Letters to the Editor: Nov. 2 City Council and School Board election endorsements

Supports Severin for Charles City mayor

By Denny and Glenda Gifford, Charles City

After reading in the Press who was running for the office of mayor, it sparked a memory from the past for us.

In 1978 a then-15-year-old saved our infant daughter’s life from choking on a piece of candy. This 15-year-old was Richard Severin.

He was awarded a VFW life-saving award for this. We think this event may have helped shape his life’s path.

We have read his ideas and thoughts and will support his pursuit of mayor.

We believe that City Hall could use new ideas and thoughts.

Recommends Andrews for re-election as mayor

By Jim Sanner, Charles City

I am writing in support of Dean Andrews in his bid for re-election for mayor of Charles City.

Over the previous four years, Dean has been a fixture on so many different fronts involving not only city government but numerous community activities as well — activities that go well beyond his duties and responsibilities as mayor. That’s a nice reflection on both Dean and his wife, Marci.

Dean has but one agenda, and that is service to the Charles City community.

I urge everyone to please vote on Tuesday, Nov. 2. And I strongly recommend Dean Andrews for re-election to the office of mayor of Charles City.

My very prejudiced opinion of Dean Andrews

By Ralph Smith, Charles City

I think I know Mayor Dean Andrews as well as anybody, family excepted. I worked with Dean during the many years he served on the City Council and have been a social friend for a long time. We both retired from our professions in the same year and became golf partners, and believe me, you discover the true character of a person on the golf course.

I have nothing but complete respect for Dean as a professional and as a person. In this partisan world, Dean is an exception in having no political or other agenda than the general welfare of the community. He is open to all opinions and shows a willingness to change his position if persuaded by the facts that he has been wrong. He is ethical to a fault.

Why I’m supporting Josh Mack for School Board

By Jim Lundberg, Charles City

Without a doubt the past two years have been the toughest of my teaching career. The pandemic threw challenges at the education system that no one could have been prepared for.

During this time Josh’s leadership with the School Board and administration helped provide guidance and solutions for our teachers and campuses across the district.

I know Josh personally and I’m impressed with his ability to continue to work with teachers and administrators on tough decisions that affect kids and our district. His support for programs like agriculture, industrial technology and the other career readiness programs is a great asset to our school and community.

Voting for Mack for school board re-election

By Brian H. Charlton, Charles City

Josh Mack is running for re-election to the School Board of Charles City Community Schools.

Josh and I worked together at NIACC for years prior to my retiring in June of 2020. Josh and I have had our political differences, but he listens and tries to understand different perspectives along with being open minded.

I have several grandchildren in the Charles City Community School District and am going to be voting for him again this term. It has been a very unique time for our schools this past year and a half and I believe Josh and the entire school board are doing a great job.

I’m voting for Josh on November 2nd and I’d ask you to vote for Josh also.

Mack has earned school board re-election

By Nancy Western, Charles City

I am writing to urge you to re-elect Josh Mack to the school board. Lyle and I have known Josh since before he moved to Charles City in 2016. His wife, Rachel was a student in my middle school band.

The Mack family has been such a valuable addition to our community. Since they first arrived with their two sons, their family has grown by 2 beautiful daughters. Josh is engaged in our church and cares about the community. He has provided strong, collaborative and positive leadership for a school district that has made huge improvements since I retired in 2017. I know that Josh is eager to see the school district thrive.

That’s why I’m voting for Josh Mack on Nov. 2nd. I hope you will too!

Backs Mack, Fox and Otto for school board

By Jim Sanner, Charles City

Tuesday, Nov. 2, voters will be asked to select candidates for three open positions to the Charles City School District Board of Education.

Josh Mack, our current board president, is seeking re-election to one of the open seats. Josh has been an enthusiastic and dedicated member of the board with a proven track record. His commitment and integrity have been a credit to our school district.

Kathy Fox and Lori Otti are both also running for open seats, theirs for the first time. Both share the same level of commitment and dedication to our kids and their success as we prepare and provide them the skills and tools necessary as they transition into adulthood. Both Kathy and Lori share one agenda: what is best and safe for our kids.

We have three additional candidates seeking those open seats as well. Campaign posters and ads throughout the community listing those same three candidates are encouraging a vote for all three as a group. I appreciate their willingness to be actively engaged in the school district, but question their agenda. Decision-making is and should be a team effort. Our Board of Education is no different. Individuals, however, should not be beholden to a group or ideology. We’ve seen too clearly how counterproductive those effects are in politics at both the state and national levels. We need candidates who can think independently with one agenda: what’s best and safe for our kids.

I ask that you please vote on Nov. 2, and I ask that you consider Josh Mack, Kathy Fox and Lorri Otti for seats on the Charles City School District Board of Education.

Fox will be an advocate for students and staff

By Judy Sloter, Charles City, IA

As a former educator and a parent whose children benefited greatly from their educational experience in the Charles City school system, I am very interested in this important school board election. It’s a critical time to have effective members with strong leadership skills, and I’m excited to see someone of Kathryn Fox’s caliber running for the school board.

Kathryn is a former high school counselor with a masters segree. She has firsthand experience dealing with the various academic needs of students such as data collection, testing and curriculum standards. She also recognizes the importance of developing a strong school culture that supports staff and students. This knowledge is invaluable when it comes to dealing with the many issues facing the school district.

One of the things I admire about Kathryn is her positive attitude and the enormous energy she brings to school issues. She is out in the community gathering input, listening, answering questions, and taking the time to see what is actually happening in our schools. She will strive to provide the opportunity for everyone to be heard.

Whoever is elected must be able to work with other board members, serving both the community and the school. As Kathryn stated so well, “Serving on a board requires an ability to set aside one’s ego to hear and understand alternative views. Seeking unity and common ground isn’t easy work… but it is vital to serve on a board.”

Kathryn will be a true advocate for our students, staff, and community. I encourage you to vote for Kathryn Fox on Nov. 2nd, or vote early in the office of the Floyd County Auditor prior to that day.

Concerned about quality education

By Ruth Mitchell, Charles City

I am deeply concerned about the continuing deterioration in the quality of education by the Charles City schools.

Although the recent standardized test scores show some improvement, Charles City’s rankings are at the bottom of the state. Who is going to move here when the schools are ranked so low in comparison to other schools in our district?

That’s why I strongly support Dr. David Schrodt, Clair Jung and Staci Taylor for the election to the Charles City School Board. I know them and they have the ability and the drive to turn things around for our schools