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To the Editor, The clash between residents and data center developers has become a prevalent issue across the country as of late, and Marshalltown is no exception. Just a short time ago, many people in our community were more likely to ask what a data center is than to offer an opinion. But in just a few short weeks, that has shifted. Now, the majority are reading about, posting and talking about how data centers will affect our community. I have heard many concerns including: What will happen to our water supply? Who will pay for utility infrastructure? We don’t want our bills ...

Industrial development in rural Marshalltown (Shady Oaks Road)

My name is Zach Hamilton. I am a resident on Shady Oaks Road, which is a hotbed for future development activity. Surveyors have been up and down the road, the mayor and city council members have confirmed that developers are interested in Marshalltown, and this area is marked for annexation and industrial zoning by the city of Marshalltown (see the Reimagine Marshalltown initiative). Something is happening. I am currently advocating that the city give more forethought to the existing residents on this little highway. There are several families and households out here and each would be ...

A coin of valor

As I was cleaning an old dresser, I found a coin. It could have even been there when I purchased the dresser second-handed. It was minted by the U.S. Treasury and given to someone displaying extraordinary courage in service to America. It was made from a captured German canon: that's probably a clue. This person of valor was probably sent to take this canon out as it was hindering troop movement. This coin remains in my collection but it was nothing I had earned. I feel guilty that it belongs to someone else. The accomplishments of this silent warrior are present in our home but it ...

Pesticide and herbicide drift

As a lifelong Iowan, I have a great appreciation for our farming communities and the people who work hard to feed us. But I am becoming increasingly frustrated by a problem that seems to happen every year: herbicide drift damaging gardens, trees, and plants that people have spent time and money growing. Many rural residents put a lot of effort into their gardens, only to watch plants become twisted, stunted, or die after nearby spraying. There is nothing more discouraging than walking outside one morning and seeing months of work damaged because a chemical application traveled where it ...

In addition

In addition to Anne Michael's letter about what a Christian would do if his or her neighbor had a fire, we should also note what happened when the United States had a fire. Colorado had a fire called the Snyder fire. On Gold Mountain not only did Canada help us fight that fire, one of their helicopter pilots, Nicolas Dale, perished helping us. I think those Canadians were doing what Jesus would do, Philippians 2:4 ESV "Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." On an unrelated note, Coloradans have universal vote by mail and they like ...

Remembering RAGBRAI’s rhythm

Morning rises over the main campground like a hymn whispered through canvas and corn. Tents glow in the dark, wheels murmur awake, and somewhere — always somewhere — a rider is already eating pie for breakfast. Because on RAGBRAI, fruit is not dessert unless it's tucked into a crust and handed to you by someone's grandma who calls you "hon." The road opens at six, and you drift toward the Breakfast Town where pancakes steam, bacon snaps, and the pie table is already thinning — a quiet truth of the ride: joy comes early and often. Pass-thru towns appear like small blessings, ...