As a former TRS at the IVH from October 2015-May 2017, I can confidently say that the team (who remains mostly the same) is not only beyond exceptional, but absolutely necessary to residents’ physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. Chaplains and TRS keep these residents engaged and ...

I am a retired Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (TRS) from the Iowa Veterans Home. The news of the administration decimating the recreation department is absolutely heartbreaking. The reduction of Rec Therapists to activities assistance is comparable to reducing RNs and LPNs to Certified ...

I am responding to Senator Randy Feenstra’s article that appeared on the editorial page of the Times Republican newspaper, “Giving Our Troops the Resources They Deserve.” Ever since World War II we have had one war, one right after the other. We have a record amount of over 800 billion ...

Two candidates have stepped forward to run for the open 4th Ward seat. This time the council chose election rather than appointment to fill the vacancy as in the past (overturned by petitions). Each has presented background, education, experience, and focus on carrying on the service and ...

After attending the debate for the council seat in the 4th Ward, there is no question in my mind on who is the most qualified. Mark Eaton is the one I would vote for if I were in that ward. He has the experience in his favor, and is very knowledgeable of the needs in this community to make it ...

Given our Thursday evening hire of a new city administrator and the Friday letters to the editor about candidates, including one by a city councilman and one by his partner, I need to weigh in about the 4th ward vote this coming Tuesday. The vote is to replace Al Hoop, with whom I have been the ...