{As it appeared in the Sunday, June 7 2015 Des Moines Register}

Branstad should know: Diet soda won’t make us healthiest state

By the Register’s editorial staff

A thistle to Gov. Terry Branstad for signing on to a soft-drink industry campaign to dodge responsibility for America’s obesity problem. To be sure, the governor deserves heaps of praise for his Healthiest State Initiative (even if he set an unrealistic goal of being No. 1 in the nation). But part of that strategy should be an honest acknowledgement that sweetened soft drinks are a major factor in weight gain. The industry obviously wants to be seen as getting out in front of this issue, which is fine. But a governor who wants to lead Iowa to being the healthiest state in the nation should be more skeptical of claims that we can get there by simply cutting back on sodas or switching to diet drinks. Nor is advocating bottled water a better option: Tap water is far cheaper and just as pure, if not more so. Besides, the last thing Iowa ditches and landfills need is more empty plastic bottles.

A thistle to former state Rep. Ed Fallon of Des Moines, who wants to punish all politicians who don’t agree with his crusade against an oil pipeline. Fallon and other opponents of the proposed pipeline wanted the Legislature to pass a bill raising the bar on eminent domain powers, which would make it next to impossible for pipeline companies to secure needed right of way. The bill looked to be dead last week, so Fallon announced he will raise money and campaign to unseat legislators who opposed the bill. Fallon is a smart fellow, and we have praised him in the past for his principled dedication to a cleaner environment, but he knows better than to judge politicians on a single issue. Meanwhile, the legislation as proposed would make an unwise change in state law that could bar all utility projects, regardless of their merits.

A rose to fans of the old Riverview Park who are dedicated to preserving memories of the amusement park. Established 100 years ago, Riverview Park was tucked in between a lagoon and a sharp bend in the Des Moines River on the city’s north side. It was a popular destination for families, youngsters seeking thrills on the roller coaster and couples who danced away summer evenings at the Riviera Ballroom. Although it has been closed since 1978, Highland Park and Oak Park neighborhood groups and others have doggedly worked to redevelop the site. The latest concept is a park with a stage for weekly summertime concerts, shelter and playground. The Parks Area Foundation is hoping to raise $4 million for the project. “We’re shovel-ready,” foundation secretary Pam Thompson told the Register’s Timothy Meinch. “We’ve got all the drawings completed, our website [www.riverviewparkdsm.com] and everything. We just need the money.”