Iowa City Finance Director Letter Causes New Pioneer Co-Op Angst: Iowa City Daily News Links, Dec. 20

DRACO! (Shakes fist)

On to the Links!

An e-mail from Iowa City departing finance director (and then Co-Op member) suggesting the New Pioneer Co-Op could relocate to the Sycamore Mall and keep its current location was greeted an with accusation of subterfuge against the city government writes Lee Hermiston of the Press-Citizen.

Hermiston also writes that Malik Juweid's lawsuit against the University of Iowa has been withdrawn and dismissed.

Fear the thundersnow! Hermiston reports that an overnight lightning strike from Winter Storm Draco is thought responsible for a North Liberty house fire.

Adam Sullivan of the Press-Citizen writes that a gun control debate is unlikely to occur at the state level.

Some events not to miss in Iowa City this weekend, once this wind settles down. (Press-Citizen)

You may have wind, ice, and random lightning-induced fires Draco, but you didn't impress us enough for us to declare a state emergency. (Des Moines Register)

Daily Links Excerpt of the Day

“I would suggest that the original store stay in place and that a new store be built in the Sycamore Mall property,” O’Malley wrote. “There is ample parking, and with Von Maur leaving, I think that a very good deal could be reached with the owners, and with the hiring of new staff, there may be an opportunity for incentives from the City of Iowa City as previous tax rebates were based on employment and square footage.”

O’Malley said he received a response from New Pi board president Ramji Balahrishnan thanking him for his feedback but indicating the board was committed to the College-Gilbert lot.

O’Malley said Wednesday he thought that was the end of it until his supervisor, City Manager Tom Markus, showed him an email from New Pi treasurer Henry Madden, accusing Markus of instructing O’Malley to send the email.

Featured Directory Link of the Day: New Pioneer Co-Op