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Support professional staff at IVH

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 Nurses’ Aides. Although their jobs are all important, the skills and education needed for the jobs are different. Ms. Bermudez, the Licensed Nursing Home administrator, has made some economic decisions that have not benefited the staff and residents of the Iowa Veterans home. An administrator must ...

In response to Rep. Feenstra

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 dollars that is being spent on these never ending wars.Where is Randy Feenstra in giving all Americans health care? Where is Randy Feenstra helping Americans living in Poverty? Where was Randy Feenstra in 2022 when military contractors made 280 billion dollars off of these never ending wars? Randy ...

Perspectives on the 4th Ward council race

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 leadership offered by the ate Al Hoop as potential assets to offer the community. Successful process improvement first focuses on what the community needs NOW to define current roadblocks and solutions to provide a firm and sustainable foundation for progress and growth to achieve objective, ...

In support of the qualified candidate for 4th Ward

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 thrive, and he knows how to balance a budget and put us back on track for future growth. He has studied the council on city issues and has attended the meetings for years, and cares about the people who live here. Right decision making starts on the local level, so please cast your vote for him on ...

Fonseca will support growth and prosperity

As a 4th ward resident and as a previous nurse and now leader in healthcare in Marshalltown my entire career, I was asked by city leaders to consider running as a candidate for the special election to complete Al Hoop’s term. While I certainly appreciate the vote of confidence, when I learned that Melisa Fonseca was willing to have her name on the ballot, I decided to keep my name out of the race, and support her candidacy. As a long time resident and business leader who has volunteered time on multiple community boards, I am certainly interested in keeping our city going in the ...

4th Ward vote

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 longest person serving with him during his years on the council. Al had a positive attitude, a heart of gold, and a history of donating his time and money to help our city. His replacement should have those qualities. When Al was still alive, the eight of us sitting at the council table were ...