As is now becoming an annual tradition, the T-R recently reached out to a host of local leaders for their reflections on the year that was and their goals for the year to come with 2024 now officially in the rearview mirror. The first half of the respondents were featured in Tuesday’s edition, and the remainder are printed below. Happy new year!

Todd Jacobus, Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs Commandant:

Jacobus

The Iowa Veterans Home remains the only State Veterans Home in Iowa, is 1 of 170 State Veterans Homes across the Nation, and remains the fifth largest in the United States.

During 2024, the Iowa Veterans Home increased the resident census from 385 to 410 and we admitted 110 residents.

In February 2024, the IVH Resident Council leadership transitioned from Craig Hoepfner to David Baker.

On March 26, 2024 at 4:43 a.m., there was a fire in the Dack Building Room 406. Grateful to the Marshalltown Emergency Services for the rapid and professional response, and to the incredible teamwork of our IVH staff for responding in such an impeccable manner. Special thanks to Nicole Bailey and Nikole Kendall who were among four staff members on the floor when the smoke and flames presented in Room 406 and who bravely entered the room blackened with smoke and flames and a flooding fire suppression system to rescue the resident.

On April 29-May 2, 2024, the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing surveyed the Iowa Veterans Home, and for the sixth consecutive survey – dating back to 2021, the Iowa Veterans Home had a zero-deficiency survey. The Iowa Veterans Home has retained a 5-Star Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services rating dating back to 2017.

On May 1, several Iowa Veterans Home residents participated in the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight.

On May 27 Colonel Brad Dostal (U.S. Army Retired), a Clutier native, was keynote speaker at the Iowa Veterans Home Memorial Day program.

In June and July Marshalltown Little League played weekly games on the Iowa Veterans Home Legion Field — always a highlight for residents.

In June we re-opened the Malloy Building 2nd Floor North Wing, which had been closed since November 2022 due to diminishing numbers of licensed staff on-board. This floor is fully occupied as we close out 2024.

On the July 4th weekend we celebrated Independence Day with a parade and community celebration on the IVH grounds.

On July 8, we initiated a restructuring of the Iowa Veterans Home, which has led to an increased number of frontline recreation staff delivering more recreation opportunities to our residents.

On Sept. 7, IVH hosted 50+ Iowa State University Army ROTC Cadets who were running the Cy-Hawk football from Ames to Iowa City for kickoff on September 8 — a tradition which began in 1986.

On Sept. 19, the Director of the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing presented the Iowa Veterans Home with the 2024 Governor’s Award for Quality in Health Care. IVH was one of only two nursing homes in Iowa to receive this recognition.

On Sept. 19, 26 volunteers with the non-profit Saluting Branches took down and removed more than 40 dead or dying trees on the IVH campus.

In November, KRM Custom Homes replaced the roofs of all ten cottages — charging us for materials and donating the labor.

On Nov. 11, Command Sergeant Major Steve Hyde (Iowa Army National Guard Retired), Vietnam Veteran, Purple Heart recipient and a Marshalltown resident was keynote speaker at the Iowa Veterans Home on Veterans Day.

On Dec. 23, we celebrated Rita Dostal’s 55th year of work at IVH; what a great example; her first day of work was on Dec. 23, 1969!

On Dec. 30 we celebrated the career of Penny Cutler Bermudez, who retired after 30 years of service, including the last seven as Licensed Nursing Home Administrator.

During 2024, Veteran Service Organizations, stakeholders, and the community of Marshalltown donated $222,359.23 to the Iowa Veterans Home to support activities, programs and support resident needs.

Kim Jass-Ramirez, Marshalltown YMCA/YWCA CEO:

Jass-Ramirez

In January 2024, we celebrated 20 years since the Marshalltown YMCA-YWCA opened its newest facility, named after benefactor Virginia Horne-Henry. The Y continues to be a cornerstone of the community, providing programs to people from all backgrounds, and supporting tourism by hosting sports events. Drowning remains a leading cause of death for children, which is why we have expanded our partnerships in the community to teach Safety Around Water and Swim Lessons. This past year we launched a new water safety program for children with autism.

The importance of combating isolation and loneliness has never been more clear. Just last year the U.S. Surgeon General named it as a nationwide epidemic, noting negative impacts to mental health and increased risks of heart disease, stroke, dementia and premature death. We’re proud to provide many programs and services that facilitate social connections and community building. The Marshalltown Y serves as a hub for community activities and programs, allowing individuals and families to come together, participate in group activities, and form lasting relationships.

We look forward to hosting our second annual Y Triathlon in June 2025. This event brought in local and out-of-town athletes to compete and help the Y raise funds for youth program scholarships. We will also be launching EGYM in January, which is a personalized, full-body strength training experience that uses the latest RFID technology to make working out fun, fast and effective for everyone.

Mike Ladehoff, Marshalltown Ward 1 City Councilor and Mayor Pro Tem:

Ladehoff

My thoughts on 2024 leading into 2025.

2024 was rife with challenges for the City of Marshalltown. The City was short-staffed most of the year with several open slots waiting to be filled. Many of the openings have been filled with excellent candidates. We are still short two engineers, some bus drivers and a few Police Officers. Outside looking in, you might not have noticed, due to the dedication and hard work by our staff and employees, but I sure did and appreciate the effort. At times it seemed they were running on fumes and energy drinks, we are lucky to have them.

We were very lucky to pick up Carol Webb as our new City Administrator, A real blue-chip recruit to lead our staff. She fits right in and got right to work. With State Street opening up, we can now concentrate on Center Street from State Street to Church Street.

We did manage to gain some much needed diversity on the Council with the election of Melisa Fonseca this fall. Also, I would be remiss without mentioning the passing of Al Hoop. He loved Marshalltown so much.

The passing of the local option sales tax by a wide margin was a huge win for Marshalltown. Main Street is transforming into a “place to be” with several new shops and restaurants.

2025 will bring several projects from the planning stage to actual construction. The Linn Creek District along 6th Street will see the construction of the Trail Head and the Water Plaza, led by our Arts and Culture Master Plan, helping transform Marshalltown into a fun and active town. We await the grant to extend the bike trail North for many miles. Riverview Park will be finishing up Phase 1 of its improvement project for more fun in the City!

Stay tuned, more is to come, consider coming to a Council meeting or two.

Dr. Theron Schutte, Superintendent of the Marshalltown Community School District:

Schutte

Marshalltown’s progress: Embracing the lead in education and community

2024 has been a landmark year for the Marshalltown Community School District (MCSD), a year in which we truly embraced the lead through transformative accomplishments and unwavering community support.

On March 5, MCSD residents demonstrated their trust in our vision by reauthorizing the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) for another decade with 68.9% approval (1,184 votes in favor, 534 against). This vital funding ensures continued investment in infrastructure, technology, and transportation, all while maintaining the district’s overall tax levy at $15.99 per $1,000 of taxable property value — a testament to our financial stewardship and strategic planning.

Later in the year, on November 5, voters again showed overwhelming support for progress by approving the $57 million “Reimagine Miller” bond referendum with 68% approval. This initiative will fund a $106 million transformation of B.R. Miller Middle School, modernizing the nearly century-old facility to create a learning environment that embraces 21st-century education standards.

Our Board of Education also set an example of leadership and excellence by earning the prestigious Team Achievement Award from the Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB), placing MCSD among only 46 board teams statewide to receive this honor. Additionally, each of our individual board members were recognized with the IASB Individual Achievement Award for completing significant professional development. I am proud to share in this tradition of continuous growth and learning, having been honored with the IASB Award of Honor this year.

Our students and staff have also embodied the “Embrace the Lead” spirit with remarkable achievements. Sixty-four high school students earned the Iowa Seal of Biliteracy, showcasing excellence in multiple languages, while four of our elementary schools ranked among the top 40% in Iowa. These successes highlight the dedication of our educators and the perseverance of our students.

Our commitment to leading the way extends to infrastructure and innovation. We unveiled a $4 million tornado safe team room at the high school stadium, enhancing safety for students and the community. We also celebrated the completion of $8 million in Career and Technical Education (CTE) and science facility upgrades at Marshalltown High School, providing cutting-edge resources to prepare students for the future.

Looking ahead, we continue to innovate with programs like the Junior Achievement 3DE curriculum, launching in 2025, and the Bobcat Cafe, a student-run venture opening at the Orpheum in February. These initiatives, aligned with our “Embrace the Lead” philosophy, integrate real-world learning experiences into our schools, equipping students with skills to succeed in an ever-evolving world.

Every step we’ve taken this year reflects the collective effort of our students, staff and community. Together, we are setting a standard of excellence and innovation. By embracing the lead, we are shaping a bright future for Marshalltown, and I am deeply grateful for your continued support.

Kendra Sorensen, Marshalltown Area United Way Executive Director:

Sorensen

As I reflect on the accomplishments of Marshalltown Area United Way (MAUW) in 2024, I am filled with immense joy and gratitude. This year, MAUW participated in or presented at over 60 community engagements, embodying a comprehensive approach by listening to and addressing local needs. Together with our community partners, we have continued to create pathways to promote healthy lifestyles, leverage educational opportunities, strengthen financial security, and build community resilience.

In January, MAUW allocated funding for 30 local programs supporting children, families, seniors, individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, and those in crisis. While we achieved and slightly exceeded our $825,000 fundraising goal, it was still insufficient to fully fund these essential programs.

In February, we welcomed our 2024/2025 campaign co-chairs, Kate Bowermaster and Kyley Leger, and began planning for the year ahead. Recognizing the need for sustainability, we set an ambitious but necessary goal of $900,000, accurately reflecting the resources required to maintain vital community services. This marked the beginning of a journey toward the hope of a historic achievement.

Following our annual meeting in April, MAUW welcomed seven new board members: Jordan Gaffney, Jaymee Mann, Mickey McDonald, Abigail Pelzer, Joel Phillips, and Zach Tomesch. At the same time, we expressed our heartfelt gratitude to Nan Benson, Matthew Brodin, Brandon Buck, Crystal Estabrook, Katie Fink, Samuel Ibarra, and Deb Kerr for their six years of dedicated service.

Throughout the year, MAUW hosted ten fundraising events, with two premier events breaking records once again. The Charity Golf Event, sponsored by Gary Schaudt with Central Iowa Capital Advisors, raised an incredible $27,473, while the Power of the Purse soared to $50,125, thanks in part to a generous donation from Hellberg’s Jewelers of a 14k gold ¼ carat diamond pendant for raffle. Together, these special events generated $86,882, surpassing last year’s total of $74,465. Additionally, we launched a new event, the Turkey Day 5k/10k, inspired by Kate and Kyley, which we plan to continue in 2025. We are deeply grateful to the businesses, individuals, and volunteers who sponsored, attended, and supported these events.

Other significant milestones included our early adoption of the United Way Worldwide brand refresh and the release of new ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) data. This data highlighted the challenges faced by many in our community to maintain financial security, emphasizing the importance of our mission.

As 2024 draws to a close, we are within $40,000 of reaching our $900,000 campaign goal. Even so, we have surpassed last year’s total by $30,000–a testament to the unwavering support of our community partners. We invite you to be part of this journey and make a meaningful impact. Your donation, no matter the size, helps sustain critical programs and services that strengthen our community. Visit our website unitedwaymarshalltown.org to contribute.

Looking ahead to 2025, Marshalltown Area United Way remains committed to engaging, inspiring, and mobilizing our community to action. Together, are building a future where everyone can realize their full potential.

Thank you Marshall County for your devoted support year after year!

Mike Tupper, Chief of the Marshalltown Police Department:

Tupper

Happy New Year! The police department will see a leadership transition in early 2025. Captain Christopher Jones will become Chief Christopher Jones on Jan. 31. Chris will do a great job! Marshalltown is in good hands with Chris and you will not be disappointed.

For law enforcement, maintaining and building positive community relationships has always been job one and will be so in 2025. Marshalltown PD will need to carefully navigate potential changes in federal policy and state laws related to the enforcement of federal immigration laws. A new state law is currently hung up in federal court. If this state law is ultimately allowed to be implemented, it will place new responsibilities on local law enforcement related to the enforcement of federal immigration laws. How all of this will work is unknown. Who will pay for the training and enforcement resources necessary to implement the new state law is also unknown. We do know there will be a cost and it is likely an expense that will be pushed to local communities. Federal policy changes being implemented by a new President may also create new federal immigration law enforcement responsibilities for local police departments across the country. Historically, the enforcement of federal immigration law has generally been the responsibility of the federal government. Local law enforcement should concentrate on local public safety concerns and building trust in the community. Pushing these new responsibilities onto local police departments will diminish public trust and will damage community relationships that have taken many years to build. Additional resources will likely be required to make all of this work at the local level. The police department will continue to work closely with the community to address public safety needs. The police department pledges to be transparent in communicating with the public as this discussion evolves.

Technology continues to evolve in the law enforcement profession. In early 2025, the police department will be implementing new body and vehicle camera systems. The police department will continue to leverage modern technology, and communication channels, to our advantage to enhance public safety, open lines of communication, and build community support.

The police department appreciates the great public support we have enjoyed in 2024 and we look forward to working with the community in 2025 to build a safe and vibrant community.

Kara Warme, District 26 Iowa Senator Elect:

Warme

A proudest moment of 2024 for me was watching my dad, Navy Commander Curt Dose, share his fighter pilot stories from Vietnam at the Iowa Veterans Home on Feb. 23. My daughters Emma (14) and Skylar (12) attended and hadn’t heard the detailed account live before. It was especially meaningful for us to hear about their grandfather’s combat with North Vietnamese fighter pilots in 1972 in a room full of veterans who could understand and add to the heroism of the events more than 50 years ago. My dad trained at Top Gun, and brought footage of his naval flights that looked right out of the movies “Top Gun” and “Top Gun Maverick.” There’s a fun Marshalltown link there, because “Top Gun Maverick” was directed by Marshalltown High School graduate Joseph Kosinski.

Looking forward to 2025, I am honored to head to the capital and represent the residents of Marshall County in the Iowa Senate. I bring with me the legacy of service from my father and the many veterans who sacrificed to win and protect our freedoms. I think we’re all glad to leave the year of political advertisements and election coverage behind us and move forward together as Iowans, celebrating the things that make central Iowa great and working together to make our communities even better for future generations.

Carol Webb, Marshalltown City Administrator: I’m proudest of joining the Marshalltown team! I’m looking forward to the budget process and moving the Council’s goals forward.

Bethany Wirin, Marshalltown Christian School Administrator:

Wirin

Highlights of 2024: Growth in Enrollment: We were happy to welcome 35 new children this fall, bringing our total enrollment to 125 students from Kindergarten through 8th grade.

Leadership Expansion: The appointment of Mr. Jeff Groth as Director of Academics was a significant highlight. His leadership and enthusiasm have been a wonderful addition to MCS.

God at Work: When we were in need of more classrooms to hold new teachers and students, our neighbor to the south, Journey Church, graciously offered space. We are thankful!

Goals for 2025: Strategic Planning: Our primary goals are reflected in our mission: to glorify God, inspire excellence, and shape servant leaders. In January, we will draft a new strategic plan for the next 4-5 years, aligning our efforts with the mission.

Professional Development: Under Mr. Groth’s guidance, we are focusing on enhancing professional development for our teachers, including fostering greater collaboration among the staff during the 2025-26 school year.

Staff Expansion: To accommodate our growing student body and to enhance our educational programs, we are recruiting at least two new elementary and two new junior high teachers for the 2025-26 school year.

We look forward to the New Year, and, with the Lord’s help, aim to adapt and improve continuously, keeping the mission of MCS at the forefront of all decisions: To glorify God, inspire excellence, and shape servant leaders.

Rhonda Braudis, Marshall County 911 Communications Director:

Braudis

As the Director of the Marshall County Communications Center, I have the privilege of leading an extraordinary team of 911 professionals who serve as the vital link between the public and emergency responders. It is a role that demands resilience, adaptability, and unwavering commitment. The year 2024 was a testament to these qualities, as our team navigated challenges, celebrated successes, and laid the groundwork for continued growth in 2025. Today, I want to share with you the human side of what we do–the accomplishments that have strengthened our community and the challenges we face together as we strive to ensure your safety.

The world of 911 communications is often misunderstood. For many, it’s a number to dial in moments of crisis, but for those of us on the other end, it’s a lifeline–a promise to be there when you need us most. This year, our team demonstrated remarkable perseverance, achieving milestones that underscore the critical role we play in public safety.

One of the highlights of 2024 was the continued development of our team’s skills and cohesion. We’ve always known that the strength of our service lies in the dedication and expertise of our dispatchers. This year, we emphasized professional growth and team building, ensuring that every member of our center felt supported and empowered. These efforts not only enhanced the efficiency of our operations but also fostered a workplace culture rooted in collaboration and mutual respect.

Additionally, we’ve focused on community engagement, working to bridge the gap between the public and the often-unseen world of 911 communications. Through 911 education, educational initiatives, and outreach programs, we’ve invited the community to understand the critical role dispatchers play in saving lives. Hearing the gratitude of those we’ve helped has been incredibly humbling and reinforces why we do what we do.

While 2024 brought moments of pride, it was not without its challenges. Across the country, 911 centers faced significant hurdles, many of which echoed within our own center. Staffing shortages continued to be a nationwide issue, as the demands of the profession–high stress, long hours, and emotional toll–made recruitment and retention difficult. Yet, we are proud to say that our center is fully staffed, a rare achievement in this field. This success speaks volumes about the supportive environment we’ve cultivated and the resilience of our team.

Another challenge we encountered was the public’s perception of 911 dispatchers. Too often, the work we do is invisible, and misconceptions abound. Dispatchers are not simply “answering phones.” We are the calm voice in the storm, gathering crucial information, prioritizing resources, and guiding callers through some of the worst moments of their lives. Changing this narrative requires ongoing education and advocacy, and we’re committed to ensuring that the public understands and values the indispensable role of 911 professionals.

As we turn our focus to 2025, our goals are clear: to continue providing exceptional service, to address challenges head-on, and to prepare for the future with optimism and determination. The year ahead presents opportunities for growth and collaboration, both within our center and across the broader public safety community.

One of our primary objectives is to further invest in our team’s well-being. The mental and emotional health of dispatchers is paramount, as the nature of our work can take a profound toll. We plan to enhance our support systems, providing resources and training to help our staff manage stress and build resilience. By prioritizing their well-being, we ensure that they can continue to serve the community with the focus and compassion you deserve.

Additionally, we aim to strengthen our partnerships with local agencies and community stakeholders. Collaboration is key to effective emergency response, and we’re committed to fostering relationships that enhance coordination and communication. Whether it’s working with law enforcement, fire departments, or emergency medical services, we recognize that our shared mission is to protect and serve the people of Marshall County.

The work of a 911 dispatcher is not for the faint of heart. It’s a profession that demands quick thinking, emotional strength, and an unwavering commitment to others. Yet, it is also a deeply rewarding calling, one that offers the opportunity to make a tangible difference in people’s lives every single day.

As we move into 2025, I invite you to join us in recognizing the importance of this work. Whether by expressing gratitude to a dispatcher, learning more about what we do, or supporting initiatives that enhance public safety, your understanding and encouragement mean the world to us. Together, we can ensure that the Marshall County Communications Center remains a beacon of excellence and a cornerstone of our community’s safety.

To my team, I want to express my deepest gratitude. Your dedication and passion inspire me daily, and I am honored to work alongside you. To the community we serve, thank you for entrusting us with your safety. It is a privilege we do not take lightly, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to being there when you need us most.

Here’s to a bright and collaborative 2025, where challenges are met with courage, and achievements are shared with pride. Together, we can make it another remarkable year for public safety in Marshall County.