Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025
Vol. 6, No. 27
PCMExplorer Local People. Local Stories.
Rozenboom has strong feelings on proposed pesticide reform bill
PCM Dance Team at DTU Nationals Submitted Photo The PCM Dance Team traveled to Orlando, Fl. to compete in the Dance Team Union Nationals Competition Feb. 13-16. The team competed in a new-to-them Spirit Game Day division receiving 8th place and made it to semi-finals for both their pom and hip hop routines.
Senate Study Bill 1051 would limit lawsuits against pesticide manufacturers By Christopher Braunschweig PCM Explorer
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 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 PESTICIDE | 2
Labor union contract negotiations with Jasper County in hot water AFSCME Council 61 rejects proposal and wants past workplace protections, supervisors chairman says safeguards are in place via county policy By Christopher Braunschweig PCM Explorer 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 Council 61, the labor union for workers in the courthouse
Surplus secondary roads equipment to be auctioned off Jasper County hires Kansas-based auctioneer at no cost By Christopher Braunschweig PCM Explorer 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
A publication of est. 1851
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. AUCTION | 3
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 acknowledged 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.” 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 PCM Explorer
Editor’s note: This is the sixth in a series of articles exploring the results of the Jasper County Community Health Needs Assessment. Transportation, especially to access healthcare, is the final issue identified in the Jasper County Community Health Needs Assessment as a top priority. Although public transportation is not as common in rural counties, it is essential for a va-
riety of needs in different demographics in the area. In the county, the assessment found only 0.08 percent of residents use public transportation as their primary means of commuting to work. That is lower than both the state and national rates. Almost 6 percent of those surveyed identified transportation as a barrier for accessing healthcare and 6.65 percent said they have had trouble paying for transportation in the past year.
CONTACT US Newsroom: 641-792-3121, ext. 7 • Advertising: 641-792-3121, ext. 2 Subscriptions/Delivery: 641-792-5320 • Billing: 641-792-3121, ext. 6
A total of 4.08 percent of households do not have a vehicle in the county, which is lower than the state average of 5.61 percent. The percentage increases to 11.23 percent for those who are in a renter-occupied household versus an owner-occupied household at 1.86 percent. In the county, the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) and Heart of Iowa Regional Transit TRANSIT | 3
Single Copy $1