I have received several questions and concerns about why I did not vote to provide $100,000 in funding for the Fisher Community Center / Marshalltown Arts and Civic Center (MACC). I would like to explain.

I have lived in Marshalltown for many years and Fisher Controls is what brought me here. I value the contributions of the Fisher family and appreciate how they have supported the community and the arts for several generations. Their history is an essential part of who we are as a community. This is a part of who we are. This is our history, and this is part of our culture.

I also need to look at this from a government/city perspective. As a branch of government, we have the ability to mandate donations/compulsory taxes to raise funds. I believe this ability needs to be restricted to common areas where government can take action the most efficiently in affecting our community. Items such as a Police force, a Fire department, streets/roads and basic community infrastructure.

I have concerns and objections to using our government power as a means of fundraising for nonprofits. It would relieve a burden on the nonprofit as soliciting donations takes considerable time and commitment on the membership and leadership of any organization. But is it the place of government to determine the reasonable needs, who is going to be the winners and losers of the funding lottery? Or should the government be expected to fund all non-profit worthy causes? Marshalltown has many quality non-profits and I consider it one of our strengths. How should they be selected for tax-based donations, how can that be governed, and how successful can the government be in managing that?

I and each of us as residents and citizens, have both rights and obligations. We need to put our personal support into the causes and organizations that we believe in. As members and supporters we should make the difference and succeed in moving forward. This needs to be the duty and job of each one of us. I encourage supporters to become active, volunteer and support in every way that we can. It is the people that make an organization work and be successful.

I would encourage us all to get involved and encourage and support each other as we cross paths while working together to bring our families, communities, and our country forward.