And they lived happily ever after... Maybe?
Jump into fairytale magic at the PCM Middle School musical ‘Haphazardly Ever After’
By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer
Once upon a time there was a group of middle school kids who put in months of work, with the help of two great leaders, to light up the stage for a weekend. “Haphazardly Ever After,” a tale of a kind king and queen who are having trouble with their royal children, premiers for three shows at 7 p.m. March 7 and 8 and 2 p.m. March 9 in the auditorium at PCM Middle School.
“Things are coming along more smoothly now, people are paying more attention for cues and really starting to know their lines,” director Janice Davis said. “The choreography
and songs are getting better so we’re feeling better about it.”
With more than 55 kids on stage and at least 70 kids involved overall, it is a big undertaking for Davis and her co-director, Teresa Thompson. The pair have been in charge of the middle school musical for a while but it is always a challenge when working with that many enthusiastic kids.
“It is a lot of kids and they are 11, 12, 13 years old,” Davis said. “There is also a huge difference between sixth and eighth graders, that is something I have learned over the years — wow, what a gap.
“That is the biggest challenge, getting everyone to work together to make it a
great show. We also have to work with the space available and fitting all of the people and, of course, what happens with them when they aren’t on stage.”
When looking for what pro -
Oh, the places they can go and grow
PCM 8th- through 12th-graders take part in a career fair at the high school
duction to present this year, Davis and Thompson knew it would be a fairytale, but which one? Many factors come into play, including who might be filling the roles.
“We listen to the music and
see what we think will be suitable for the kids that we know will most likely audition,” Davis said. “This is the one we liked. It sounded very comical
Trading places
Kids get a chance to teach their parents what they’ve been learning during the Prairie City Elementary Academic Night
By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer
As a kid, there is nothing more fun than getting the chance to be in charge at school. Students at Prairie City Elementary had that opportunity at PCE Academic Night on Feb. 24 where parents were invited into the classroom to learn from their kids.
“I think it gives the parents an opportunity to see what a student’s day is like, even for a short period of time,” PCE Principal Jenni McCrory said. “It also gives the students the chance to show their parents what they do and how they learn. They get to be the teacher to their parents.”
Started last year as a literacy night, in 2025 organizers Morgan Jorgenson and Abigail Keeney decided to expand
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 PCM Explorer
Union members say Jasper County is going to lose some good deputies on staff
the event to include math and science. For the third through fifth graders, each classroom had different activities including sound cards, syllable sort and Connect 4 for third grade-literacy and estimation jars for fifth-grade math.
“We wanted to do more age appropriate activities with the kids that we have,” Jorgenson said. “Since we have math and literacy we decided to do that as well as science in the library. It is also to get families into the schools.”
Many families did take the opportunity to stop by and learn a little bit about what the school day looks like for their student. From fun board games and math Yahtzee to a crowd favorite like the turning tumble science activity.
“It is a different setting than a house
after negotiations with the board of supervisors ended at an impasse. Several union employees of AFSCME attended the Feb. 25 board meeting and were
Christopher Braunschweig/ PCM Explorer 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.
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
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 PCM Explorer
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 of JasperCounty.
Iowa House Rep. Jon Dunwell, R-Newton, wants to propose a bill that would give public schools a three-year 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
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Dunwell
Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer
“Haphazardly Ever After,” the PCM Middle School musical, will take the stage for three performances March 7-9 at the middle school auditorium.
Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer
Businesses from across Central Iowa came out to help students learn about different career options during a career fair held Feb. 24 at the PCM High School.
Explorer PCM
Worth Mentioning
Send your event to news@pcmexplorer.com
Events at The Gathering Place
Thursday, March 6
• 10am Senior Living Series Aging in Place with Andy Algreen. Sign up at 515-868-3860.
• 12:30pm TAI-CHI for Arthritis/Fall Prevention
Saturday, March 8
• 6:30pm Painting with a Twist, register via Facebook
Monday, March 10
• 10am Video Exercise Class
Tuesday, March 11
• 8am Coffee and Prayer
Wednesday, March 12
• 1pm Get Fit, Don’t Fall with Amy S.
Thursday, March 13
• 10am Patty Richards Show
• 5:30pm Community Potluck
GriefShare session Saturday
First Reformed Church in Prairie City will host
GriefShare from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday. If you have experienced the death of a loved one and are looking for support, healing and hope, you are welcome. Register on line at GriefShare.org or contact Mary Lemmert at 515-205-0835 or at hope2you@ aol.com.
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.
Good News Club Monday
Good News Club meets after school Monday, March 10 at the Monroe Elementary Art Room and the Prairie City Elementary Media Room/Library. This group is for Kindergarten through 5th grades and includes games, songs, Bible lesson, snacks on full days of school. Call Jane at 641-891-2733 with question regarding the Monroe location and Sheryl at 641-521-3120 for Prairie City.
Lighthouse Recovery meetings
Lighthouse Recovery Ministries host a Men’s and Ladies 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.
Lions Club Blood Drive
Prairie City Lions Club is sponsoring a Prairie City and Monroe Blood Drive from 7:15 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 15 at the First Reformed Church, 300 E. Fifth St., in Prairie City. Call 800-287-4903 to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are welcome.
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.
Lions Club supporting PCM Key Club
The Prairie City Lions Club partnered with the PCM Key Club for a pancake breakfast Jan. 25. The Lions Club conducts pancake breakfasts one Saturday per month from October to April to raise money to support local groups.
Members of the Key Club helped with advertising for the pancake breakfast and with serving the meals. Two students attended the Lions Club meeting Feb. 13 where
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and we also thought the people we figured would be involved could fill the roles easily.”
In “Haphazardly Ever After,” the king and queen are dealing with their four, obnoxious, bratty, adult children who are not liv-
they updated the club on projects they have completed and how they intend to use the Lions Club donation.
The breakfast netted $238.62 of profit which was donated to the PCM Key Club. Lion President Greg Townley presented a check to the team at the Lions Club meeting. The PCM Key Club was represented by Addison Steenhoek and Abbie Teeter.
ing up to their royal titles. From mean to vain and just apathetic, the four are making life hard for their parents.
The royal couple do all they can do help their kids, from a royal therapist to royal teachers and even trying arranged marriages. When nothing works, they call upon the fairy godmother for help, but due to extraordinarily high
The next pancake breakfast will be from 7 to 9 a.m. Saturday, March 29 at the Prairie City Community Center with proceeds going to the Lions Club Project Fund.
If you are interested in joining the Lions Club, you are invited to contact Lion President Greg Townley at 515-321-5085, email gregory.a.townley@gmail.com or contact one of the other members to learn more about becoming a member.
costs they choose a do-ityourself path which leads to royal chaos and a lot of laughs.
The middle schoolers have put in hundreds of hours to make this show great. From learning lines and choreography to painting sets and perfecting the lighting, it is sure to be an entertaining show.
“I’m excited to see the
next rehearsals and how much they grow. It will be a lot. A lot of things have to come together but they will,” Davis said. “The weekend is always a whirlwind but it is very exciting. I’m excited to relax a little when its done, too.”
To purchase tickets for “Haphazardly Ever After,” visit Bound on the PCM School District website — www.pcmschools.com.
or parent-teacher conferences,” McCrory said. “It is a more relaxed atmosphere and the students are the ones in charge, and the teachers get to stand back and watch the interactions.”
Getting to show off what they
are learning and take a little control also proved as a motivator for the students. Reversing the roles and having their parents try to follow along with their academic routines made for a fun experience.
“Whatever we are doing in class, the kids are modeling for their parents,” Jorgenson said. “The kids were excited about it and they were also excited to go in the older kids’ classroom.”
The families could grab a bag of popcorn to celebrate everything they learned as they headed out the door from the fun event. Activities like academic night help the school engage with families about what is going on in the classroom in a unique way that gets everyone involved.
“We’ve had a really good turnout tonight. It has been fun,” Jorgenson said.
Submitted Photo
Lions Club President Greg Townley presents a $238.62 check to PCM Key Club representatives.
Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer
crowd favorite, kids and parents learned science skills with a turning tumble game during Prairie City
Academic Night on Feb. 24.
Explorer PCM
Jasper County creates wage committee to analyze employee pay plans
Supervisors pivot more towards a merit-based system for county workers
By Christopher Braunschweig PCM Explorer
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 committee, the group will not be approve anything, but it will instead make recommendations.
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 coun-
ty 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 & 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 for 30 years,” Talsma said. “…So that’s what happened with the original path.”
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
workplace protections.
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
Supervisors Chairman Brandon Talsma told Newton News the comments 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
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
we currently do — which is the steps — and go to a, I 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 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 increases.
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
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 school can’t access, 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 past 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
“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.”
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 offer was final.
“I inquired last week about meeting for another proposal and I was given an email by Mike Galloway, the county labor
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 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 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
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 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.
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 that has 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.”
Opinion/ Tax & Money
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
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 the way I do, I just can’t
they could pull into the alley behind a certain 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. 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
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 Scary words
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
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.
Tips to improve financial literacy
Financial planning is a key component of successful money management. When financial plans are established and put in place, individuals are in much better position to achieve both short-term goals, like financing a dream vacation, and long-term aspirations, like retiring with enough money to live your golden years without worry.
No one is born knowing how to handle and manage money. Financial literacy is an acquired skill, which means anyone can learn how to manage money effectively. The following are a handful of ways individuals from all walks of life can improve their financial literacy.
• Crack the books (and magazines). A wealth of resources are available to anyone looking to become
better at managing money, and many of those resources are books and magazines. Printed works are available for people with varying levels of financial literacy, so it’s unlikely that any single text or magazine will benefit everyone equally. Find a text that speaks to your level of literacy and build from there.
• Pay attention to financial news. The days when financial news was limited to industry insiders or a handful of industry publications are long gone. Various online entities and cable television channels are now exclusively devoted to financial news. Anyone can benefit from paying attention to financial news, which can shed light on investments, real estate and financial industry trends that can help people better understand
their portfolios and assets.
• Read your emails. Adults who already have retirement accounts and other investments may also have an invaluable resource right inside their email inboxes. Investment management firms like The Vanguard Group, Inc., routinely host online information sessions and discussions for investors that are promoted through email and other lines of communication with account holders. When promotional emails announcing these sessions are announced, take note and resolve to participate. Many don’t require active participation, but they often provide insight into financial products, markets and strategies to successful investing.
• Ask questions. It seems simple, but one of the most
effective ways to gain greater financial literacy is to ask questions. If you work with a financial planner or are interviewing professionals to help you manage your money, ask that person to explain their financial strategy and the strategy espoused by their firms. When a new short- or even long-term goal pops up on your radar, ask your financial advisor to explain ways in which you can achieve that goal. Such discussions can reveal strategies that even well-informed individuals may be unaware of. Financial literacy can help people achieve their life’s goals. Various strategies can help people from all walks of life improve their financial knowledge and take greater control of their finances and futures.
– Metro Creative
department, our county treasurer and auditor, etc. Theirs are indeed full-time 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.
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
John Moore Newton
Mustangs’ Basketball Seasons Come to an End
PCM basketball has been on an exciting ride throughout the playoffs. The boys hosted Van Buren at home on Monday, February 17. The Mustangs dominated in the first round of regionals, breezing past the Warriors, 82-36. Senior Kaleb DeVries hit two threes, ending the night with eight points. Alex Wendt led the team, pulling down 12 rebounds. Chase Wagaman had a total of seven points, also swiping two steals. It was a career night for senior Gavin Van Gorp, ending with 38 points and joining the 1,000-point club.
Round two was hosted by the 21-1 Grand View. Christian Thunder, the HOIAC conference champions. The Mustangs kept it close, outscoring the Thunder in every quarter besides the fourth. The team ended the first quarter tied 18-18. With a buzzer-beating three by Van Gorp, the boys led by one at the end of the first half. The game was a battle, with the Mustangs up by two at the end of the third. Despite their best efforts, the Mustangs couldn’t overcome the conference champions during their explosive fourth quarter, being outscored 27-13 in the final eight minutes. Gavin Van Gorp led the pack with 16 points, making 4/5 three-pointers. Cutler VandeLune also contributed heavily, adding in 14 points and hitting 3 three-pointers. Alex Wendt shot 60% from the field, finishing with 13 points. Junior Chase Wagaman swiped six steals and tallied up 11 points. Senior Kaleb DeVries led the team in assists, ending the night with six.
“We had really good teamwork; we played as a team,” senior Jake Winters said when asked what he wanted the younger players to take away from this season. “One family.” The boys finished their season 12-12 and 9-7 in conference play. Head Coach Tony Ford was awarded Rising Coach of the Year by the Iowa Basketball Coaches Association. Coach Ford will be recognized Friday, March 14, during halftime of the 7:00 pm 1A Championship game.
As for the girls, they had a very successful season, making their way to the third round of regionals. The Mustangs were able to host the first two rounds of regional play. The girls started strong, defeating South Tama in round one 56-28. Round two was a thrilling game against the Albia Lady Dees, with the Mustangs winning 42-39. For round three, the girls traveled to face the #3 Williamsburg Raiders, with many other Mustang fans traveling to watch as well. The team got off to a slow start, trailing 23-12 at the end of the first. Unfortunately, the girls were unable to overcome the early deficit despite freshman Libby Winters’ impactful twenty points. The final score was 57-43, ending the girl’s season on an emotional note. The team finished second in their conference and 21-4 overall.
The girls’ successful season did not go unnoticed. Junior Tori Lindsay and freshman Libby Winters made 1st team all-district. Head Coach Samantha Allison-Rodriguez was named District Coach of the Year by the Iowa Girls Coaches Association.
March Students of the Month
Rylee Dehaai
Parents: David & Brenda Dehaai
Employer: Jasper County Extension Office Future Plans: Attend Iowa State University & Major in Animal Science
Extracurricular Activities: PCM dance team, FFA, County Council, 4-H, Steppin Out Dance Studio
Three words that Describe Her: Kind, hardworking, dependable Favorite Classes: Ag leadership & Personal Finance Advice for underclassmen: Stay true to yourself, balance your academics Best High School Memory: Winning 1st in Hip Hop at state on the dance team & traveling to Florida to compete in Nationals Dream Job: Animal Nutritionist
Libby Winters Staff Writer
Harlan Shannon
Parents: Mandy & Jeff Shannon
Employer: Zach ArnoldsChick-Fil-A Future Plans: Attend either Central or Drake and pursue a degree in Pre-physical therapy Extracurricular Activities: Football, FCA, Track and Field, ELP, and NHS
Three Words that Describe Him: intelligent, friendly, and hardworking Favorite Classes: Chemistry & Espanol Advice for Underclassmen: Use your time here well, as it flies by super fast! Best High School Memory: Playing football with my best friends this year
Dream Job: Physical Therapist
Haphazardly Ever After
Annie Ford Staff Writer
This year’s Middle School Musical is called Haphazardly Ever After. The show will take place on March 7 at 7 PM, March 8 at 7 PM, and March 9 at 2 PM at the middle school auditorium. One of the directors of the show is Janice Davis. Davis tells us, “It’s about a king and a queen who have 4 bratty children and all of the different ways they try to improve their kids’ behavior and eventually try to get rid of them in the castle. It’s going to be a very funny show if the kids can pull it together and get all the music, lines, and choreography put together to tell the story.” Next, we were wondering how the kids are doing and their feelings before the musical. Davis responded, “It has been a fun time with the kids....practices are moving right along. Can’t believe today is 2 weeks until opening day! We are excited for these kids to present the show to everyone. They have been working very hard! There is a lot of talent here at the middle school, and we have enjoyed watching the kids develop their characters.”
Tickets for the musical will be available on Bound.
I just wanted to check in and see how you’re doing! It’s understandable that the year has started off a bit rocky for many of us, given the whirlwind of emotions that shape who we are. Our community has experienced significant changes over the past couple of years, and this year brings its own unique challenges. Remember, your mental health is very important, and you absolutely matter, no matter who you are. People are truly incredible, but sometimes the choices we make don’t lead us in the best directions, even when they feel right at the moment. It’s a common misconception that others would be happier without you or someone else around; that couldn’t be further from the truth! What we really need is more love instead of hate—there’s been too much negativity floating around. It’s crucial to remember that we shouldn’t judge others without knowing their full story. If you’re feeling down, please don’t hesitate to reach out to someone who cares, or take a moment to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors—spring is on its way, and the weather is getting nicer! Just keep in mind that whether things feel good or bad, they’re all temporary. Each new day brings us hope, and as we navigate the feelings of loss for people, things, and time, let’s remember that everything we’ve experienced has shaped us into who we are today. Let’s cherish our days, our relationships, and what we hold dear, even if these moments may not last forever. While it can be tough to accept, sometimes people have to leave us—often at the most challenging times. This just shows how special every moment and every person truly is. It truly is a blessing, and yet, it can feel like a curse when we go through it. So if you’re feeling stressed, sad, upset, or depressed, just know that there are always people who love you and are so grateful that you are you!
Scan here to learn more about staff writer Skyler Jennings!
Junior Alex Wednt dribbling toward the basket during the boy’s final game of the season versus Grandview Christian Photo Cred: J. Steenhoek
Kenna Grier Staff Writer
