LiUNA Local 177 Endorses Carl Voss

Laborers' International Union of North America Local #177

With his commitment to revitalizing Des Moines, Laborers' International Union of North America (LiUNA) Local 177 is proud to announce its support for Carl Voss for the at-large seat on the Des Moines City Council.

A fifth generation Iowan, Voss works as a journalist, has lived in Des Moines since 1971. A father and a grandfather, he is very involved in community efforts.

"Carl Voss understands unions and working-class issues in our community and is exactly what we need on the Council," said Local 177 business manager Mike Weckman. "Des Moines has great potential and that potential is in our neighborhoods and our people. We need to rebuild our community's infrastructure, continue to invest in our neighborhoods, ensure clean water and sanitary conditions and continue to stand with our members who live, work and vote in Des Moines. Carl is deeply concerned about those issues and will continue to champion them at the Des Moines City Council."

Left to Right, President Scott Miles, Candidate Carl Voss, Business Manager Mike Weckman, Secretary/Treasurer and Field Representative and Organizer Tom Haye

LiUNA Local 177 was organized in Des Moines over a century ago. The local's 1,700 members include both private and public sector workers. Construction Laborers 177 work on building, highway, pipeline, energy and environmental projects throughout the local's multi-county jurisdiction. The union also represents public employees at the Des Moines Public Works, Metro Water Authority, Des Moines International Airport Authority, Waste Water Reclamation Authority and the Des Moines Public Schools Maintenance Unit.

The local bargains contracts for these workers, seeking to ensure a family living wage with health, pension and other benefits. Local 177 provides job training and apprenticeship opportunities to the community.

For more information contact LiUNA Local 177's Business Manager Mike Weckman.

Angela Connolly Endorses Carl Voss

Polk County Supervisor, Angela Connolly publicly announced her support for Des Moines City Council At-Large candidate, Carl Voss on July 16th, 2019. Connolly, a long-time county employee (more than 20 years) has been a champion for human rights, mental health care, & protecting those most vulnerable.

Angela Connolly, Polk County Supervisor

"Carl has a passion for implementing quality of life projects such as bike trails, the water trails and the skatepark," Connolly said. "He has been a persistent and passionate advocate for enhancing our transportation and mobility options in our community. Carl was at ground zero in the transformation of the East Village that has helped bring housing back downtown."

About Angela Connolly:

Angela Connolly is a native Iowan, born to second-generation Italian immigrants.  Her parents owned a small Italian restaurant, which was like a second home for Angela and her three brothers.  The restaurant is where Angela learned the value of hard work.  She attended Kansas University after high school to study liberal arts.  She returned to Iowa to marry her husband Tom in 1974 and together they have three children and four grandchildren.

Angela began her career in the Polk County Public Works Department as a Zoning Enforcement Officer where she was a dedicated employee for nearly 20 years.  She was first elected as a Polk County Supervisor in 1998. Angela is one of three female Supervisors to be elected to the Polk County Board of Supervisors in more than 150 years.  She represents the 2nd District which includes the northwestern area of the City of Des Moines, a portion of unincorporated Polk County, and the suburb of West Des Moines.

Community engagement has always been a priority for Angela and she enjoys participating regularly in neighborhood organizations and civic activities.  Angela currently serves as Co-Chair of The Tomorrow Plan and Tri-Chair for Capital Crossroads: A Vision for Greater Des Moines and Central Iowa and is the Chair of Rebuilding Together.  In addition, she represents the Board of Supervisors on the following boards: Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority – DART, Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau, Polk County Health Services, Riverfront Development Authority, Des Moines Arts Board, Polk County Housing Trust Fund, and the Homeless Coordinating Council.

Angela has played a leadership role in many significant far-reaching efforts that have improved life for Polk County residents and strengthened the communities and economy of Central Iowa.  For example, she is an advocate for our most vulnerable citizens facing mental illness and is a leader in enhancing crisis services in our community, such as the Crisis Observation Center which opened in 2014; she championed a referendum to update three downtown courthouse facilities which will centralize court services and enhance safety; she was one of the strongest supporters for the construction of Wells Fargo Arena at the Iowa Events Center, which has been a key driver in the revitalization of downtown Des Moines; she championed a centralized intake system for over 20 homeless outreach providers; she encourages regional collaboration for increasing affordable housing; she advocates for Polk County Crisis and Advocacy Services for victims of crime, the majority of whom are women; and she leads efforts to increase linguistic and culturally appropriate basic human services for refugee families.

(see original bio here)

Kevin Jones - Owner, Subsect Skateshop

This week, Kevin Jones, the owner of Subsect Skateshop, in Des Moines publicly endorsed Carl Voss for Des Moines City Council, At-Large.

Kevin Jones, Owner of Subsect Skateshop

"I first met Carl Summer/Fall 2004 about the need for a skatepark in Des Moines," said Jones. "Carl and the AMOS group helped give us some guidance and leadership. Carl stuck with this skatepark project the whole time and it was a very bumpy road. He wanted to hear from the skaters and he would talk to us and not talk at us. I know Carl loves the city of Des Moines and wants us to to be the best city we can be."

Both Voss and Jones worked whole heartedly on the Lauridsen Skatepark project, with more than 88,000 square feet of recreational skating, which upon completion will be the largest of its' kind in the country.

To read more about the Lauridsen Skatepark project, Click Here.

Des Moines' new skate park will now be the largest in the United States

The final design of the Lauridsen Skatepark in downtown Des Moines puts it at 88,000-square-feet of skate-able space. (Photo: Special to the Register)

The new skate park along the Des Moines River will now be the largest in the United States. 

The final design of the Lauridsen Skatepark puts its at 88,000 square feet of skate-able surface. It beats out the Spring Skatepark in Houston, which is 10,000 square feet smaller than plans for the park in Des Moines.

Construction on the skate park is expected to start this week, once the site is dry enough for heavy machinery. It should be open for skating this fall. 

It will be located on five acres of riverfront property just northeast of Wells Fargo Arena near Second Avenue and School Street.

Original plans for the Lauridsen Skatepark would have made it the country's second largest at 65,000 square feet, but design details related to the space and topography of the site pushed it over the edge, said Chris Hensley, co-chair of the group organizing the project.

The final design also coordinates with the Greater Des Moines Water Trails project, which would turn the Des Moines River into a recreational amenity, she said. 

"We were so close already, we said we couldn't imagine not being the largest," she said.

The skate park costs $3.5 million, which was raised through private donations. The group has decided to add $2 million of additional amenities to the park.

Amenities include a switchback trail that would give access to the park from Second Avenue. The trail would have multiple viewing points down to the skate park. 

A larger spectator park would be located along Second Avenue. 

The group plans to apply for a $1 million Community Attraction and Tourism grant through the state to help pay for the new amenities. Supporters predict the skate park will attract 40,000 skaters per year and have the capacity to host local and national skating events.

"It will clearly be a destination," Hensley said.

The remainder of the funds would be raised through private donations and possible corporate sponsors, she said.

Those additional amenities are planned for construction in 2020. 

Original Article, Des Moines Register.