THURSDAY, FEB. 20, 2025 • VOLUME N0. 124 • ISSUE NO. 22 • 1 SECTION • 10 PAGES
Serving Colfax • Mingo • Baxter • Western Jasper County
Adopt-A-Pot program aims to keep downtown Colfax beautiful For $125 one of the flower pots along Walnut Street can be ‘adopted’ to help with funding for care throughout the season By Jamee A. Pierson Jasper County Tribune Walking through downtown Colfax in the summer, pots full of beautiful flowers line the sidewalks creating a picturesque scene. Colfax Main Street is looking to expand on the work already being done by starting an Adopt-A-Pot program for the planters along Walnut Street. “We’re excited about the sponsorship program because it gives the community more ways to invest in revitalization efforts in their community,” Colfax Main Street Director Stuart Patterson said. “I think people get more proud and excited about something that has their name on it.” The $125 sponsorship includes a custom name plate for a business sponsor, family, individual or dedication on behalf of a friend, loved one or milestone. The funding will help purchase annual flowers, seasonal decorations and the Submitted Photo continued upkeep of the planters. Colfax Main Street is starting an Adopt-A-Pot POTS | 3
program for the many flower pots along Walnut Street in the downtown district.
Rozenboom admits strong feelings on proposed pesticide reform bill Senate Study Bill 1051 would limit lawsuits against pesticide manufacturers By Christopher Braunschweig Jasper County Tribune
Editor’s note: This is the first in a series of articles covering the topics discussed at legislative gatherings hosted by the League of Women Voters of Jasper County. Iowa Sen. Ken Rozenboom admitted he has strong feelings about the proposed bill in the legislature that limits lawsuits against agricultural chemical companies. Well, to be exact, he said he had “really, really strong feelings” about this topic. He told guests at a legislative gathering hosted by the League of Women Voters of Jasper
Labor union negotiations with county in hot water By Christopher Braunschweig Jasper County Tribune Union leaders say the board of supervisors have made an “aggressive and targeted attack” by stripping Jasper County union employees of all their previous contract provisions except wages, but Supervisors Chairman Brandon Talsma objects to these, what he calls, “grandiose” and “very vague” comments. In a Feb. 10 press release from AFSCME
Surplus secondary roads equipment to be auctioned off Jasper County hires Kansas-based auctioneer at no cost By Christopher Braunschweig Jasper County Tribune Jasper County has hired a Kansas-based auction company to sell its surplus secondary roads equipment. County Engineer Michael Frietsch said many other many counties in the state, including Marion County, have used Purple Wave in the past. He said the company doesn’t charge the county for selling the equipment. “They basically charge the buyer,” Frietsch said during the Feb. 11 board of supervisors meeting. “So you’ll see the listing fee has been waived
on that. So whatever they sell it for is what we get, and then they charge the buyer a fee on top of that. So that is how it essentially works. Pretty straight forward deal.” All of the surplus equipment will be gathered at the current yard site so that it can be reviewed by an appraiser. According to county documents included in the agenda, a number of vehicles and other equipment are included on a property list and will be auctioned off by Purple Wave. The items include: AUCTION | 3
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Council 61, the labor union for workers in the courthouse and the sheriff ’s office, it states the county’s contract would eliminate essential workplace protections like seniority rights and grievance procedures. The union has called on the county to reconsider its contract. AFSCME Council 61 also called on the community to stand in solidarity with the workers. The union said county officials five years ago ac-
County the different viewpoints he is considering. As a lawmaker, he has issues with vague terminologies being used to stoke fear in the populace. As a farmer, he sees the benefits some pesticides can provide to crops. Opponents of Senate Study Bill 1051 argue against pesticides and claim they could be a factor for why Iowa has the second highest cancer rate in the United States. Rozenboom is taking these issues into consideration, too, and he told constituents he is sensitive to the disease, which has killed two of his brothers. However, Rozenboom pushed PESTICIDE | 2
AFSCME Council 61 rejects proposal and wants past workplace protections, supervisors chairman says safeguards are in place via county policy knowledged state law allows them to gut the contract but they went with a full contract instead. Todd Copley, president of AFSCME Council 61, denounced the board’s new contract. “This is nothing more than an effort to weaken workers’ rights and silence public employees. Stripping away workplace protections is an attack on the dignity and security of every worker. We will not stand idly by while the board tries to
roll back the fundamental rights of those who serve our community.” All bargaining units in Jasper County — including AFSCME and PPME — met with the board of supervisors on Monday, Feb. 10 to discuss their new contracts. Talsma told Newton News that protections like seniority rights would be removed, but he argued most of what was in the current union NEGOTIATIONS | 3
Accessing transportation, specifically to healthcare, top issue for county HIRTA and RVSP serve as the county’s public transportation options By Jamee A. Pierson Jasper County Tribune
Editor’s note: This is the sixth in a series of articles Christopher Braunschweig/Jasper County Tribune exploring the results of the The Heart of Iowa Regional Transit Agency is one of a Media couple of public transporation options in Jasper County. Jasper County CommunityShaw Health Needs Assessment. Transportation, espe- munity Health Needs As- rural counties, it is essencially to access healthcare, sessment as a top priority. tial for a variety of needs in is the final issue identified Although public transporin the Jasper County Com- tation is not as common in TRANSIT | 3 est. 1851
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