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Letters to the Editor

Safety matters

To the editor: Fort Dodge’s latest “Case for Eight” is just what is needed for our community. Eight additional police officers is the number needed to strengthen the Fort Dodge Police Department, allowing for increased public safety. I personally question the funding source of the franchise fee and just where the money was going to go if it was more than the amount needed for the eight additional police. What I discovered is that the fee will pay for eight police officers and the rest will mostly be used to pay down city debt, besides some payment for Citizens Central ...

Decker supports franchise fees

To the editor: As a proud graduate of Iowa Central Community College and Drake University, with a deep-rooted history in the transportation industry and having our headquarters based in the community for over 90 years, I write today in support of the proposed franchise fees that have been laid out by the city of Fort Dodge. This initiative is not just about generating revenue or creating an “additional tax;” it’s about laying the groundwork for a sustainable future for our city. The introduction of franchise fees represents a pivotal opportunity for Fort Dodge to enhance its ...

Angry about nursing home deaths

To the editor: As a nursing home resident, I’ve got special interest in deaths related to neglect/abuse in same. Recent interest turned full-blown anger: one senior died frozen when staff didn’t heed alarmed door, middle of the night. Different facility - resident suffocated due to staff’s failure to provide oxygen as doctor ordered. List goes on. Can’t even imagine deaths of those kinds - of any kind. These situations/facilities are fined? As big businesses, cutting a check is no problem, More so, criminal charges are in order, even involuntary manslaughter or elder ...

Becker family says thanks

To the editor: It’s the end of an era. Today is the last day for the Beckers to be at the helm of Becker Florists. There has been Beckers involved since the beginning in 1885. 139 years, wow. It’s been a long, exciting journey. Now it’s time for the fourth generation of Beckers to step down and retire. We want to thank all of our wonderful and loyal customers we’ve had throughout the years. We have enjoyed working with each and every one of you. And a huge shout out to our staff, there have been many through the years. Without your loyalty and dedication, all these years would ...

Reliable formulas don’t always exist

To the editor: Luke Hugghins’ “Solving the equation for life’s variables” article in the Jan. 24, 2024 edition of the Fort Dodge Messenger should be required reading in all K-12 schools and universities. His introduction to the scientific method of solving problems also applies to non-engineering problems. Unfortunately, proven and reliable formulas do not always exist or apply to these non-engineering problems. Finding the correct formulas and identifying the constants can be difficult, and there may be no true constants. Similarly, identifying and quantitating the variables ...

Wants action on bullying

To the Editor: From reading the account of the Perry shooting in the newspaper, I'm wondering when are school administrators going to get a handle on bullying, which is a constant in absolutely every school. It is prevalent at all grade levels, and happens here in Fort Dodge, whether it’s a private religious school like Saint Edmond or the public schools. It’s not that difficult to control and I simply don’t understand school administrations who look the other way continuously. It harms students, both the bully and the bullied. It happens worldwide, even King Charles was ...