Miller-Meeks to Launch 2010 Congressional Bid Monday During Four-City Tour with Barbara Grassley

OTTUMWA – Dr. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, the 2008 Republican nominee in Iowa’s Second Congressional District, will formally announce her candidacy Monday, Nov. 30, for her party’s 2010 nomination and a rematch against Rep. David Loebsack.

Miller-Meeks, an Ottumwa ophthalmologist, will make a series of stops in the 15-county district in eastern and southern Iowa. She will be accompanied by Barbara Grassley, spouse of U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley. The schedule of her “Let’s Make History” tour is as follows:

11:30 a.m. – Quality Cobbler, Muscatine Mall, 1903 Park Ave., Suite 22, Muscatine;

2:00 p.m. – Hames Homes, 640 Marion Blvd., Marion;

4:45 p.m. – Big River Resources, 15210 103rd St., West Burlington;

7:15 p.m. – Al-Jon Manufacturing, Industrial Airport, 14599 Second Ave., Ottumwa.

Reporters or editors who have questions about one of these events should contact Eric Woolson at (515) 681-3967. For additional information about Miller-Meeks or to join her campaign, click here.

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B-Calm’s Brent Carmichael Appears on MyABC5/WOI-TV Mid-Day News to Discuss Dec. 5 Autism Workshop

WEST DES MOINES — Brent Carmichael, who heads an Ankeny company’s non-profit organization to assist the families of children with autism and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, appeared on WOI-TV mid-day newscast today to tell central Iowans about the upcoming conference, “Unlocking Autism: Peace Within the Noise.”

The Dec. 5 conference is being organized by b-Calm, an Ankeny firm that manufactures noise control systems, in cooperation with Easter Seals of Iowa. It will feature a variety of experts talking to parents about topics ranging from new therapies to defending their child’s civil rights. It will be at Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines, Iowa from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The cost of the conference is $25. Lunch will be provided. For additional information about the conference, click here.

Carmichael heads up the Champions of Autism and ADHD and is the parent of a son with autism. He was interviewed by morning and mid-day news anchor Stephanie Angleson. He said the goal of the conference is to Our goal for the conference is to raise awareness in Iowa to families, school districts, service providers, and local agencies on the need for early detection, evaluation, diagnosis and intervention strategies for children with autism and/or ADHD.

The conference will feature a variety of experts talking to parents about topics ranging from new therapies to defending their child’s civil rights.

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Vander Plaats: Chuck Norris Event Shows Campaign’s Broader Appeal in Drive to Win 2010 Primary, General Elections

NAVASOTA, Texas – Sioux City businessman Bob Vander Plaats said today that the support of actor Chuck Norris and his wife Gena provide his campaign with a potent weapon that will help propel him to the 2010 Iowa Republican gubernatorial nomination over former Gov. Terry Branstad.

More than 40 Iowans are among the people who joined the Norrises and Vander Plaats for a Texas-style barbeque at the Norris ranch about 20 miles southeast of College Station.

Noting that the latest Iowa Poll shows him leading Gov. Chet Culver by eight points, Vander Plaats said Iowans are ready to turn out the first-term Democratic governor because “his failure to lead has run our state budget into a $1 billion hole, provided little but empty words for the 100,000-plus Iowans who are unemployed and led to one fiasco after another, including the mismanagement of the Iowa Film Office.”

“Having the support of Chuck and Gena Norris is obviously helping us raise a significant amount of money today, but it does much more than that,” Vander Plaats said. “In his syndicated column earlier this year, Chuck endorsed three candidates across the country as his ‘three amigos.’ I was honored to be one of those candidates and the campaign has received a number of contributions from across the country as a result.”

He continued, “There’s a lot of media attention on Governor Branstad’s likely return to the politics and the fact he’s leading Chet Culver in the polls. Well, he’s not the only one and before the pundits and the party establishment declare him as the victor over Chet Culver, he’s going to have to go through us,” Vander Plaats said. “Today’s Republican Party isn’t the same as it was in 1982 when he first ran for governor. And with the help of great friends like Chuck and Gena Norris, our supporters who attended today’s event and, many, many others, this campaign will have the resources to get our message out to Iowans and win this primary on June 8.”

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Exemplar Genetics Team Participates in AALAS 60th Annual National Meeting in Denver Nov. 8-12

SIOUX CENTER, Iowa – The Exemplar Genetics leadership team has returned from attending the 60th annual national meeting of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science in Denver, Colorado.

The AALAS conference is an outstanding source for regulatory training and provides workshops on a number of other critically important topics,” said Troy Arends, director of business development. “It’s also the perfect setting for us to meet with existing clients, potential clients and the scientists who work in the research field. Our goal is to establish and maintain long-term working relationships and our presence at the annual AALAS meetings is part of that ongoing process of staying connected.”

The American Association for Laboratory Animal Science is a nonprofit membership association that is the premier forum for the exchange of information and expertise in the care and use of laboratory animals. Since 1950, the organization has been dedicated to the humane care and treatment of laboratory animals and the quality research that leads to scientific gains that benefit people and animals.

Brian Dacken, Exemplar Genetics’ manager of clinical research, met with Food and Drug Administration officials and continued to stay abreast of ever-changing federal guidelines and industry best management practices through one of the meeting workshops, Keeping Current with Regulations and Requirements.

Arends noted that the management team focused its promotional activities at last year’s meeting on its Lonestar Swine operations, which produce Miniature Yucatan pigs for the research field.
“This year, we continued to share the Lonestar Laboratory Swine story but we also communicated the advances we’ve made at Exemplar Genetics. Specifically the licensing and availability of genetically engineered CFTR animals,” Arends said. “Working with the University of Iowa, we have achieved ground-breaking results that have put us at the top of our industry. We continue to get the message out that the technology we licensed can enable discovery and ultimately help researchers find therapies and cures that will change people’s lives.”
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Iowans Participate in Million Med March Saturday in Des Moines to Sound Alarm About Disastrous Health Care Legislation

DES MOINES – Iowa medical professionals who warn that pending legislation to change America’s health care system will send costs soaring out of control while diminishing patient care will rally in Des Moines on Saturday to call attention to the issue.

Opponents of the health care legislation will gather on the west terrace of the Iowa Statehouse from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday. Dr. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, an Ottumwa ophthalmologist who is leading the Iowa chapter of the Million Med March, said Thursday that proposed legislation is “not the solution” to the rising medical costs that are pushing the nation’s health care system to the brink of bankruptcy.

“The first rule we learn as physicians is the Hippocratic oath to do no harm. What the House and Senate are proposing will not only harm our health care system, their actions will kill what has been the pillar of medical care in the world,” she said. “A cold Saturday afternoon in late November may not be the most convenient time for a march, but there’s too much at stake not to have our voices heard. We have to convince our elected representatives to stop this very dangerous plan that will bankrupt us by spending over $1 trillion of our taxes while actually reducing Americans’ access to care.”

Miller-Meeks added, “The fundamental objective of healthcare reform must be to lower costs without decreasing its value. We must find ways to lower the costs that are straining the system to the breaking point.”

Million Med March was founded on the following principles:

• Medical decisions need to be made by doctors and their patients. Empower the patient to take control of their own healthcare through free market solutions. By allowing the patient to engage directly with their primary care physician, a large portion of routine and preventative care can be accomplished without the interference of a middleman.
• No legislation should become law without serious tort reform because the medical profession currently spends $400 billion a year for coverage, representation and settlements.
• Eliminating state monopolies and allowing the portability of health insurance across state lines to make insurance more affordable. By uncoupling health insurance from employers patients will have the ability to control their own coverage. These methods create competition, which is the only true way to drive down healthcare costs.
• Transforming the reimbursement and billing systems that are strangling medical practices. “Right now, 35 percent of healthcare costs are spent for administrative purposes only and are raising the cost that are eventually being passed on to our patients. We need a simplified transparent reimbursement system,” Miller-Meeks said.

Des Moines rally speakers include Rudy Schellekens, a Holland native familiar with the pitfalls of a single-payer system, nurse Virginia Jones, physician recruiter Becky Helgerson, 9/12 Project of Des Moines activist Lynn Rodgers and Miller-Meeks.

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MP/two, Downtown Milwaukee Men’s and Women’s Clothing Store to Close, Entire Inventory to be Sold

MILWAUKEE – MP/two, a men’s and women’s clothing store in the Cathedral Square neighborhood, will sell its entire inventory after its lease was not renewed, owner Mark Pasch said today.

Pasch said he hoped the store at 825 North Jefferson Street would be part of a retail business revival in the downtown but the recent difficult economy had contributed to its closing. He noted that he will focus his company’s resources on growing his flagship store, Mark Pasch Ltd., in the Audubon Court Shopping Center, 333 West Brown Deer Road, Bayside.

“Our first priority is to clear our inventory at MP/two as soon as possible in the ‘must-vacate’ sale,” Pasch said. “Eventually, our goal is for MP/two to return in another location, but in the meantime we will be focusing all of our energies on growing Mark Pasch, Ltd., and incorporating into our Bayside store many of the ideas and products lines we’ve offered at the downtown store.”

Pasch said prices on MP/two’s entire stock of famous-brand men’s and women’s clothing will be reduced by up to 60 percent. The store will hold a one-day sale for long-time customers before opening to the public at 9:00 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 19. Store hours are 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Sundays and 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays.

Mark Pasch Ltd. is in its 25th year of business and stands for fine fashion, quality, fine tailoring and the best of service to men, women and boys who create a winning image. Pasch said, “The goal was at the start and still continues to be to have a friendly, relaxing atmosphere where our friends can enjoy themselves while putting together a fashionable wardrobe. I was pleased that MP/two contributed significantly to that experience.”

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Alfredo Jimenez and Del Alma to Perform Wednesdays at Margarita’s in Clive Beginning Dec. 2

CLIVE, Iowa – Fans of Alfredo Jimenez and Del Alma will be thrilled to know the band will appear Wednesday nights at Margarita’s beginning on Dec. 2.

Del Alma, which performs salsa, merengue, mariachi, bachata and bolero music, is managed by The Concept Works.

“Alfredo has been performing as the guest singer for another band for the past few months on Wednesday nights,” said Eric Woolson, owner of The Concept Works. “He’s enjoyed the experience but he’s really yearned to be performing again with Del Alma. He’s very appreciative that Margarita’s owners, Doug Escalona and Catalina Barreto, recognized that he’s a strong draw and that they’ve made the decision to book him as their house band on Wednesday nights.”

Margarita’s recently opened at 2060 94th Street in Clive.

Woolson Quoted in Palin Biography, “Sarah from Alaska”

Eric Woolson, owner of The Concept Works, is quoted in the newly released Sarah Palin biography, “Sarah from Alaska,” written by Scott Conroy and Shusannah Walshe.

Woolson was interviewed in July by Walshe, shortly after the 2008 GOP vice presidential nominee and then-Alaska governor announced she would resign from office. He was interviewed in the context of having managed former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee’s winning campaign in the 2008 iowa presidential caucuses.

To learn more about “Sarah from Alaska,” follow this link to the co-author’s Facebook page.

Two Clients of The Concept Works Win Big in Tuesday’s Municipal Elections

Two clients of The Concept Works scored impressive victories in Tuesday’s municipal elections in Waukee, Iowa.

Mayor Bill Peard won a third term by turning back an aggressive challenge from Councilman Isaiah McGee. Peard received 862 votes to McGee’s 735. Meanwhile, Dan Dutcher was elected to his first term on the Waukee City Council in a six-way race for three seats. Dutcher was the top vote-getter with 1,045 votes.

Eric Woolson of The Concept Works provided day-to-day management and general strategic counsel of Peard’s campaign from August through Election Night. A concerted absentee ballot strategy was critical to Peard’s success, providing two-thirds of his margin of victory. The Concept Works provided general strategic advice and communications services for Dutcher’s campaign.

Woolson said both candidates had compelling stories to tell and their campaigns were “mainly a matter of making sure voters knew about their records of success and progressive visions for their community.”

“Hands down, Bill’s victory was the result of his months of hard work. He pounded the pavement with dogged determination in the heat of summer and the rain and chill of the past six weeks. That determination paid off with a broad supporter base and, in the end, the key to winning last night was to make sure we got his voters to the polls,” Woolson said.

He continued, “As for Dan Dutcher, he flat-out commands tremendous respect in the community both professionally and personally. He brings a wealth of expertise in commercial development to the Waukee City Council and that’s exactly what the community needs in the next few years. I couldn’t be happier for the citizens of Waukee knowing that Bill and Dan are going to be leading them forward with an agenda of responsible growth while working to continue the city’s 10 consecutive years without a property tax rate increase.”

The Concept Works’ third client in this year’s municipal elections, Brian Rickert, was defeated in a hotly contested race in West Des Moines Third Ward.

“It was an honor to work with Brian and provide communications services for his campaign. He ran a positive campaign even when it was clear his opponent wouldn’t and didn’t. Brian demonstrated with his integrity, decency and respect for the voters that he’s more than worthy to serve and West Des Moines voters should hope that he will seek office again in the future,” Woolson said.

Associated Press: One Year Out, Iowa Governor’s Race Shaping Up

Story By MIKE GLOVER
A year out from the 2010 election, five Republican candidates for governor are crisscrossing Iowa while a sixth hires well-known staffers but still hasn’t committed to seeking the nomination.

Former Gov. Terry Branstad announced Monday he’d hired Tim Albrecht as communications director. Albrecht is well-known in state politics and worked on the presidential campaigns of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and businessman Steve Forbes.

Jeff Boeyink earlier quit has job as executive director of the Republican Party of Iowa to lead an exploratory committee studying Branstad’s expected run for office.

Without declaring that Branstad, who was governor for 16 years beginning in 1983, was seeking the Republican nomination, Albrecht made clear that staffers weren’t just exploring a campaign.

“I think there’s a little meat on the exploration effort,” said Albrecht, who had been spokesman for the Iowa-based American Future Fund, a conservative advocacy group. “That’s part of the process.”

Branstad’s not alone in delaying a declaration of his campaign.

Democratic Gov. Chet Culver never shut down his campaign effort after his 2006 election and now has five staffers running fundraising and field operations. Two more people are expected to join the staff by the end of the week.

All that’s left is for him to announce he’s seeking re-election.

“We’re getting ready even though we don’t have an actual race until after June,” said Pete d’Alessandro, who heads Culver’s effort.

Although Branstad has delayed a decision most believe is inevitable, other Republicans long ago made their intentions clear.

Sioux City businessman Bob Vander Plaats has been campaigning for months with help from five paid staffers and chief consultant Eric Woolson, who ran former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee’s successful 2008 Iowa presidential caucus campaign. Vander Plaats and Woolson have tapped into the network of social conservatives that lifted Huckabee to that surprising win, and they argue it could overcome Branstad’s advantage in name recognition after four terms as governor.

“These are folks with caucus experience, with primary experience,” said Woolson. “Name recognition alone does not get you where you need to be.”

The other Republicans seeking the nomination – state Reps. Christopher Rants and Rod Roberts, state Sen. Jerry Behn and businessman Christian Fong – also have been traveling the state but have limited their campaign staff hires.

“Right now, it’s me on the ground,” said Rants. “We’re trying to recruit volunteers and supporters. I am not pouring money into hiring staff. I’m trying to hoard my resources.”