Iowa Town Says No to Planned Parenthood at County Building

WQAD | 26 Nov 02 | Unlisted

[Mr. Silverback]

Wapello, IA -- Planned Parenthood supporters planned to speak out Tuesday in Wapello. That's after county supervisors voted to remove the national abortion business from county space by the end of the year.

"I don't think the county should be involved in a controversy," said Forrest Bartenhagen, one of two supervisors who voted to oust Planned Parenthood from rent-free space in a county building.

Planned Parenthood operates a facilty every Wednesday in Wapello. Since coming to the county health department in April, it has served about 60 patients.

"Our greatest concern is the continuation of health care for the already established patients there and other residents of the county, too," said Terri McGrath, Planned Parenthood nurse practicioner.

The other county supervisor with a no vote, Jim Howell, says that his views against abortion played some role in the decision. But he says there's also a practical reason for the vote. Louisa County is restructuring space needs to save taxpayers money.

"I did not think that Louisa County taxpayers should be footing the bill for Planned Parenthood to be housed in Louisa County," Howell said.

Planned Parenthood blames county politics for the decision. The facility can't afford to rent elsewhere in Wapello.

"I think politics is the whole issue," said Cherry Klein, Planned Parenthood of Southeast Iowa executive director. "I have no doubt that if our name wasn't Planned Parenthood we wouldn't be having this discussion."

But opponents say that a new federally-funded clinic on the way will duplicate many of Planned Parenthood's services.

"We think this is going to be provided in the rural health center that is coming into Wapello," Howell said. "We think they'll provide the services needed."

While Planned Parenthood doesn't do abortions in Southeast Iowa, Howell says that nearly a hundred constituents asked him to cast a no vote. Planned Parenthood facilities typically refer women seeking abortions to nearby abortion businesses.

Supervisors are planning a listening session with Planned Parenthood supporters on Tuesday at the Louisa County Courthouse.

[Mr. Silverback]

"I think politics is the whole issue," said Cherry Klein, Planned Parenthood of Southeast Iowa executive director.

Yeah Cherry, we'll remmebr this quote the next time you baby-killers paint some judicial nominee as a racist neanderthal because he or she disagrees with you on abortion.

[Mr. Silverback]

ProLife Ping!

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[chiefqc]

The nerve of these towns people trying to restrict the money making cow of:

"Baby Murders, Inc.".

[MEGoody]

Planned Parenthood is supposed to be a non-profit organization, weren't they? What the heck were they doing using FREE space in a county building? I doubt very much if any other non-profit was given free space.

[nothingnew]

"I think politics is the whole issue," said Cherry Klein, Planned Parenthood of Southeast Iowa executive director.

Bet she never lost hers...oops...I bad...

FMCDH

[wideawake]

"Our greatest concern is the continuation of health care for the already established patients there and other residents of the county, too," said Terri McGrath, Planned Parenthood nurse practicioner.

"I'm particularly annoyed" McGrath continued "because I'm only four abortion referrals away from being promoted from Assistant Babykiller to full-fledged Child Executioner. Now I won't get a free t-shirt or any SkyMiles. I blame the religious right."

[victim soul]