IWU will have satellite polling station on Nov. 8

BY BROOKS TAYLOR

Mt. Pleasant News

There will be one additional polling place in Henry County for the Tuesday, Nov. 8, general election, county supervisors were told during Thursday?s regular meeting.

Iowa Wesleyan University will be the site of a satellite absentee voting station. Dave Helman, of rural Salem, launched a drive to petition Henry County Auditor Shelly Barber to set up the station.

Iowa law permits satellite absentee voting stations if citizens petition for one. The petition requires 100 signatures and Hellman delivered petitions with 115 signatures to Barber on Sept. 21.

Helman said he initiated the drive because Iowa Wesleyan University is an important part of the community and the school is also encouraging students to become civic minded.

?There is a citizen engagement emphasis at Iowa Wesleyan,? Helman said. ?I believe the earlier a person votes in life, the more likely it is that they will continue voting throughout life?We have a duty not only to see voting happen, but a duty to reach out and encourage voting by making it accessible.?

He noted the first act of citizenship is to register and vote and to engage in the political processes of our country. ?IWU is our future leaders?The campus environment is key to promoting civic engagement and the campus presence of a polling place on election day brings with it interest, debate, dialogue and student engagement, which is healthy for IWU.?

Iowa?s voting regulations permit students attending Iowa colleges from other states to vote in Mt. Pleasant because on Election Day, they are considered Mt. Pleasant residents.

?The (Iowa) regulations are designed to promote voting of our future leaders, not discourage voting. They are based in the knowledge that in today?s environment, more and more students are from elsewhere and the traditional absentee procedures from many states are cumbersome and not encouraging to registration and voting of those newly eligible,? he said.

The petition asking for a satellite station is valid for only the Nov. 8 general election. If there is a desire to establish a satellite station during a future election, another petition must be presented, Barber said. She said hours at the station are yet to be determined but said it is likely it will be open from either 8 a.m.-2 p.m., or 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The station will also serve as a voting site for Mt. Pleasant?s Ward II, which includes IWU, the auditor said.

Chris Betsworth of Hillcrest Family Services, gave a report on Hillcrest?s crisis services, which are available in Henry, Louisa and Washington counties. Hospital emergency departments providing crisis services include the Henry County Health Center, Washington County Hospital and Keokuk County Hospital (in Sigourney).

Betsworth said Hillcrest serves all people, regardless of insurance coverage or ability to pay, in crisis related to mental health, trauma, grief and loss, feelings of hopelessness and major life stress.

Currently, Hillcrest has a 24/7 crisis line and also has crisis services staffed from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Sarah Berndt, Henry County coordinator of disability services/general assistance director, said it is hoped that one day staffed services can be provided 24/7.

Hillcrest began providing crisis management services in April 2015.

?Overall, the magistrates like the program,? Berndt said. ?I think they see the value in the program.?

In fiscal 2016 (July 1, 2015-June 30, 2016) 49 patients were assessed at the Henry County Health Center Emergency Department. Of that total, 35 were adults and 14 minors. A dozen of those assessed received committal orders for preliminary evaluation.

Law enforcement was involved in 43 percent of the patient assessments. The assessments led to 10 involuntary commitments for treatment at a hospital and 13 voluntary commitments. Twenty-five were not hospitalized and placement could not be found for one patient.

Betsworth noted that 49 percent of those experiencing a mental health emergency were hospitalized. ?Hopefully, we will see a reduction in this (hospitalization). We hope to provide more support on an out-patient level?We are always studying how we can better provide the services.?

?Our region has been able to bring on crisis services quickly,? Berndt noted. ?In a lot of instances, we are ahead of our peers and that is a good thing. We have a good relationship with our providers.?

Henry County Sheriff Rich McNamee told the supervisors that the county recently has been awarded a pair of grants.

The county received a $1,125 Iowa Alcohol Beverage Division tobacco grant and $15,200 from the Governor?s Traffic Safety Bureau. The latter grant is to be used for helping to curb impaired driving.

Supervisors meet again in regular session Tuesday, Sept. 27, at 9 a.m., in the Henry County Courthouse.