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Letter to the Marshalltown Public Library Board of Trustees

In August of 2022, Director Rosenblum offered to accept a free subscription to The Epoch Times from David B. if an additional 3 year’s subscriptions were included. He declined because the cost was prohibitive. Official policy was not followed in that matter. In 2023 the offer made to David B. was accepted by another patron. A lifetime subscription to The American Rifleman has been offered as well. In compromise, these offers still stand. Ignoring MPL Mission Statement, Freedom to Read statement and the Library Bill of Rights, you voted not to PURCHASE the material. The offers of ...

Beware of Trojan horses

After reading the Feb.15 editorial “Maintaining a Democracy is not a Spectator Sport” by Mr. Steve Corbin professor emeritus from the University of Northern Iowa and the Feb. 17 editorial “Brenna Bird’s Words Don’t Match her Actions on Protection for Rape Victims” by Mr. Randy Evans executive director of the Iowa Freedom Of Information Council, there is a difference in the editorials! I appreciate Professor Corbin’s use of Luthern Pastor Martin Niemoller’s famous dictum, but unlike Mr. Evans, he failed to put names to those who remain indifferent to the attacks that ...

Why not our town? Vote yes

Mom, our schools are some of the nicest in the state. I had a full circle moment with my high school senior Carson last week. We don’t get to ride together in the car very often so I was thrilled to have a little chitchat time with him. He looks at me and he’s looking at the construction at the high school and he said mom we have some of the nicest schools in all of Iowa at Marshalltown and he said our sports facilities too — they are so nice. I was absolutely stunned because I think back to car rides with my son TJ 9 years ago and had the exact opposite conversation with ...

A response to Steve Corbin

When catching up on reading the TR last weekend, the large print headline on the editorial page of the Feb. 15 issue quickly caught my attention. My reaction was ”Yes, yes maintaining a democracy is not a spectator sport.” As I read the article, my first response was very different from Steve Corbin’s. Government takeover happens when it silences the people. For a democracy to continue, people need to speak up. My list would be: Life is precious from conception till natural death. The nuclear family is the backbone of a healthy society. Religious freedom should not be ...

City council’s Municipal Band decision was wrong

Citizens of Marshalltown who have attended a Memorial Day program at the local cemeteries, a Veteran’s Day program, the Courthouse dedication, the 4th of July fireworks show, or numerous other community events, will have enjoyed the patriotic spirit and music of the Marshalltown Municipal Band. We were both disappointed and saddened to see our city council vote to defund the Marshalltown Municipal Band. Certain things go into the fabric of what we call “community.” Without these things that lift us up, we devolve into a bunch of ornery old folks complaining about potholes. The ...

Patrons must stay vigilant on library materials

As far as I know, our library is well run. I have always been treated well and the staff has gone out of their way to be helpful. I think we have a very capable and devoted library director. Great! So is there a problem? I don’t know? I hope not. But I read the T-R article of Feb. 9, 2024 titled, “There is a war on libraries.” The focus was on Iowa HSB678 which, if I understand right, would take power for library decisions from library boards to “elected officials” of a city council. Why? This bill was sparked by an incident in Pella, where the book Gender Queer was placed ...