Breaking News

Letters to Editor

Supports Jones in fight against nitrates

To the editor: I was recently carrying a jar of water from a local creek when a gentleman inquired what I was doing. I shared that I was testing for nitrates which prompted him to say, “At least it is getting better.” However, July nitrate readings of 30 and 20 parts per million in Brewer Creek don't indicate improvement. High nitrate levels are closely correlated with our increasing cancer rates. “Environmental Risk Factors and Iowa’s Cancer Crisis,” (2026) drew a straight line from synthetic fertilizer and agricultural manure runoff to cancer. While most states’ cancer ...

Questions newspaper style

To the editor: I have subscribed to and read the Freeman Journal for over 50 years. I have enjoyed reading the local news and various articles in the paper. Recently, the font type changed and is so small that I have trouble reading it. It is especially bad under the photos. Why was it changed? What was wrong with the paper before these changes? Sincerely, Margy Wood Fort Dodge

Is AI data center in future for WC

To the editor: As our local officials push forward with marketing the newly certified 478-acre Gateway Industrial Park, we as a community must ask a critical question: At what cost? We are hearing quiet whispers about prospective Artificial Intelligence (AI) data centers eyeing our land. While “high tech investment” sounds appealing on paper, the reality of these projects is a bad deal for Webster City. Our town learned a painful, permanent lesson when Electrolux closed in 2011. We cannot afford to make the same mistake by giving away massive Tax Increment Financing (TIF) ...

Taxpayer offended by Assessors disrespect

To the editor As a taxpayer in Hamilton County, I am grateful to our elected County Board of Supervisors, Rick Young, April Ely and Mary Clausen for their diligence in the responsibilities of this office. One such responsibility is the budget for the General fund levy. Budget preparation for the next fiscal year begins in late fall working with each department head preparing the proposed budget for the coming fiscal year. The supervisors work with our elected county officials to make the most efficient use of the revenues allocated by the state of Iowa and property taxes collected from ...

Dislikes State Treasurer comments at levy appeal

Letter to the Editor, At the June 26th meeting of the State Appeal Board, all three members of the board voted in support of upholding Hamilton Hospital dba Van Diest Medical Center FY 2027 property tax levy. In the meeting, board member, State Treasurer Roby Smith chose to scold the hospital board members for their budgeting and levy process. I find his scolding very rich, coming from Iowa’s chief financial officer who has overseen the states FY 26’ train wreck of a budget. One billion plus dollars in the hole, using the states rainy day funds to keep the lights on. No rain, just ...

Petitioners takeaways from the Van Diest Medical Center Tax Levy appeal decision

Viewpoint HEADING On behalf of the more than 400 Hamilton County residents who signed the petition challenging the Van Diest Medical Center (VDMC) property tax levy, we are disappointed by the State Appeal Board's decision not to reduce the requested levy. While we respect the Board's decision, we believe the hearing raised important issues that deserve continued public discussion. Our petition was based on two fundamental concerns. First, we believe the property tax levy is not necessary for Van Diest Medical Center to continue operating successfully. Based on the hospital's ...