vinyl Many Colors Lifetime Factum! 4 fiiisrantfla jjw-f' Price reflecte ilatm and Intetatlon. 8045 Owner I Dennis Waterman Excerpt The following is a portion of a letter that Jennifer Lyon, a seventh-grader at Hoyt Middle School, included in her conference folder for her parents: "After artgym is pre-algebra. Now, I know this is not one of my best subjects, but I am trying so hard to stay positive about it and try as hard as I can. Last year math was my greatest subject.

Now, it is my worst. (My teacher) is nice, but tries to give you so much information you can't handle it. Instead of remembering it you forget. That's why you always have to help me with my homework. Next is lunch, my favorite subject." through a rehearsal, helping them interpret information to be shared with parents.

At most middle schools, parents and students met with one teacher instead of all of the child's instructors. In past years, teachers met with 120 or more sets of parents during conferences. Under the new format, teachers met with 30 or fewer students and their parents. Johnson said that even though Hoyt has involved students in conferences for several years, some of her teaching colleagues still have complaints about the format. She said schools must make changes in the way they do things just as businesses and industries have changed to keep pace with technology.

"We're no longer in the industrial age," Johnson said Teachers "need to think about what is best for the future of these kids in terms of developing thinking skills and solving problems." Grandmother Betty Lampkin said she liked hearing Bryan explain why he received the grades he did and she liked reviewing his class work "He's actually doing the talking, not the teacher," Lampkin said. "He knows what he has to do and he's telling me that." Betty Lampkin continued looking through Bryan's folder of work "You've done pretty good. Your grandma is very proud of you." Bryan smiled shyly. "Thanks." fellowship recipient of a Food and Society Policy fellowship. The fellowship, supported by the W.K.

Kellogg Foundation, is offered to improve communications about food and agricultural issues in the United States. Griffieon is the co-founder and president of 1000 Friends of Iowa, a nonprofit organization that educates Iowa residents about preserving farmland, protecting natural areas and revitalizing communities. Griffieon will participate in a tour of food and agricultural systems in Europe this month and will meet with leaders in Washington, DC. REGISTER FILE PHOTO shakes hands with Oby at the Senior Officer Rich DeJoode. the Police Department records section.

Anderson said Oby couldn't get to his feet Tuesday. "He was put to sleep this morning," Anderson said Wednesday. Speedway plan draws questions Pella, la. Vision Iowa members raised concerns Wednesday over the financing of a proposed speedway near Newtoa Larry Clement, a race car owner from Fort Dodge who is leading the project, provided assurances that he could come up with millions of dollars from private investors to help build the track. Clement's personal pledges aren't good enough, Vision Iowa board members said.

He needs to show more proof that investors will support the project before Vision Iowa awards any money, they said. The speedway is asking for a $20 million Vision Iowa grant. The project costs $52 million. Project backers appeared before the Vision Iowa board Wednesday in Pella, carrying miniature checkered flags. An opponent, Marvin Woods of Newton, said the project lacks broad-based community support.

Several aspects of the project "are warning flags that something isn't right with this project," Woods said. Clement said he had commitments from investors totaling $7 million to $10 million. Board members asked for documents to verify how secure those commitments are. Clement said he would provide documentation. He also said investors would be more willing to support the project if they knew the Vision Iowa board also would support it.

Board members said investors must be lined up before Vision Iowa commits money. Jennifer Dukes Lee r- Farewell: Chief William Moulder dog's retirement in 1996. At left is the department looked for a more gentle breed. Oby got the nod. Since his retirement, Oby had been staying at the home of Mary Anderson, a civilian who works in cities' hopes who attended a monthly Vision Iowa meeting Wednesday in Pella broke into applause when Gartner announced the results of the bond sale.

"There's a lot of people who are going to be very happy," said Larry Clement, who is leading the speedway project in Newton. Project sponsors are seeking $20 million in state aid. Newton Mayor Dave Aldridge added: "If we would have known how successful the bond sale had been, we might have asked for more." Clinton officials, who are asking for more than $12 million, said they were confident they would have received an award anyway. But they acknowledged that the larger pool of state money gives them more comfort as they begin their sales pitch. 2 Pair Complete Bifocal or Trifocal Sojriejejlrjrfonsj) Board looks for people to serve on committee The Urban dale school board is looking for parents and residents to serve three-year terms on the district's Community Facilities Committee.

The committee will provide oversight of the district's spending of local-option sales tax money $2.9 million this year. Members will be expected to meet three or four times a year. For details, call board secretary Carolyn Sparks at 457-5000. Plan calls forspending $333 million on parks The West Des Moines City Council has approved spending more than $300 million on parks and trails over the next 25 years. The long-range plan includes more than $289 million for new parks and trails and more than $44 million on improvements.

The plan includes 40 new neighborhood parks, three community parks, five school parks, two natural resource areas and two sports complexes. mm Board plans meeting with search consultant Ankeny school board members will meet at 5:45 p.m. Monday with a consultant hired to help find a new superintendent. Timelines and procedures for the search will be discussed at the meeting, to be held at the administrative offices, 306 S.W. School St.

Superintendent Ben Norman will retire at the end of the school year. City to pay for marker at site of derailment Altoona City Council members have agreed to pay $1,200 to mark the site of an 1877 train derailment near the city. The wreck happened on Aug. 28, 1877, about a mile south of Altoona along what is now.the little Four Mile Creek recreation trail. The train wrecked after a stone culvert washed away.

The accident killed 18 people and injured 40. Altoona historian Bob Thompson requested the marker. It will be placed at the site next spring, he said. 2 Pair Complete i Eye Glasses Some restrictions apply. PREMIUM VINYL WINDOWS SIDING MAR? 279 99 Window Installed Custom Built I f.

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