Sioux City Journal from Sioux City, Iowa • 1

The Sioux City Journal, Saturday, April 12, 1986 A '3 mm 10 Branstad to get venture capital raffle bill Rural routes MikeGors DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Iowa would hold a state raffle to attract Investment money for fledgling companies under a bill given final legislative approval Friday by the Iowa Senate. The bill would use the lottery to attract Investors to a state venture capital fund, which in turn would funnel the Investment dollars to small private enterprises in the state. The measure now goes to Gov. Terry Branstad, who has not stated his position on it. But the bill's sponsor, Sen.

Art Small, D-lowa City, said he's confident the governor will sign It into law. Small said Investors would buy shares in the venture capital fund, which would operate like a mutual fund that pools Investors' dollars into investments. Each share also would serve as a raffle entry. Initial proceeds would be invested on a short-term basis, with Income used to provide raffle prizes that could include merchandise. Those prizes would be awarded to investors selected at random.

The original investment proceeds then would be invested in small Iowa businesses, which would pledge a share of profits to the Investors. "There Is a very significant difficulty in attracting venture capital to small Iowa firms," said Small in an Interview after the Senate approved an amended House version of the bill 34-6. Small said the combination raffle tickets-venture capital Investments would be available in small amounts, and could be used as gifts. "You're looking at small Investors, people who would be investing maybe $50," Small said. "It's not gambling any more than any Investment in a new firm is gambling." New shares in the fund would be sold periodically under the bill, with initial investors eligible for new raffle prizes.

Those prizes could include merchandise donated by Iowa manufacturers or retailers. Each Investor's share could be redeemed after five years. Senate leaders have agreed to sponsor a limited interstate banking bill similar to the measure that was killed by the Senate Commerce Committee last week. The bill includes provisions to allow failed Iowa banks and two Iowa bank holding companies to be sold to out-of-state banks, under certain circumstances. Last week's narrow committee defeat meant that the only way the banking issues in the bill could reappear this year was upon agreement of elected leaders of both the Republican and Democratic party delegations.

On Friday, Senate Majority Leader Bill Hutchins, D-Audubon, said he and Minority Leader Cal Hultman, R-Red Oak, have ordered that a banking bill be drafted. Hutchins said it will be basically the same bill the Commerce Committee defeated last week. That bill was based on a House-passed measure that included two exemptions to the state law prohibiting interstate banking. One exemption would have allowed the Banks of Iowa holding company to complete Its sale to First Bank Systems of Minneapolis. The other House exemption would have allowed failed Iowa banks to seek out-of-state buyers if no Iowa buyers are found.

The House bill also Included a revision of state regulation of electronic fund transfer systems, commonly known as automatic bank teller machines. Before defeating the bill, the Senate Commerce Committee added a provision to allow Hawkeye Bancorporation to seek an out-of-state buyer if it is forced to file for bankruptcy court protection from creditors. Hutchins said the bill could be sent to the Senate Small Business and Economic Development Committee, instead of the Commerce Committee, to ensure passage to the full Senate for debate. There is strong opposition to Interstate banking from rural legislators who fear It would draw Iowa deposits to banks based In cities outside the state. Connecticut company buys KMNS and KSEZ WJJK in Eau Claire, and WDBR and WTAX In Springfield, 111.

Sentry Insurance still owns stations In Racine, Rockford, 111., and Lansing, Mich. Stephenson said there are no Immediate plans to sell other stations owned by Sentry, but he added that attractive offers would be considered. "You buy radio stations as a tax benefit and eventually sell them at a profit," he said. "That's why we originally purchased the stations we are now selling. I could see us buying and selling other stations In the future." Sentry made a similar move earlier this year when it sold in a public offering some of its 50 percent ownership interest in Sentry Communications, a cable television company.

Sales price of the stations was not announced. Sioux City radio stations KMNS and KSEZ have been sold to Sage Broadcasting Corp. of Stamford, Conn. Sage operates radio stations in White Plains, N.Y., and Waterbury, Conn. The sale still Is subject to approval of the Federal Communications Commission.

The Sioux City stations formerly were owned by Sentry Insurance of Stevens Point, Wis. which also sold radio stations in three other cities where the firm has broadcasting operations. "We view the sale as a very positive thing for everyone concerned," said Dave Stephenson, spokesman for Sentry. "The sales price was attractive to us and It provides a good profit for the new owners." In addition to KMNS and KSEZ, the stations affected are WSPT and WXYQ In Stevens Point, WBIZ and ill i' Vl'W. xA.c'.c.

i I Tv 1 Man accused in stabbing death faces trial Tuesday More than four years after the stabbing death of Sioux Cltyan Raymond Smith, his accused assailant goes on trial Tuesday. Jury selection in the case for (.7. I was waiting in the checkout line at the grocery store the other day. Ahead of me in line, getting her groceries sacked up and searching for money in her purse, was an elderly woman. Like a lot of elderly people, she was a little slow in finding her money.

And she was talking a steady stream to the teen-age girl ringing up the groceries. She called the girl "dear" and smiled a lot as she fumbled around for the cash. I was In no big hurry. But, apparently, the cashier was. On her face was the all-too-familiar look many people have of impatience and exasperation with the elderly.

The older woman's hands were shaking as she searched for the money. She obviously was embarrassed. "It's here somewhere," she smiled, both to me and the The teen-age girl simply stood with her hands folded across her chest and stared at the old woman. No words of understanding. Nothing.

What would have been wrong with saying, "Take your time. No big hurry." The line wasn't long. Instead of trying to put the woman at ease, the cashier made her feel more uncomfortable. Even after finding the money and handing it to the girl, the woman tried to be friendly; to make conversation. The girl behind the counter continued to try to get rid of her.

The woman said, "It certainly is a nice day today." The girl, without looking at the woman, replied, "Yeah." The woman said, "It's a little cloudy, but that's better than a lot of rain." The girl, visibly impatient with the woman, again replied, "Yeah." When the woman walked girl looked at me and shook her head. She assumed I had been' just as impatient with the woman as she had been. She was wrong. Maybe, I thought to myself, the woman lives alone. Maybe she Just wanted someone to talk to.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not singling out this one girl or this one grocery store. I'm not singling out any one person or thing at all. I'm Just bothered by poor attitudes toward the aged. Many people, it seems, are almost put off by having to "put up with" the elderly.

.1 I plead guilty to feeling frustration and anger with the older couple driving their older car 30 mph on a busy two-lane highway. The driving habits of the elderly, whether in or outside the city, do bother me. But that's mostly because I think many older drivers are dangerous. Take away the danger aspect, and our senior citizens don't bother me at all. I look at waiting for them and listening to them and talking to them as a sign of respect for them.

And they do deserve respect. Oh, sure, there are the crotchety old folks who seem to have a grudge against the whole world and everyone in it, and they aren't a real joy to be around. But I know people in their 20s who seem to have Just as big a grudge and seem always to be in a foul mood. The elderly have no exclusive rights to being crotchety. Greg Anliker, executive director of the Iowa Lakes Area Agency on Aging in Spencer, Iowa, says he sees two kinds of misconceptions about the elderly.

"We see the one that makes all elderly out as if they're a bunch of feeble-minded people who don't know what's going on half the time, and that's not even close to being accurate. The vast majority of them are active and healthy, both physically and mentally," says Anliker. "And then we see the other side where there is a tendency to look at the elderly as if they're all wealthy. "That's true of a few, but the vast majority are in that middle ground, Just like you and Anliker says it seems as if today's fast-paced world has little or no time for the elderly. "We have to stop and realize they're human beings, too," he says.

"Maybe they don't do things the same way we would like to see them done. That's part of It. And in aur society, everyone moves so f4St. We're always running from here- to there. And, quite frankly, they ddh't have any reason to hurry "A lot of times they aren't trying to be rude or inconsiderate.

They don't have anything to hurry from or defendant Ricky Lavern Wilson begins Tuesday morning In Woodbury County District Court. Wilson, 23, is charged with first-degree murder, first-degree robbery and first-degree theft in connection with Smith's death Nov. 10, Vincent Unit. Wilson remained free for almost a year before being arrested in Texas on the Sioux City warrants. He fought extradition, but was returned to Sioux City in May, 1983.

His attorneys then filed court actions, claiming the extradition was illegal because the Texas court proceedings were still in progress. U.S. District Court Donald E. O'Brien ruled last summer, however, that the extradition fight was moot and cleared the way for next week's trial. Also last summer Wilson and two other inmates escaped from the Woodbury County Jail, but were recaptured without Incident.

Wilson's alleged accomplice, Sioux Cityan Donald Fueston, is serving a 40-year prison term for his involvement in Smith's death. Fueston pleaded guilty in 1982 to charges of second-degree murder, robbery and theft as part of a plea agreement which includes his promise to testify against Wilson. Wilson 1 Good day for gardening 1981. Smith's body was discovered at the bottom of the basement stairs of his two-story house, 113 10th St. Smith, 60, had been stabbed 31 times in the chest and had suffered head cuts and a skull facture.

Smith worked as a night custodian at Marian Health Center St. John G. Hansen of South Sioux City sits down on the Job Friday as he and his wife, Marie, rid their peony bed of volunteer grass. Today may not be as ideal for gardening, as mostly cloudy skies and a high in the lower 50s are expected. (Staff photo by Gary Anderson) Webster School parents organize closing protest Orr urges Nebraska river use SOUTH SIOUX CITY Republican candidate for governor Kay Orr said Friday she wants Nebraska to take the lead between Yankton, S.D., and Ponca, Neb.

"Now that the federal courts have decided that tha state can't un-, ilaterally divert Missouri River water, and since Nebraska and South Dakota will be electing governors this year, the time will be right in 1987 to build a new spirit of cooperation among Missouri River basin states," Orr said. If elected governor, she said she would "work vigorously" for the establishment as a scenic river that part of the Missouri River between Yankton and Ponca. Orr said that the Missouri River has been designated for development In development and use of the Missouri River. At a news conference In South Sioux tion Army, the Boys' Club, Cook Park and others. We feel our neighborhood has a melting pot atmosphere and closing it will be a great injustice," the spokeswoman said.

The parents also are concerned about overcrowded classrooms and less individualized teacher-pupil attention. Organizers of the protest campaign are urging parents to attend the three scheduled hearings about the proposed closures: 7 p.m. Monday at West Junior High School and 7 p.m. April 17 and April 22 at Woodrow Wilson Junior High School. For more information, contact Mary Cassens, 255-7882, Sherry Quigley, 277-3145, or Judy Yellowbank, 255-8843.

Some Webster School parents are organizing a campaign to protest the proposed closure of the school. An organizational meeting will be at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Sioux City American Indian Center, 1415 Villa Ave. Several parents in the area are forming a coalition to oppose closing Webster School, a spokeswoman said. The group has several concerns about the proposed closure, the spokeswoman added, including the safety of the children crossing more streets and walking longer distances to get to school.

"Parents in our neighborhood are comfortable and satisfied with Webster School, the teachers, the students, the Salva V- A City, Orr said Nebraksa and Orr South Dakota should work together to improve the river area Salix man seeks party nod for supervisor job Personality of 'God Squad' Brian Hilts of Salix, Iowa, has made formal announcement of his plans to seek the to dedicate campus station Democratic to buildings on campus by means ot for several years, but no money commitment has ever been made. She proposes $1 million in federal money be put in the budget next year for the development. "We need to recognize the importance of the river as an economic and recreational source. More work needs to be done upstream to help bank stabilization and create some recreational facilities," she said. Orr also said Nebraska's system of natural resource districts gives it a structure superior to that In most states for "implementing sound management of soil and water." She lauded the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts for creating a task force to review the 14-year-old system and suggest by 1987 any needed legislative changes.

Future soil conservation In the state, Orr said, has been enhanced by the completion of a soil strategy by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources. The plan would restore erodible land and help establish conservation practices to be used on the 35 percent of the farmland that is presently untreated. Church news The Rev. Alex Washington, retired United Methodist minister, will speak on the topic, "Believe in Yourself," at the worship service at 10 a.m. Sunday at Whitfield United Methodist Church, 1319 W.

Fifth St. "A Time for Renewal" will be the theme for revival services starting this Sunday at the First Free Methodist Church, 3101 Virginia St. Evangelist Del Bear, pastor of the Free Methodist Church at Marion, Iowa, along with song evangelist Kevin Hauskins, also of Marion, will be leading the special services. Services Sunday will begin at 10:45 a.m. and 6 p.m.

A fellowship dinner will follow the morning service. Services will begin at 7 o'clock each evening Monday through Friday. Bear was a leading layman in his home church prior to entering the ministry. Hauskins and his family have recorded records in Nashville where he also has been a back-up vocalist for several contemporary music artists. The Rev.

Harry Schlitt of "The God Squad" will dedicate Briar Cliff's new campus radio station, KLIF. The station will begin broadcasting to the campus complex next nomination for Woodbury County supervisor. Hilts, 33, is the only candidate out of 11 hopefuls who lives outside Sioux City. "I would represent the rural interests of the residents of Woodbury County of economic growth, will be a major contribution for the surrounding communities. "I feel that the country needs representations from the rural residents Just as much as from the cities.

The rural economy affects the economy of the cities more than people actually realize," Hilts said. Hilts was born and raised on a farm near Salix and was a 1970 graduate from Westwood Community School in Sloan. He has worked for Sioux City Truck Sales for the past eight years and also has worked for Howard Holdcroft Trucking. He has been a member of the Salix Fire and Rescue Department for 12 years. Hilts and his wife, Tammy, have three children.

Schlitt will participate in ribbon-cutting ceremonies at I a carrier current transmitted directly through the campus electrical system. It will be located at 550 on the AM dial. During his visit to Briar Cliff, Schlitt also will address mass communications students. A native of Missouri, he is heard on hundreds of radio stations throughout the United States and In many foreign countries. Schlitt also serves as national director of the Catholic Communications Campaign.

He resides in New York City and is involved in many media-related projects for the Catholic Church in America. Hilts 1:30 p.m. Wed- 4 nesday at the i KLIF studios, flV" I located on the third floor of I because of my knowledge of the farming problems," Hilts said. He said he feels his interests In the small rural towns, which depend heavily on the local farmers In terms HeelanHaU to. So they get to the point where they think, 'Gee.

I've got lots-of time. The clerk in the grocery store probably does, They just don't think they might be holding the clerk back from helping other people." As for the talkative older woman in the grocery store, Anliker says she simply may have wanted some social contact. "It's bad they don't have a lot of social contact. When they do, they really enjoy talking to people, which is pretty human," he says. "If you.

or I didn't have someone at work to talk to or a family to go home to, we'd probably be the same way." Maybe I'm making too much of the incident at the grocery store. Maybe the woman doesn't live alone. Maybe she isn't lonesome. Maybe her children and grandchildren visit her often. Maybe she's active and gets out a lot.

Maybe. The KLIF signal will be sent Schlitt Betty Lou Nelson seeks Democratic nomination for county supervisor Sioux Cityans sue over injuries in fall Sioux Cityans Ruth and Donald Perley are suing the city of Sioux City and Nystrom Electric officials over injuries she suffered after falling. The Woodbury County District Court lawsuit states Ruth Perley was walking on city property adjacent to Nystrom Electric, 1504 W. Third when she fell into a hole and Injured her leg and shoulder. The accident occurred Dec.

1, 1984, according to the suit. The Perleys, 1622 Myrtle allege Nystrom officials allowed water to drain from their property onto city property and caused the hole. was running for the Republican nomination. Nelson served as administrative secretary to police chiefs for 27 years prior to retirement. The Journal regrets the error In party identification.

Betty Lou Nelson, retired administrative assistant to Sioux City. Police Chief Gerald Donovan, has announced her candidacy for the Democratic nomination for Woodbury County supervisor. In a story printed Friday, The Journal erroneously reported Nelson.