Becker selected as new PCM superintendent
Current Hampton-Dumont leader comes to the district with a wealth of experience
By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer
The PCM Community School District has announced Aaron Becker as its next superintendent. The district announced the selection following approval from the school board.
“I am honored by the board’s decision to select me as the next superintendent of PCM Schools,” said Becker. “I look forward to working alongside the dedicated staff, families and students to ensure that PCM remains a district of excellence for all. Together, we will create a learning environment where every student feels valued and supported.” Becker is currently the su-
perintendent at Hampton-Dumont Community School District. Highlights of his career include successfully leading efforts in budgeting, facility improvements and staff recruitment and retention. He also notably increased the district’s steadily declining Unspent Authorized Budget by $2 million, achieving greater financial stability through data-driven decisions.
During his time at Hampton-Dumont he implemented strategies to enhance district culture. He also oversaw bond referendums and school construction projects.
Prior to his current position,
SUPERINTENDENT | 2
BRINGING BACK THE BARN
event space
By Christopher Braunschweig PCM Explorer
Bonnie Terpstra has seen what happens to old barns in Iowa. Any fortunate enough to withstand a blistering Midwestern tornado or the devastating straight-line winds of a derecho are too often forgotten about and allowed to deteriorate beyond their working use. There was no way she’d let that happen to her barn.
Instead of letting the barn wither and fall into disarray, Terpstra decided to invest in is rehabilitation and maintain the history that is so dear to her and her family. Over the past year, she transformed it into a venue for weddings, birthdays, get-togethers and graduations. It still carries many of its original qualities.
The banisters of the main floor
still feature the dairy cow names carved into the wood. Instead of stalls for Betsy and Ginger, the area is now open and for group
The
level where hay bales used to be stored still
Jasper County Sheriff’s Office to obtain 35 new tasers
After public hearing on Dec. 31, supervisors likely to authorize $167K purchase
By Christopher Braunschweig
Updated taser contracts for the sheriff’s office were favorable for Jasper County Board of Supervisors, which officially set public hearings for the agreements to be approved during the last meeting in December. If approved — and it seems likely — the sherif’s office will save almost $10,000 annually. Although the board of supervisors had every intention of approving the contracts during the Dec. 17 meeting, officials real-
Christopher Braunschweig/PCM Explorer
Sheriff-Elect Brad Shutts of the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office shows an older model of taser that will be replaced soon by the Taser 10 by Axon Enterprise, Inc. The board of supervisors set a public hearing for a five-year contract so the department can acquire 35 new tasers.
ized last minute that any five-year contract requires them to set a public hearing. So the supervisors set the
public hearing for 9:30 a.m. Dec. 31 in Room 203 at the Jasper County Courthouse. Sheriff-Elect Brad
Shutts said the department has utilized Axon Enterprise, Inc. for its tasers for about 20 years. Law enforcement staff have gone through two different models. However, the current models onhand are about 10 years old. The updated models are the new Taser 10 by Axon.
According to the company’s website, the Taser 10 has a maximum range of 45 feet and can deploy up to 10 individually targeted probes without the need to reload. These newer models are
SHERIFF HALFERTY RETIRES
John Halferty ends 38-year career in law enforcement with the same passion for public service he exemplified even
outside the job
By Christopher Braunschweig PCM Explorer
John Halferty wore two sets of armor when he suited up for work every morning. The bulletproof vest was mandatory, but the sheriff of Jasper County also wore an invisible layer of protection throughout much of his 38-year career in law enforcement, and his greatest strength was knowing when to take it off.
emotion or that you can’t show that you care (because) you’re letting your guard down, you’re going to open yourself up.”
As he leaves the sheriff’s office and enters retirement, John hopes his fellow first responders — especially cops — heed his words and learn they don’t always have to wear that kind of armor all the time. They can show that they care. They can have empathy for others and sympathize with their feelings.
“Whatever is going on may not be significant to you, but it’s the worst time of their life,” he said. “And I think sometimes we taught our people, and I was taught this, that you can’t show any
Very early in his career working drug cases for the Newton Police Department, he would not give a second thought to anybody he arrested. He rationalized that he was doing a good job, that he was getting someone off the streets and that he was stopping further drug use or distribution in the community.
However, he realized that those people he put in handcuffs probably didn’t tell their classmates in elementary school that they wanted to be a drug dealer when they grew up or wanted to be addicted to a particular substance. He never excused their bad choices, but he never lost sight of them as a person either.
When he had to lock up someone for their bad choices, he wasn’t just getting someone off the streets, he was also taking away a parent from their children, and potentially reinforcing another generational transmission of crime. While he has seen many families break those chains, others have not.
Secondary roads will add 2 new tandem dump trucks to fleet by next winter
By Christopher Braunschweig PCM Explorer
Following the supervisors-approved purchase of two dump bodies earlier this week and the two cab chassis bought back in November, the secondary roads department will be up two whole tandem dump trucks next year. It is expected the tandem dump trucks will be delivered before the 2025-2026 winter season. Jasper County Engineer Mi-
chael Frietsch said the county solicited bids for two dump body packages. Henderson Products provided the low bid of $105,914 per cab chassis, which is a total of $211,828. Hawkeye Truck Equipment and Truck Equipment, Inc. were also contacted for bids but did not respond. According to county documents, the county’s tandem axle dump T-27 is more than 10 years old and is in poor condition, and a newer spare tandem axle dump was needed. The T-27 has more than 300,000 miles on it. Back in November, the supervisors approved the purchase of two cab chassis from GATR Truck Center.
seating.
upper
Christopher Braunschweig/PCM Explorer
Known as Country View Barn, the structure retains much of its historic qualities while still serving as a modern wedding venue and event space.
Jasper County barn transformed into breathtaking wedding venue and
File Photo
HALFERTY
Halferty
Worth Mentioning
Send your event to news@pcmexplorer.com
Events at The Gathering Place
Thursday, Jan. 2
• 10am Downsizing made easy - Moving the right way by Andy Algreen
Monday, Jan. 6
• 10am Video Exercise Class
Tuesday, Jan. 7
• 1pm Game Time
Wednesday, Jan. 8
• 1pm Get Fit, Don’t Fall with Amy S.
• 6pm Bingo
Thursday, Jan. 9
• 10am Patty Richards Show
• 5:30pm Community Potluck
PCM Food Pantry
The PCM Food Pantry at the Monroe Presbyterian Church, 113 S. Main St. in Monroe, is open 9 a.m. to noon and 6 to 7 p.m. Mondays and 9 a.m. to noon Thursdays.
TOPS
TOPS 1025 meets at 5:30 p.m. every Monday at the First Reformed Church in Prairie City for weigh-in, with meeting to follow. Go to the north side parking lot at the church and enter in the north door. Call 515-994-2200 for information.
Men’s Recovery meeting
Lighthouse Recovery Ministries hosts a Men’s Recovery meeting at 6:30 p.m. each Monday at Grace Alive Church, 703 W. Second St. in Prairie City. Contact Barb at b.miller@lighthouserecoveryia.com with questions.
PCM Clothing Closet
The PCM Clothing Closet, on the second floor of the Family Life Center at 105 S. Sherman St. in Prairie City, will be open from 3:30 to 7 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday and 2 to 4 p.m. Sundays.
Jasper County SWCD to meet Jan. 3
Jasper County Soil and Water Conservation District will meet at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 3 at the Jasper County Conservation building at 1030 W. Second St. S. in Newton.
Donations to Old Settlers Committee
The Old Settlers Committee is seeking donations for the 2025 Old Settlers Celebration. Donations will be used for the purchase of Christmas lights for the park and new chairs and tables for upcoming events. Monetary donations can be dropped off at Salon Essence, Monroe City Hall or mailed to the committee at P.O. Box 93 in Monroe, IA 50170.
Time to license your cat and dog in Monroe
Pet licenses in Monroe can now be purchased at city hall and are due by April 1. Cat and dog licenses are $10 for altered animals. Unaltered animals are $20. Rabies shots must be current. Licenses not purchased by April 1 will be subject to an extra $10 fee.
Tasers
Continuedfrompage1
more accurate, pack more penetration power and fire at a rate of 205 feet per second.
In total, the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office wants to purchase 35 tasers to equip all active law enforcement staff, including reserves. Shutts said the price of the taser systems will be paid in yearly installments, with the first being a discounted rate of $16,700. Beyond that is a yearly payment of $37,575 until 2029.
Over the course of five years, the county will pay $167,000 for the tasers.
“We’ve had a good partnership with Axon,” Shutts said. “They’re the same company that makes our camera systems, our body cameras and our car systems. These tasers integrate with our cameras. So if they’re activated they automatically turn on our cameras if they aren’t on.”
For the sheriff’s office, a taser is the premiere tool for when a more hands on approach has
Jasper County appoints members to re-established compensation board
Recommending body likely to meet soon to discuss the elected official salaries
By Christopher Braunschweig PCM Explorer
Seven people have been appointed to the Jasper County Compensation Board, which was re-established by the board of supervisors last week after state lawmakers effectively disbanded the recommending bodies across all counties but still gave boards of supervisors the option to keep them.
The compensation board is tasked annually to review the salaries of all elected officials and recommend adjustments. Recommendations are then provided to the supervisors for a final decision. Whether they adopt
the recommended salary changes or make amendments is entirely up to the board of supervisors.
Each elected office in Jasper County — apart from the board of supervisors — is granted one individual to represent them on the compensation board; the county supervisors have two individuals who represent them. They are likely to meet this month to discuss salary increases for all county elected officials.
Here are the individuals on the compensation board and the specific office they are chosen to represent (in the order they appear on county documents):
• Denny Stevenson for the Jasper County Auditor Office.
• Brett Doerring for the Jasper County Board of Supervisors.
• Denny Vander Weerdt for the Jasper County Board of Supervisors.
• Jake Hedgecock for the Jasper
Superintendent
Becker served as principal at Fairfield High School and principal at the Lisbon Secondary School. He received his Master’s degree in educational leadership from Viterbo University and a certificate in superintendency from the University of Northern Iowa. Grundmeyer Leader Services was once again selected to facilitate the search for the administrative po -
Venue
Continuedfrompage1
has the original flooring and the Gothic arches.
No one makes these kinds of barns anymore.
“As you drive around the countryside, there are barns falling down all over the place,” she said. “And that just breaks my heart because barns are a part of history. Once they’re down you can’t rebuild it. We were to the point where if we didn’t do something we were risking the structure of the barn.”
the mortar, so Terpstra had it tuckpointed. New ductwork was needed to heat and cool the space. Utilities were installed just in time for Terpstra’s son to get married in the barn. New windows were affixed to the barn, but Terpstra kept the original frames. The main floor is now equipped with a sizable kitchen and a lounge space with comfortable recliners. Framed photos show what the farm looked like years ago.
failed or is not possible. Tasers are less-lethal weapons since they use electrical currents to incapacitate a person temporarily. Shutts said tasers are a valuable tool that help officers in their duties.
In April 2022, the Jasper County Board of Supervisors approved a more than $524,000 system upgrade to replace body cameras and car cameras for the sheriff’s office. Newton News previously reported the new system would improve accountability and provide protections for both deputies and suspects.
The sheriff’s office obtained 38 body cameras and 24 car cameras over a five-year period. As part of the agreement, the footage of the cameras is stored in a cloud system hosted by Axon. Originally, tasers were included in the camera proposal but were removed due to admins feeling they could get by without them.
If there are no objections to the first public hearing on Dec. 31, it is likely the supervisors will opt to waive the second and third and approve the contract.
Coupled with the pyramid-stacked windows to let in more natural light and the ornate chandelier hanging overhead, the upper level makes for a breathtaking location for a wedding ceremony. It has already served that purpose a handful of times. Visitors frequently awe at the architecture and sheer scope of the venue.
They see the beauty Terpstra has been seeing her whole life.
“When I was a kid, I was in charge of the elevator,” Terpstra said inside Country View Barn, located in rural Newton.
“In case bales got stuck or thrown off, I would have to shut the elevator off and they’d have to go fix the problem so we wouldn’t get anymore hay bales on heads. I’ve just always loved this barn.”
It took some time to get the barn updated to commercial standards.
Crews used jackhammers to tear out the old concrete floor and replace it with a more level floor. Daylight could be seen peaking out from
The barn was built sometime in the late 1940s. According to an article from Iowa Farm and Home Register in February 1949, it operated under farmer O.K. Flaugh as a 20-cow dairy barn. It was touted as both sparrow-proof and pigeon-proof, which was a big deal for farmers who needed sanitary conditions for livestock.
Flaugh built the 40-feet-by-62-feet barn for $10,000 at the time, which would be equivalent to about $130,000 in current day prices. It was built with concrete floors and feed mangers, all-steel equipment, title sidewalls, laminated rafters and a shingle roof. The gable ends were covered with white asbestos
County Sheriff’s Office.
• Jason Morgan for the Jasper County Treasurer’s Office.
• Allison Udelhoven for the Jasper County Attorney’s Office.
• Nancy Parrott for the Jasper County Recorder’s Office.
Newton News previously reported that the board of supervisors agreed to re-establish the compensation board in a 3-0 vote. Supervisor Brandon Talsma told Newton News it did not feel right for only the board of supervisors to decide the salaries of elected officials. He saw value in the compensation board.
“So I went ahead and had a discussion with our fellow elected officials, and the consensus was, ‘Hey, we kind of feel like it’s been a good thing.’ It was also the general consensus that having outside entities discuss this also kind of takes the pressure off of the board of supervisors,” Talsma said.
sition. Becker, along with two additional candidates, interviewed with groups of students, parents, teachers and community members on Dec, 19.
“We are excited to welcome Aaron Becker to the PCM family,” PCM School Board President Ryan Van Der Kamp said. “His extensive experience, dedication to fostering strong relationships and passion for student success will serve our district well as we look to the future.”
Becker start his tenure at PCM July 1, 2025. He will be taking over for interim superintendent Art Sathoff.
shingles.
Terpstra’s father purchased the farmstead in 1970s. They used the barn to farrow hogs for a number of years. Over time it sat empty until Terpstra turned it into a workshop to repurpose furniture. When she decided to turn it into a venue space, she moved her equipment out and began the painstaking redevelopment.
“We literally took straw out of the loft so I could start working in it last year,” she said. “I had plans. I had been working on getting my stuff out the year prior. The construction was done in at least seven months. They came in and did a whirlwind of work.
Things were done in stages.”
All the while Terpstra was seeing her plan come to life. She took great care in the details and the structure of things like the bridal suite and the loft deck, which can be accessed by brides without spoiling the first-look for either the groom or the guests welcoming her as she walks down the aisle.
The deck itself overlooks miles upon miles of Iowa landscape. If they
look hard enough, guests and members of the wedding party can see Prairie City, Monroe, Otley and Sully from the loft. While Country View Barn certainly comes with its own view of the country, it, too, is a picturesque locale.
Surrounded by fields and pastures, it is a pure Iowa setting. Terpstra feels good knowing she is able to preserve that setting in all its beauty.
To see her vision fully realized is an exhilarating feeling. The first round of hard work is done. Now there is a new kind of hard work in store for Terpstra. But it has been rewarding listening to guests gasp at the sight of the loft on the upper floor. It makes all that extra hard work worth it. Terpstra said, “I have so many memories in this barn. Not only as a kid, but we lived here for 42 years. I can see the beauty outside the roughness. I love to make things beautiful. So now she gets to keep all of her character; I just added all of my own ‘jewelry’ to her. She’s stable and ready for another 76 years.” Country View Barn is located at 7198 E. 36th St. S. in Newton.
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Explorer PCM
By Christopher Braunschweig PCM Explorer
The last time county recorders in Iowa raised their prices — from $3 per page to a whopping $5 per page — Michael Jordan was named “Rookie of the Year,” Mike Tyson made his pro boxing debut, Ronald Reagan was enjoying his second term, Blockbuster opened its first store and Cherry Coke officially hit shelves.
Since then Jordan has solidified his GOAT legacy with a hit documentary while Tyson squandered his in a bout against social media influencer-turned-boxer Jake Paul; Reagan’s spiritual successor is about to enjoy his second term, movie rental stores don’t even exist and Cherry Coke is enjoyed with vanilla these days.
But those prices in the recorder’s office? Well, those have stayed the same.
es and to do some cleanup in the Iowa Code. Recording fees have not increased since 1985, which is almost 40 years. To put that into perspective, I was 25 years old,” Allan, 65, said. The current rates are actually $7 for the first page and then $5 for each additional page. So if someone wanted one page, it would cost $7; if they wanted four pages it would cost $22. The proposed bill would make one page cost $10 and four pages cost $40. Again, the association argues the prices are below inflation.
Additionally, the bill proposes both the $1 records management fee and the $1 electronic transaction fee be removed while adding a $7 transaction fee for multi-transaction documents with reasonable limits. The proposed recording fees are also well below the fees from a number of surrounding states.
from the record management fund, which is not taxpayer dollars. That is money that comes from recording.”
Smaller counties do not always have the means for new technology or lack the ability to digitize their records. By doubling the amount of money allocated to the recording technology fund, Allan added, will benefit all recorders in Iowa. Since the fees would be going up, so would the revenue to the county.
Allan has served as the county recorder since 2015. Other county recorders will likely be looking for support from their affiliates to help the bill move to the statehouse, much in the same way Allan did by discussing it with Jasper County supervisors who seemed ready to write a letter of support on the spot.
Jasper County Recorder Denise Allan said the fees have remained the same since 1985, but a new proposal advocated by the Iowa County Recorders Association hopes to change that this coming legislative session. Allan said the proposed fee modernization bill will be introduced the Iowa Legislature in 2025.
As part of that deal, the secondary roads department traded in the T-27 and T-28 and then began soliciting bids for the dump bodies or dump beds. When attached to the cabs, the dump bodies can haul away loose materials. Combined with the cab chassis pur-
According to documents included in the agenda, the bill aims to simplify and increase recording fees to $10 per page.
chases, the total cost to the county is $427,470 in FY26.
Which gives the county two completed tandem dump trucks. Frietsch said the last time the county solicited bids for dumb bodies back in June 2022 the prices were significantly less expense. Back then he said the price was $88,000 per package. The county engineer said FY26 dump truck pur-
Iowa County Recorders Association said the price is still well below the $14.62 inflation-adjusted rate for 2024. Other “add-on” fees are to be eliminated, too, and large documents will be capped.
“This proposed legislation is being introduced to increase recording fees, to modernize recording policies and practic -
Allocation of the moneys collected from the fees will go toward a number of funds. Allan said $3 of every document will go toward Iowa Land Records operations and projects, $2 will go towards the Recording Technology Fund for technology needs and then the remaining will go toward county general funds.
“Revenue generated by recorders goes to the county general fund, which helps reduce property taxes,” Allan said. “I might add that every project I’ve done, like digitizing, I’ve always contributed money
“It is the Iowa County Recorders Association’s hope that our county affiliates will support us as we move forward and into the upcoming legislative session,” Allan said to the board of supervisors. “The office right now has been slow the past few years, and we’re hoping for a turnaround.”
Even so, the Jasper County Recorder’s Office has contributed about $500,000 in both state and county recording fees.
“The people we work with, their costs are not the same they were 40 years ago either,” Allan said. “It’s time.”
chases locks up his new equipment budget for that year unless more is allotted.
“The good news is we will have these trucks in November 2025,” Frietsch said. “So the good news is lead times are back to where they should be.”
ondary roads equipment there are some “nice-tohaves” and some “goodto-haves,” but he is not seeing any dire need for another specific set of equipment right now.
summer.
ies will be made of stainless steel to last longer and not have the inherent issues of metal bodies.
Supervisor Doug Cupples asked Frietsch if there is anything else that will pop up in the near future. Frietsch said when he looks at the sec-
While Supervisor Brandon Talsma certainly wasn’t thrilled to see the price for these sets of equipment to increase by more than $17,000 in two-and-a-half years, he didn’t hold it against his county engineer. Frietsch said the new dump bod-
Supervisor Thad Nearmyer asked if the county engineer was comfortable looking up all of his new equipment budget for FY26. Frietsch said he was fine with it. To him, the secondary roads department needs to keep modernizing its fleet of trucks. They generate a lot of miles and they’re critical in the winter and
“They are a critical piece of equipment to our operations,” Frietsch said.
Talsma wondered just how many miles one truck could put on in a year. Frietsch reminded him the T-27 and T-28 had over 300,000 miles on them.
“So you’re probably talking 20,000-30,000 miles a year you’re putting on those trucks,” Frietsch said. “Or more.”
Christopher Braunschweig/PCM
It was important for him to separate his personal life and beliefs from his job, but he recognized his strengths as a leader was his passion for public service and his willingness to have a heart to care about the well-being of not only his staff but the people who might be getting a ticket or a trip to the jail.
Keeping his personal life and beliefs away from his job is something he always tried to do, but his innate dedication to family, faith and service had a way of blending into how he approached his role at the sheriff’s office. He valued compassion and transparency while still taking care of business.
“Even if we make a mistake or have a bad event or one of our employees screws up, we’re going to be accountable for it and we’re going to try to do better and we’re going to move on,” he said. “But we can always care about people. We can be invested in the county and the people here.”
‘HE STILL ENJOYS WHAT HE DOES’
Kendra Halferty has been married to John for almost 37 years. They live in Colfax and within a short driving distance from the Jasper County Fairgrounds, which is good for when the sheriff is “voluntold” by his wife to help out. It is also where she is hosting his retirement party at 3 p.m. Saturday to honor his service.
Some might not know he used to coach football for Colfax-Mingo High School or currently serves as a youth leader at the First Baptist Church. He has also volunteered as a firefighter and advanced EMT for the Mingo Fire Department for almost 25 years. He’s even served as its chief for a time.
His wife can recall a time when running for sheriff was never on John’s mind. But it seemed to be a natural progression in his career. John had served as chief deputy for former Jasper County Sheriff Mike Balmer, who eventually retired in the early 2010s. John has been sheriff ever since.
Kendra said his best qualities as a leader are his integrity and his honesty. He is “pretty black and white” and is a naturally humble person. Instead of him taking the credit, he gives it to his team. He is immensely protective of his staff, too, and he would never ask them something he wouldn’t do himself.
Perhaps selfishly — rightfully so — Kendra is looking forward to her husband’s retirement. It means more time with family, but it is going to be a huge adjustment for everyone. Especially the ol’ sheriff. She thinks he is excited for a break, and she is happy to see him leave on his own terms.
“He always wanted to leave when he still liked the job and not hate it,” she said. “He has seen too many people who hate their job and were miserable and made everybody miserable around them. That’s the hard part because he still enjoys what he does. He’s excited for the most part, but he’s going to miss the people.”
‘HE SHOULD FEEL VERY PROUD’
Lt. Brad Shutts has been working with John throughout his 23 years of service to Jasper County, but they had crossed paths a few times before. When Shutts was a reserve deputy for Poweshiek County, John was still in Newton. Shutts will soon be sworn in as the new sheriff of Jasper County.
To Shutts, there is no one else who has the quality of leadership John has. He lives his whole life that way, Shutts said, and leads by example. He’s an open book. What people see is what they get. When Shutts was in a threeway primary race for county sheriff, John lent his endorsement.
“It meant everything to me to have somebody like that who basically mentored me through my time here at the sheriff’s office and given me so many opportunities, along with former Sheriff Balmer,” he said. “…Having his trust in my leadership and what I envision moving forward is very important to me.”
Shutts knows he has big shoes to fill, but the sheriff-elect feels like he and the staff have been given the tools to fill those shoes as best they can.
“He should feel very proud of what he is leaving here and what he is handing over to all of us here at the sheriff’s office,” Shutts said. “His whole life is centered around his family, his faith and serving the public, and I don’t see that changing. He’s still going to be vital to every avenue of public safety and
EMS and fire.”
‘WE DOVE IN WITH BOTH FEET’
Prioritizing EMS service has been an initiative John has pushed hard the past few years, and it has culminated in the advanced life support (ALS) program. The program allows paramedic deputies to respond to emergencies and provide additional and sometimes higher-level support to volunteer responders.
As someone who serves on a volunteer agency, John sees the writing on the wall. Volunteerism is dying, and it’s having detrimental effects on small towns and rural residents. While some volunteer agencies still see support from their communities, finding individuals to donate their time these days is difficult.
Coupled with the barriers that come with getting volunteers trained in higher level care, John sought out some kind of solution to bridge the service gaps and reduce response times. Jasper County did not invent this type of countywide hybrid EMS support service, but it is has received a fair amount of attention.
And it seems to be working. The board of supervisors devoted a hefty chunk of COVID dollars and ARPA funds to the program to get it up and running. John was a strong advocate for the program and for developing it in a way that met the needs of the county. It was “one of the most challenging” projects of his career.
“There was an opportunity so we dove in with both feet,” John said. “… It is absolutely addressing a need in this county despite what a small percentage of naysayers say. The first responders and volunteer services that are out there taking the calls and we’re seeing, they’re thankful for when it’s available.”
‘YOU DO NOT LEAVE THIS CAR’
Jacob Halferty’s earliest memories of his dad were when he was on the task force for the sheriff’s office. He was a cop but he didn’t look like a cop. He had a rugged beard and a junk car for when he worked undercover. He also remembers his dad serving at the Mingo fire station.
There were times John had to bring his son to a call since there would not be someone around to watch him. Jacob didn’t mind too much, and it let him see his dad in action on the job. He’d watch from car for as long as he could. Jacob still distinctly remembers one particular call.
You do not leave this car. That is what John told his son before responding to an accident on Interstate 80. First responders had to block traffic.
“At some point he looks back and I’m still with the car but I’m on the hood looking at it,” Jacob said. “So as a young kid it kind of piqued my interest.” Jacob has followed in his father’s footsteps and taken up a life of public service. He is currently the fire marshal of the Newton Fire Department, and in the past he has worked numerous ambulance calls for the station and the fire station in Mingo. And he even served as a reserve deputy.
Yup, he worked under his dad. Jacob admits, yes, his dad did give him special treatment. The sheriff held his son to a much higher standard and more would be expected of him. He treated his son like he did coaching football. Jacob still remembers the aching pushups from accidentally call-
ing him “dad” at practice.
The longer Jacob works as a first responder, the more he realizes how much of his dad’s leadership traits and compassion have rubbed off on him. John is always someone who wanted to be active in the field and be the first one out the door. Jacob said he tries to do the same at the Newton fire station.
“The caring was a big aspect, too, and putting your all into these calls,” Jacob said. “You’re truthfully going in there on the person’s worst day of their life.”
‘IT’S OK TO NOT BE OK’
Jacob said his dad genuinely cares about what he does, and he has a strong work ethic. He worked hard for his family and found time for a number of side projects. John and his dad even used to roof houses back in the day, and the extra cash helped fund their family hobbies. John still puts his family first.
When Jacob and his wife and daughter were all sick at home, John was able to come by and do his son’s chores in addition to his own. Putting other people before himself is not uncommon for John. When the derecho devastated Central Iowa, John didn’t get to the damage to his home until the day after.
Of course, that kind of thing can take a toll on someone. Take on enough heavy loads and you’re bound to break. Jacob said at times he is sure his dad did. But over the past few years John has become more cognizant of the mental health of both himself and his fellow first responders. He preaches it any chance he gets.
“Him becoming more vulnerable about his experiences in the past few years to help the first responder community I think has made a huge impact for people,” Jacob said. “…He’s realized in the past few years how to help take care of this. He’s pushed really hard at the sheriff’s office to have mental health screenings.”
John has also been heavily involved with Crisis Canines of the Midlands to pair working dogs with officers to better not only the public on calls but the people responding to them. Jacob even has his own Crisis Canine assigned to him at the fire station, fittingly named Marshall.
“It’s tough when you’ve had alpha males in these positions for so long to be vulnerable, but he knows it’s what he needs to do to let people know it’s OK to not be OK,” Jacob said. “Stuff is going to get to you and you need to get ahead of it and not wait for it to get built up so much.”
‘AT SOME POINT OUR TANK GETS FULL’
John puts it bluntly: “It’s hard for us old time crusty cops and firefighters to admit that things bother us. But the reality is the number of incidents of trauma and critical events that we see are significant. Not only that, it builds up. It’s a culmination or an accumulation of events. At some point our tank gets full.”
Eventually, the tank may even overflow. John said many law enforcement and fire/EMS agencies have done a horrible job of taking care of its people over the past 40 years. They have all the right equipment and most are paid fairly well, but when it comes to mental health and wellness they are expected to suck it up. Or worse.
“I tell people, ‘No one has a right to tell you or decide when a critical inci-
dent overwhelms you or bothers you.’ It could be your first year on and you could have a significant event and it overwhelms you, or you could be on 15 years before it overwhelms you,” John said.
First responders see the worst of the worst at times. Some may rationalize that is what they signed up for. Well, sort of. They signed up to serve and help the public and others, but John said experiencing critical incidents can take a toll on a person. John has recognized his own cumulative affects. He has triggers, too.
Knowing the negative effects that can come with not properly addressing these issues, John has pushed for mandatory annual mental health and wellness check-ins with a certified trained therapist with experience with members of the military and law enforcement, and it is at no cost to the individual.
As part of that, if an individual needs additional resources the sheriff’s office has an employee assistance program through the county’s human resources director. The sheriff’s office also holds critical incident debriefings. The addition of Crisis Canines, John added, has been an incredible resource as well.
“How can we expect our people to take care of the public and all of this stuff that’s going on if we don’t try to take care of them too?” John said.
‘YOU NEED TO HAVE A RESCUE TEAM’
On his last day, John prepared a going away letter to be sent out to his team. In that he shares how thankful he is for them and the sacrifices they make. He lets them know he cares about them and he cares about the county. He lets them know he is not perfect, but he hoped he has always been transparent.
“Integrity is incredibly important to me,” John said. “When my integrity gets questioned, I will do what I can to justify what I’m doing. But if I make a mistake I’ll let you know too. I want them to know that I hope I’ve been transparent and I hope I’ve been able to be a mentor to people.”
Whether they were a team member at the sheriff’s office or someone he met in the public, John hopes he made a positive impact on them and presented a strong work ethic. Family and faith have been strong motivators for John, and they have also been his strongest support system. He calls them his rescue team.
“Whatever you have for family, whatever you have for faith, I think you need both of those to continue in this profession,” he said. “…That’s kind of what my letter says. It says you need to take care of yourselves, take care of each other but you need to have a rescue team, whether it’s spouse or family or friends.”
There he goes again — taking off that armor and showing people that he cares. As he exits the sheriff’s office, John is optimistic and hopes other members in law enforcement can lead by his example and learn from his experiences. It was a long journey to get to where he is now.
“I never had it all figured out. I don’t want people to think I was doing things perfectly,” John said. “It’s always a work in progress and I hope that first responders and law enforcement officers realize that, too, so they can continue to better themselves and serve our people here.”
Christopher Braunschweig/PCM Explorer
Jasper County Sheriff John Halferty retires after a 38-year career in law enforcement. For about a decade, Halferty has served as sheriff and valued his integrity and his service to the citizens.
Biden’s Christmas gift to the bah humbug bureaucrats: Another 4-year staycation away from the office
In the Charles Dickens’ classic, “A Christmas Carol,” three ghosts show up on Christmas Eve and go to work trying to convince Scrooge to change his ways. That’s better in-person attendance than you can expect to find in a Washington, D.C. office these days. In fact, you’re more likely to spot a ghost haunting the halls of the headquarters of government agencies than a bureaucrat!
When asked to return to their jobs, government employees are responding: “Bah! Humbug.”While President-elect Trump is promising to bring these Bah Humbug bureaucrats back to the office again, the lame duck president is attempting to circumvent that promise by extending their staycation from work for another four years…or longer!
Earlier this month, the Social Security Administration signed off on a contract cementing its current tele -
From Washington, DC
work arrangement, requiring as few as two days a week in the office, for tens of thousands of agency employees until 2029. The National Park Service also ratified a five-year contract making all positions eligible for telework and only required to report to the office one day a week.
The union representing the EPA workforce is seeking to extend its current arrangement allowing workers to show up just one day a week through 2030!
The government workers only showing up one day a week could learn a lot
Trump is stocking his administration with self-dealing billionaires
Another View
Jim Hightower
By Jim Hightower
Howard Lutnick wants to have his cake and eat it, too. Then, he intends to eat your cake.
Lutnick is another billionaire corporate huckster who was a campaign bagman for Trump, and now he’s Trump’s pick to become Commerce Secretary. But first, he’s been tasked with picking hordes of corporate loyalists to be placed in Trump’s government as friendly “regulators” of corporate hucksterism.
Convenient, huh? This is what Trump & Company mean by saying they’ll make the government “efficient.” Instead of corporate powers having to lobby regulators to get special favors, corporate officials will become the regulators. That is so much smoother for Lutnick and his ilk, who look forward to four free-wheeling years of devouring our economy.
In choosing who to police corporate price gouging, workplace rules, bank rip-offs, and such, Lutnick has been calling Wall Streeters, Silicon Valley tech bosses, corporate giants, and billionaires, telling them to send their best operatives to Trump’s regime. “Let’s get them into government,” he exults!
Notice that he’s not calling any union leaders, consumer protectors, or other real public interest watchdogs.
By the way, Lutnick himself is in line to profit from the corporate feeding frenzy he’s now staffing. He is invested in everything from health care profiteers to cryptocurrency flimflams — and while he’s been doing Trump’s work, he’s simultaneously been pushing Congress to do favors for his personal holdings.
But he insists that there is no conflict of interest in his efforts. After all, he says with a straight-face, he holds his government policy meetings in separate rooms from his own business pleadings.
And that paper-thin wall of separation is Trump’s new ethical standard for protecting us from raw corporate greed.
Jim Hightower is a radio commentator, writer, and publicspeaker.
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from a real public servant, Old Saint Nick. Santa works remotely just one day a year and is in his workshop at the North Pole the rest of the time making that one night magical for everyone. And through all of it, he stays jolly!
Nevertheless, union bosses are urging the White House to sign an executive order directing other agencies to pen the same sweetheart deals. If Biden wasn’t busy issuing pardons, he might just do it. Folks, the one government employee who won’t have to worry about coming back into the office ever again after Jan. 20, 2025, is President Biden. But as for the millions of others on the public dole, they work for taxpayers … and soon, for President Trump, not the president of a labor union.
It may not seem that way since President Biden is giving millions of taxpayer dollars to the unions to help ink
these deals. I’m demanding to know the true cost of this taxpayer-funded union time, so I can put an end to it. The entire concept of public service is being perverted by public employee union bosses who forget the obligation of government workers is to serve the American people, not themselves. So, in this season of giving, I am gifting my December 2024 Squeal Award to the government employee union bosses. I am also calling on the Biden administration to stop these last-minute gifts to union bosses that keep on giving government workers time away from the office. If the bureaucrats don’t want to show up for work, President Trump is promising to make their wishes come true.
Joni Ernst, a native of Red Oak and a combat veteran, represents Iowa in the United States Senate.
Sweeps don’t solve homelessness
By Farrah Hassen
This summer, the Supreme Court’s Grants Pass ruling made it much easier for local governments to criminalize homelessness. Since then, cities and states across the country have stepped up their harassment of people for the “crime” of not having a place to live.
Penalizing homelessness has increasingly taken the form of crackdowns on encampments — also known as “sweeps,” which have received bipartisan support. California Governor Gavin Newsom has ordered state agencies to ramp up encampment sweeps, while President-elect Donald Trump has also pledged to ban encampments and move people to “tent cities” far from public view.
Evidence shows that these sweeps are harmful and unproductive — and not to mention dehumanizing.
Housing justice advocates caution that sweeps disrupt peoples’ lives by severing their ties to case workers, medical care, and other vital services. Many unhoused people also have their personal documents and other critical belongings seized or tossed, which makes it even harder to find housing and work.
According to a ProPublica investigation, authorities in multiple cities have confiscated basic survival items like tents and blankets, as well as medical supplies like CPAP machines and insulin. Other people lost items like phones and tools that impacted their ability to work.
Teresa Stratton from Portland told ProPublica that her husband’s ashes were even tak-
en in a sweep. “I wonder where he is,” she said. “I hope he’s not in the dump.”
Over the summer, the city of Sacramento, California forcefully evicted 48 residents — mostly women over 55 with disabilities — from a self-governed encampment known as Camp Resolution. The camp was located at a vacant lot and had been authorized by the city, which also owned the trailers where residents lived.
One of the residents who’d been at the hospital during the sweep was assured that her belongings would be kept safe. However, she told me she lost everything she’d worked so hard to acquire, including her car.
The loss of her home and community of two years, along with her possessions, was already traumatizing. But now, like most of the camp residents, she was forced back onto the streets — even though the city had promised not to sweep the lot until every resident had been placed in permanent housing.
Aside from being inhumane, the seizure of personal belongings raises serious constitutional questions — especially since sweeps often take place with little to no warning and authorities often fail to properly store belongings. Six unhoused New Yorkers recently sued the city on Fourth Amendment grounds, citing these practices.
Sweeps, like punitive fines and arrests, don’t address the root of the problem — they just trap people in cycles of poverty and homelessness. Encampments can pose challenges to local communities, but their prevalence stems from our nation’s failure to ensure the fun-
damental human right to housing.
People experiencing homelessness are often derided as an “eyesore” and blamed for their plight. However, government policies have allowed housing, a basic necessity for survival, to become commodified and controlled by corporations and billionaire investors for profit.
Meanwhile, the federal minimum wage has remained stagnant at $7.25 since 2009 and rent is now unaffordable for half of all tenants. Alongside eroding social safety nets, these policies have resulted in a housing affordability crisis that’s left at least 653,000 people without housing nationwide.
While shelters can help some people move indoors temporarily, they aren’t a real housing solution, either.
Human rights groups report that shelters often don’t meet adequate standards of housing or accommodate people with disabilities. Many treat people like they’re incarcerated by imposing curfews and other restrictions, such as not allowing pets. Safety and privacy at shelters are also growing concerns.
Officials justify sweeps for safety and sanitation reasons, but in the end they harm and displace people who have nowhere else to go. Instead, governments should prioritize safe, affordable, dignified, and permanent housing for all, coupled with supportive services. Anything else is sweeping the problem under the rug. Farrah Hassen, J.D., is a writer, policy analyst, and adjunct professor in the Department of Political Science at Cal Poly Pomona.
U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst
