THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2024 • VOLUME N0. 129 • ISSUE NO. 26 • 1 SECTION • 8 PAGES
Serving Colfax • Mingo • Baxter • Western Jasper County
Sheriff’s office to provide temporary services to Baxter Small town’s police chief resigned and needs help from county until replacement is found By Christopher Braunschweig Jasper County Tribune Following the resignation of Baxter Police Chief Bill Daggett this past February, the Jasper County Board of Supervisors authorized the sheriff ’s office to provide temporary law enforcement services until the small town’s mayor and city council can determine a more permanent solution going forward. Lt. Brad Shutts of the Jasper County Sheriff ’s Office told the board of supervisors that the department has offered this type of service to Baxter in the past. “The City of Baxter, with the loss of their police chief and the resignation last month, approached the sheriff ’s office about some contract law enforcement like we’ve done in years past,” he said. “Back in 2017 we did something for them to get by until they can make a decision for what they want to do as a community.” According to the agreement, the sheriff ’s office will respond to and handle emergency and non-emergency calls for service, investigate traffic complaints and accidents, investigate crimes, enforce traffic violations and conduct routine and
Christopher Braunschweig/Jasper County Tribune Representatives from all local law enforcement agencies participate in the Jasper County Law Enforcement Memorial in 2023. The board of supervisors approved the sheriff’s office to provide temporary law enforcement for the City of Baxter.
special patrols as requested by the mayor or the city council. The contract expires June 30 and does not automatically renew. Newton News previously reported that three city employees in Baxter submitted resignations in a two-week period. In addition to the police chief, those who resigned include city clerk Katie Wilson and EMS director Randi Gliem. The newspaper learned utility clerk Erin Suttek resigned recently, too.
Baxter Mayor Doug Bishop told supervisors he was very thankful to the county for providing law enforcement services to his city. “Our chief of police resigned and is going to be the chief of police in Mitchellville, so we decided instead of rushing into it we’re going to get a consultant in and take our time trying to find a good fit for the City of Baxter,” Bishop said. “So we appreciate the sheriff ’s office for stepping up to help us through that transfer.”
Baxter announces new superintendent Chris Petersen selected to lead the district in 2024-25 and Vail school district, ArWe-Va. He has also coached a variety of sports including Baxter Community football, basketball, track School District has found and field, softball and baseits next superintendent. ball along with serving as an Chris Petersen athletics director. was announced “I am an eduas the next leadcator who stronger of the district ly believes in the starting July 1. importance of “I am honored building strong and excited to be relationships, hired as the next creating a posisuperintendent tive culture for at Baxter Comstudents and staff munity School and collaborative District,” Petersdecision making,” Petersen en said. “I look Petersen said. forward to meetHis current ing everyone in the coming role has him working with months and officially starting school districts on facilities my role on July 1.” projects. Petersen will take over for “I am extremely grateful departing superintendent for all of my educational exMickolyn Clapper who has periences that have led me served since 2018. to the opportunity to help Petersen started his career guide the Baxter Communias a 7th-12th grade social ty School District,” Petersen studies teacher, a role he was said. “I am a strong advocate in for 11 years. He went on to for rural public schools and serve as the principal, trans- am truly excited to be your portation director, facilities next superintendent and director, curriculum director continue to improve upon the and special education direc- great things Baxter is already tor in the Arcadia, Westside doing.” By Jamee A. Pierson Jasper County Tribune
ELECTION 2024 Brad Magg to run for Iowa House District 38 Owner of Goldie’s, Colfax city council member says Iowa is ‘far better’ than what lawmakers are turning it into By Christopher Braunschweig Jasper County Tribune Brad Magg, a city council member in Colfax and the owner of Goldie’s Ice Cream Shoppe in Prairie City and a number of concession stands at the Iowa State Fair, is running for the Iowa House District 38 seat currently held by Republican Jon Dunwell. Magg told Newton News he will Magg be running as a Democrat. In addition to owning Goldie’s, which won best tenderloin by the Iowa Pork Producers Association in 2009, Magg is the founder of Magg Family Catering and co-owner of Spring City Pharmacy. He also helps manage The Bacon Box, The Snack Box and G-Pop’s Candy Box concession stands at the State Fair. As a lifelong Jasper County resident, Magg said that while his classmates in Colfax were eager to leave their hometown he saw the potential of his community and planted his roots, but not without trying to convince them to stay. Although they didn’t listen back then, he said many have reached out the past few years. “They want to move back to town,” Magg said. “I’m happy we’ve got our community to that point and help build
it back up, but sadly now a lot of my friends are wanting to leave the state because they don’t think they’re welcome here or it doesn’t align with the way they want to raise their family.” Magg still believes in Iowa’s potential and that the state and Jasper County are “far better” than what lawmakers are trying to turn it into. Which is why Magg feels inspired to run for House District 38, which covers nearly all of Jasper County apart from Monroe and Prairie City. Magg told Newton News in a phone interview March 7 that lawmakers elected to the statehouse need to focus on Iowa issues and the issues that affect the state’s individual communities. Although Magg said he has had a decent rapport with Dunwell, he also expressed frustration over the lawmaker’s decision making. “What Mr. Dunwell is doing doesn’t quite represent the values that I think the constituents in the district have,” Magg said. “…I’ve had some great conversations with him over issues these past few years and it’s just become pretty apparent it falls on deaf ears.” Specifically, Magg said he shared with Dunwell his concerns over last year’s property tax reform law. The law, which Magg said is touted as a tax cut, restricted how cities, school districts and counties were able to tax their citizens. Many local city leaders have voiced their opposition to the law since
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Iowa House Reps. Kniff McCulla and Dunwell submit re-election papers Republicans want to continue their work for Districts 37 and 38 important issues to move our state forward and I look forward to the opportunity to ask the voters for another term.” Both of the Republican lawmakers After winning a special election in representing Jasper County in the Iowa 2021 to fill the seat of Rep. Wes BreckHouse — Rep. Jon Dunwell of District enridge, who resigned a year before his 38 and Barb Kniff term ended, Dunwell reclaimed his spot McCulla of District in the statehouse in 2022. Prior to his 37 — announced work in the statehouse, Dunwell served in press releases as vice president of two financial serthis past week that vices companies. they have filed for Dunwell is also a licensed and orre-election. Dundained pastor with the Christian & well was first electMissionary Alliance, a certified speaked in 2021; Kniff er, trainer and coach. In the statehouse, McCulla joined the Dunwell serves on the Local GovernHouse in 2022. ment, State Government, TransporDunwell In a March 8 tation, Judiciary, Environmental Propress release, tection and International Relations Dunwell said it committees. has been a great Currently, Dunwell lives in Newton honor to represent with his wife Christie; they have two his constituents sons, Addison and Bryce. in Iowa House Speaker of the Iowa House Pat District 38, which Grassley said he appreciates Dunwell’s covers most of the hard work to represent his district well. northern half of No one works harder, he said. Jasper County, in“He is known for being extremely encluding Newton, gaged with his community members, alKniff McCulla Baxter, Colfax, ways seeking feedback from his constitLynnville, Mingo and Sully. Dunwell uents and always voting how he believes Shaw Media is also assistant majority leader of the is best for his district,” Grassley said. “I Iowa House. look forward to continuing to work with “Since I was first elected I have strived him in the Iowa House.” to be a representative that listens to the In a March 7 press release, Kniff people of my district and acts as their McCulla also said it has been an honor voice in the statehouse,” Dunwell said. “I have had the honor of working on many RE-ELECTION | 3 By Christopher Braunschweig Jasper County Tribune
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