Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

The Atlantic City Council held a brief, special session Wednesday evening, to act on approving the third and final reading of an amended ordinance calling for an increase in the ESU, or Storm Water Equivalent Service Unit rate. The ESU rate, which has not changed in over 10-years, will increase 35-cents per month, to $2.85, effective August 1st. The rate increase should generate $25,000 in additional revenues, which will be used to cover the net increase in debt service cost of $15,000 for repairs to the Bull Creek Underground drainage system and continued funding for annual repairs to the City’s storm water management system.

No one from the public was present to object to the increase or voice their opinions. And, when polled by the Mayor, only one of the Council members, Linda Hartkopf, mentioned she had heard anything from the public about the increase. Hartkopf said the person she spoke with opposed the move. Hartkopf told the individual the only other option was to raise taxes. She said “He didn’t like that idea, either.”

During the Council’s regular meeting on July 17th, prior to the second reading of the ordinance, a letter written by Atlantic resident Charles Griffin was read, which indicated he was opposed to the increase, because he claimed, it was not a “fee.” Instead, Griffin said it was an illegal tax because the citizens of Atlantic were not allowed to vote on it.

Snyder and Associates Engineer Pat Hall, one of the creators of the storm water fee system approved by the Council in 2003, said the intention of a storm water utility is spelled out in the Code of Iowa,  along with a city’s responsibility for utilities, and services provided to the citizens of the community. Therefore, according to Hall, it is a fee, and not a tax. Hall said by setting up a utility fee, the City provides itself with a certain amount of flexibility, when it comes to payments for capital improvements, such as the Bull Creek storm sewer improvement project. The ESU is based on the amount of square footage on a parcel of property. Those who have more square footage would always pay more than those who have less.

Iowans are being reminded to think before they drink. The warning has nothing to do with alcohol, but instead the sugary, carbonated beverages we slug down. Dentist Kim McFarland says more people are developing sensitive teeth and the likely cause is drinking way too much pop, with each Iowan drinking an average of 44 gallons a year. “I am seeing a lot more tooth erosion,” Dr. McFarland says. “The patients that have erosion often share with me the fact that they do drink a lot of pop and not just one or two a day but all throughout the day, drinking soda pop.”

It doesn’t matter if it’s “regular” or “diet” soda because the acid in all sodas alters the p-H balance in the mouth which can erode a tooth’s enamel. McFarland says the best way to prevent enamel loss is to give up soda, or to at least cut back. “Limit consumption of soda to mealtime,” McFarland says. Don’t drink soda throughout the day and brush your teeth afterwards with a fluoridated toothpaste, she says. If you can’t brush your teeth, rise your mouth out with water. If you chew gum, chew on that’s sugar-free or a gum containing Xylitol, a natural compound that’s said to reduce the chances of tooth decay.

Dr. McFarland says once tooth erosion starts, it can’t be stopped. “Tooth erosion or a weakening of the outer surface of the tooth causes the tooth to become sensitive, so things like hot and cold can be rather painful,” she says. “Once erosion occurs, it cannot be reversed and effects people their whole life.” She says one other option is crowning all your teeth but that’s a costly, extreme solution.

(Radio Iowa)

The Red Oak Police Department reports the arrest today (Wednesday) of 23-year old Bruce Anthony Kaimann Jr. of Red Oak on a charge of Simple Assault. Kaimann reportedly struck an unnamed victim causing pain and a laceration. Kaimann is being held at the Montgomery County Law Center on $300 cash bond.