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Letters to the Editor

ACA helps people with pre-existing conditions

To the editor: The anniversary of the ACA marks a milestone for those with pre-existing conditions. Prior to the Affordable Care Act being signed into law, people with pre-existing conditions could be denied healthcare coverage or charged more for healthcare coverage. So, who does the ACA benefit? • 17 million children. One in four children, or roughly 17 million, have a pre-existing condition. • 68 million women. More than half of women and girls nationally have a pre-existing condition. • 30 million people aged 55-64. 84 percent of older adults, 30.5 million ...

First Duncombe Fun Night in new building

To the editor: The Duncombe Elementary Booster Club invites everyone to attend our annual Duncombe Elementary Fun Night on Saturday, April 6, 2019, from 3-6 p.m. The event will take place at Duncombe Elementary located at 1620 Sixth Ave. N., Fort Dodge. We will be featuring many children’s games, cake walk, prizes, food, both silent and live auctions featuring many great items donated by several Fort Dodge area businesses, along with a 50/50 raffle. The $1 raffle offers a chance to win a great prize. We have a 50-inch smart TV, Rosedale Rapids Family Pass, Des Moines weekend ...

It would be nice to drive through parks again

To the editor: As my son and I watched the big dam removal process, along with 10 or more other cars, we noticed huge dump trucks being loaded up and surprisingly, drive south along the river and down to the silos and Amigo’s, from Loomis Park. I said, “Great news, maybe the road would be re-opened for public use again.” Then, I heard, later, on the radio, the city manager say the road would be closed again and only used as a bike path. Years ago, it was a fun drive through our beautiful Loomis Park. This episode caused me to remember the early 1960s, when Fort Dodge had ...

‘We do not want more politics in the selection of judges’

To the editor: I was appointed by Governor (Terry) Branstad to serve on the committee to select candidates for judges for District 2B years ago. At that time the governor selected the short half of the committee of lay citizens and the other half were lawyers selected by the law association. Most lay people do not know the candidates. They get their information from resumes and other committee members. Most lay people know very little about selecting a judge. The committee selects two candidates and the governor selects on the two to become a judge. I think we did a very good ...

He appreciates newspapers

To the editor: After reading the Messenger paper this a.m. to find out what’s going on etc, even the announcement of my 90th birthday, March 2nd. I want to thank everyone who sent me cards. 33 of them. Best birthday I ever had and we want to thank all the people who delivers them in all kinds of weather, including the postal workers. I heard a long time ago, you can’t learn anything from a dummy but you can from newspapers. I often ask people if they subscribe to a paper. Right away they start bragging about how they can get any paper on their computer, but they can not put it in ...

Has unanswered questions about Iowa water quality

To the editor: In the March 10 Messenger, the editorial “Iowa Water Quality Affects Us All cited the latest annual report of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. I read the article hoping to learn what progress has been made in the last five years. Mike Naig states “This report shows progress in each of the areas measured. We are encouraged by the efforts of the public and private sectors to implement conservation practices across the state. And are working to build on this success going forward.” I read the report and it states what is being done and the amount of money ...