‘PLEASE VOTE NO’
Despite pleas from constituents in listening session, Dunwell votes in favor of removing gender identity as a protected class from Iowa Civil Rights Act
By Christopher Braunschweig Jasper County Tribune
Even though every person who tuned into Rep. Jon Dunwell’s listening session last week was against the bill removing civil rights protections from transgender Iowans, and even though they pleaded with the Republican lawmaker to vote against it, he sided with the majority to pass it and send it to the governor’s office.
The Iowa House on Feb. 27 voted 60-36 to pass the bill that removes gender identity as a protected class in the Iowa Civil Rights Act. Earlier that same day the Iowa Senate voted 3315 to pass the bill. All three of the lawmakers representing Jasper County communities voted in favor.
Before the Iowa Legislature put the bill to a vote, Dunwell hosted a Feb. 25 Zoom meeting with constituents of District 38 to discuss the bill. All of the speakers who shared their opinions Dunwell were adamantly against the bill. Michelle Smith, of Mingo, said changing civil rights code in Iowa is a very slippery slope.
“My son’s best friend is very nervous she would lose her job just because they can, maybe they don’t like the fact that she’s transgender,” Smith said.
Others called the legislation “harmful” and “downright mean and hateful” and that it
would take away human rights from transgender Iowans, despite claims from Republicans — which have overwhelmingly supported the bill — that it will not do so. Listening session participates also predicted more discrimination will follow.
Whether or not the discrimination is widespread, participants said any kind of discrimination is “not acceptable.”
One constituent was surprised the bill made it through committee and that Dunwell was a supporter of it. Brad Magg, who ran against Dunwell in the
2024 election, questioned what the bill accomplishes.
Dunwell said when something is included a state’s civil rights code it provided enhanced protections, and in many ways those protections work well when it comes to housing and employment. Dunwell argued most of these protections are covered by federal law or other laws already.
“Where it gets to be challenging is in the situations we’ve seen with sports. Where it gets challenging is some of
Jasper County creates wage committee to analyze employee pay plans
Supervisors pivot more towards a merit-based system for county workers
By Christopher Braunschweig Jasper County Tribune
tee, the group will not be approve anything, but it will instead make recommendations.
Union members say Jasper County is going to lose deputies
Supervisors and AFSCME at impasse, base wages for bargaining employees approved despite pushback
By Christopher Braunschweig Jasper County Tribune
Union members say Jasper County is going to lose some good deputies on staff after negotiations with the board of supervisors ended at an impasse. Several union employees of AFSCME attended the Feb. 25 board meeting and were displeased with the county seemingly ending labor relations.
However, no further negotiations are going to take place, especially after the Jasper County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution for the fiscal year 2026 salary/hourly wages. The resolution states union employees covered under AFSCME and PPME will receive a 4 percent increase to their base wages.
Hourly non-bargaining employees and non-department head salaried workers are receiving a 2
percent increase to their base wages.
“If this is the best you can and will offer us, I’m just telling you guys on behalf of the sheriff’s office and right now what I’m hearing around the office, you guys will lose a lot of good deputies and a lot of solid deputies,” one union employee said to the board of supervisors.
“And it’s going to fall back on you guys.”
Earlier this month, AFSCME rejected the proposal from the county, which had reduced the union contracts to base wages. In press releases, union leaders called it an “aggressive and targeted attack” that stripped members of their previous contract provisions and workplace protections.
Supervisors Chairman Brandon Talsma told Newton News the comments
‘REWORK THE FORMULA, REWORK THE SPENDING’
Rep. Jon Dunwell wants to propose bill next year that gives public schools a 3-year expectancy in funding, giving time to rebuild the formula
By Christopher Braunschweig Jasper County Tribune
Jasper County has created a group to analyze and propose adjustments to the pay plans for county employees, which was initially started by the board of supervisors. While it seemed like progress was being made in the rework, the supervisors hit a snag and have now turned responsibility over to this group. The wage committee is comprised of Supervisor Thad Nearmyer, County Auditor Jenna Jennings, Deputy County Auditor Melissa Hartgers, Payroll Clerk Lori Nore and Human Resources Director Dennis Simon. As an advisory commit-
Jasper County Attorney Scott Nicholson asked if the group was going to make recommendations to supervisors in a public meeting. The board said yes.
Supervisor Brandon Talsma suggested the wage committee was created as a way to continue the discussions already started by the board during past work sessions. For the past few months, the board has held work sessions after the meetings to rework the wage scales and pay plans of county employees.
“It took us 12 weeks to get to something that was halfway usable, and then in a 30-minute conversation it all went out the window,” Talsma said before making the recommendation to create the wage committee. The board of supervisors would go on to establish the wage committee in a 3-0 vote.
Talsma explained the snag came from a discussion with the county’s legal counsel Ahlers &
Editor’s note: This is the second in a series of articles covering the topics discussed at legislative gatherings hosted by the League of Women Voters ofJasperCounty.
Iowa House Rep. Jon Dunwell, R-Newton, wants to propose a bill that would give public schools a threeyear funding package to allow districts better planning.
Although he was hesitant to mention this idea at a recent legislative gathering hosted by the League of Women Voters of Jasper County in the DMACC Newton Campus, Dunwell said it is a passion of his to introduce this bill next year. Then at the same time lawmakers would use those three years to rebuild the formula.
“To figure out how we’re allocating dollars to our schools, because it’s a very
complicated formula and it’s not the same for every district,” Dunwell said at the Feb. 15 gathering.
“My four districts are all different from each other in terms of how the dollars come out. Rework the formula, rework the spending.”
Systems in government can be inefficient, he added, but giving schools a set expectancy of funding could help. Dunwell said when he spoke to officials at the Baxter school district, they told him if they knew a 2.5 increase in SSA was coming every year, for example, they would be fine.
“We have a lot of what’s called categorical dollars that the schools can’t ac-
cess, categorical dollars they can’t spend,” Dunwell said, noting some districts have their hands tied. “So when you look at our penny sales tax, Newton here has primarily chosen to use that in the last couple years more for sporting facilities.”
Dunwell noted if the Newton Community School District had greater freedom in spending its money it might help them out. However, he also said there is a reason why categorical funding exists. But he ultimately believes lawmakers need to create time and space to rework a system that matches Iowa.
“That’s not an easy process,” he said. “Not sure you can do that in a session. I say let’s approve of a multiyear increase and then let’s work on the system and see if we can’t come out with a better, more efficient system, and get some of that money that’s hung up in the
Christopher Braunschweig/Jasper County Tribune
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed into law a bill that removes gender identity from the state’s civil rights code. The bill made it through the Senate and House despite heavy pushback from people protesting at the Capitol. Locals who tuned in for a listening session with Rep. Jon Dunwell urged the Republican lawmaker to vote no.
Nearmyer
Talsma
Dunwell
Andrew Louis Conn Sr
Feb. 28, 2025
Andrew Louis “Andy” Conn Sr, age 104 of Colfax, passed away on Friday, February 28, 2025, at Windsor Manor in Grinnell surrounded by his family. Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 7, 2025, at 2:00 pm at Coburn Fu-
neral Home in Colfax. Burial with Military Rites will take place at the Colfax Cemetery. The family will greet friends prior to the funeral beginning at 12:00pm on Friday. Memorials may be directed to the Colfax Senior Citizen Center and condolences may be left for the family at www.coburnfuneralhomes.com
The son of Robert and Nora (Sullivan-Hagens) Conn, Andy was born on October 27, 1920, in rural New Sharon, Iowa. His family included six brothers and six sisters. Andy dropped out of school in the 7 th grade so he could
help on the farm. He was drafted into the US Army in 1942. He served in the Battle of the Bulge and was at D-Day. He was discharged from the service in 1945. Prior to being drafted, he was united into marriage to Lorena May Beard in Lancaster, Missouri. Just before he left to serve overseas, they had their son, Andrew Jr., born on January 31, 1944. Andy didn’t get to see his son until he was two years old. He and Lorena farmed in the Mingo/Colfax area until they moved to Colfax. Andy then worked various jobs throughout his life which included
Winpower, a bus driver and janitor at the Colfax school, Jasper County Fair and City of Colfax mowing and keeping the grounds looking good. He also worked at Colfax Senior Citizen Center, where he served as President for many years, retiring at the age of 101. He was a member of the American Legion for 72 years.
In 2021, following his retirement, he moved to Windsor Manor in Grinnell, where he lived until his passing. He enjoyed his time in Grinnell making many friends and taking part in the various
activities and bus trip adventures. He enjoyed playing bingo, going to bible study and making crafts. He also enjoyed completing his word search books. Andy had a birthday party every year from the age of 90 on at the Colfax Senior Center. The building was always filled with his family and friends. Those left to honor his memory include his son, Andrew (Sandy) Conn, Jr; three grandchildren, Jodi Conn, Jami (Jesse) Vais, and Justin (Tisha) Conn; 10 great grandchildren, Dakota Conn, Alexa and Natalie Elliott, Tiffi-
ni, Trey, Major, Kirklind and Shane Conn, Ali Pefferman and Micki Story; four great great grandkids Farrah and Roland Pefferman, and Savannah and Hades Story his sister, Agnes Pease and many nieces, nephews and friends. Preceding him in death were his parents, his wife Lorena, his siblings, John Conn, Marjorie Beyer, Mildred Carnahan, Grace Brady, Florence Verrips, David Conn, Edward Conn, Lindsay Conn, Robinette Van Arkel, Jimmie Conn and Beverly Shissler, as well as several nieces and nephews.
Eager paddlers encouraged to wait for warmer water temps
The weather is starting to feel like spring, but water temperatures are still dangerously cold.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recommends that paddlers wait for consistent warm weather to allow the water temperatures to rise slowly. It could be several weeks before water temperatures are ideal and safe as water and air temperatures continue to change.
Rights
“Air temperatures are warmer than normal this year, but the water is still dangerously cold,” said Todd Robertson, Iowa DNR River Programs Water Trails coordinator. “We have not had enough consistently warm days to raise water temperatures adequately. Cold water shock and hypothermia can set in quickly if you fall into the water at current temperatures.”
these things in terms of locker rooms,” he said. “…The rights of young women become subordinate to the right of the transgender who may come into a bathroom and create a sense of discomfort.”
Dunwell said some laws passed with “overwhelming support from Iowans” like protecting girls sports or the bathroom bill have become the subject of lawsuits.
“Remember, this bill is not taking away rights,” Dunwell said. “It’s taking away enhanced protections that are covered in the civil rights code. Every American has the same rights, the equal rights, and the ability to live their lives freely. This isn’t a bill that says you can’t have a surgery or transition after the age of 18.”
The lawmaker added the bill doesn’t stop people from identifying as they want to identify, nor does it “outlaw any behavior in terms of it.”
Magg said Republican Rep. Brian Lohse, of Bondurant, disputes the claims that federal protections are in place for transgender Americans. Dunwell said Lohse is entitled to his opinion and that the issue of employment is totally covered by federal law. Housing does not apply automatically across the board.
“The problem is when you put (gender identity) in the civil rights code, it gives de facto enhanced rights to one group over another, and that is the issue,” he said.
Following the vote, Dunwell posted an infographic from Iowa House Republicans on his Twitter/X page that reasoned the changes under House File 583 prevents biological males from using public bathrooms, dressing rooms and showers designated for women. The graphic goes on to say other freedoms remain intact.
Safety Tips for Paddling in Cold Water Conditions Always wear a life jacket. Not only does the life jacket help keep your head above water, it helps to keep your organs warmer. Check your canoe or kayak and gear for any needed repairs or maintenance after being stored for several months. Don’t paddle alone, especially in cold water, use a buddy system. Go with a small group of paddlers and
Freedoms such as speech, religion, assembly and protest, and the right to the petition the government and to bear arms. The graphic lists a bevy of freedoms and rights afforded through the Constitution, as well as protection from bullying in school and assault and other criminal or tortious behavior.
But the bill does not let Iowans to access prison cells, homeless shelters, hotel rooms and other spaces designated for the opposite sex. It also prevents hormones and sex reassignment surgeries from being paid for by taxpayers. The graphic also says 27 states don’t include gender identity in their civil rights code.
President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social interpreting the legislation as a way to remove “radical gender ideology” from Iowa’s laws.
THE ISSUE IS VERY PERSONAL FOR PEOPLE
Danica Wilson, a resident of Newton whose wife and child are transgender, argued in the listening session that the bill does not lift transgender Iowans above anyone else. Wilson also pointed out that gender identity and sexuality was introduced in the civil rights code in 2007.
Wilson does not believe the state has gone so far in 18 years to remove these protections.
“No one is looking to remove protections from Americans with disabilities. No one is looking to remove protections from Black Americans or Americans of color or indigenous Americans,” Wilson said. “Probably someone wants that. But not here. Not in Iowa. We enacted this in 2007 for a reason.”
Without these codes, Wilson argued discrimination against transgender people — “which is already extremely high” — will become legal.
“Extra protections to a class like disabled Americans, people of color, queer Americans, queer Iowans does not give them a higher standing,” she said. “It gives them an equal ground. If we take
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know which paddler has the most experience. Let a friend or loved one know where you are going and when you are expected to return. It will be easier to find you if you need help. Dress for the water temperature, not the air temperature. Plan as if you were to be in the water at some point. A wetsuit or drysuit is a must. Dress in layers so you can peel a layer off if you get overheated. Bring along a dry bag with
that equal ground away we will become lower class citizens. And that’s unfair. Please listen to all of your constituents.”
Wilson questioned if Dunwell would support removing Iowans with disabilities or Black Iowans from the civil code. Dunwell said he would not support it at this time. But to Wilson urged it was the same law. Dunwell disagreed and said there are differences and that no one is taking rights away from anyone.
“The reality is your child has a right to identify how they like to identify, you have the right to identify as you want, you have the right to live your life how you want to live your life,” Dunwell said. “We all within laws, but the reality is this bill is not about taking away those rights.”
Dunwell acknowledged to listening session participants that every American has equal rights that need to be respected, and he said he is more than willing to look at examples or areas of discrimination and fixing them. But he said fixing these issues may not be through the civil rights code but through legislation.
“That’s exactly what we do every day up here,” Dunwell said.
LISTENING SESSION
PARTICIPANTS WANT A NO VOTE
Before Dunwell finished his listening session, he told constituents he will always be an advocate to get rid of agendas that sometimes creep into schools. But at the same time he stressed that schools cannot be valueless. One thing Dunwell said he has continually told members of his party is:
“I’m all in favor of getting rid of agendas, but I’m not in favor of replacing it with you agenda,” he said. “So we have to be careful about that. The values we have here in America are some of the values we’re talking about here. We’re talking about diversity. That is an American concept that’s part of our constitution.”
Teaching that value at schools and
extra clothing to change into should you get wet. Get out of wet, cold clothing as soon as possible. Having the right gear and understanding the stages of hypothermia is crucial for remaining safe. Stay away from strainers, wood/ branch piles that can pull a paddler under. These are usually found on outside river bends where the current is going and are deadly hazards that must be avoided.
valuing diversity and respecting diversity is “absolutely important,” Dunwell added. He agreed with Wilson that what the Constitution tries to do is balance rights. He also hoped the complaints that the bill will bring more discrimination and acts of hatred towards transgender Iowans.
“If you hope this doesn’t happen, vote no on the bill and then it really won’t happen,” Wilson said. “…I don’t think a single one in this meeting who actually cares came here to say that you should vote for it. Every single of us who spoke said no. Your constituents are telling you what we want.”
Dunwell said, “You’re not all my constituents. You’re part of it and that’s why I’m listening and having a conversation.”
Regardless, Wilson pleaded with Dunwell to “please vote no” on the bill.” Dunwell later told Newton News he voted for HF 583 because Iowans continue to ask for common sense solutions. To him, leaving gender identity in the civil rights code infringes upon the rights of other Iowans, specifically women when it comes to bathrooms, locker rooms, sports and privacy.
He also argued it stands in the way of Iowan’s implementing common sense policies. Whether it was the incident at Pella Aquatic Center or the Forest City YMCA choosing to close men’s and women’s locker rooms, Dunwell said there is fear in violating the state’s civil rights code.
If gender identity was still in the civil rights code, Dunwell said it puts past legislation at risk, such as the bathroom bill and prohibiting gender affirming surges for minors. Dunwell said it also puts Iowans on the hook to pay for someone else’s gender affirming care.
“Every Iowan deserves to have their human rights protected, and to be treated with dignity and respect,” Dunwell said. “Currently, Iowa Code with gender identity as a protected class falls short.”
from the union were “grandiose” and “very vague.” He also argued many of the workplace protections and provisions have been added — or will be added — to county policy before the start of the new fiscal year. The union disputes this.
Craig Keith, president of AFSCME Local 2840, asked the board of supervisors to confirm that negotiations had concluded. Dennis Simon, director of human resources for Jasper County, said they had. Simon referenced an email sent from the county’s labor attorney that mentioned this was the last and final offer.
“So no counter offer was able to be given?” Keith asked.
Simon said, “It was explained when we met that was our best and final (offer).”
Collective bargaining rights have been limited ever since the Iowa Legislature made changes to Chapter 20. The state code was stripped down so that the only bargaining topic that can be discussed is wages. Other topics are permissive but whether or not they are negotiated is ultimately up to the individual employer.
Before the Iowa Legislature made changes to Chapter 20, Simon said the board was preparing for the worst. At the time, it was thought collective bargaining rights for public employees in
Iowa would be eliminated entirely. In 2016, Wisconsin eliminated the ability to have public bargaining in general.
“The Iowa statehouse was looking at a very similar situation,” Simon said. “They revised Chapter 20 after that. But our board at that time wanted to provide some type of protection if public bargaining was eliminated. So now everything that’s in our contract is actually covered under the policy.”
Union members disputed this and said there are protections in the contract that are not in county policy. Talsma noted in the past seniority rights are removed. Simon said there are some specific rights to one area or another, but the county is in the process of drafting additional policies for approval before July 1.
“That’s exactly what one of the resolutions was on the agenda,” Talsma said.
Supervisors passed a resolution for longevity and shift differential pay, which affects both bargaining and non-bargaining hourly employees. The resolution provides supplemental pay for years of service. For five years of service, workers get an additional 50 cents per hour, up to $2 per hour for 20 years of service.
Adam Swihart of AFSCME Iowa Council 61 said there was no bargaining that took place and he argued the board provided no justification for reducing the contract to base wages. Swihart said he reached out to the county about meeting for another proposal, but by then it was too late. The county’s
for 30 years,” Talsma said. “…So that’s what happened with the original path.”
Cooney, P.C.
The county was advised that the path the county was currently going down could be challenged as illegal.
“Because what we would be doing is implementing a plan where somebody new coming in would never be able — it could be argued — to never be able to work or make as much as somebody else doing the same job who has been here
Never heard of a wage committee before? Talsma said the county has never had one before, and it doesn’t seem like many other counties have either. In light of the recent changes being made to the union contracts, coupled with the county wanting competitive wages, Talsma said this group was needed. “We’re trying to go away from what we currently do — which is the steps — and go to a, I
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Shaw Media
don’t know what you want to call it, a merit-based system I guess,” Talsma said. “So more of the responsibility is on the management, the department heads, for establishing what everyone’s raises are going to be.”
The supervisors would allow 1 percent or up to 3 percent raises for employees, but it will be up to department heads to divvy out those raises accordingly and how much their percentage will be. Talsma said now is a good time to take a hard look at county wages, noting some positions are lower than they need to be.
“We’re probably high
offer was final.
“I inquired last week about meeting for another proposal and I was given an email by Mike Galloway, the county labor attorney, that said, ’In case our position wasn’t clear, that was our last, best and final, so we have no reason to meet unless we’re at an impasse,’” Swihart said. “And that’s where we’re at.”
Swihart also disagreed with the union contract being cumbersome and hard to change, saying that no one in the union has come to them to change the contract except for the sheriff’s office that had issues that needed addressed. And they were fixed. But the
increases.
on others,” he said. “In order to move forward with this system, No. 1 we have to establish the base wage for all these hourly and salaried positions … If the full board were to do this, it would take us probably a year to get done. That’s the whole idea behind the committee.”
So why are supervisors wanting to rework the pay plan? Talsma wants to make to make it simpler. Under the current step plan there are a lot of ranges the county doesn’t use. He also disagrees with the idea of an employee having to work in the county for eight to nine years before maxing out step
system back into students and education.”
CONVERSATION STARTED OVER ESA FUNDING
Discussion about Dunwell’s idea surfaced when confronted with questions about the state’s education savings accounts (ESAs), which are often referred to as vouchers by opponents. Dunwell
sheriff’s office could face even more challenges now.
Swihart suggested the sheriff’s office will suffer since it has recruitment and retention problems. He said the direction the board is going is disappointing.
“But with the way politics work and the way elections work, I guess we should have seen it coming,” he said “The employees are frustrated and disappointed.”
Other union membered wanted supervisors to explain themselves and asked if the end goal was to get rid of the unions. The supervisors didn’t give an answer.
“I don’t really think that’s right, that an employee should be here for nine years getting 30- to 60-cent raises hourly every single year,” Talsma said. “Let’s try to get them bumped up in pay quicker and string them along for 10 years.”
Talsma explained the committee is not like the veterans affairs commission or the planning and zoning commission in that it will meet publicly. He said the group will be meeting privately amongst themselves and department heads and then start building a list of adjusted starting salaries.
“They will bring those
recommendations back to the full board of supervisors when they are done,” Talsma said. “And the full board of supervisors will discuss and act whether to adopt or reject those … We are not taking anything from employees as we’re looking at redoing this.
“We’re trying to ensure a way that we’re taking care of our employees, and we’re hoping this will help attract more people as well. It’s not going to take nine years of these mediocre steps to get to the top end of your pay scale anymore. Then, lastly, we want to make sure everything we’re doing is sustainable.”
condemned that term as offensive and argued that vouchers and ESAs mean different things. He also denounced claims that ESA funding is increasing by 44 percent while funding for public schools is increasing by 2.25 percent. While true, Dunwell suggested these statements are not giving the full truths. He explained the amount of funding for ESAs and public schools is drastically different. In total, Dunwell said the state will be devoting more than $3.9 billion in state aid to public schools in fiscal year 2026. ESAs will be getting more than $315 million. Dunwell also noted public schools will receive federal funds and property tax.
“We implemented ESAs in a three-year phase in. This is the final phase in where anyone can qualify for an ESA,” Dunwell said. “The amount of dollars that we send to an ESA account is the equivalent to the amount of dollars we put into supplemental aid per student in a public school.”
TAXPAYERS WONDER WHY SO MUCH IS INVESTED IN EDUCATION
Iowa Sen. Ken Rozenboom of District 19 was also in attendance at the legislative forum. He reiterated the fact public schools receive local, state and federal dollars to fund education. Altogether, he claimed taxpayers are paying about $18,722 per student. The state provides about $8,000 per student.
“Every classroom was 20 kids, taxpayers are paying $342,000 a year. If a teacher makes $100,000 in pay and benefits, that still leaves $242,000 going to that classroom to teach our kids,” he said. “Taxpayers would like to know where all that money goes if it’s not going to the teacher … where’s all the rest of it?”
Rozenboom has served in the Iowa Legislature for about 13 years, and every year he has heard people say the state is not giving enough money to public schools. He adamantly opposes these claims, saying the United States and Iowa spend a lot of money on education. But taxpayers ask him why it’s so expensive.
“From a taxpayer’s perspective again, every private school student costs the state taxpayer $7,983 — that’s all they get,” Rozenboom said. “Every public school student, the taxpayer’s on the hook for $18,722. More than double what the state contribution is.”
Christopher Braunschweig/Jasper County Tribune Union members of AFSCME say Jasper County will lose good deputies as a result of contract negotiations being reduced to base wages. AFSCME is the labor union for workers in the courthouse and the sheriff’s office.
Fire Department Bob
Bob used to be a fireman for the City of Denver back in the fifties and sixties. It was men only then. He said that while on duty, they would get so drunk that he would actually pass out on the cement floor with his head behind the dual wheels of the ladder truck, so that if there was an alarm, he would have to get up, man the rear steering wheel, or his head would be crushed. It was accepted behavior. And expected, according to Bob. They all drank heavily while on shift, and put pressure on the guys who didn’t drink, or drink as much, to join in the cup-that-bindeth.
If there was a particularly bad call, like with an apartment house fire with “crispy critters,” he called them, some of whom were children and pets, the firemen knew they could pull into the alley behind a cer-
YOUR VIEW
Nothing like scary words to cause one to fear and tremble. I know that is true with me. At the top of the list is that word “diversity” and how germane a discussion of it is at this time. It truly is a frightening word and with a connotation that brings nothing but conflict and unease. Just look at the Serbs, Croats, and Bosnians who have spent centuries trying to liquidate one another or the Hutus and the Tutsis where the Hutus came close to annihilating the Tutsis.
Now we, in the United States, although escaping mass slaughter, at least up to now, are ramping up an anti-diversity campaign. Long over do, I might add. As we can see from history, diversity causes massive slaughter and if we can nip it in the bud, it is possible that we can avoid killing people to resolve it. Instead we can begin, as our legislature is attempting to do, to persuade people not to be different from the norm of middle America for which we are so proud. They are legislating sameness.
Diversity, to one not giving it much thought, is no big deal, right? So what if somebody thinks, acts, or speaks differently from me? So what? Well, it’s a major issue because it says to me that I and my beliefs mean nothing to the person who has different beliefs and beliefs are everything right? My beliefs give me meaning, they cause me to act in certain ways, they are important in creating community and when someone tells me they don’t believe what I believe and they think I’m foolish for believing or acting
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THIRD SUNDAY - 8 p.m. Elders meeting, Board meeting after church; Collect for Food Pantry
FOURTH SUNDAY - Potluck Dinner
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tain bar, and drinks would be set up. No questions asked. I’m not making this up.
I told Bob he had all the justification he needed for a case of work-related alcoholism. He shrugged his shoulders and said, “That’s just the way it was.”
Fortunately Bob got the help he needed and found a life of sobriety and fulfillment. He wouldn’t use anything with alcohol, like deodorant, after shave, mouth wash, etc.
He was also a smoker, tearing the filter off cigarettes, and smoking them, the torn end sticking out of his mouth like a hay seed. He claimed the tobacco was stronger and dryer in a cigarette with the filter removed. He also claimed he was allergic to cigarette smoke, not nicotine. (I found this flabbergasting.) He would stand under the exhaust hood of a stove and smoke, the fan drawing the smoke away.
the way I do, I just can’t stand it. Why do you think that the catholics and the protestants spent the better part of a century slaughtering each other?
Now America, which is populated by all sorts of people from all sorts of places with all sorts of beliefs and behaviors has managed to escape these major slaughters. There are just too many different kinds of people here in the United States to get the number of people together to quelch it. For instance, it is difficult to get a protestant to get rid of Catholics when the Jews, Muslims, Hindus, or Buddhists will not go along with it knowing full well they will be next.
The same applies to race and language. Somehow we have the idea that this country is for white people primarily and we have made efforts to make it so. We got rid of the people that were here before Europeans came, we forget that people speaking Spanish were in New Mexico before the Pilgrims were in Massachusetts, that this country has approximately 42 million people who speak Spanish, that 350 languages are actually spoken here, and that the black people who are here were not thought particularly human and treated as such.
So one will have to conclude that the effort to get rid of “diversity” in one form or another has a long and enduring history here in the United States, but has always failed. Our current Iowa legislature is renewing the effort of exterminating whatever new diversity they can identify. One has to applaud the historical continuity here even though all previous efforts have failed and no doubt will fail again.
Richard E.H. Phelps II Mingo
He said it worked for him. He also had COPD, pursing his lips while exhaling. He could also make the best fire department coffee. He would make a fresh pot, dump about half of it out, add a little more grounds to the grounds already there, and salt, reperk, and presto, some of the boldest, best tasting coffee I’ve ever had. He said he’d been the official coffee maker for the fire department because they needed full-bodied coffee with a kick for the morning after.
Before he was a fireman, Bob drove for Monfort of Colorado (later ConAgra), delivering live cattle from Greeley to Chicago for slaughter. He said Monfort “owned” the left lane of the highway. They drove 80-100 miles and hour, and people moved over. The Highway Patrol looked the other way. He said they had to drive fast because if a steer died in route, they were docked.
Bob went crazy once. He had some sort of an infection and the doctor put him on a strong steroid. Steroids were just coming out then and people didn’t know much about them. He lost his
memory and thought his wife, whom he didn’t recognize, was trying to kill him. He thought she was going to stab him in the back while he was asleep. He called the police. The police evaluated the situation and were able to get Bob in the hospital for a week. When Bob came home, he apologized, and ran to the exhaust hood of the kitchen stove to smoke. He hadn’t been allowed to smoke in the hospital. Bob was in his eighties when he was telling me all this. His wife was listening, and didn’t contradict anything he said. She even nodded her head in agreement, chuckled, and made some hand movements, like sticking a knife in Bob’s back. They had a colorful marriage.
I was there at their house installing a garage door opener. Bob swore that the main spring would disengage and kill me. I tried to convince him that the main spring remained stable. He brewed some coffee, tore the filter off a cigarette, and the garage door opener worked fine.
Contact Curt Swarm at curtswarm@ yahoo.com
VIEW
Maybe take a cue from the federal government
Since my letter questioning the salaries of our county board of supervisors received some responses, I’d like to respond in kind.
I agree 100 percent with Mr. Rorabaugh that our supervisors are looking out for the interests of Jasper County taxpayers. And while I am flattered, I have zero interest in running for any elected office.
I also agree somewhat with Mr. Mitchell that our supervisors do much more than hold meetings.
Senate Study Bill 1051 is moving forward
I’m glad to see the Iowa Senate Judiciary Committee moving forward with Senate Study Bill 1051. This bill helps keep American-made glyphosate available to Iowa farmers like me. I’m a
Mr. Mitchell, however, seems to suggest that the supervisors are working full-time for the county, while simultaneously holding fulltime jobs outside their elected positions, and that justifies their fulltime salaries from the county.
I just have a very hard time believing our supervisors are putting in 40 hours plus a week at regular jobs, and 40 hours a week for the county, and, if not, why are they being paid a full-time salary? Do the math; that equates to an extremely high hourly wage in a county where the average wage is around $40,000 a year. Now double that and you see what I’m critical about.
I would suggest cutting their salaries in half, and using those funds to give our other county employees a raise. Like our sheriff’s depart-
fifth-generation farmer and I’ve used this chemical for more than 30 years, it helps us grow more while keeping costs down.
Some special interest groups are spreading fear and misinformation about this bill. They claim it gives companies immunity — it doesn’t. They also point to a study linking glyphosate to cancer, but decades of U.S. research say otherwise.
Thankfully, our lawmakers see through the noise and are doing what’s right for Iowa farmers.
Church Schedules
IRA UNITED CHURCH
Pastors Doug Cupples and Phil Butler
SUNDAY - 9:30 a.m. Church service; 10:30 a.m. Sunday school Communion first Sunday
METZ COMMUNITY CHURCH 3253 W. 62nd St. S., Newton Pastor David Rex 641-521-4354
SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Sunday school; 10:10 a.m. Worship Last Saturday of month - 8 a.m. Men’s Breakfast
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH Colfax Minister, Pastor Cody Dyer Church Office 674-4165
SUNDAY, March9 - 9 a.m. Fellowship; 9:15 a.m. Bible Education Classes; 10:25 a.m. Communion Sunday, Message by Pastor Cody Dyer; 5 p.m. “The Well” Youth Group
TUESDAY, March 11 - 3 p.m. Women’s Prayer and Coffee; 7 p.m. Trustee
meeting
WEDNESDAY, March 12 - 9 a.m.
Busy Bee Quilters and Fresh Encounter Prayer; 5:45 p.m. AWANA Family Meal; 6:25 p.m. AWANA Clubs
SACRED HEART CATHOLIC CHURCH Newton, Iowa
SATURDAY - 4 p.m. Mass
SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Mass
COLFAX FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
S. Locust & W. Division St. Office - 674-3782
Rev. Phil Dicks pastor
SUNDAY - 10:30 a.m. Family Worship
- Today is Food Pantry Sunday; Sunday School
HOPE ASSEMBLY OF GOD
126 E. Howard
Rev. Paul Avery, pastor Church: 674-3700 hopeassemblyofgod@yahoo.com
SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Sunday school; 10 a.m. Worship
WEDNESDAY - 7 p.m. Evening Service
IMMACULATE
CONCEPTION
CATHOLIC CHURCH
302 E. Howard St., Colfax Fr. Marty Goetz 515-674-3711
SUNDAY - 11 a.m. Mass
MINGO UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Rev. Phil Dicks 515-689-4926
SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Worship service (Sunday school not meeting at this time)
ASHTON CHAPEL
8887 W. 122nd St. N., Mingo
Pastors: Larry Craig & Mark Eddy
SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Sunday school; 10 a.m. Worship
BETHANY UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 5627 N. 95th Ave. W., Baxter 641-227-3402
Pastor Chris Hayward
SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Sunday School (Sunday after Labor Day to second Sunday in May); 10 a.m. Sunday Worship. First Sunday communion. All are welcome. baxterbethanyucc.org
EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH
BAXTER Mike Mclintock, Pastor
SUNDAY - 9:15 a.m. Sunday School; 10 a.m. Worship; 6 p.m. Awanas
WEDNESDAYS - 1st & 3rd - 6:30 p.m. Mens Bible Study 2nd & 4th - 6:30 p.m. Men’s and Womens Bible Study
THURSDAYS 10 a.m. - Womens Bible Study
ment, our county treasurer and auditor, etc. Theirs are indeed fulltime positions. It is simply my opinion our supervisors are overpaid for the time they put in.
Perhaps we should take a cue from the federal government, whose employees are now being asked to justify their salaries by producing a detailed account of just what it is they do all day long. This is how democracy works. Citizens have the right to petition their leaders for answers and to criticize when the need arises. I will continue to exercise my right as a private citizen to be critical of our elected officials. I don’t need a title to do so. John Moore Newton
This bill cuts through red tape and ensures we can keep buying American-made herbicides. Without it, we might have to rely on China for glyphosate, putting our farms — and our country — at risk.
I appreciate Chairman Schultz, Senator Bousselot, Senator Shipley, and others for pushing this bill forward. I hope the rest of the Senate and House will do the same and get it passed. Richard Roorda Prairie City
BAXTER CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
218 S. Main, Baxter Pastor Ben Spera Church: 641-227-3382
SUNDAY - 10 a.m. Worship
WEDNESDAY - 6 p.m. Bible Study
THIRD THURSDAY of month - 6:30 p.m. Theology on Tap at Bea’s Place on Main Street Check us out on Facebook and baxtercongregational.com
CORNERSTONE BIBLE FELLOWSHIP 1000 E. 12th St., Newton Rev. Josh Farver, pastor Phone 641-792-4650 SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Sunday school; 10:15 a.m. Worship WEDNESDAY - 6:30 p.m. Prayer Meeting and Bible Study; Youth Group
HERITAGE WORD OF LIFE ASSEMBLY OF GOD 102 Second St. NW, Mitchellville Pastor Dave Adams 515-967-3330 SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Bible classes; 10 a.m. Worship service; 6 p.m. Evening service WEDNESDAY - 7 p.m. Evening activities LUTHERAN CHURCH OF HOPE Capitol II Theatre in Newton SUNDAY - 9:30 a.m. Livestream Worship Service
Do you have a
Baxter’s Richardson to run for Wayne State
Isabelle Foglesong
Colfax-Mingo freshman Isabelle Foglesong led the Tigerhawk girls basketball team with a 10 points per game average this past season. She also averaged 3.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.2 steals per contest while shooting 35 percent from 3-point range and 64 percent from the
Submitted Photo
Baxter senior Matt Richardson, center, signed with Wayne State College on Feb. 20. Richardson will compete for the Wildcats in track and field and cross country. He chose Wayne State over William Penn University, Saint Joseph and the University of Minnesota Crookston. “I chose Wayne State because I liked their welcoming atmosphere and their good facilities also helped with that decision,” Richardson said. “I felt like during all of my visits I was most welcomed there and could make a big impact on both their track and cross country teams this coming fall.” Joining Richardson at the signing were his mother Lisa Richardson, left, and his father Adam Richardson. Matt Richardson plans to major in exercise science with the hopes of becoming a coach or an athletic trainer.
