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Des Moines Iowa, October
25, 2006- Secretary of State Chet Culver would not support the use of public
money in the construction of the Earthpark project in Pella. That according
to Culver's campaign spokesman Brad Anderson. Culver along with Running
mate Patty Judge appear in a new campaign ad criticizing a 50 million dollar
federal grant for the Earthpark project. Culver's challenger in the race
for Governor, Jim Nussle, supported the spending bill in Congress. Earthpark
officials tell channel 13 that they regret that Culver decided to make
the Earthpark project a campaign issue. They also remind Culver that the
$50 million investment will create a $130 million return to the central
Iowa economy each year. Culver's campaign says they support the project.
However according to Anderson, the project should be built with private
funds. "Now is the time to be fiscally responsible." Says Anderson.