What’s going on at PCM? There’s an app for that
PCM School District phone app informs, updates and more
By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer
Where is the game this Friday? What’s for lunch tomorrow? When are parent/teacher conferences? Answers to those questions and more can be found on the PCM phone app, a one-stop shop to stay informed.
“We created the app to put everything PCM in one place. It serves as a one-stop spot for district news, events and updates — making it easy to access district information,” PCM Communications Specialist Cathy DeHaai said. “Through push notifications, all community members, not just families in Infinite Campus, can get timely alerts like weather-related closings, delays and early outs. Users can also opt in to daily or weekly reminders for district events, ensuring nothing important is missed at PCM.”
Available in both Apple and Android app stores, the easy to access tool is great for everyone from students to grandparents. Information on the app includes icons featuring:
• District Calendar: First/last days of school, no school days including district improvement days and holidays and conference dates.
• Events Calendar: Sports, activities and events in an easy-to-access calendar. Everything that’s in Bound, the districts activity site, is in this calendar.
• Menu: Monthly breakfast and lunch menu.
• Registration: Link to the registration page.
GLOW GET IT
PCM Elementary PTO Glow Run lights up the night
Conservation board and county supervisors at odds over filling naturalist/office manager position
Jasper County releases a number of statements to address community
By Christopher Brunschweig PCM Explorer
Supervisors have issued a number of responses to community backlash regarding the conservation department’s pleas to fill a vacant position, which, if left unfilled, could mean fewer educational programs for students in Jasper County. But elected officials say there is another side to the story.
Jasper County Conservation staff have
been partnering with local school districts to provide educational programming for many years, but the department worries whether programming will diminish if it can’t replace an employee position that was pivotal to those programs. The position is a naturalist/ office manager.
Newton Superintendent Tom Messinger said the school district is fortunate to have the opportunity to partner with Jasper County. He noted that the agenda included program documents for every grade level. Programs either happen on-site in the classroom or on field trips to the many county parks.
“They’re very engaging,” Messinger said. “I don’t care how old you are there are things you can learn from it. It’s really some good information and good
Digital sign added to The Gathering Place of Monroe
By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer
Place of Monroe is a great place to find out what is happening at the senior and community center. Replacing a static sign, the
experience our kids can get but we’re unable to provide on our own. With that said, I invited Katie here this evening to talk with us again.”
Katie Cantu, a naturalist for Jasper County, has provided educational programs to area students for the past 25 years. Cantu estimated the department regularly hosts programming for about 16,000 people each year, with many of that population consisting of kids and teenagers from local school districts.
Currently, there are eight staff members in Jasper County Conservation, broken down to four mainly office workers and four field staff. One of the naturalists was also the office manager who handled a variety of work in and out of the office. But the employee has decided to devote her time being a stay-at-home mom.
“The challenge we’re facing right now — just so you guys are aware — the county board of supervisors does not want our conservation board to replace her,” Cantu said. “So we’re kind of limping along a little short-staffed here into a really busy season. I don’t know. There’s a lot happening.”
Cantu encouraged the school board, teachers and anyone who utilizes the programs to reach out to supervisors and voice their support for conservation.
“Let ‘em know that this is important,” Cantu said. “…We would normally offer five opportunities per class, and she’s kind of behind all of our big fundraising.”
Supervisors appoint one of their own to conservation board after recent backlash
Longtime board member replaced by supervisor is disappointed and frustrated by decision
By Christopher Braunschweig PCM Explorer
Supervisors have appointed one of their own to the Jasper County Conservation Board in response to the recent “breakdown of communication” with the county department, which led to community outrage. The longtime board member who was replaced by a supervisor is disappointed and frustrated by the decision.
Appointing Thad Nearmyer to the conservation board in place of
the current board member, Robyn Friedman, was proposed by Supervisors Chairman Brandon Talsma during the Sept. 2 board of supervisors meeting. The action passed in a 2-0 vote with Nearmyer abstaining from the vote.
“In light of recent events, I think it would behoove us to appoint Thad Nearmyer to the conservation board,” Talsma said, referencing recent controversy about the future of a conservation position. “I’m going to make that motion. I
think there’s been a continual breakdown of conversation between the two boards.”
Abby Lamont, of Newton, spoke out against the appointment during the public comment portion of the meeting, suggesting it is a conflict of interest to have a supervisor on their conservation board. Talsma told Lamont county supervisors can, indeed, serve on other county boards and commissions.
Iowa Code 331.216
Provided by Ashley Van Ryswyk
Fun outfits including glowing headbands and sunglasses help light the night during the PCM Elementary PTO Glow Run Sept. 5 at Prairie City Elementary.
Bright, big and right on a main road through Monroe, the digital sign at The Gathering
Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer
The Gathering Place of Monroe has updated its sign to a digital board displaying upcoming events at the community center.
uproar
PCM Community School District
The PCM app holds a ton of information about the district including school events, the lunch menu and recent news.
Worth Mentioning
Send your event to news@pcmexplorer.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 Thursdays and 9 a.m. to noon and 6 to 7 p.m. Mondays.
PCM Clothing Closet
The PCM Clothing Closet, 100 W. Jefferson St. in Prairie City, is open from 9 to 11 a.m. and 4 to 7 p.m. every Thursday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays.
Upcoming events at The Gathering Place in Monroe
Thursday, Sept. 11
• 10am Patty Richards Show
• 1pm Movement with Sean Friday, Sept. 12
• 2pm Piano with Jacque Robinson Monday, Sept. 15
• 10am Video Exercise Class Tuesday, Sept. 16
• 8am Coffee and Prayer
• 1pm Game Time
• 6pm Bingo
Wednesday, Sept. 17
• 4pm “Get Fit, Don’t Fall” with Amy Stephensen Thursday, Sept. 18
• 9am Focus Group meeting
• 1pm Movement with Sean Cater 2U2 Chicken Dinner Fundraiser from 4:30to6:30p.m.Sept.18.Menuincludesmashed potatoes, green beans, pasta salad and roll. Meal mustbepurchasedinadvance.Ticketsavailableat Monroe Foods, and The Gathering Place.
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.
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.
Monroe City Hall changes hours
Monroe City Hall is observing new hours it is open to the public — 8 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 4:30 p.m.
Drive-Thru Fundraiser
The Gathering Place in Monroe is hosting a Drive-Thru Fundraiser of chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, pasta salad and roll, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18. Tickets must be purchased in advance at Monroe Foods or The Gathering Place.
Pancake Breakfast Sept. 27
The Prairie City Lions will host tits monthly pancake breakfast from 7 to 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 27 at the Prairie City Community Building. The menu includes pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, and drink. A freewill donation is accepted. Monies raised will support the PC Lions Project Account.
Monroe
City-wide Garage Sales
The City of Monroe will host city-wide garage sales Saturday, Sept. 27.
Explorer PCM
Obituaries
Kenneth Ray Simpson
Sept. 3, 2025
Kenneth Ray Simpson, aged 68, of Ottumwa (formerly Monroe), passed away on September 3, 2025. Kenny’s family will greet friends for visitation on Friday, September 12, 2025, from 5:00 - 7:00 PM at the Presbyterian Church in Monroe. The funeral will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at 10:30 AM at the Presbyterian Church. Burial will take place at Silent City Cemetery following the
funeral. Coffee and desserts will be served at the church after the burial; all are welcome to attend. Memorials may be made out in Kenny’s name to the Monroe Fire Department or PCM Scouts BSA Troop 348. If you are unable to attend and wish to leave a card, please address it to, “Attn: Kenny Simpson, Coburn Funeral Home, 24 W Howard St, Colfax, IA 50054.”
The son of Melvin and Ina (DeHeer) Simpson, Kenny was born in Knoxville, Iowa on April 1, 1957. He grew up in Monroe and graduated from Monroe High School. Shortly after high school Kenny was married and had two children, Heidi and Joseph. In 2000 he was married to Danyale Van Vark, together they had one son Jordan. Kenny tried his hand at a few different jobs
Naturalist
Continuedfrompage1
SUPERVISORS RESPOND TO COMMUNITY WITH PRESS RELEASE
The community learned of Cantu’s plea thanks to an Aug. 28 report by Randy Van Roekel of KNIA-KRLS. Comments were overwhelmingly in favor of conservation, and people questioned whether the board of supervisors is truly supportive of the department. In response, the county issued a press release.
The board of supervisors hoped to clarify the situation regarding the position, saying they had not told the conservation board that they cannot fill a vacant position. Supervisors acknowledged that conservation has the ability and funding to fill this position, but they wanted a conversation about the position.
Specifically, supervisors wondered if the position could be handled more efficiently. Supervisors said their No. 1 goal is to increase government efficiency and reduce costs for taxpayers across each department in the county. The release said the board tried to initiate this conversation several months ago.
Supervisors wondered if the office manager duties could be combined or shared with another department — secondary roads — which is in need of an office position to handle day-to-day work. The board also proposed the idea that certain custodial duties in the parks be outsourced.
“Since then, the conservation board has been unwilling even to sit down and discuss at length the possibility of this option, what it would entail and whether it is feasible,” the board said. “Additionally, the board of supervisors has clearly communicated and stated that this attempt may not work for one or both departments.”
If that proves the case, supervisors said they would again consider all options.
Supervisors also claimed the vacant position does not affect programs like the fishing club, school naturalist programs or other community services.
Over the next few years, the board of supervisors wants to continue evaluating positions within the county as they become open. The supervisors said it is an effort to reduce redundancies in positions and job duties and reduce the duplication of services.
The county is committed to being responsible stewards to taxpayer dollars, the supervisors said, and it encouraged citizens to come to the next board meeting.
CHAIRMAN OF THE SUPERVISORS
Continuedfrompage1
sign was made possible by a grant from Prairie Meadows.
before he started driving truck. Once he got behind the wheel and established his CB handle “The Wanderer,” there was no turning back. Throughout his lengthy career on the road, he traveled the continental United States and parts of Canada. Over the years Kenny became versed in operating multiple types of semi-trucks, if it had a steering wheel he could drive it. He hauled everything from toys to farm machinery.
Over the course of his trucking career Kenny put in a lot of miles and time working to support his family. You could find him with his sleeves rolled up or no sleeves at all. His friendly personality always rode shotgun with him. If there was a chance to help someone, Kenny was going to do it. In his spare time, he
RELEASES VIDEO
Supervisor Brandon Talsma released a video on his official Facebook page to address the issues more in-depth and reiterate much of what was said in the original press release. He noted supervisors work very hard to keep levy rates the same, and he warned that state lawmakers will be addressing property taxes.
Which means the budget constraints the county is already under may become even more strenuous and limiting. Talsma noted that he spoke with department heads during budget sessions this past year about vacant positions and the scrutiny the board would be taking when looking at those positions.
“Just because you have somebody quit and have a vacant position, do not automatically assume that the supervisors are going to be supportive of filling that position,” he said. “What we are requesting going forward is that when you have a vacant position it will not be filled unless you come and request from the board.”
While the conservation board does have funds to pay for the position, Talsma said supervisors have power of the purse for Jasper County, suggesting they have final say. He also disliked the idea of filling the vacant position as is because the funding may dry up by the end of the fiscal year.
To him, it isn’t right to offer someone a full-time job and then eliminate that position during next year’s budget sessions.
Finding alternative ways to fill and pay for positions is nothing new for the county. Talsma pointed out that the veterans affairs director is often a 30-hour job but can get bumped to 40 hours when circumstances change. Veterans affairs also currently shares a full-time position with general assistance.
He also stressed the only discussion supervisors have had with the conservation board was during a past work session, which turned combative and accusatory. In that meeting, supervisors said they needed to at least have a serious conversation about a split position.
Talsma said the supervisors didn’t say no but that they wanted conservation to work with the secondary roads department about the feasibility of the position.
Talsma also wanted to address what he felt was a false narrative that supervisors do not support conservation. Talsma adamantly disagreed and said he is an avid outdoorsman himself and is a big proponent of conservation. Supervisors, he said, have contributed millions to conservation.
“In just the past five years, there has been $6,924,417.51 in property tax dollars that has gone to conservation,” Talsma said.
He also mentioned that supervisors
enjoyed riding motorcycles, listening to seventies music, and camping. His love of camping started back as a Scout.
Kenny is survived by his wife, Danyale (Van Vark) Simpson; his mother, Ina (DeHeer) Simpson; children, Heidi (Chad) Liventals, Joe (Mendy) Simpson, and Jordan Simpson; grandkids, Ray, Conlan, Ethan, Nora, and Emery; his siblings, Steve Simpson, Terrie Simpson, Sherrie (Tom) Mouw, Anita (Martin Eveleth) Simpson, and Lorri (Brian) Hazelton; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceding Kenny in death was his father, Melvin Simpson; nieces and nephews; Joshua Simpson, Taylor Talsma, and Korver Hazelton; and a sister-in-law, Lu Anne Simpson.
have dedicated $1.1 million in ARPA funds to Jasper County Conservation for various projects. The supervisors also bonded to pay for new sheds. Talsma said he is very supportive of conservation, “but it does not mean you get a blank check and operate without accountability.”
And it does not mean a department can operate without looking for alternative ways to find efficiencies, he added.
“We owe it to at least try,” Talsma said. TENSIONS ARE HIGH
Tension between the Jasper County Board of Supervisors and the Jasper County Conservation Board happened as recently as late June. The supervisors wanted to draft a contract with conservation over the nature center duties. Talsma said the 28E agreement is an effort to make sure the facility doesn’t fall to taxpayers.
Supervisors have held the conservation director accountable to her words from a past meeting when the department was requesting ARPA funds for the nature center. Talsma said it has been communicated to the board and to others that taxpayer dollars would not go towards the upkeep and costs of the nature center.
Jasper County Conservation Director Keri Vane Zante told supervisors in June that it seemed strange when the community has shown it wants this facility.
Willie Yeager, chairman of the Jasper County Conservation Board, told Newton News in a recent phone interview that a member of the board still has not been appointed back for the past several months. He said the conservation board feels slighted by the supervisors. They know the budget is tight, Yeager said.
“But this has already been appropriated for and we’re going to hire another naturalist, a full-time position, probably after Tuesday’s board meeting,” he said. “…We’ve never been given any explanation why at least Robyn (Friedman) hasn’t been reappointed to the board.”
As to the future of that position, Yeager said the conservation board will cross that bridge when the time comes. Right now, the main goal of the board is to find someone to fill that position and take some pressure off the director. Yeager said the current setup of staff is just not working.
Newton News received a statement from the board of supervisors implying that better communication is needed in the future:
“The Jasper County Board of Supervisors is striving to improve communication with all departments. We believe that this situation could have been avoided with better communication on all sides. We will be searching for opportunities to improve communication going forward.”
“The Gathering Place of Monroe is grateful for receiving a Community Betterment Grant from Prairie Meadows for $10,000,” The Gathering Place of Monroe board member Linda Roorda said. “This grant has been applied to a digital sign that will serve in communicating to the community. It shows the public the different events, programs and fundraisers that are held in the senior and community center. We are pleased to be partnering with Prairie Meadows as a neighbor to Jasper County.”
Whether it is a performance by local singers, classes for seniors or monthly bingo, everything happening at the community center flashes by on the sign placed alongside The Gathering Place building.
Explorer PCM
• School supply lists: Elementary and middle school
• Directory: Staff email and extension directory
• Infinite Campus: Link to parent and student login page. Absences can now also be entered in Infinite Campus.
• Thank a Staff Member: Send a virtual thank you note to a PCM staff member.
• PCM Spirit Store: Link to get your
Mustang merch.
• Bus Expectations: A brochure that outlines the bus expectations for all students.
• Employment: Link to job openings and application process.
• PCM Tip Reporting: This form allows students, parents and community members to confidentially report past, present and potential crimes and threats within the school community.
• Schools: Links to the building websites.
• Website: Link to district website.
• Social Media: Links to the district social media accounts.
• Arrival and Dismissal/Shuttle
Appointment
states unless otherwise provided by state law, a supervisor may serve as a member of any appointive board, commission or committee of this state, a political subdivision of this state or a nonprofit corporation or agency receiving county funds. The code seems to uphold Talsma’s arguments.
Still, Lamont argued Friedman had been waiting to be reappointed to the board for nine months. Lamont questioned why the position was left open for so long.
Talsma reasoned he couldn’t speak for why his fellow supervisors chose not to bring it up to reappoint Friedman, but he did not bring it up because he disliked the idea of people serving on boards and commissions “for a perpetual amount of time.” He brought up similar sentiments with the reappointment of Carol Kramer.
In 2022, Talsma pushed back against reappointing Kramer to the conservation board. She has served on the board for more than 30 years. While the board would eventually appoint Kramer in a 2-1 vote, Talsma argued these are not “lifelong appointments” and that other volunteers may want to serve.
Talsma also told Lamont he did not like that the majority of conservation’s board members are from Newton or within a three-mile radius of Newton. He wants to see more board members representing the rural areas. Talsma noted Friedman has been instrumental to conservation obtaining its nature center.
“But I didn’t want to reappoint somebody for a four-year term for something that was going to be over in a year,” Talsma said.
Lamont pressed the supervisors to explain why they left the board
seat vacant for nine months. Talsma said it technically wasn’t open and that the conservation board has no authority to reappoint their own board members. He reasoned that members of the boards and commissions serve perpetually until acton is taken.
“Why appoint Thad today? Why not bring somebody else up?” Lamont asked.
Talsma answered, “In light of recent events and the lack of communication between our two entities is why I felt it was paramount that we need to make the change now.”
Lamont also inquired about the proposed 28E agreement the supervisors wanted to draft for the conservation board, which clearly defines the duties of the nature center. Specifically, the supervisors want the agreement to hold conservation accountable to past comments saying the upkeep wouldn’t fall on taxpayers.
“They haven’t been asked to sign anything yet,” Talsma said. “Nothing’s even been drafted or proposed to them, and it would be a two-way street.”
Lamont hoped supervisors would reconsider making a 28E agreement, saying conservation has raised millions of dollars and will continue to raise millions of dollars for the nature center. Thousands of children benefit from the conservation programs every year, she said.
“It would be a huge disservice to not facilitate that building with our tax dollars,” Lamont said. FRIEDMAN QUESTIONS WHY SHE WASN’T CHOSEN
Friedman had been serving the conservation board for 15 years. She was first appointed in 2010 and asked to be reappointed every five years
Schedule: A breakdown of school bell arrival and dismissal times as well as an outline of the shuttle bus times and stops.
• Virtual Backpack: Find out what’s happening in the community or submit an event to be added to the backpack. “Finding new communication tools is important because it helps ensure that information reaches everyone quickly, clearly and in a way that fits their daily lives,” DeHaai said. “At PCM, we are always looking for the best ways to share updates, events and resources so they are simple to find and easy to access. Our app plays a key
role in this by providing a convenient, central place for families, students, staff and community members to stay informed throughout the school year.” So far feedback for the app has been very positive, DeHaai said. It gets used daily by people, especially to find out what is for lunch and upcoming activities.
While they didn’t add any new features at the start of the year, DeHaai said they are always open to suggestions and ideas for the app.
“We add more icons/information to the app on a regular basis,” DeHaai said. “If someone has a suggestion, please reach out.”
her term had expired. Friedman told Newton News she had submitted her application to be reappointed to the conservation board in December 2024.
When two supervisors attended an earlier conservation board meeting this year, they were asked about the delay of Friedman’s reappointment. Friedman said the two supervisors were asked if there were other applicants. They said no. Friedman said they were then asked why they weren’t moving forward.
“They answered that they were considering moving in a different direction with no further explanation beyond that,” she said. “No explanation to county conservation department or the other board members. And they didn’t let us continue that conversation at that time because there were two of them present.”
Which meant their presence could be considered a quorum.
Friedman anticipated her seat would be on the line after her board decided to repost the naturalist/office manager, which supervisors disagreed with.
Supervisors were put on blast by community members after a report from KNIA-KRLS was shared on social media. The radio station reported on a conservation staff member pleading with Newton school board members and teachers to contact supervisors about keeping a naturalist/office manager position.
Jasper County released a press release clarifying they were not eliminating the position but wanted to kickstart conversations about creating a split office position between conservation and secondary roads. The conservation board argued they have the funds to pay for this position.
While the supervisors acknowledged that conservation can fund the
position, Talsma noted budget cuts next year could eliminate it. He disliked the idea of hiring someone for a job that may not be there in less than a year’s time. Still, conservation board wanted to fill the position and posted it to job sites.
“Which is not what the supervisors have wanted us to do,” Friedman said. “I knew it would probably put my appointment in a bit of jeopardy.”
Friedman disagreed with supervisors choosing Nearmyer to serve on the board.
“I was under the understanding that I was the only person who submitted an application to be appointed to the position,” she said. “And I submitted that before my term expired in December for then it not to be acted upon all these months leading up until now, even after directly asking for it to be put on an agenda.”
Nearmyer later told Newton News he had not filled out an application.
Iowa Code 350.2 states members of the county conservation board shall be selected and appointed on the basis of their demonstrated interest in conservation matters. With her background running trails, being a fan of nature and having a biology degree, Friedman thought she was a good fit for the board.
“I was the only applicant and they still didn’t choose me,” Friedman.
Friedman is frustrated and disappointed by the decision, and she said supervisors have only opposed reappointments to the conservation board for her and Carol Kramer, who are the only women on the board. Friedman said both she and Kramer struggled to be reappointed.
Friedman was heavily involved in the nature center project. One of the biggest reasons she wanted to stay involved for one more term was to
see that project through fruition. Even though she is no longer on the board, Friedman said she will continue to be involved with Jasper County Conservation.
SUPERVISORS DEFEND THEIR DECISION
In a follow-up interview with Newton News, Talsma said the application process is used by all of the county’s boards and commissions.
“We played around with it before in the past but we kind of quit pushing it out because it didn’t have the results that we wanted,” Talsma said. “I think three years ago is when we started to do a big push and it didn’t have the desired affect. It had a whole bunch of people who weren’t qualified.”
Many of the county’s boards and commissions have requirements to join, like the veterans affairs commission or the planning and zoning board. For an individual to serve on the zoning board, they must be a rural resident. The commissioners for veterans affairs are veterans of the U.S. military.
Talsma addressed the issue of supervisors serving on boards and commissions and he disclosed to Newton News which boards the supervisors serve on:
• Brandon Talsma serves on boards or commissions for Central Iowa Juvenile Detention, Cemetery, Central Iowa Housing Trust Fund, Central Iowa Regional Housing Authority and Emergency Management.
• Doug Cupples serves on boards or commissions for Public Health, Aging Resources, Central Iowa Regional Housing Authority as an alternate, JEDCO and DHS Decategorization.
• Thad Nearmyer serves on boards or commissions for Jasper County Nutrition, IMPACT, Aging Resources
as an alternate, Central Iowa Regional Transportation Planning Alliance, Compensation and Fifth Judicial District.
To Talsma, it is important for supervisors to be involved in these boards and commissions when it involves county funds.
“It should be supervisors and elected officials that sit on them because that all comes back to play in our budget,” Talsma said.
Talsma defended his decision to put Nearmyer on the board, given the recent controversies. The chairman of the board of supervisors said communications between them and the conservation board had been breaking down for some time. Talsma said there was a time he attended every conservation meeting.
However, he said that all stopped after he questioned whether Kramer should be reappointed to the conservation board. Talsma said meetings then shifted to an hour or 30 minutes before the supervisors meetings began on Tuesdays, so he was unable to attend.
Talsma said putting Nearmyer on the conservation board may help improve communications between the two entities.
“If a supervisor would have been on the board, it would have been cleared up in a bout 30 seconds,” Talsma said.
Talsma emphasized that county departments operate through tax dollars allocated by the board of supervisors.
“We’re not trying to micromanage or control anything, but there has got to be a conversation between these boards and coming back to the board of supervisors so that we can work together so that both of us can try to achieve what our objectives are,” Talsma said. To him, that means both the supervisors and the conservation board will have to compromise. Nearmyer stressed communication is important.
“I believe it’s imperative that the conservation board and the board of supervisors have a good understanding of each other’s goals,” Nearmyer said. “Having a supervisor on the conservation board will begin that process.”
Best and worst U.S. Presidential Cabinets ranked: What research reveals
Professor
By Steve Corbin
Emeritus of
Marketing, University of Northern Iowa
I commend columnists who publish research-based and value-added (versus “my opinion”) op-eds on a daily or frequent basis. Submitting an occasional essay gives me time to ponder contemporary issues and research the latest hot topic.
Since Aug. 6, Perplexity and Google have guided me to examine over 30 documents to determine the best and worst U.S. presidential cabinets. Based upon expert analysis, here are the results. Judging presidential cabinet strengths and weaknesses
While determining cabinet strengths and weaknesses can be debatable, broad consensus, historical investigation and political science scholarship supports a generally accepted conclusion to judging the quality of a presidential cabinet. Some key components include: expertise, competence, experience, operational effectiveness, ethical standards, scandals, internal White House diversity and the ability for cabinet members to challenge the president without repercussions.
Several other dimensions to assess cabinet performance across U.S. presidencies include: turnover rates, vacancy
rates, delays in appointments, effectiveness of cabinet members’ actions, and ability to maintain stability and implement policy.
Cabinet findings synopsis
Five different and independent research studies summarized that U.S. presidential cabinets can be compared, contrasted and evaluated as follows: 1) stable, low-turnover and well-staffed cabinets are generally seen as higher performing, 2) high-turnover and high-vacancy cabinets are associated with decreased effectiveness and 3) appointment of experts and diverse talent correlates with improved policy outcomes and cabinet success.
Best presidential cabinets
The following presidential cabinets are widely regarded as among the best in U.S. history:
1. Abraham Lincoln’s (Rep., 18611865) cabinet – known as the Team of Rivals – with people like William Seward, Salmon Chase and Edwin Stanton, challenged yet complemented Lincoln, helping with the Union’s victory and abolition of slavery.
2. George Washington’s (no political party, 1789-1797) cabinet included Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, Henry Knox and Edmund Randolph, which Lindsay Chervinsky and other historians identify as a foundational model for effective executive leadership.
3. Franklin D. Roosevelt’s (Dem., 1933-1945) cabinet included Frances Perkins (first female cabinet secretary) and Henry Morgenthau, Jr., who helped shape and implement the New Deal policies and guide America through World War II.
Worst presidential cabinets
Historical surveys cite the following presidential cabinets among the worst
Consistency is key
In her recent Newton News opinion piece, “Bringing gravy trains to a squealing halt,” Sen. Joni Ernst targets California’s ambitious plans to construct high speed rail in the state that would cut travel times, relieve road congestion, and reduce fossil fuel consumption.
In boasting of her multi-year efforts to sabotage this project, which is mostly (85 percent) funded by California taxpayers, Ernst erroneously reports that “not a single track has been laid,” ignoring the fact that track-laying began 8 months ago. Her attack on various federally funded programs conveniently sidesteps her support for the Trump administration’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” which simultaneously slashes health and nutrition programs while increasing tax cuts for the wealthy and advancing large Pentagon increases for counterproductive programs. One of the most egregious examples of the latter is Trump’s creation of a $175 billion “Golden Dome” missile defense system to be completed in three years.
Independent experts conclude that pursuing the fantasy of national missile defense will fail to work as intended, incentivize China and Russia to double down on building up their nuclear arsenals, and cost the U.S. taxpayers billions of dollars, which are not covered by revenues.
Moreover, this program will compete with other strategic expenditures that are critically needed to maintain the viability of the U.S. deterrent, such as the Columbia Class Strategic Ballistic Missile Submarine and the B-21 Strategic Bomber. Sen. Ernst wants credit for her “Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act,” but does not want to be consistent in her principles for determining what should apply. As a member of the Senate Defense Committee, she should know better.
GregThielmannisanativeofNewtonanda1972 graduate of Grinnell College. He worked 31 years for the Federal Government (OMB, the US Foreign Service, and the Senate Intelligence Committee) and 7 years for the Arms Control Association before retiring to lowa in 2023.
OPINION
I’m reading a book by Ishmael Reed in which he discusses among other things American culture or as known by many, white culture and that this is one of the many issues facing black, yellow, brown, and red people in this country because of the prevailing view, by white Americans, that we can not allow America to have a black, yellow, brown, or red culture — that it is not American and every effort must be made to stop it from happening. This has been and continues to be the underlying impetus for the current onslaught against DEI. Now, I
in U.S. history, predominantly due to issues of incompetence, corruption and scandal:
1. Warren G. Harding’s (Rep., 19211923) cabinet is widely regarded as the worst of the worst due to the infamous Teapot Dome scandal, widespread corruption among cabinet members and for exemplifying poor cabinet selection due to cronyism and misconduct.
2. Ulysses S. Grant’s (Rep., 18691877) cabinet was plagued by corruption, the Whiskey Ring scandal, the Credit Mobilier scandal and unethical governance.
3. Donald J. Trump’s (Rep., 20172021 and 2025-2029) cabinets have been widely criticized for their lack of qualifications, record-setting high turnover rates, appointments based on loyalty over capability, conflicts of interest, stark public dissatisfaction and poorly vetted appointees but – nevertheless -approved by Republican Senators.
Turnover is a proxy for performance and stability
Research is replete that turnover rates of presidential appointments are an indicator of presidential performance and a concrete indicator of stability. High cabinet turnover has significant negative consequences for governance and leadership effectiveness, such as loss of institutional memory, loss of expertise, lack of cohesion and stalled initiatives.
Frequent cabinet turnover has serious consequences. It disrupts policy formation, diminishes efficiency, harms morale, undermines public trust, and weakens agency autonomy and longterm strategic capabilities.
During Trump’s first presidency, a record turnover occurred with 20 of his 24 cabinet picks either quitting or being `de-hired’ by Trump. Furthermore, 92
percent of the 65 people who were on Trump’s 2017-2021 “A Team” left their appointed office.
During the first 220 days of Trump’s 2.0 administration, he’s already had turnover in 13 key positions, notably Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, Cameron Hamilton, Dr. Carla Hayden, Dr. Debra Houry, Dr. Daniel Jernigan, Dr. Peter Marks, Dr. Susan Monarez, Elon Musk, Shira Perlmutter, Dr. Vinay Prasad, Vivek Ramaswamy, Dr. Drew Snyder and Mike Waltz. Furthermore, at least 148,000 federal employees have left Trump’s 2.0 workforce.
Trump 1.0 and 2.0
From a cabinet member perspective, Trump’s two attempts at being president are near the bottom of 47 presidencies. Rigorous historical research suggests this does not bode well that the 20252029 time period will be successful.
With all of the chaos, uncertainty, dictatorial behavior, flip-flopping and 192 executive orders, 47 memoranda and 79 proclamations brought to the table by Mr. Trump since Jan. 20 and controversial cabinet member actions, the proverb “hope springs eternal” has to be Americans guide to find optimism. A second proverb – “you reap what you sow” – is before Mr. Trump and the GOP Senators who approved the cabinet nominations.
Let’s face reality. A cabinet that ranks historically low with respect to competence, ethical standards, experience and other research-based competency criteria makes the U.S. vulnerable to a multitude of operational inefficiencies, policy blunders, ethical mishaps, scandals, conflicts of interest, conspiracies and foreign intervention. Contact Steve Corbin at Steven.B.Corbin@gmail.com
One voice can make a difference
I attended my first Iowa caucus when I was 17. Because I would turn 18 before Election Day, I was allowed to participate. I didn’t know much about platforms or procedure, but when a plank came up, I asked my mom what it meant, decided to vote “no,” and watched it fail. That moment taught me something I’ve carried ever since: one voice can make a difference.
Over the years, I’ve tested both parties, but it was my experience as a Democratic delegate that showed me how important local involvement really is. At the county convention, I saw a plank introduced to provide free
am not familiar with black, yellow, brown, or red culture for the very good reason that I am not black, yellow, brown, or red. The only culture that I presume to know anything about is white culture. Unfortunately, I don’t appear to know much about that either.
The first issue would be that I’m not sure what they are talking about when they say white culture. When I look around and take note of the people I see and converse with on a daily basis. white people mostly, it doesn’t appear that our culture amounts to much. What has occurred to me though is that without football we have no culture. Football appears to be the extent of whatever culture we,
GED education support—but only for refugees. I didn’t oppose helping refugees, but I believed education shouldn’t be limited to one group. I didn’t present a clear enough argument at first, and the plank advanced as presented. At the district convention, I returned with a stronger case: GED support should be free for everyone. This time, the language was changed.
That moment confirmed two notions for me: 1) one voice can make a difference, and 2) that Democrats are reasonable, open to ideas, and committed to fairness — if you’re in the room to make your case.
as Americans, can claim. Clearly, other sports also play a part, but only secondarily. Football appears to take up most of the time, thought, and emotion of the average citizen. This would cause me to think that our culture is limited to that of a fan of some sport’s team. This would apply to all levels of sports from grade school to the pros with constant discussions of the abilities of various athletes, teams, and who is going to win. Always who is going to win.
I drive by movie theaters: from what I can gather from the quick drive by is that the offerings are 95 percent movies made for children under ten; they have no content.
Then you have netflix, hulu, apple tv, Disney, youtube providing round the clock entertainment. Being entertained is not culture. Sitting in your living room watching a sporting event or netflix is not culture — it is its antithesis.
So my question is what are we in fear of losing? Will we be required to watch a show that has black, yellow, brown, or red actors in it. They say baseball is losing fans. Is that because they have baseball players that are black, yellow, brown and red? Maybe so.
But I am at a loss: I can’t see I would be losing much if I lost what purports to be white American culture. Although many of us would
Now, as a volunteer with the Marion County Democrats, I want to remind my neighbors that shaping a party begins here, in our own county. Caucuses and conventions are part of it, but so is what happens between them. We need your voices, your actions, your time, and your talents. Whether it’s knocking doors, helping with events, or simply sharing your perspective, it all makes us stronger. Politics should be about people, not money or power. And in Iowa, the best way to make sure that happens is to get involved — today — with the Marion County Democrats.
Jennifer Lilly Knoxville Township
have to find something to fill the time with activities other than football and that could be jolting. With all the black people playing football, maybe football is black culture too. Ever think of that?
But what can we do if we can’t sit in front of the tv on an evening drinking beer and watching a game of some sort such as, let’s say, pickle ball, sand volleyball, ax throwing, hot dog eating, cornhole, first grade golf, etc.? After all, most of the people playing these games are white which must be examples of American or white culture; the culture we are terrified to lose.
Richard E. H. Phelps II Mingo
PCM volleyball sweeps West Marshall tournament, claims eighth straight win
STATE CENTER — PCM’s volleyball team lost to Newton in its opening match of the season, but the Mustangs have not dropped a match since after finishing 3-0 at the West Marshall tournament on Sept. 4.
PCM needed three sets to down Boone and South Tama County in best-ofthree matches but swept the host Trojans.
“The girls showed a lot of grit against South Tama and Boone after losing the first set to both teams and coming back to win in three,” PCM head volleyball coach Sarah De Vries said. “We talked about playing to win and staying aggressive at the net and service line. I’m very proud of this team on how they work together to get the wins.”
digs and Addyson Pederson contributed seven kills and two digs.
Addi Hudnut totaled seven digs and two aces, Libby Winters posted two kills and five digs, Claire Van Wyk added two kills and three digs and Peyton Lathrum put down four kills.
Ryan DeVore chipped in two digs, and the Mustangs (8-1) were 38-of42 in serving with three aces. Hudnut served 13of-14, and PCM had a kill efficiency of .211.
West Marshall (1-5) also lost in three sets to Boone but defeated South Tama County in three.
South Tama (2-6-1) opened its matchup with PCM with a 21-14 win, but the Mustangs rallied with wins of 21-18 and 15-8.
seven digs, Jorja Teeter collected three kills and six digs and Van Wyk contributed three kills and two digs.
Lathrum put down three kills and Pederson, Hudnut and DeVore all had three digs. Hudnut now has a team-most 66 digs.
The Mustangs served 47-of-50 with four aces and won the match despite a negative kill efficiency.
PCM rallied past Boone 16-21, 23-21, 15-12 behind a double-double from Lindsay. She posted 18 assists and 12 digs, while Hudnut had two assists and 11 digs.
Winters tallied eight kills and seven digs, Teeter contributed four kills and eight digs and Pederson registered five kills and two digs. DeVore chipped in four digs and Lathrum and Van Wyk both put down two kills.
Fourth-ranked PCM finishes second at Williamsburg
WILLIAMSBURG — There wasn’t a girls cross country team competing in the Williamsburg Raider Invitational that was going to catch Class 2A No. 1 Mid-Prairie on Sept. 2.
But 2A No. 4 PCM put four runners in the top 20 and edged 3A No. 15 Williamsburg, while Newton had two top-10 finishers and placed fourth in the 12team field at the Williamsburg Sports Complex.
The Mustangs downed West Marshall 21-8, 22-20.
Tori Lindsay led the Mustangs with 13 assists, two kills and four
The victory snapped a five-game skid against the visiting Trojans as Winters finished with five kills, two blocks, four digs and three aces. She leads the squad with 50 kills.
Lindsay posted 13 assists and
The Mustangs, who have won eight straight matches, were 45-of54 in serves with one ace and had a kill efficiency of .011.
Karsyn Smith and Baylee Bunning contributed eight digs to lead Boone. The Toreadors (1-4) served 43-of-48 and had five aces.
Nevada edges Mustang football with last-second touchdown
NEVADA — Career nights from a plethora of Mustangs weren’t enough for the PCM football team against Class 3A Nevada on Sept. 5. The Mustangs took two separate leads after trailing at halftime, but the Cubs scored on the final play of the game to win the non-district game, 30-28.
Nevada led 9-0 after one quarter, but PCM scored seven in the second and seven early in the third to take its first lead.
from Chase Wagaman to Steenhoek.
But John Nelson’s 35-yard TD catch as time expired sent the Cubs to a big home win. The two teams have rotated victories since 2023.
Gavin Steenhoek’s 54yard touchdown catch put the Mustangs in front 14-9, but Nevada built a 28-14 lead with 7 minutes to go in the game.
Mason Hjortshoj’s first career varsity interception with 3 minutes left allowed PCM (1-1) to score a goahead touchdown with 1:32 to play in the game. It was a 1-yard TD pass
Alex Wendt hauled in a 76-yard TD from Wagaman in the loss. Wendt finished with a career-high six catches for a career-best 111 yards and one TD.
Steenhoek added four catches for a career-best 99 yards and two scores, Shay Burns gained 27 yards on 10 carries and Jax Strait added 23 yards on seven rushes. Danson Drake grabbed one pass for 15 yards.
Wagaman was 11-of-13 through the air for a career-best 225 yards and career-high three touchdown passes. He also had 31 yards and one TD on six carries.
Strait led the defense with a career-best 15 tackles, Burns totaled a career-most 12.5 tackles and Keegan Fenton and Wagaman each contributed a career-most 8.5 tackles.
Fenton added one sack and two tackles for loss and Drake posted a career-most eight tackles.
Wendt tallied a career-most six and two tackles for loss, Evan Jones had a career-best 7.5 tackles and Brock Barnett chipped in a career-high five tackles.
Steenhoek and Hjortshoj both snagged interceptions.
Nevada (2-0) rushed for 336 yards. Jaden Grimm gained 150 yards and scored one TD on 24 carries and Austin Waldera rushed for 120 yards and one touchdown on 24 carries.
Drake Hinson was 17-of-31 through the air for 156 passing yards, one touchdown and two picks and added 66 yards and one TD on 10 carries.
Carson Clem led the Nevada defense with nine tackles.
PCM boys edge host Raiders, Newton at Williamsburg
Class 2A No. 1 Mid-Prairie, which has four individual runners in the latest state rankings, placed its five scoring runners in the first 13 positions and scored 29 points at the top of the standings.
Five Mustangs finished in the top 22, and that was enough to edge the host Raiders by two points. PCM took second with 77 points, and the rest of the top five included Williamsburg (79), Newton (96) and Oskaloosa (146).
The top area finisher was PCM’s Abi Teeter, who moved into the state rankings at No. 20 in 2A on Sept. 2. She was eighth in the girls’ 5K race with a time of 20 minutes, 39.1 seconds.
Her teammate, Lila Milani, also brought home a medal in 14th. Her time was clocked at 21:38.6.
The top 15 finishers in each varsity race earned medals.
The other three scoring runners were Ali Hilsabeck (21:40.2) in 16th, Darbey DeRaad (22:08) in 18th and Bailey Wheeler (22:34) in 22nd. Annie Ford (23:45.2) and Jodi Jungling (24:24.2) were the non-scoring runners in 30th and 35th, respectively.
Mount Pleasant’s Avery Fedler won the girls’ varsity race in 19:07. The next three finishers came from Mid-Prairie.
Class 2A No. 8 Brooklyn Stutzman (19:22.1), 2A No. 2 Rachel Hostetler (19:31.2) and 2A No. 6 Kendal Landstrum (19:38.3) were second, third and fourth, respectively, and 3A No. 30 Channing Becker of Williamsburg finished fifth in 19:59.4.
Mount Pleasant finished well back of Oskaloosa in sixth with 185 points. The rest of the 12-team field included Danville (204), Benton Community (233), Mediapolis (237), Montezuma (268), Belle Plaine (301) and Cedar Ridge Christian (309).
Notes: The top 10 finishers in each junior varsity race earned medals. PCM’s Paiten Rumbaugh (24:00.9) and Raegan Vannoy (24:07.3) were second and third, respectively.
WILLIAMSBURG — For the second straight meet, the PCM boys cross country team placed second in the final team standings. The Mustangs lost to another Class 3A program and led a trio of schools separated by only six points, and the Cardinals were at the end of that group in the 14-team field at the Williamsburg Raider Invitational on Sept. 2.
Class 3A No. 8 Grinnell won the meet after placing four runners in the top 10, and the top three finishers in the boys’ 5K race came in faster than 17 minutes at the Williamsburg Sports Complex. Grinnell won the meet title with 45 points. PCM, which moved into the 2A rankings at No. 17 on Sept. 8, took second with 108 points, and the rest of the top five included Williamsburg (109), Newton (114) and 2A No. 19 Mediapolis (131).
PCM’s depth and balance were key in its runner-up finish. Owen Osterhaus led the Mustangs in 15th with a time of 18:24.2.
But Kash Fischer (18:29.5) finished 17th, Coby DeRaad (18:37.9) was 19th and Brenden Lahart (19:08.6) took 24th.
The final scoring runner was Camden Lahart (19:45.8) in 33rd, and Cademon Burkett (20:02) and Rylan Edgington (21:49.6) were non-scoring runners in 38th and 59th, respectively.
The rest of the 14-team field included Benton Community (134), Oskaloosa (146), Mid-Prairie (231), Mount Pleasant (243), South Tama County (262), Danville (278), Montezuma (330), Cedar Ridge Christian (378) and Belle Plaine (389).
HLV/TC and Iowa Valley of the South Iowa Cedar League had incomplete teams.
Class 3A No. 13 Barrett Jesina of South Tama won the boys’ varsity race in 16:27.8.
Grinnell’s Cadel Conner (16:42.1) was the runner-up and Mediapolis’ Simon Wendel (16:49) finished third.
Notes: PCM’s Charlie Ford (20:58.3) finished 12th in the junior varsity race. The top 10 finishers in the JV race earned medals … Cedar Ridge Christian High School was formerly known as Waterloo Christian. Its named was changed on June 1 as it rebranded to reflect a desire to partner with families across the Cedar Valley and honor the roots of the ministry, according to a YouTube video.
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suitcases. 3 used and 1 brand new. 1 large $30. 3 smaller $25 each. 1 large 28” high, 17” wide. 3 smaller are 23” high and 14” wide Please ca ll: 641521-0571. FOR SALE: Dark Gray lift chair to help stand. Bought last year Used very little $500. Call 641840-2539.
FOR SALE: Echo grass trimmer GT 22S Have string and book. Light use. $100. Please call 641-5213399 FOR SA LE: New Ford generator 3050 $450 ; Craftsman chainsaw in case 18” 42CC's $200 ; Old Chicag o bricks, approx 450 asking $400. 641-841-0328
FOR SA LE: Sofa: $200; chair and ottoman: $150 or all fo r 300. Can se nd pics. Beautiful lighted chin a hutch: $75. 6ft wood step ladder: $10. Gas Grill with tank: $45 Kirby vac with attachments: $40. Sump pumps ¼ hrsp: $25, ½ hrsp: $45 Electric heater: $10 641-831-9571
FOR SALE: Steel pipe 1/2”-8”, angle, channel iron .20 cents a pound. Steel animal traps; muzzle lo ader w/scope, zeroed w/all supplies $600; 3-pc Double bedroom suite, walnut: $200. Newish navy blue swivel rocker: $50 Please call 641-521-5368. SE NTRY FIREPROOF /HEATPROO F portable locking device. 12”x18”
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