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Letters to the Editor

Impressed by the kindness of a stranger

To the editor: I wish to share an experience I had while shopping for groceries at Walmart this past Tuesday morning, Sept. 22. As I was checking out with a clerk, my credit card would not work in the machine. I did not have any cash or checks to pay for it. The young lady behind me spoke up and told the clerk she would pay for it in her checking out. I was so surprised and thanked her, but was in a hurry to meet our bus. I took the cart of groceries and left the store. I was so surprised and thankful. I want her to know I intend to give an equal amount to a local charity. Carol ...

Writer wants incumbents out of office

To the editor: I don’t know about you folks , but I’m getting really tired of all these political ads. You’ve probably got an idea who’s going to get your vote. That is, if you’re going to vote, but I hope so. Just remember who we have to thank for the tariffs, the One Big Beautiful Bill, $4.40 a gallon gas and $6 diesel fuel. The Strait of Hormuz was open, and we had people helping to furnish fuel to the rest of the world. All our representatives and senators from Iowa voted for everything the current administration wanted. Tariffs have made things three times higher ...

Refutes Grassley’s stance on socialism

To the editor: This letter responds to Sen. Chuck Grassley’s editorial “Socialism doesn’t work” published Monday, Aug. 24, 2026. Sen. Grassley and Republican senators clearly support tariffs without oversight. Tariffs have raised prices on goods for consumers and farmers. On Liberation Day, April 2, 2025, Donald Trump imposed tariffs on approximately 140 countries under IEEPA (International Emergency Economic Powers Act). Trump’s tariffs are considered a form of taxation and were ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. Because those tariffs were ruled illegal, ...

Questions need for new multipurpose building

To the editor: How many multipurpose buildings does Fort Dodge need? Don’t we already have a multipurpose pavilion at the mall? This new building was backed by voter-approved school board referendum extending district borrowing authority. The school board approved this multipurpose building using our tax dollars. Why do we need another multipurpose building? We already own a brand new one in the mall. If need to transport students to this facility, we have school buses that the taxpayers own and certified drivers. The district just paid for new wrestling room and new auxiliary gym ...

Resident sees clear and present danger

To the editor: I sit on my deck overlooking the new bike path on North 22nd Street, and every day I observe a dangerous combination of factors. I previously served as the safety non-commissioned officer for the 133rd Air Guard, which made me highly aware of unsafe conditions. I continue to notice them on a daily basis along the bike path and on North 22nd Street. The community has seen an explosion of e-bikes and e-scooters. I observe children as young as 8-years-old operating these. The kids operating these e-bikes often seem to know only one speed - full throttle. They may be ...

Fort Dodge Lions Club thanks community

To the editor: The Fort Dodge Lions Club would like to thank those who helped us with the grocery raffle this year (formerly an Evening Lions project). We gave five $200 gift cards (Hy-Vee and Fareway) away through the raffle at the last Ja-Mar Cruise. Their generous donations helped a lot. We would not have been successful without all the generous sponsors in town that supported us. The lucky winners were Keegan Sorenson, Jerry Mabe, Kathy Webb, Christina Rosch and Rebecca Reitmeier. The money raised will help people get glasses, hearing aids and Lions KidSight. We appreciate the ...