TimesThe statements below are our opinions. Many of you may have recently read the story regarding the Omaha Convention Center and the need for fill dirt for the building site. It was reported in several newspapers that the company suppling dirt for the project was going to avoid using fill dirt from the Loess Hills landform. This was a welcome turn of events, given that the Loess Hills Preservation Society had unsuccessfully worked for months to convince the City of Omaha to require their contractor to go outside the landform and that there are no laws against such activity. The excavating company voluntarily agreed to obtain the fill from a site outside the Loess Hills. Well, unfortunately this has turned out not to happen. By using subcontractors the excavating company is indeed obtaining its dirt from a site within Council Bluffs -- in the Loess Hills. While I realize these companies are within their legal rights to excavate Loess Hills fill dirt, this is evidence that public policy must change if we are to see an end to the indiscriminate mining taking place within the Loess Hills. Please take the time to contact the people listed below and express your concerns over the continued destruction of the Loess Hills. We need to implement sound strategies to avoid this disaster. If you support the idea that excavating the Loess Hills for fill dirt should be regulated, please contact one of the people on the list. Mayor Tom Hanafan, Council Bluffs (Support Preservation) City Hall 209 Pearl Street Council Bluffs Iowa 51503 4270 712 328 4601 Mayor Hal Daub, Omaha 1819 Farnam Street Omaha, NE 68183 402 444 5000 [log in to unmask] Omaha City Council 1819 Farnam Suite LC-1 Omaha, NE 68183 402 444 5520 Council Bluffs City Council City Hall 209 Pearl Street Council Bluffs Iowa 51503 4270 State Senator Steve Hansen,( Supports preservation) 3401 Militey Road Sioux City Iowa 51103 712 258 8094 [log in to unmask] State Senator Mike Gronstal, (Supports preservation) 220 Bennett Ave. Council Bluffs Iowa 51503 712 328 2808 [log in to unmask] State Representative Donna Barry 3596 111th St Dunlap Iowa 51529 712 643 5745 [log in to unmask] State Representative Brad Hansen, 1015 Shoal Pointe Dr Carter Lake Iowa 51510 712 347 2994 [log in to unmask] State Representative Brent Siegrist, 204 lori Lane Council Bluffs Iowa 51503 712 256 3826 [log in to unmask] Times New RomanDisclaimer This above comments are formed form our experience, are our opinion and do not reflect the view of any other group or individual. Our statement as pertaining to this list serve, may not be quoted or reproduced in any form without our permission. Glenn Pollock TimesSusanne Hickey - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To get off the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask]