Drake Law School’s botched donation dispute
Bill Amor, of Naperville, Illinois, initially wanted to donate between $2.5 million and $3 million of the $22 million he was recovering for his wrongful conviction and 22 years in prison to attorney Erica Nichols Cook, the Chronicle reported Feb. 25.
Nichols Cook spent six years doggedly delving into coercive investigations, arson and unreliable fire science, first as an attorney for the Illinois Innocence Project and later as a pro bono effort to win Armor’s innocence and give him a new lease on life. In rejecting the gift, Nichols Cook said, “I just don’t think he should try to repay me with a personal gift because I’m doing this work for the sake of this case, not to get paid one day.”
Sadly, the “high-hope” search for a suitable repository for these funds turned into a disgraceful saga that ended with Nichols Cook being fired from his position as director of the Drake Wrongful Conviction Clinic. The Des Moines Police Department investigation concluded with no charges filed. A subsequent civil theft claim against Nichols Cook was dropped within weeks of being filed.
The first priority of law schools is to teach students how to resolve conflicts through their own examples. The dismissal of Nicholls Cook shows a shocking ignorance or willful neglect of this duty. All of this could have been avoided by talking to her.
I propose creating law school-wide internships for students, faculty, and administrators dedicated to understanding what the problems are and how to solve them.
Nelda Barrow Mickle, Des Moines, Drake University School of Law, Class of 1977
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Recession risk means caution in property tax debate
Between 2021 and 2024, house prices nationwide will increase by an average of 40%. Property taxes based on valuation also increased.
Warren Buffett says the coming recession will lower property valuations in many cities around the world.
Iowans want and deserve property tax relief, but given the economic cycle that brings recession, any cuts in Iowa should be done cautiously and cautiously. Two thoughts:
Now reduce property taxes by 10% for every homeowner.
Subsequently, it would eliminate property taxes for homeowners over 70 who make less than $80,000 a year, and reduce the tax rate by 50% for seniors making between $80,000 and $120,000.
Cutting property taxes on wealthy seniors will only subsidize their second homes in Florida, Texas or Arizona.
Randall Taber, Van Meter
What issues arise with civil rights on a city-by-city basis?
As Iowans, we should be proud of our legislative efforts. We are a country that is leading the charge in eliminating diversity, and we deserve praise for our recent efforts. Senate File 579, signed by Gov. Kim Reynolds, says a city in Iowa cannot grant its citizens more civil rights than the state of Iowa. This is a necessary development, don’t you think? We just don’t want some people to have more rights than others.
We certainly don’t want someone who lives in Des Moines to have more civil rights than someone who lives in Waukee, for example. This is just not right. Or what about Newton? It is certainly inappropriate for citizens of Newton to have more civil rights than those who live in Colfax or Sully, for example.
Senate File 579 makes it clear that municipalities cannot decide for themselves what is unfair or discriminatory. Only Iowa can do that. For example, suppose Newton determines that a restaurant cannot refuse service to a person wearing a hat. Since the Iowa Civil Rights Code does not mention hats, Newton would not be able to protect your right to wear a hat while eating lunch. This may be discriminatory but is not prohibited.
More: Reynolds signs Iowa law banning local civil rights protections for transgender people
Apparently the reason for all this commotion is that some people want to see themselves as something other than male or female. We are particularly disgusted by this idea. What Iowa decided to do was declare you to be male or female and that was the end of it.
Self-identification is no longer allowed. I’m not saying, at least publicly, that while I may have a male body, I have the hormonal and mental traits of a girl. This could destroy an already precarious civil society.
Now I realize I said the same thing about gay marriage, things aren’t broken, but it’s definitely different. This goes far beyond same-sex marriage. When a gay person says they are gay, they are not saying they are female, they are clearly male. This trans stuff is unacceptable and will lead to complete social disaster. Our entire belief system will collapse, leading to anarchy. We can’t have some big guy come up to us and say, “Hey, I may look like a man, but I’m actually a woman.”
Not happening, guys! Enough is enough, we should be applauding our legislatures for taking on the things that really matter; the things that will make our lives better.
Richard Phelps, Mingo
‘The Miracle of Breathing’ reminds people that good still exists
As I wiped tears from my eyes after reading Courtney Crowder’s novel series The Miracle of Breathing, I was filled with awe, joy, and hope. What a beautiful, inspiring real-life story she shares with readers, reminding us that in such a chaotic and scary world, beauty still exists. We need more uplifting stories in our lives. Thank you!
Diane Harrigan, Altoona
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Register’s Crowder performs well
Courtney Crowder’s series on cystic fibrosis deserves a Pulitzer Prize. Outstanding.
Don C. Yager, Fenton
This article originally appeared in The Des Moines Register: Recession risk means caution on property taxes | Letters
