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The very low voter turnout for Bettendorf, Pleasant Valley and Eastern Iowa Community College school board elections Tuesday (Sept. 9) should be of concern to school administrators, sitting school board members and residents.

In one Pleasant Valley district with 1,590 voters, only four votes were cast for the sole candidate. No school board district election drew more than 1 percent of the voters to cast ballots.

First Ward voters sent a message to the mayor and city council Tuesday – we'll choose our own alderman, thank you.

Dean Mayne, a 50-year-old political newcomer, defeated Norm Voelliger 409 to 369 in a special election the Republican-dominated council didn't want to hold.

After alderman Keith Kauten resigned earlier this year, the council decided to appoint a replacement alderman rather than schedule a special election.

The city administration initially told the council a special election would cost $15,000, but later determined it would be $3,200.

The City of Bettendorf's new downtown Events Center will cost more than $40 million under a financial loan package recently approved by the city council.

The 20-year $13.8 million loan to finance the city's portion of the 53,000-square foot-center will cost the city at least $14.785 million in interest. And, with a five-year adjustment clause on interest rates, the price could go much higher if bank interest rates go up over the next 20 years.