Breaking News

Opinion

Supports Alstott for City Council

Letters to the Editor

To the Editor: As Election Day approaches, it’s important to look closely at the facts and the differences between the candidates for City Council Ward 4. • Country Club irrigation improvement project: Ed Touney calls the $140,000 Country Club loan a “gift.” Kim Alstott correctly explains it’s a loan being repaid with interest by the club members, not a handout from the city. • City debt: Ed Touney insists the city debt falls on the property taxpayers. In reality, as Kim Alstott notes, nearly 92 percent of city debt is paid through user fees from local industry and ...

Endorses McCubbin for City Council

Letters to the Editor

To the editor: I’m asking residents of Ward 3 to vote for Todd McCubbin for City Council. I know Todd to be focused on results rather than good intentions. Todd’s life experiences have given him insight into understanding problems from different perspectives. I cannot think that such a well-organized campaign focused on safe communities, accountable government, strong infrastructure, and housing and economics doesn’t behoove your support. Thomas L. Dorsey Fort Dodge

The Ian Roberts scandal should teach government boards 4 important lessons

Local Columns

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 ...

Keep the buses rolling safely

Editorial

Riding the big yellow bus is an essential part of the school day for thousands of local children. Those school buses do more than take kids to and from class. They are also the transportation to field trips, sports events and other activities. With so many buses on the road carrying students from preschool to seniors in high school, safety is of paramount importance. That’s why the Iowa Department of Education and the Iowa State Patrol have stringent standards for school buses. But the rest of us on the road also have some responsibility for keeping the kids on those buses ...

Urges people to exercise their rights

Letters to the Editor

To the editor: We will be called upon to go to vote again. Are we happy with how our country has higher food costs, the tariffs, and no solution as promised? At the grocery store hamburger is $7 a pound and other items still going up. Have you had to make a choice of what you can afford or do without? As to the shutdown — when most people do their job, they only get paid when they show up, unless they have vacation, leaves or excused absences. Do our representatives still get their paychecks when not doing the job? What groups aren’t paid or their checks held back by the ...

Support Coats for Kids

Editorial

It’s hard to imagine facing an Iowa winter without a warm coat. Sadly, some area kids could be confronted with just that prospect if their families are facing a challenging economic situation. Fortunately, however, through the combined efforts of Shimkat Motor Co. and the Community Health Center of Fort Dodge, many of these young folks will have warm coats and other winter wear as the colder, wintry days arrive. This joint project — called Coats for Kids — accepts donations of new and gently used winter coats, along with hats, scarves, mittens and snow boots. All sizes are ...