Simply Install Benches, Okays Moving Newsracks To Oblivion

  • Do "protected" first amendment rights to distribute views and ideas on sidewalks mean anything in Iowa?
  • Does court ordered technicality, some how okay ignoring protected rights?
  • Does eliminating newsracks by this subterfuge serve a significant governmental interest?

    • Harlan Jacobsen Copyright © 2003    

     
    This is how it looked with newsracks near the entrance and foot traffic at the "TOP OF IOWA" rest area near the Minnesota border from the court order in 98 until 2003.


     
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    Most parking is in foreground on this side of street and foot traffic is basically as shown in these photos straight to the entrance and back to the car.  The only people going past the end of the building where racks were moved to, are those walking the dog.



     
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    Benches were installed and used as excuse to move racks past end of building both sides where little or no foot traffic exists.

     
     

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    Note bench is past area where racks had been and newsracks would have in no way interfered with use of bench.

    Also note if bench had been installed twenty foot closer to entrance next to garbage can corner, newsracks would be 20 foot closer to door.
    Bench placement obviously is not for convenience of family member waiting for toilet user, it is soley for distancing newsracks.

     
     

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    Security chains were cut and newsracks moved past end of building and around the corner.  All plaintiffs  newsracks have been arbitrarily moved in 2003, at all Iowa rest areas to where ever they chose, with no notice or justification of any kind.

    To see a drawing of the lay out at the "Top of Iowa" rest area, go here


    Top photo by Harlan Jacobsen July 2001.
    Remaining photos this page by Charles Smith August 27th 2003.


     

     

    CONTACT IOWA OFFICIALS
    Defendants in lawsuit three.  Get their side of the story.

    Governor Tom VilsackIowa Governor:  Tom Vilsack
    State Capital Building
    1007 E. Grand Avenue
    Des Moines, IA 50319
    Phone:  (515) 281-5211
    Fax:  (515) 281-6611
    Email the Governor




    Iowa Assistant Attorney General: Mark Hunacek
    Dept. of Justice
    Iowa DOT
    800 Lincoln Way
    Ames, IA 50010
    Phone: 515-239-1521
    Fax: 515-239-1639


    Iowa DOT Director:  Mark F. Wandro
    800 Lincoln Way
    Ames, IA 50010
    Phone: 515-239-1111
    Fax: 515-239-1005

    Rest Area Administrator:  Steve McMenamin
    Phone: 515-239-1680
    Email the Rest Area Administrator

    Office/Director of Maintenance:  Will Zitterich
    Phone:  515-239-1396