State Rep. Dean Fisher (R-Montour) was asked last week by On the Stump about the current status of the proposed relocation of the Iowa Law enforcement Academy from Camp Dodge at Des Moines to former Maytag headquarters at Newton.

Rep. Fisher reported: “Director Bradshaw tells me that no decisions have been made as to the future of the ILEA building. Therefore there have been no decisions made regarding a move to Newton.”

Judy Bradshaw, the Law Enforcement Academy director, is a former Des Moines police chief.

When the consideration of a relocation of the law enforcement training center, the Iowa Juvenile Home / State Training School for Girls campus in Toledo was one spot at least checked out.

In July of last year, it was reported the Toledo campus did not meet law enforcement academy needs because of the need for a shooting range and vehicle driving driver training area.

At the time Bradshaw was quoted in The Des Moines Register: “Newton would be ideal because it would be in the best interests of the taxpayers,” Bradshaw said.

Mold growth at the Camp Dodge facility was cited as the biggest reason for considering a move.

-J. Speer

IPTV plans gubernatorial debates

(LINKNEWS) Johnston- Iowa Public Television will host an Iowa Press debate for the Iowa Libertarian Gubernatorial Primary on Friday, May 25. at the Iowa Public Television studios in Johnston The debate will be recorded at 11 a.m. and broadcast on statewide Iowa Public Television at 7:30 p.m. The debate will also be available to watch at Iptv.org, and rebroadcast on Sunday, May 27 at noon.

The following candidates for the Libertarian Gubernatorial Primary will participate in the May 25 debate: Marco Battaglia (L-Des Moines) and Jake Porter (L-Council Bluffs).

David Yepsen, host of Iowa Press, will moderate the debate. Yepsen, along with political reporters, will ask questions in the free-flowing discussion format that has become the hallmark of the Iowa Press program. Candidates will have the opportunity to discuss their platforms, concerns and plans for the future of Iowa and Iowans.

Democratic gubernatorial primary candidates will participate in the Iowa Press Debates: Democratic Gubernatorial Primary on Wednesday, May 16 at 7 p.m., which will also be available to watch at Iptv.org.

While there are no Republican challengers to incumbent Governor Kim Reynolds, Iowa Public Television does plan to host a debate for gubernatorial candidates prior to the general election in November.

With Memorial Day coming next month, look for a return of Sheryl Chute’s photo series on the Freedom Rocks in Iowa. Sheryl travels frequently and makes it a point of capturing a photo of Freedom Rocks in counties she is visiting or passing through.