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Setting the record straight on city debt and responsible progress

Editor’s note: The Messenger generally does not publish letters or columns from candidates for office. However, because Councilman Dave Flattery is running unopposed for mayor and will in fact be the next mayor of Fort Dodge, we feel it is appropriate to share with the readers his thoughts on a city issue. Recently, a letter to the editor raised concerns about the City of Fort Dodge’s debt, creating a misleading picture of our financial position. As someone who has served the City Council for 18 years, our residents deserve the facts in clear terms. The City of Fort Dodge has ...

The Ian Roberts scandal should teach government boards 4 important lessons

The lesson of the hot stove emerged again. That is the lesson toddlers learn early and smart ones retain for a lifetime. Touch something hot and you know not to touch it again. Educator Ian Roberts delivered a new rendition of the lesson over the past fortnight. Time will tell whether government officials take to heart the learning moment offered by the Roberts train wreck. You may recall how Des Moines Public Schools officials effusively welcomed Roberts to Des Moines in the summer of 2023. He quickly impressed state officials, parents and their kids, and his bosses, with his ...

Blood donors are badly needed

Across Iowa and the nation, hospitals are facing a critical shortage of type O blood. This shortage is especially concerning because O-negative blood is the universal donor type – it can be used in emergency situations when there’s no time to determine a patient’s blood type. Meanwhile, O-positive is the most common blood type, making it vital for the majority of patients who rely on transfusions. When supplies of type O blood run low, it impacts every hospital and every patient in need: trauma victims, cancer patients, premature babies, maternity patients and countless others. ...

The heartbeat of Webster County

Recently, I was visiting with an older gentleman friend about what I should write about next. From across the table, a woman offered, "Farming." When I looked back, my friend looked me square in the eye and said, “Yep.” He knows I don’t come from a farming background, but we've had long conversations about his work, so he knows I respect the folks who do. One summer in high school, I decided to detassel corn. About half of my classmates did it, and they always made good money. So I found a crew, hopped on a big old bus, and plopped myself in the middle of a field. I lasted two ...

Iowa Central bond extension will help ensure a skilled workforce

As president of Iowa Central Community College, there is not a single day that passes without a business owner or community member asking me how we can increase the number of people in the skilled workforce that our region, state, and nation so desperately depend on. On Nov. 4, our region will have the opportunity to support the infrastructure essential to enhancing our workforce needs by extending Iowa Central’s current General Obligation Bond. This renewal continues an existing levy, meaning no increase to the current property tax rate. For the average homeowner across our ...

Duncombe School strives to help students succeed

Recently, a story was published reporting on the statewide measure of success for Iowa public schools. The School Performance Profile is a mathematical formula that creates a standard score based on standardized test scores, reading and math proficiency scores, student attendance, and a number of other factors. This is my seventh year as principal at Duncombe Elementary in Fort Dodge, my 15th year as a school administrator, and my 22nd year in education. I won’t negate the ratings; they are my reality and I won’t make excuses, I don’t allow students to make excuses at school, ...