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Former sheriff endorses Michehl

Letters to the Editor

To the editor: I am writing again to express my support for Trevir Michehl for Webster County sheriff. I realize that I may be upsetting some of my Republican friends by speaking out, but I truly believe that Trevir is the right person for this role. He will use 100 percent of his time to make Webster County a safe place to live for all residents, regardless of political affiliation, and he will partner well with the Fort Dodge Police Department and the Iowa State Patrol. I have complete faith that Trevir will be a great leader for the Webster County Sheriff’s Department, and he has ...

Voters, it’s time to get serious about the election

Editorial

This is an election year, during which voters will pick a president plus other federal, state and local officials. Thanks to campaign signs and candidate forums, anyone who pays the least bit of attention to current events knows that. It is time for voters to get serious about the choices facing them on the ballot. We urge all voters to educate themselves not only on the candidates, but on the act of voting itself between now and the election. This year, Webster County voters will pick a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, a state senator, two state representatives, three ...

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, ...