For immediate release: January 9, 2007

For more information contact: Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement
at 515-282-0484, iowacci@iowacci.org , http://www.iowacci.org

Iowans take fight to the State Capitol
Citizens unite to reclaim democracy

Des Moines- Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement members and other citizens from across the state kicked off the opening of the 2007 legislative session at the State Capitol in Des Moines today with their “Reclaim Democracy: Our Homes, Our Farms, and Our Environment” rally and lobby day. Over 200 people were there to kick off the day at a high-energy rally with eight speakers calling for local control, clean water, and Voter-Owned Iowa Clean Elections (VOICE). Among the speakers was a Minnesota resident sharing his positive experiences with local control in his state. Ed Fallon also made an appearance to raise the call for clean elections.

“It’s time our state legislature stands up for the rights of everyday people across this state,” said CCI member Rosie Partridge from Sac County. “Iowans are calling for local control and clean elections, and we want our voices to be heard this legislative session.”

After the rally, the group spent the day lobbying top officials for policies that promote vibrant rural communities and a clean environment. Reclaiming democracy through clean elections and local control was a key theme throughout the day.

“This issue affects us all,” added Partridge. “Urban or rural, we all want to drink clean water. Urban or rural, we want elected officials who will respond to their constituents, rather than special interest groups.”

The rally was followed by a series of meetings throughout the day with:

• Staff from the office of Governor Culver
• Department of Natural Resources’ Director’s Nominee Rich Leopold
• Attorney General’s Office: Eric Tabor, chief of staff
• State legislators

“CCI’s legislative priorities are common sense -- local control of factory farms, voter-owned clean elections, and strong clean air and water standards,” said Tommie Stoner, a CCI member and farmer from Afton. “We are going to stand up for what is right and make sure we have a government of the people and by the people.”

Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement is a 31 year old organization with thousands of members across Iowa from all walks of life who talk, act and get things done on critical issues impacting everyday Iowans. For more information or a complete copy of Iowa CCI’s 2007 legislative agenda, visit www.iowacci.org.

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