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Local trails are monument to community spirit

Editorial

Residents of Webster County and beyond have a new option for getting outdoors. That option consists of about six miles of paved trail, complete with a big bridge over a drainage ditch that connects Fort Dodge and Badger. It is between 170th Street on the north side of Fort Dodge and Second Avenue Southeast on the south side of Badger. There will still be plenty of crisp fall days during which people can walk, run or bicycle on that trail. The trail is obviously the result of more than a year’s worth of work by planners, engineers and construction crews. But it is also the result ...

Endorses Campbell for supervisor

Letters to the Editor

To the editor: I am writing to support Mark Campbell for re-election to the Webster County Board of Supervisors. Mark has been a long-time friend. His father, Ron Campbell, a long-time union Democrat, helped me when I ran for the Iowa Senate and won. Mark has done a tremendous job as supervisor, and GOP Gov. Kim Reynolds respected him so much she appointed him to the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, one of the most important boards in Iowa. I wish the local county offices didn’t have to be a political party campaign, but allow local folks who want to serve to run on their ...

Harvest exemplifies Iowa’s status as an agricultural powerhouse

Local Columns

While I’ve been out on the road traveling from town to town on my 36 County Tour, the sights and sounds of this year’s harvest are on full display. Combines, tractors, and grain carts dot the fields, farmers are hauling their crops to market, and our farm families are preparing for winter. Our annual harvest serves is an important reminder that agriculture powers our economy and supports our rural communities. Born and raised in rural Iowa, I know the significance of agriculture to our state, and it’s why I’ve been the strongest voice for our farmers and producers in Congress ...

Democracy or republic?

Letters to the Editor

To the editor: People in the news have referred to threats to our democracy. But the Constitution states “The United States shall guarantee to every state in this union a republican form of government.” So are we a democracy or a republic? Or both? In Federalist Paper No. 10, “Father of the Constitution” James Madison defines democracy as a “society consisting of a small number of citizens, who assemble and administer the government in person.” A republic is “a government in which the scheme of representation takes place.” For example, the legislature crafts laws, ...

Beware of propaganda

Letters to the Editor

To the editor: If you don’t like being fooled, then why give any credibility to the sources that also brought you such facts as the Hunter Biden laptop being Russian disinformation (not), our southern border is closed and secure (not), Joe Biden is on top of his game and runs circles around the White House staff (not). There are many more subjects once presented by the White House and network news and social media as facts that were later proven to be false. The saying goes ”fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.” So when the White House, network news and social ...

It’s time to support Community Health Center

Editorial

In Fort Dodge, those who do not have health insurance have an option for getting high quality medical care. It’s called the Community Health Center of Fort Dodge and it offers medical, dental and behavioral health care. While most insurance is accepted there, those who need a financial break will have their bills based on their ability to pay. It opened in 2006 and has been a key source of care for thousands of area residents since then. A chance for everyone to support the Community Health Center that helps so many of our neighbors is now underway. It will conclude this coming ...