Latest news with #Stancil
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Madison County Supervisors argue with each other, citizens, during contentious meeting
WINTERSET, Iowa – A Madison County Board of Supervisors meeting grew contentious on Tuesday morning after supervisors disagreed on an agenda resolution. 'Let's move on,' said Sheriff Jason Barnes to the board. 'Let's move on right now.' Sheriff Barnes was standing in the back of a packed meeting room behind dozens of residents who showed up to attend. The room, located on the lower floor of the Madison County Annex, had reached its maximum occupancy of 49 people and had only standing room available. The meeting started with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance but began to grow contentious during public comments when the work Auditor Teri Kaczinski has been doing was questioned. 'She's not even there. She leaves every day at 2:30 to pick up her kids,' said Mike Fletcher as he addressed Supervisor Heather Stancil, the board's Chairman. His comments drew some pushback. 'Mike, if you have an issue with the auditor, please address it with the auditor,' she responded. Work requirements for Medicaid, public assistance programs passes through Iowa Senate Fletcher is a City Council member for the City of Winterset. However, he stated during his public comments that he was making the remarks as a private citizen, not as an elected official. 'Mike, you are a city councilman. You do not know what goes on in county business,' Supervisor Stancil said. 'I suggest if you want to do county business, run for Supervisor.' The back and forth continued until a resident who had joined the meeting by phone interrupted to complain about the unorthodox nature of the public comment session. Public speakers are allotted three minutes to address the board. Supervisor Stancil then provided Fletcher an extra minute to speak since she had engaged him. However, the major source of discord came a short time later after a vote to approve the hiring of a new, part-time Second Deputy for Auditor Kaczinski's office. The woman at the center of it, Leslie Beck, is Auditor Kaczinski's former campaign manager. Beck also recently created a 'GiveSendGo' fundraiser for Supervisor Stancil and her husband to help cover his medical bills after a lengthy hospital stay. According to the crowdsourcing fundraiser, Supervisor Stancil's husband has been battling a life-threatening condition since last year. In addition, there have been multiple efforts over the past several months to employ Beck, including twice as an employee of Auditor Kaczinski's office and a third time as an employee of a third-party consulting agency hired by Auditor Kaczinski in late January, called the RMG (Robert Morris Group). RMG charged the county $250 an hour for 'consulting services,' according to documents obtained by WHO 13. Each previous attempt to hire Beck was met with public scrutiny. Some Madison County residents feel Beck's potential hiring would be a conflict of interest. Meanwhile, supporters of the move point out that the job opening was posted and opened to public applicants recently. During the meeting, Supervisor Stancil said that Auditor Kaczinski could not disclose how many people were interviewed for the position. Iowa bill prohibiting diversity, equity and inclusion advanced by Senate Republican majority Supervisor Stancil recused herself from the vote on Beck's employment due to the financial fundraiser. Supervisor Diane Fitch and Supervisor Jessica Hobbs were left without anyone to be the tie-breaker. Supervisor Fitch voted 'Nay,' and cited a lack of transparency as one of her reasons. Supervisor Hobbs voted 'Yay' and pointed out that Beck cannot be discriminated against due to political affiliation. Madison County Attorney Stephen Swanson told WHO 13 that a conflict of interest connected to the hiring of Beck at the Auditor's office was not a concern, and added that he had helped Beck coordinate with the Ethics Board before she created the online fundraiser. The tie vote meant the resolution did not pass and Beck's hire was not approved. Supervisor Stancil immediately voiced her agitation. 'I am very disappointed,' she said. Supervisor Stancil lamented about not being able to vote due to her personal information coming to light regarding the fundraiser. Her angst was directed at Supervisor Fitch. Supervisor Stancil attempted to pressure Supervisor Fitch into discussing the reason behind her vote. 'Diane, the only time I have to talk to you about this stuff is now in a meeting. Are you saying you don't want to talk to me about it?' said Supervisor Stancil. 'My concern is because every other time an election official has come before us, we've approved them. Every single one.' Her comments continued, much to the chagrin of some people in the public gallery. 'For the first time in four years I've been here, you vote against someone and you vote against her. I don't understand that,' she continued. 'It seems to me that you are intentionally sabotaging this particular political office because your preferred political candidate did not win.' Iowa law banning school library books that depict sex acts on hold again after a new federal ruling That statement prompted an outcry from some in attendance. 'You are so out of order!' yelled one woman. 'I'm done. Just stop!' eventually replied Supervisor Fitch to Heather Stancil. Members of the public began to stand up in their seats. Several of them yelled toward the board. That is when Supervisor Stancil called on the Sheriff to step in and he directed the board to move on to the next item on their agenda immediately. The meeting then continued without incident. The Madison County government has been struggling to find peace after the January arrest of its Treasurer, Amanda DeVos, 37, for fraud and other charges. That development uncovered months of alleged money mismanagement and began to stir up distrust amongst residents. WHO 13 has been reporting on the county's public meetings for several months, which have often included scathing public comments aimed at elected leaders. Supervisor Hobbs spoke to WHO 13's Katie Kaplan after the meeting. She claims much of the tension is due to public misinformation. 'This meeting was not in order. And I'm hoping that we can make some changes in the future so we can have better decorum and more professional conduct,' she said. 'That is my hope. And all that I can do to control that is to continue to try to work hard to serve the citizens as I've committed to doing and continue to try to bring the facts to light and reality somewhat to counter some of the lies and misinformation that are being shared.' Hobbs said the misinformation pertains to several topics. Supervisor Stancil declined to be interviewed with WHO 13 after the meeting, accusing the station of 'misquoting' her in a previous interview following a board meeting in early February when she stated on camera that she did not know about any issues regarding the Treasurer's office. She claimed on Tuesday that she meant 'criminal' issues. WHO 13 attempted to reach Auditor Kaczinski for comment. She had already left her office for the day when the reporter stopped by at noon on Tuesday, according to County Attorney Swanson. A phone call later in the day was not immediately returned. Final Grandstand act for 2025 Iowa State Fair announced Madison County Supervisors argue with each other, citizens, during contentious meeting McCollum talks championships, John Sears reports New Iowa Head Coach McCollum already has ties with new fans Work requirements for Medicaid, public assistance programs passes through Iowa Senate Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Yahoo
Man arrested in Jacksonville last year on child solicitation charges, arrested again in Georgia
A Kingsland, Georgia man arrested last year in Jacksonville on child solicitation charges was arrested again on similar charges Tuesday, but this time in Camden County. Benjamin Stancil, 34, was arrested by Camden deputies and booked into jail on two counts of Felony Sexual Exploitation of Children. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< His arrest comes after an investigation by the Camden County Sheriff's Office Internet Crimes Against Children Unit, according to a news release from Sheriff Kevin Chaney. Camden investigators received tips on Feb. 21 from the GBI Cyber Crimes Unit about illegal materials uploaded from a device associated with Stancil, the news release states. A preliminary review of the materials 'confirmed the presence of child sexual abuse material,' the release states. The investigation also revealed that Stancil was arrested last year in Jacksonville on similar charges. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Jacksonville Sheriff's Office conducted an undercover operation between April 24, 2024 through April 29, 2024 targeting suspects who they believed were using the internet to sexually exploit children, according to a JSO arrest report. During that investigation, Stancil is accused of driving to Jacksonville to meet someone he believed was 14 years old for 'sexual activities,' the report states. Stancil engaged in a chat with the undercover officer posing a child making arrangements to meet up. According to a JSO arrest warrant, Stancil was charged with Traveling to Meet a Minor to do Unlawful Acts, Soliciting a Child via Computer, Transmission of Material Harmful to Minors and Unlawful Use of Two-ay Communications Device. Read: Condemned South Carolina killer to die by firing squad; here's how it will unfold Read: Woman goes overboard on Royal Caribbean 80s-themed cruise Read: Woman kayaking in Florida injured during gator attack [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Local universities back to drawing board after DEI backlash
Faculty and staff at Northwest Missouri State University received word that changes are on the way for the diversity, equity and inclusion programs at the school on Monday. Officials say there are no immediate plans to move the space and activities and staff members were informed their jobs are secure. However, the circulation of this email has sparked backlash from some students. Northwest statement Northwest Missouri State statement from President Lance Tatum. "The students had no idea that this was going to happen. So, from my perspective, it's just kind of like a slap in the face,' Carter Stancil, a Northwest graduate said. With about 13% of its student body considered underrepresented, Stancil said DEI is not only for those students but for everyone to learn about other cultures. 'The whole point of DEI includes everyone,' Stancil said. Dr. Mark Hornickel Communications Manager for Northwest said the contents of the email are being reevaluated by President Lance Tatum and others with every student in mind. "We're trying to reach students and talk through all those things to help them understand, the broader goals and vision of all this,' Hornickel said. Hornickel said the physical space for DEI at Northwest will remain and a new image of the program will be recreated so that all students feel welcome. According to data from a YouGov poll 45% of Americans are in favor of ending diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in schools and government with 40% opposed. Under similar circumstances, senior faculty with Missouri Western State University were contacted on Tuesday, Feb. 4. Officials declined to comment on camera, however, a written statement was provided by Kent Heier, Interim Director of Marketing and Communications for MWSU. Missouri Western statement Missouri Western statement from Kent Heier, Interim Director of Marketing and Communications. Vice president and Dean of Students for MWSU, Dr. Robert Goltra provided an on-camera statement in May 2024 about the status of DEI. "We will follow those policies and rules, but on the other side we also like to take a look at the student development piece and be representative of what our students are asking for and what they need,' Goltra said. Both universities appear to be back at the drawing board to find what's best for students, while also noting they will be subject to policies the federal government passes down. 'So, we're watching all of that, monitoring it and trying to figure out how to keep Northwest aligned and continue our success and progress going forward,' Hornickel said. The changes are recent, so at this time, its a waiting game for staff and students at both universities to see the ultimate fate of DEI. "When you have this collective group of people who are very talented, regardless of race, sexuality, gender, regardless, it is proven to be much more profitable,' Stancil said.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Arrested Madison County Treasurer relieved of duties, board appoints interim treasurer
MADISON COUNTY, Iowa — Madison County leaders are taking the first steps to fill the hole left by the arrest of county treasurer Amanda DeVos. She's charged with felonious misconduct in office, tampering with records, fraudulent practice in the third degree, and third-degree theft. Prosecutors say she falsified county records to show she paid vehicle registration fees when she had not. DeVos' attorney filed paperwork Wednesday waiving her preliminary hearing in court. County leaders formally relieved DeVos of her duties as county treasurer on Wednesday and the Madison County Board of Supervisors then appointed Kylee Barber as acting treasurer. Barber already serves as the county's first deputy treasurer. What are local organizations doing to address Iowa's childcare crisis? Last week, a representative from the city of Winterset confirmed that the city had erroneously received more than a quarter of a million dollars in Tax Increment Financing Funds. The money was supposed to go to other municipalities in the county. At Wednesday night's Board of Supervisors meeting, an angry crowd voiced their frustrations to county leaders — in part over their inability to supervise DeVos' work. The board is divided over whether it did all it could in that regard. Board chair Heather Stancil says she didn't realize there was a problem until it was too late, and Supervisor Diane Fitch disagrees. 'I found out about the treasurer when it was announced. No one had any idea this was going on,'said Stancil. Fitch said, 'When we would bring up that this wasn't working right we would go (to Devos) and say 'can we help you? Can we bring somebody in?' A board member would beat everybody else up and protect the treasurer. We were just trying to be fair and honest and (shrugs). Which board member was that? Supervisor Stancil.' 'It is definitely a black eye on our county and I'm hoping we can find out exactly what happened so we can prevent it from ever happening again,' said Stancil. DeVos does not face any charges connected to misappropriated county funds. Arrested Madison County Treasurer relieved of duties, board appoints interim treasurer What are local organizations doing to address Iowa's childcare crisis? Pharmacy Day at the capitol saw lawmakers advance PBM reform Iowa schools could start as early as day after state fair under new bill WHO 13 Farm Report: Wednesday, February 5th Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
