Stop the Airport group files ethics complaint against Drost, Krutzfelt
OSKALOOSA — A city council member's proposed appointment to the Southeast Regional Airport Agency triggered an ethics complaint from a citizens' group.
In its ethics complaint, Stop the Airport targeted Councilmember Bob Drost, Mayor David Krutzfelt and Musco Sports Lighting general counsel Jim Hansen.
Hansen is the chairman of SCRAA. Drost and Krutzfelt are recommended to be appointed to SCRAA by the city council.
Specifically, the group said in its complaint that Drost's employment by Musco — which, along with Pella Corp. had been a primary advocate for the airport — coupled with his position on the city council, made it "impossible for Mr. Drost to make impartial decisions on behalf of Oskaloosa residents."
The complaint also singled out Drost's vote on Dec. 16, 2024 to approve an amended 28E agreement with Pella that kept SCRAA alive, even if just barely. Drost voted in favor of the agreement, which passed 4-3. Had it failed, it would have effectively ended SCRAA.
Drost shouldn't have voted at all, the complaint alleges.
"Mr. Drost has already voted on critical related issues concerning the airport, including the 28E agreement, without recusing himself," Alicia Helm, a member of Stop of Airport, told the city council at its Monday meeting. "His continued involvement, and now this proposed board appointment, raises serious ethical and possibly legal questions."
Helm asked the city council to pause Drost's appointment to the board. She also asked for an independent legal review and for the city to withdraw from SCRAA.
'This isn't political. It isn't personal," Helm said. "It's about the principals of transparency, fairness and public accountability. It's about ensuring that city leadership serves the citizens of Oskaloosa, not corporate interests.'
Krtuzfelt tabled the item to appoint Drost and himself to SCRAA. Two council members — Charlie Comfort and Joe Caligiuri — were absent from the meeting and Krutzfelt said he wanted all members' input.
Drost later denied he has acted unethically.
'I take my position as a city council member of Oskaloosa very seriously," Drost said. "And I treat that position with a lot of respect. And I will not jeopardize my employer or my family to do something unethical.
'My official response to the ethics complaint is there's no merit,' Drost added.
Krutzfelt declined to comment. He said the complaint was still being evaluated by the city attorney.
SCRAA was tasked with securing land for the regional airport and then building it. Last July, SCRAA announced it was unable to get enough land for the project and that it was on indefinite hold.
Pella, and then Oskaloosa — the two entities that make up SCRAA — revised the 28E agreement governing SCRAA, effectively stripping it of decision-making powers unless both Pella and Oskaloosa agree to them. In effect, SCRAA's main function is to manage the 379 acres of farmland it already owns for the proposed airport.
The group sent the complaint to the Iowa State Ombudsman, Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board, Iowa State Auditor, Mahaska County Attorney and the Iowa Attorney General.
Bert Dalmer, the senior deputy ombudsman, said his office receives thousands of complaints each year, several dozen of which are ethics complaints. The office has 11 investigators.
But filing the complaint is one thing. Getting results is another.
'Anyone can file a complaint. The act of filing a complaint doesn't necessarily mean there's merit to it," said Mahaska County Attorney Andrew Ritland. "There could be merit to it.'
Dalmer confirmed on Wednesday that his office has received the complaint, but said it has not been assigned to an investigator. "It's not even on anyone's plate yet. It's sort of in a holding pattern.'
Dalmer said before investigating a complaint, they try to determine whether it meets certain thresholds — namely, has the filer tried to resolve the issue before making the complaint, and is there a chance for a viable solution.
'We don't investigate every complaint that we get,' Dalmer said.
Mahaska County Attorney Andrew Ritland said his office doesn't investigate ethics complaints unless there's a suspected crime involved.
In its ethics complaint, Stop the Airport also opposed Krutzfelt's nomination to, and Hansen's position on, SCRAA because it created a conflict of interest.
In Krutzfelt's case, the complaint stated it's because Krutzfelt's responsibility as mayor is to protect the public interest of Oskaloosa residents, and that may not always be compatible with SCRAA's interests.
In Hansen's case, the complaint cited Iowa law which prohibits board members from taking part in decisions where there is a financial or organizational interest.
The SCRAA board is made up almost entirely of elected officials or representatives from Pella Corp. and Musco. Kevin Gaul is the director of operations at Pella Corp. and vice-chair of SCRAA. Pella Mayor Don DeWaard and Pella Councilmember Mark De Jong also sit on the board.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
2 injured in multi-vehicle crash involving Pella school bus
MARION COUNTY, Iowa — A bus transporting the Pella girls' soccer team to a game was involved in a multi-vehicle crash on Tuesday evening. DMPD releases photos of vehicle that may be linked to deadly hit-and-run crash According to an Iowa State Patrol crash report, the crash happened at around 4:05 p.m. on Highway 163, just northwest of Pella. A Lincoln Navigator, a Jetta Volkswagen, and a Pella Community Schools bus were all traveling westbound on Highway 163. The crash report says that the Navigator, traveling in the left lane in front of the Jetta, slowed down to make a left turn onto 198th Street. The driver of the Jetta failed to slow down and rear-ended the Navigator, causing the driver of the Navigator to overturn and crash into the side of the bus that was traveling in the right lane. A 24-year-old and a 65-year-old, both passengers in the Jetta Volkswagen, were injured in the crash. The 65-year-old was life-flighted to a Des Moines hospital, and the 24-year-old was transported to a nearby hospital via ambulance, according to the crash report. No other injuries were reported. Pella Community School District Superintendent Greg Ebeling said that the bus was transporting the varsity girls' soccer team to a game in Newton when the crash occurred. While no one on the bus was physically injured, the game was postponed. No additional information has been released. Iowa News: With Trump's plans for America's 250th in mind, Iowa lawmakers don't want cities to limit fireworks 2 injured in multi-vehicle crash involving Pella school bus WHO 13 Farm Report: Wednesday, May 14th Gov. Reynolds highlights public-private partnerships at DEV25 conference Buttigieg gives a strident anti-Trump message in Iowa, demands Democrats make their agenda clear Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Yahoo
Stop the Airport group files ethics complaint against Drost, Krutzfelt
OSKALOOSA — A city council member's proposed appointment to the Southeast Regional Airport Agency triggered an ethics complaint from a citizens' group. In its ethics complaint, Stop the Airport targeted Councilmember Bob Drost, Mayor David Krutzfelt and Musco Sports Lighting general counsel Jim Hansen. Hansen is the chairman of SCRAA. Drost and Krutzfelt are recommended to be appointed to SCRAA by the city council. Specifically, the group said in its complaint that Drost's employment by Musco — which, along with Pella Corp. had been a primary advocate for the airport — coupled with his position on the city council, made it "impossible for Mr. Drost to make impartial decisions on behalf of Oskaloosa residents." The complaint also singled out Drost's vote on Dec. 16, 2024 to approve an amended 28E agreement with Pella that kept SCRAA alive, even if just barely. Drost voted in favor of the agreement, which passed 4-3. Had it failed, it would have effectively ended SCRAA. Drost shouldn't have voted at all, the complaint alleges. "Mr. Drost has already voted on critical related issues concerning the airport, including the 28E agreement, without recusing himself," Alicia Helm, a member of Stop of Airport, told the city council at its Monday meeting. "His continued involvement, and now this proposed board appointment, raises serious ethical and possibly legal questions." Helm asked the city council to pause Drost's appointment to the board. She also asked for an independent legal review and for the city to withdraw from SCRAA. 'This isn't political. It isn't personal," Helm said. "It's about the principals of transparency, fairness and public accountability. It's about ensuring that city leadership serves the citizens of Oskaloosa, not corporate interests.' Krtuzfelt tabled the item to appoint Drost and himself to SCRAA. Two council members — Charlie Comfort and Joe Caligiuri — were absent from the meeting and Krutzfelt said he wanted all members' input. Drost later denied he has acted unethically. 'I take my position as a city council member of Oskaloosa very seriously," Drost said. "And I treat that position with a lot of respect. And I will not jeopardize my employer or my family to do something unethical. 'My official response to the ethics complaint is there's no merit,' Drost added. Krutzfelt declined to comment. He said the complaint was still being evaluated by the city attorney. SCRAA was tasked with securing land for the regional airport and then building it. Last July, SCRAA announced it was unable to get enough land for the project and that it was on indefinite hold. Pella, and then Oskaloosa — the two entities that make up SCRAA — revised the 28E agreement governing SCRAA, effectively stripping it of decision-making powers unless both Pella and Oskaloosa agree to them. In effect, SCRAA's main function is to manage the 379 acres of farmland it already owns for the proposed airport. The group sent the complaint to the Iowa State Ombudsman, Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board, Iowa State Auditor, Mahaska County Attorney and the Iowa Attorney General. Bert Dalmer, the senior deputy ombudsman, said his office receives thousands of complaints each year, several dozen of which are ethics complaints. The office has 11 investigators. But filing the complaint is one thing. Getting results is another. 'Anyone can file a complaint. The act of filing a complaint doesn't necessarily mean there's merit to it," said Mahaska County Attorney Andrew Ritland. "There could be merit to it.' Dalmer confirmed on Wednesday that his office has received the complaint, but said it has not been assigned to an investigator. "It's not even on anyone's plate yet. It's sort of in a holding pattern.' Dalmer said before investigating a complaint, they try to determine whether it meets certain thresholds — namely, has the filer tried to resolve the issue before making the complaint, and is there a chance for a viable solution. 'We don't investigate every complaint that we get,' Dalmer said. Mahaska County Attorney Andrew Ritland said his office doesn't investigate ethics complaints unless there's a suspected crime involved. In its ethics complaint, Stop the Airport also opposed Krutzfelt's nomination to, and Hansen's position on, SCRAA because it created a conflict of interest. In Krutzfelt's case, the complaint stated it's because Krutzfelt's responsibility as mayor is to protect the public interest of Oskaloosa residents, and that may not always be compatible with SCRAA's interests. In Hansen's case, the complaint cited Iowa law which prohibits board members from taking part in decisions where there is a financial or organizational interest. The SCRAA board is made up almost entirely of elected officials or representatives from Pella Corp. and Musco. Kevin Gaul is the director of operations at Pella Corp. and vice-chair of SCRAA. Pella Mayor Don DeWaard and Pella Councilmember Mark De Jong also sit on the board.
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Yahoo
Protesters rally against move to remove gender identity from Iowa Civil Rights Act
Hundreds gathered at the Iowa State Capitol Feb. 24, 2025 to protest legislation that would remove protections for gender identity under the Iowa Civil Rights Act. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch) Hundreds protested in the halls of the Iowa State Capitol Monday as a subcommittee advanced legislation to remove gender identity as a protected class from the Iowa Civil Rights Act. House Study Bill 242 would remove 'gender identity' as a class protected through the Iowa Civil Rights Act against discrimination in employment, wages, public accommodations, housing and education. The state civil rights act offers similar protections on the basis of race, creed, sex and physical disability. In 2007, the Iowa Legislature added gender identity and sexuality to the ICRA. The committee room was full, with a large group protesting outside. Chants of 'trans rights are human rights' and 'we won't go quiet' were heard outside the meeting as supporters of the bill spoke; protesters shouted 'shame' at Reps. Steven Holt and Samantha Fett as they entered the meeting. Critics called the bill unnecessary and discriminatory, calling for lawmakers to focus on issues like housing, child care and environmental protections instead of passing legislation that would allow for discrimination against a minority group. Diane Crookham-Johnson of Oskaloosa, the former finance chair for the Iowa Republican Party and former State Board of Education member under Govs. Terry Branstad and Kim Reynolds, said this bill will have a larger impact on Iowa communities than some may realize. 'I stand before you as a local attorney who has assisted in 2024 more than eight Mahaska County residents on legal processes and documents so that they can confirm their gender identity — folks who work in our businesses, attend our schools, attend our churches, folks who shop in our stores, rent our apartments and buy our homes, folks who pay property taxes to support all of our communities,' Crookham-Johnson said. 'This bill doesn't impact some unknown person over there. This bill impacts people in your districts, people in your states, and even your most conservative counties of Iowa.' But multiple speakers supporting the measure said removing 'gender identity' from ICRA would 'protect women,' by preventing transgender women from entering women's spaces like restrooms. Evelyn Nikkel with the PELLA PAC, a conservative Pella-based organization that supports removing both gender identity and sexual orientation from the state civil rights code, told lawmakers that the measure provides elevated protections for transgender Iowans at the expense of others' rights. 'Because these terms are codified in our law, gender identity is magically elevated to a protected class with preferential and unfair advantage,' Nikkel said. '… Biological males with gender dysphoria steal biological women's sports achievements, trespass on their privacy and accost them in women's prisons, restrooms and locker rooms. We are being robbed of our dignity and respect, which is morally indefensible.' Amber Williams with Inspired Life, a conservative religious organization, shared a story of encountering a person she identified as transgender in a women's bathroom as an example for the need for sex-segregated spaces that can only be accessed by people designated as 'female' at birth. 'Just two weeks ago, I walked into a women's restroom in a public place and immediately felt uneasy when I saw a biological man coming out of a stall,' Williams said. 'I couldn't shake the sensation of discomfort and heightened awareness that many women would feel in these situation. I quickly left without using the restroom, because in that moment, my sense of safety and privacy had been compromised. This isn't about hatred or exclusion. It's about acknowledging that women have a right to feel secure in spaces meant for them.' The bill contains language that 'equal' accommodations do not mean 'same' or 'identical,' and that 'separate accommodations are not inherently unequal.' Rep. Ross Wilburn, D-Ames, said this provision in the bill 'takes us back' to the time of Plessy v. Ferguson, the 1896 U.S. Supreme Court case that upheld 'separate but equal' accommodations on the basis of race. Paden Sheumaker, a Black queer Iowan with the LGBTQ+ advocacy group with One Iowa, said her ancestors had to fight for civil rights in the country and in Iowa — and that steps to strip civil rights from a group of people 'would be to spit in the face of everyone who has fought tooth and nail for these rights. 'Have you ever been discriminated against just for being who you are, just for existing as yourself?' Sheumaker said. 'I have, and I can tell you, it is dehumanizing. It is demeaning, it is disheartening and it is terrifying. Many queer and transgender and gender nonconforming Iowans have felt this — and that is while our rights are protected, that's with the laws and the power of the state behind us to protect us. I cannot imagine how much worse that discrimination would be if the state would then choose to abandon that protection. I do not want to live in a state where that is something you're working toward.' Similar legislation was introduced during the 2024 legislative session but failed to advance. In discussions on that bill, speakers said the measure may not hold up to legal challenges. Pete McRoberts with the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa said Thursday said that Iowa, under Democratic control, chose to add gender identity and sexuality to ICRA in 2007 — and the fact that these rights were voluntarily extended 'triggers an obligation on the state to preserve those rights.' McRoberts pointed to U.S. Supreme Court precedent that found when a legislature grants protected status to a group when not constitutionally required to, removing those protections is a violation of the Equal Protections Clause. There are currently 23 states that have protections against discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation in state law, according to the Human Rights Campaign. McRoberts said none of the states that have established these protections have repealed them. 'We should not be the first, not just on moral grounds, but on on legal grounds,' he said. 'And that's something which we hope legislators will think very thoroughly and thoughtfully about. Whether they would have voted to expand the Civil Rights Act or not, that's a separate question. But that's not the question in front of us. The question in front of us is, do you remove a specific person who is part of a group of identifiable people who've been protected under the Civil Rights Act?' Fett, R-Carlisle, said the measure was the 'right move' for Iowans, and is a necessary step to allow Iowa to enact measures passed in previous years related to transgender people on issues like transgender women competing in women's sports and preventing transgender people from using restrooms or locker rooms that correspond with their gender identity. 'Those protections are at risk, which is why this bill is important,' Fett said. 'This bill is not about discrimination and was carefully crafted, and I want to make sure people understand that. But we're going to have activists that try to use subterfuge to create false narratives.' The legislation is on the list of bills to be considered by the House Judiciary Committee, scheduled to begin meeting at 1:30 p.m. Monday. A public hearing on the measure was scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 24.
