Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024
Vol. 6, No. 10
PCMExplorer Local People. Local Stories.
4-H Halloween Trunk-or-Treat Fun
Jasper County 4-H clubs welcome kids for spooky holiday event Oct. 20 at fairgrounds in Colfax
Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer
Veterans affairs commission adopts new rules to restore order and respect Commissioners agree to adhere to a set of core values at public meetings By Christopher Braunschweig PCM Explorer In the military, the acronym ROE stands for “rules of engagement” and they are guidelines that soldiers use to determine when and how they can use force in a combat situation, but in a Jasper County Veterans Affairs Commission meeting it is the values and regulations board members adhere to retain order.
Commissioners on Oct. 9 unanimously approved the proposed rules and will work them into future meetings. The idea to add rules of engagement — or “rules of etiquette” as it was sometimes referred — was first presented by commission secretary Fred Chabot after recent meetings got heated and sparked backlash. These new rules state board members shall practice being on time, being prepared, active-
ly listen, not speak over others, limit side conversations, follow the agenda, stay on topic, respect colleagues and guests, turn off cellphones and allow public comment at the end of the meeting unless required prior. Before the matter was approved by the commission, Chabot stated that perhaps “rules of engagement” was not the correct term to use and that a more accurate phrase would be “core values.” Ei-
ther way, Chabot and his fellow commissioners were in agreement that the rules be applied the meeting from now on. When Chabot first pitched the idea, he likened the grounds rules to the mission, vision, goals, commitments and core values that the Newton school board had established back when he was first elected to governing body back in the 1990s. This practice is still in use today and is recited before
every board meeting. “I think ground rules are a good guide for this group to have in terms of how we behave, how our staff behaves at these meetings and I think it would be appropriate to add a bullet point or two in regard to what our expectations are of attendees from the general public,” Chabot said at the September meeting. At the October meeting, commissioner Katherine Thompson presented the rules that would eventually be adopted by her fellow commissioners.
ELECTION 2024 Jasper County Supervisor Candidate Q&As Name: Jerry Chandler, Jr Age: 60 Residence: Newton Occupation: Business owner, Jerry Lee Plumbing and Heating and Chandler Construction Office seeking: Jasper County Supervisor 1. Introduce/Reintroduce yourself to voters and explain why you are running. Chandler: As a 1982 graduate of Newton High School, I am a lifelong resident of Jasper County and my children Chandler and one of my siblings live here as well. Jasper County is my home. I am a longtime business owner in the community, have a passion for common-sense public service and have previously served as the assistant maintenance director for the county. I am running for county supervisor because my know-how as a contractor and plumber, and my passion for fiscal responsibility, will bring new perspective to this important role in the county. It required a great deal of dedication for me to become an HVAC tech and a licensed journeyman plumber, but it also took hours and hours of hands-on experience. This combination of formal education and ability to
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learn-in-the-moment uniquely positions me for this role. 2. Secondary roads maintenance is always on the minds of residents who drive on gravel roads. How do you feel about what the county has done for gravel roads? Are there any solutions or strategies you would propose? Chandler: County workers are doing the best they can with the resources provided. We could invest more in training with the equipment to maintain gravel. Grading, leveling and maintaining roads is skilled work. Preventative maintenance is also something to be more attentive to. It’s less expensive to care for what we have than to replace it completely once it’s totally eroded. 3. For the past few months the county has been holding town hall meetings about the proposed $6.4 million bond vote featured on the ballot this coming November. What are your thoughts on the bond and project? Are you in favor of it or not? Chandler: It’s not a simple answer. Objectively weighing wants versus needs is something we need to see more of at all levels of government. The list of needs that require financing within Jasper County is significant, so it’s important for our citizens to understand the impact of their vote and how it can influence the CHANDLER | 3A
Name: Randy L. Ray Age: 67 Residence: Newton Occupation: Entrepreneur and farmer Office seeking: Jasper County Supervisor 1. Introduce/Reintroduce yourself to voters and explain why you are running. Ray: As a lifelong resident of Newton, Iowa, I’m excited to share my vision for our community as I run for county supervisor. After 67 years in this close-knit Ray county, I’ve seen both our incredible potential and the challenges we face. My 40 years as a farmer and 35 years as a small business owner have instilled in me a deep appreciation for hard work and fiscal responsibility. Though I am not a politician nor will ever claim that I am, the reason I am running for county supervisor is because I believe every resident’s voice matters, regardless of their background. It’s crucial that our county prioritizes essential services while minimizing wasteful spending of hardworking taxpayers’ money. My key priorities include improving our rural roads to ensure safe travel, enhancing the visibility of our courthouse lawn to hon-
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or our veterans and carefully scrutinizing how taxpayer dollars are spent. Together, we can make a meaningful difference for Jasper County! 2. Secondary roads maintenance is always on the minds of residents who drive on gravel roads. How do you feel about what the county has done for gravel roads? Are there any solutions or strategies you would propose? Ray: I understand and have experienced the concerns residents have about the maintenance of our gravel roads. Since the change in management, it’s clear that proper grading has been overlooked. Further on these roads there are visible curbs that prevent effective water drainage. As a result there is pooling, which not only creates hazards for drivers but also accelerates road deterioration. This must be addressed. Additionally, the ditches need to be regularly cleared to facilitate proper drainage, maintain road integrity and contribute to a healthier environment for wildlife. To address the concerns about our gravel roads, I propose a comprehensive strategy focused on regular inspections and maintenance, improved grading techniques and proactive ditch maintenance. Establishing a schedule for regular inspections will ensure that grading is done correctRAY | 3A
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