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FD voters should approve franchise fee plan

Editorial

Fort Dodge now has a chance to get more police officers. It is a chance the voters must seize. Obviously, adding eight officers to the 40-member force will not be free. A franchise fee added to the gas and electric bills of MidAmerican Energy customers would generate the $1.8 million annually to make it possible. We urge the voters to approve that fee. We realize that no one wants to pay more in monthly bills. But in this instance, the benefits of doing so will far outweigh the comparatively low cost of the franchise fee. The fee would cost the typical residential customer about ...

Sue Koenig opens ‘Window to the World’ for students

Local Columns

Sue Koenig’s “Window to the World” — stored in a windowless facility in Denver for the past 18 years — soon will break into daylight to reach a new generation that will receive a hands-on education about the world through the Fort Dodge native’s collection of artifacts from her ...

Merz was champion for FDCSD students, families

Editorial

For 22 years, Jan Merz was a staunch advocate for the students of the Fort Dodge Community School District. Merz, who died Aug. 6 at age 76, was a member of the district’s Board of Education from 1991 to 2013. Serving on a school board involves much, much more than going to a couple meetings a month and voting on some agenda items. To govern a school district, a board member must become familiar with everything from reading curriculum to roofing materials. Doing all that was a challenge that Merz eagerly embraced. She wanted to make a difference in the lives of students by ...

Proud supporter says Trump will succeed

Letters to the Editor

To the editor: It concerns me the way Democrats, reporters from the mainstream news media (absent FOX News), and the likes of the ladies on The View like to drag out and highlight “MAGA” when referring to any and all Republicans and seem to enjoy emphasizing “MAGA” as a way to disparage Republicans. I am a MAGA Republican and proud of it. Former President Trump will make America safe again. Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, and New York City, just to name a few of our once-grand cities (all Democrat run), are experiencing an increase in violent crime, assaults on police and ...

Dayton Rodeo fun has started

Editorial

The roping and riding that make up the 2024 edition of the Dayton Labor Day Rodeo are underway. The small Webster County city will be packed with rodeo fans all weekend. What began more than eight decades ago as the dream of three young cowboys – Allen Porter, Duane Vegors and Vern Danielson – has grown to a four-day event that draws contestants and spectators not only from all parts of Iowa, but also from throughout the nation. This annual event attracts 10,000 to 12,000 rodeo fans, many of whom journey every year to Webster County for this nationally recognized event. For a few ...

Ensuring a safe and growing community

Local Columns

At the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance, our mission is clear: “Unifying and coordinating accountable economic and community development to enhance the quality of life in the Fort Dodge region.” As we strive to fulfill this mission, it is crucial to address the evolving challenges and opportunities that impact our community’s growth and well being. Last fall, our Board of Directors engaged in a strategic planning session and identified public safety as a priority for our organization. Ensuring a safe community is essential for growing and attracting a skilled workforce and ...