As is now becoming an annual tradition, the T-R recently reached out to a host of local leaders for their reflections on the year that was and their goals for the year to come with 2025 now in the rearview mirror and 2026 on the horizon. The first group of respondents, listed in alphabetical order by last name, are directly quoted in their own words below. Look for more reflections in the weekend and Monday editions of the newspaper.

Brett Barker, District 51 State Representative

Barker

I’m very thankful for all of the great folks I’ve been able to meet throughout the 51st district over the past year. I was able to hit the ground running with 14 bills that I sponsored or managed passing the House in my first session. I look forward to building on that in the upcoming session as we work on important issues like housing affordability, property taxes, and water quality and resiliency.

Nan Benson, Marshall County Auditor/Recorder

Benson

When reflecting on 2025 for the Marshall County Auditor/Recorder’s Office, we found several bright spots. We were encouraged by the increased voter participation in both the City/School Election and the Special Election.

During in-person absentee voting from October 15 through November 3 for the City/School Election, we utilized only the Freedom Vote ADA voting equipment. Nearly 1,200 voters participated, with fewer than 10 voters requesting a paper ballot. This approach saved Marshall County money, as the paper used by the Freedom Vote system is less expensive than preprinted ballots. Many voters also learned they liked this technology and appreciated understanding that the Freedom Vote is simply a ballot printer and is not connected to the internet.

A recent change by the U.S. Postal Service will have an impact on elections and may require legislative action in 2026. Beginning December 24, 2025, mail will be postmarked at the Processing Center rather than the local post office, meaning postmarks may reflect a date one or two days after an item is mailed. Patrons can request an immediate postmark at their local post office if needed. Most ballots must be received in our office by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day to be counted. The exception is UOCAVA (military and overseas voters) and Safe at Home ballots, which must be postmarked the day prior to Election Day. This USPS change could impact ballot acceptance, and we will continue to monitor the legislative response.

On the legislative front, the property tax system discussed last year is expected to be a major topic again in 2026. We also continue to closely watch proposed voting legislation. Additionally, a Recorder Fee legislative proposal that did not advance last year is expected to be reintroduced by ISAC (Iowa State Association of Counties).

On Christmas Eve, as we stood near the Sheriff’s Office on Jessup Avenue and watched the procession bringing SSG Nate Howard to Marshalltown, I felt truly proud to be from Marshall County. The support shown by our community to him and his family was remarkable. I hope we can carry that same kindness forward–remembering to listen to one another respectfully, even when we do not agree.

Happy 2026 to everyone.

Rhonda Braudis,

Marshall County 911 Communications Director

Braudis

As I look back over this past year, and honestly, even years before it, it’s impossible not to pause and truly reflect on where we’ve been, what we’ve walked through together, and where we’re headed. Reflection isn’t just about remembering events; it’s about honoring effort, acknowledging challenges, celebrating resilience, and recognizing the strength that exists right here in Marshall County. We are incredibly fortunate to live and work in a place where community still means something, where people step up when it matters, and where the phrase “Marshall County Strong” isn’t just something we say, it’s something we live.

I want to take a moment to really highlight the people who show up when the world around someone feels like it’s falling apart. To the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, the Marshalltown Police Department, and the State Center Police Department, thank you. You walk into the unknown every day. When emergencies happen, you don’t hesitate. You face risk, uncertainty, danger, and sometimes unthinkable circumstances, all in the name of keeping our community safe. That kind of courage is not something you can teach; it comes from the heart, from commitment, and from a deep sense of duty to the people you serve.

Our fire department deserves that same heartfelt appreciation. These men and women literally run toward danger when instinct tells most people to run away. Flames, smoke, structural collapse, hazardous environments, none of that stops them from doing what they are called to do. And let’s not forget the volunteer firefighters and first responders across our communities, the neighbors who leave dinner tables, jobs, warm beds, and family moments because a siren sounds or a pager goes off. That kind of service speaks volumes about the character of the people who call Marshall County home.

We also owe our gratitude to the incredible men and women with Unity Point EMS. You meet people at their most vulnerable moments and provide skilled medical care, reassurance, and stability when it is desperately needed. You don’t just provide emergency medical service; you provide compassion, confidence, and calm when lives quite literally depend on it. Together, law enforcement, fire, EMS, volunteers, and professional responders, this truly is a community. And we are blessed to have that community standing strong here.

And as we talk about responders, I’d like everyone to take a moment and remember the “First, First Responders,” the voices you never see, but always hear when crisis strikes. Our 911 Communications Specialists. They are the first contact, the steady presence on the other end of the line, and often the calm in someone’s darkest moment. They guide people through panic, fear, grief, pain, danger, and chaos, all while simultaneously coordinating the very response that is rushing toward help. They don’t get to see relief when responders arrive. They don’t get the hugs, the handshakes, or the “Thank You” at scenes. What they get instead is the emotional weight of hearing the worst moments life has to offer, and yet they come back, shift after shift, to do it all again, for this community, for your families, and for people they may never meet.

For those who know me, you know I am a fierce advocate for, and protective of this team. Marshall County is so fortunate to have 911 professionals who care deeply, who are empathetic and skilled, who support not just the community but each other. They are the unseen anchor during storms, literal and figurative. They are the steady hands guiding responders, the reassuring voices helping callers breathe through fear, and the guardians of order when chaos hits. They are, without question, truly the calm in the chaos.

This past year has not been without challenges. We’ve seen difficult calls, tragedies that have shaken hearts, demanding situations that stretched resources, and moments that reminded us just how fragile life can be. But we have also seen strength. We have seen neighbors helping neighbors, strangers showing kindness, responders standing shoulder to shoulder, and a community refusing to be anything less than supportive and resilient. That’s who we are here. That’s what makes Marshall County different.

As we step into 2026, I am hopeful. I look forward to stronger communities, deeper understanding, and more thoughtful actions. I hope for fewer barriers and more communication, fewer divisions and more unity. I believe that as we learn, grow, and move forward together, we only get better. Continuous improvement isn’t just something we say, it’s something we work toward every single day, because this community deserves nothing less.

We will no doubt face challenges in the year ahead, let’s face it, every community does. But we will also face them together. With the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, Marshalltown Police Department, State Center Police Department, Marshalltown Fire Department, volunteer departments, Unity Point EMS, and our 911 Communications Specialists, all standing strong, dedicated, compassionate, and unwavering, we will continue to protect, serve, and support the incredible people who live here.

To the citizens of Marshall County, thank you for trusting us. Thank you for standing with your responders, for supporting them, for appreciating them, and for being part of this amazing community. We have survived much, we have learned much, and we are stronger because of it. And as we move forward, I truly believe the best chapters are still ahead.

Here’s to continued strength, compassion, resilience, and to a community that continues to prove time and time again just how special it really is. Here’s to Marshall County Strong, today and into 2026.

Joe Carter, MARSHALLTOWN Company President/CEO

Carter

The company

MARSHALLTOWN had another incredible year of growth despite a lackluster economy for housing and construction in this country and abroad. The tariffs were a battle and caused chaos without any real benefit that we could see! We are excited to see what we can do when our industry has some tailwinds again!

In 2025 our Home of the Iconic American-Made Tool Brands added another American manufacturer called RACATAC™. This was MARSHALLTOWN’s 11th acquisition and the saving of more American jobs in the last 7 years. RACATAC™ adds to our flagship MARSHALLTOWN products as well as our AVALANCHE winter tools, BARWALT tiling tools, BULLET flooring tools, DASCO-PRO punches and chisels, VAUGHAN hammers and other striking tools, and WAL-BOARD drywall tools.

RACATAC™ is a manufacturer and distributor of the first widely commercialized, ergonomically designed kneeling/sitting creeper that allows you to roll while kneeling or sitting. The product was originally conceived for the flooring industry, but RACATAC™ by MARSHALLTOWN will expand the original vision and reach beyond flooring and into automotive, painting, concrete surface preparation and polishing. The RACATAC™ creeper keeps you off wet, dirty or dusty floors and supports your knees in rubber padded cups, then allows you to easily move around the jobsite on 5 swivel casters. It’s pretty cool!

We’ve moved into another 200,000 square foot facility in Kansas City, Kansas that will be our main distribution hub for our largest customers like Home Depot and Lowe’s. We’re about to open a new employee entrance, locker rooms and indoor/outdoor break area on 8th Avenue in Marshalltown that allows us to complete the next 200,000 square feet expansion of manufacturing space to our facility. The expansion should be completed by January of 2027 and will have MARSHALLTOWN sprawling from Main Street to Boone Street and a little bit more!

In October, our team was presented with the Legend in Manufacturing Award from the Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI). We were incredibly humbled by the honor! It is a testament to our people – their commitment to excellence, their intelligence, their grit and their drive – that we’ve been able to take a longtime forge shop that made incredible products and turn it into a highly-automated factory (dare I say one of the most automated factories in the country) while enhancing the quality of our products.

With all the construction occurring on our site, we believed it was the perfect time to tell the world that Marshalltown, Iowa is Tool Town, USA with an idea that had been brewing for many years. Our internal staff constructed and put on display in a beautiful plaza at the corner of Main Street and 8th Avenue – the World’s largest round-handled brick trowel in the world. The trowel stands 32 feet tall and is absolutely a beautiful site to see. It’s also a great place to get some family photos or a selfie!

I’m so proud of our team, so the Brick Trowel Sculpture Plaza was a great way to show the world what’s happening within our business and the success of our team. It was also a great way to honor our past and the great foundation that has been built over 135 years by the Williams family and so many phenomenal team members.

2026 unveils opportunities for MARSHALLTOWN to reach more goals as we strive for perfection in everything we do. The completion of the 8th Avenue facility is tops on our list, but we also excited about more new products that we’ve been innovating. The United Kingdom will also add some new opportunities for growth as we’ve changed from a105-year relationship with a distributor to driving our own sales and marketing with our own entity in that country! It’s an exciting time to be part of the MARSHALLTOWN team!

The community

As a community, I love the progress we continue to make. I truly believe that the 2030 census will say we have over 30,000 residents!

So many great things have happened this year. I love the growth and positive changes at MCC. It’s exciting to see the progress on the Apgar Water Plaza, the Emerson Bridge and the Ann Keyser Trail Head. Spring will be here before we know it!

How about the renovation at Franklin Field? Wow!

Grounded – the new bakery & coffee shop in the Willard building – has been an absolute delight since it opened in late November! It will be exciting to see who the next entrepreneurs will be that step forward to fill other spots and needs in our community.

We have so many new and exciting things that are planned. Work continues on the River’s Edge Trail. The renovation of Miller Middle School will be a major milestone and another great testament to the commitment we have for the young people in our community. A new swimming pool coming this spring to Elmwood Country Club will enhance the #9 rated private golf course in the state of Iowa (the other courses in the top 10 are all situated in MUCH LARGER cities)! Another McDonald’s coming to the corner of State Street and Highway 14 portrays the popularity and belief that others have in our town! The new Shops at Marshalltown (old mall) will be a welcomed addition in 2026. The revitalization of the Martha-Ellen Tye Theater back to its original luster will add another gem to our list of attractions.

We have so many things to be proud of in this beautiful community full of generous and positive people. I’m grateful for the improvements people make in our town!

My dreams for Marshalltown for 2026 include more housing and a new, upscale hotel. Who will step up to make those dreams come true? I hope we take another run at the Franchise Fee to catch up on road repairs. Hopefully, we can find a way to revitalize the old hospital property. My greatest wish for early 2026, is a longer stretch of sub-freezing temperatures to allow us to enjoy the ice rink!

As we collectively work towards an even better future, enjoy and be grateful for what we already have. Then, energize one another to drive even more positive change and growth!