By Steve Dunn

dgceditor@dailygate.com

Voters in the Keokuk and Fort Madison school districts will go to the polls Tuesday to decide school board races, while voters in the Central Lee district will choose four candidates who have no opposition.

In addition, voters in the Southeastern Community College District will be asked whether the current physical plant debt service levy that was established in 1990 should be extended for up to 20 years.

Incumbents Tyler McGhghy and Alka Khanolkar are being opposed by Jane Abell and Carrie Steele for three seats on the Keokuk School Board. Another incumbent, Roger Kokemuller, decided not seek re-election to a four-year term.

In the Fort Madison district, incumbents Timm Lamb and Tim Wondra plus newcomers Debbie Meyer, Kimberly Ransdell, Jaime Seaney, Heather Wellman and Gayla Young are vying for three seats on that school board.

In the Central Lee district, incumbents Mark Hulsebus in District 3, Kim Miller in District 4 and Verna Brunstein in District 5 have no opposition. Neither does Bill Young in District 2.

The physical plant debt service levy generates about $700,000 a year for building and property maintenance, renovation, new construction, infrastructure, land and equipment in the SCC district, which covers all of Lee, Des Moines and Henry counties and parts of Louisa, Van Buren, Washington and Jefferson counties.

SCC intends to keep the tax rate at approximately 20 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation if the referendum passes. SCC would sell no more than $15 million of bonds for projects throughout the district and then pay off the debt with revenue from the levy.

In the past, the levy has funded such projects as roof replacements at the West Burlington campus and Fort Madison center, new and replacement buildings at the Keokuk and West Burlington campuses, renovations at the Fort Madison and Mount Pleasant Centers, exterior siding replacement at the West Burlington Campus, sidewalks and parking lots at all locations, and chillers and boilers at all locations.

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School board, SCC levy vote set Tuesday

PEORIA - Early in 2012 Gene Shurtz finally had to face facts - he had a heart problem.

"I was in denial. I thought I could manage my own body - I had never been in the hospital overnight prior to that," said Shurtz, 74, of East Peoria.

His first overnight hospital stay was the turning point.

"The doctor woke me up at 2 a.m. and said 'You're dying. Do you want to get up and help me save your life?' " said Shurtz. "My son even went and bought me a set of toy doctor's tools and said, 'If you're going to play doctor, you need a set of tools.' "

Shurtz was suffering from aortic stenosis, a condition in which the valve fails to open fully, obstructing the flow of oxygenated blood out of the heart. The condition can be caused by congenital factors or diseases, but often it's caused by calcium deposits on the valve, an issue that mostly affects older people.

Some 1.5 million people suffer from aortic stenosis, said Dr. Sudhir Mungee, an interventional cardiologist with HeartCare Midwest. About 500,000 of those patients have a very poor quality of life, suffering chest pain, shortness of breath and fainting spells, said Mungee. Fifty percent of patients suffering aortic stenosis and heart failure die within two years.

The only cure is to replace the aortic valve. Surgeons have been performing aortic valve replacement through open heart surgery since the late 1960s. But, the procedure requires a long period of recovery, and some patients can't endure it. By the time Shurtz admitted he needed help, he was no longer a candidate for open heart surgery.

"I was too sick. My heart wasn't strong enough," he said. Luckily for him, a new procedure was being performed at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center by physicians from HeartCare Midwest. On Dec. 11, Shurtz became the second person to have Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in Peoria.

Instead of opening the chest to replace the valve, with TAVR a new valve is implanted into the heart through an artery with a catheter. The procedure received FDA approval in December 2011, and has been performed in other countries for the past five years.

There have been 40,000 TAVR procedures performed world-wide this year and the procedure has about a 90-percent success rate, Mungee said.

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New procedure offers patients who can't undergo open heart surgery an alternative

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FORT WORTH, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) plans to invest an estimated $240 million on maintenance and rail capacity expansion projects in Texas this year.

BNSFs 2013 capacity improvement projects in Texas include expansion of rail capacity at Tower 55 in Fort Worth, completing replacement of the Galveston Causeway Bridge, installation of a siding extension near Somerville, expansion of the Houston Intermodal Facility, construction of a loop track facility in San Antonio and significant signal upgrades for federally mandated positive train control (PTC).

BNSF will also continue its robust track maintenance program in Texas, which will include nearly 4,400 miles of track surfacing and undercutting work, and the replacement of about 115 miles of rail and 690,000 ties.

BNSFs capital investments in Texas will help ensure our network is prepared for growing demand for freight rail, said Matthew K. Rose, chairman and chief executive officer. We are focused on investing to meet our customers expectations and on expanding capacity where growth is occurring. Given the importance of a low cost supply chain to the U.S. economy, our privately funded rail infrastructure is well positioned to help Texas compete in global markets.

The planned capital investments in Texas are part of BNSFs record 2013 capital commitment of $4.3 billion. The largest component of the capital plan is spending $2.3 billion on BNSF's core network and related assets. BNSF also plans to spend approximately $1 billion on locomotive, freight car and other equipment acquisitions, many of which will serve Texas. The program also includes about $200 million for positive train control and $800 million for terminal, line and intermodal expansion and efficiency projects.

Unlike other modes of transportation, U.S. freight railroads use their own private dollars, not tax dollars, to build and maintain their freight rail networks. Since the year 2000, BNSF has invested more than $42 billion to improve and expand its freight rail network.

About BNSF

BNSF Railway is one of North Americas leading freight transportation companies operating on 32,500 route miles of track in 28 states and two Canadian provinces. BNSF is one of the top transporters of consumer goods, grain and agricultural products, low-sulfur coal, and industrial goods such as petroleum, chemicals, housing materials, food and beverages. BNSFs shipments help feed, clothe, supply, and power American homes and businesses every day. BNSF and its employees have developed one of the most technologically advanced, and efficient railroads in the industry. We work continuously to improve the value of the safety, service, energy, and environmental benefits we provide to our customers and the communities we serve. You can learn more about BNSF at http://www.BNSF.com.

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BNSF Plans $240 Million Capital Program in Texas to Improve and Expand Rail Capacity

Lanham, Maryland (PRWEB) September 03, 2013

Thompson Creek Window Company, the mid-Atlantics leading home improvement replacement products company, today announced they have been named #6 on Remodeling Magazines annual list of the top 550 replacement contractors in the United States. Thompson Creek Window Company is proud to be one of the few regional replacement companies to appear near the top of this esteemed list.

Since 1980, Thompson Creek Window Company has grown from its beginnings on West Street in Annapolis, Maryland, while remaining a local, community-based company. Thompson Creek Window Company has established itself as a market leader in Washington, DC and Baltimore, MD metropolitan areas by focusing on customer satisfaction and manufacturing an exceptional replacement window product for their customers in Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia.

Remodeling Magazine leverages residential remodeling revenue data gathered from a web-based survey conducted jointly by Remodeling Magazine and its sister publication, Replacement Contractor. Specpan, a third-party data collection provider, hosted the survey and compiled the data. Additional information was gathered via mailings, phone calls and public information sources.

Rick Wuest, president of Thompson Creek, said, I am pleased to be recognized as one of the top remodelers in the country. Sustainability in our business requires a dedication to 100% customer satisfaction. This achievement is a direct result of the relationships we have developed with satisfied customers and the feedback and recommendations they share with their friends and neighbors. Our inclusion in this list is true validation that we are continuing to succeed in our mission.

About Thompson Creek

The Thompson Creek Window Company is a privately owned and family-operated manufacturer and installer of energy-efficient home improvement replacement products. Founded in 1980, Thompson Creek Window Company began as a manufacturer of energy-efficient, maintenance-free vinyl windows. Since that time, Thompson Creek Window Company has evolved into one of the leading specialty home improvement contracting companies in the nation. The companys product mix includes replacement windows and doors, vinyl siding and a clog-free gutter system. Thompson Creek Window Company is headquartered in Lanham, MD with an 80,000 square-foot manufacturing facility in Landover, MD.

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Thompson Creek Windows Reviews #6 Ranking on 2013 Remodeling 550 List

Though it may not be their primary purpose, our homes are our biggest investment and, when its time to sell, its smart to optimize the return on that investment.

With the real estate market on a steady climb back to solid ground, more people are feeling comfortable enough to explore what options they have in the current market. If youre flirting with the idea of listing your home, its important to make sure your home outshines the competition.

Here are eight home improvement investments that offer sellers the highest return:

A coat of paint gives you a lot of bang for your home improvement buck. With premium brands costing about $35 a can, painting a room is economical and a project that most folks can handle without hiring a contractor.

If youre selling, focus on rich neutral colors inside your home. Its OK to push beyond the standard colors of builders beige and off-white. With a little experimentation and a keen eye, browns, greens and grays can become part of a contemporary neutral color scheme that will highlight the best features of your home and impress potential buyers.

Replacing the siding on your home not only improves its appearance, it can boost energy efficiency too. If you choose vinyl or other siding products with permanent color, gravitate toward neutral colors that will still be classic year after year. According to Angies List, a $10,000 siding investment can return an 80 percent return on investment or more.

Few things turn off buyers faster than the smell of a damp basement. If your homes basement is prone to moisture accumulation, leaks or flooding, call in a professional. Perhaps a simple sealant or patch can solve the problem without a huge budget impact. (If a new exterior drainage system is required, that could become pricey.) Though a finished basement will help sell a home, the single most important improvement you can make to the basement is creating an environment thats clean, dry and ready for further upgrades. But if you do want to go all out, a full basement remodel costs about $60,000 and will give sellers a 70 percent ROI, according to Remodeling Magazine.

Its true: Buyers really do focus on kitchens and bathrooms, and upgrades in these areas pay off consistently. As with any remodeling project, homeowners can choose the level of time, expense and energy they want to devote to a kitchen remodel. If youre on a tight budget, keep things simple. Make sure that appliances are in good working order, countertops arent chipped or stained, the walls have a fresh coat of paint, and basic fixtures like lights and faucets are updated. More extensive renovations that include new cabinetry, floors, granite countertops and stainless appliances can recoup nearly 69 percent ROI, according to Remodeling Magazine.

Like kitchens, bathroom upgrades provide a solid return, typically 68 percent to 78 percent ROI for a mid-range bathroom remodel, according to Real Simple Magazine. If your budget is limited, try cost-conscious solutions like resurfacing an existing tub or sink, installing new laminate flooring, upgrading faucets, adding a deluxe shower head, or splurging on a glass tile backsplash. Small improvements done in a classic and well-coordinated style can make a big impression.

Decks provide an attractive transition between inside and outside. Especially for smaller houses, well-designed patios and decks can provide much-needed extra space for dining, entertaining and relaxing. According to CNBC, deck additions in the $15,000 range average a 73 percent return on investment.

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8 Home Improvement Projects That Pay Off Big

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The Pierce House on Oakton Avenue, built in 1683, has been open to the public since 1968. Photo courtesy Historic New England

Dorchesters Pierce House is a quaint, unassuming structure, nestled in a small lot directly across the street from the Kenny School. A sign on the front walkway is the only indicator of its historical significance.

However, the houses interior tells a different story. Several rooms are set up as craft and teaching spaces, with one room set up using period furniture, some of which belonged to the Pierce family. Wide slabs of wood are laid across the floor, and thick beams hold up the roof overhead.

This is all original beaming, said Ivy Wagner, the Pierce House museum teacher. She explained that most of the original architecture of the house is still in place.

Wagner was a classroom teacher before coming to Pierce House, and she said she loves the working environment, where the teaching material is also the classroom.

The house is a major primary source. Kids need to know where they came from, and this house is important to the history of Dorchester, she said. Its all hands-on learning, and it fits in exactly with their school curriculum.

The Pierce House, built in 1683, went through 10 generations of the Pierce family before it was acquired by the Historic New England in 1968. Used mostly as an architecture study, the house had very limited public presence until the early 2000s, when it was refurbished as an educational site for school children.

According to Carolin Collins, educational programs coordinator at Historic New England, several renovations had to be made before the house was declared safe for children. The siding, which was ridden with asbestos, had to be removed, though a small portion of it remains fenced off in the yard for observational purposes. Over the past few years, the Pierce House underwent several weatherization efforts, including the installation of interior storm windows, weather-stripped doors, and a high-efficiency condensing furnace. In addition to these changes, Collins described the ongoing maintenance work that a historic house like Pierce House requires. The paint needs to be kept neat, the furniture should be in good working order, and ceiling damage due to water incursion has to be fixed.

We try to retain the historic character of the house, said Collins, explaining that replacements for broken objects or furniture are always from the appropriate time period, or historically accurate replicates. Collins emphasized the importance of using these historic homes for educational purposes, and keeping them open to the public so they can remain an important part of the community.

Students who live in Dorchester are able to look at the way the area has changed from agrarian to urban. It provides a tangible sense of the area they live in, and it makes history visible, Collins said. You can walk by the Pierce House and you wouldnt know its history, how old it is, or the role its occupants played throughout history.

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Historic homes offer window into Dorchester’s past

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