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Letters to Editor

Cities are not prepared to replace local library boards

To the editor: Iowans before us understood why the legal liabilities and complex policies inherent to library (First Amendment) services require specific and robust management to successfully steward collections, programs, and spaces which are openly and freely used by the public. Senate Study Bill 3131 transfers oversight, power, and property of public library boards to their cities. Our cities are not prepared neither will they be additionally resourced to tackle the work of over 500 public library boards around the state. Iowans before us recognized how robust libraries ...

Learn about AEA before changing it

To the Editor; Even though I’ve lived out of state for several years I still keep tabs on happenings in my home state and home town (Webster City). Having worked for the local Area Education Agency (5) in the past, I was troubled to learn of the proposed legislation to (basically) decimate that agency system and the quality services it provides to the education community in the state, including Hamilton County. The best argument I’ve seen in opposition to that was recently written by a professional colleague of mine, Randy Allison, who worked for AEA 11 in Johnston. As Randy ...

An open letter to Iowa state senators and representatives regarding the AEA system

An open letter to Iowa State Senators and Representatives regarding the AEA System: My name is David Tilly and I was the deputy director at the Iowa Department of Education (IDE) between 2012 and 2020. I administered the state education budget for PK-12 Education at the IDE during those years, and I managed all of the Department’s PK-12 programs and staff. I am a special educator by training (my Ph.D. is in School Psychology) and I worked for over 30 years in Iowa at all levels of the education system. Through these experiences, I learned quite a bit about how Iowa’s education ...

Voters, it’s time to oust legislators who won’t get tougher on gun control

To the editor: Iowans, how close does it have to get? Does it have to be your town, your school, your family before you do something? Don’t tell me there’s nothing you can do. It’s one little four-lettered word: VOTE. Vote out these people who give you worthless thoughts and prayers. Vote in people who will legislate better gun laws. Vote out legislators who care about kids because that’s exactly where we are at right now. The Freeman-Journal says 332 Iowans die from gun violence annually. Is that acceptable to you? Dave Haynes Duncombe

Hopes earlier letter writer’s statistics are incorrect

To the editor: I don’t know where Mr. Stotts gets his statistics but, if it’s true that 55% of the people in the United States don’t care if Putin sends his army into Ukraine, kills thousands of civilians, and takes over the country, that’s the saddest commentary on our nation that I can imagine. I hope it isn’t true. Noel Singer Webster City

Thank you on behalf of the Webster City Area Chamber of Commerce board

To the editor: The Webster City Area Chamber Board of Directors would like to express their sincere gratitude to the attendees and sponsors for our most recent fundraising effort. We appreciate all those that spent the New Year’s Eve holiday with us at Briggs Woods Conference Center. Your support and generosity impacted on our cause, and we are truly grateful for your commitment to making a positive difference in our community. We are excited about moving forward with an upper story renovation at the Webster City Area Chamber of Commerce building and the potential it has to assist ...