Making Phone Calls to Clinton EA Members for Friends of Education

On Wednesday afternoon as the school day ended, MBUU UniServ Director Lynette Claeys and I headed to Clinton to make phone calls on behalf of two incumbent legislators that are great friends of education. Greeting us as we drove up was state Representative Polly Bukta. Rep. Bukta (pictured here on the left) is a retired teacher from the Clinton Community Schools. Polly was first elected to the Iowa House in 1996. I share a connection with Polly---the wonderful person, Eileen Tyler, that served as my clerk for the 4 years I served in the House--has been Rep. Bukta's clerk ever since.

Another educator that we ran into in the county party headquarters was Jeff Michel. I first met Jeff when I visited Clinton last year. Jeff teaches high school History and Government at Clinton High School. Jeff (pictured at right) was making sure things were all in place for his precinct on election day.


Stopping by the headquarters to say "Hi" was former state Representative Art Ollie. Art (pictured on the left) was a favorite of mine when I served in the Iowa House. Art, now retired from teaching, chaired the House Education Committee in the 1980's through 1992 when the Democrats were in the majority party. Art and his wife Joyce, also retired from teaching, continue to give back to the community of Clinton by volunteering for Habitat for Humanity and for their church. Gosh it was so good to see you, Art!

Both MBUU Director Lynette Claeys (on left) and I made phone calls to all Clinton EA members that live in the district of state Representative Polly Bukta and state Senator Roger Stewart. It was especially fun to chat with members and first, thank them for their membership and secondly, ask how their school year was going.











The final teacher that we found in the headquarters working to elect great candidates was Jean Pardee. Jean (pictured on the right) is a retired teacher from Clinton.