What is really an open and shut case is some way not.  I don't understand how this can be debatable.  A great letter.  Thanks Jim.  Jerry
----- Original Message -----
From: Phyllis Mains <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Thu, 17 Nov 2011 12:15:59 -0600 (CST)
Subject: Today DM Register--Thanks Jim!

Rastetter's clean-water vote was a clear conflict
Brent Rastetter gave $31,000 to the Branstad for Governor campaign. The
owner of a multimillion dollar firm that constructs factory farms was
rewarded by our governor with an appointment to the Environmental
Protection Commission, whose duty is to protect Iowa’s environment.
In June Rastetter voted to discard rules to bring Iowa into compliance
with the Federal Clean Water Act. This vote was in his interest as a
builder of confinement agriculture buildings rather than assuring Iowa
citizens clean drinking water.
The Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement filed a complaint against
Rastetter with the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board who listened
to arguments, discussed the situation in closed session and then voted to
disallow the complaint, ruling that Rastetter did not profit specifically
from his vote.
Rastetter’s vote allowed more confinement agriculture buildings to be
built. It follows that his vote opened more business opportunities for
him. Thus Rastetter was remunerated as a result of his vote. It was
clearly a conflict of interest.
The board did not consider the profit he made because of his vote in June
and it should reconsider its action and ask Rastetter to resign from the
Environmental Protection Commission.
— Jim Riggs, Urbandale

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