Democrats Dine, Beall & Kibbie Speak, Gruber Auctions

State Senator Darryl Beall of Fort Dodge met some of his new constituents Saturday night at the Pocahontas Country Clubhouse for dinner. Beall spoke on matters of Iowa taxes, pre-school, discrimination, civility, and local employment offices. He compared Democratic ideas with Republican policy and encouraged the audience to join in the refrain following each comparison: "Friends, there is a difference" between the two parties.

Senior party activist Calista Hammes of Pocahontas was honored as was Senator Jack Kibbie. Kibbie will retire in one year. Pocahontas will be represented by Senator Beall until the election of 2014. Pictured here are organizer Helen Beneke, auctioneer Dick Gruber, Jack and Kay Kibbie.

Kibbie said he will devote the next election to his work for Christie Vilsack in an effort to oust Steve King. Kibbie said that as bad for the public good as is Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann, Steve King is worse. At another point he observed "The closer a legislator lives to the interstate highway, the less likely" he is to vote for a gasoline tax increase.

Donated items were auctioned by incoming Pocahontas mayor and former high school teacher Dick Gruber.