T-R PHOTO FILE PHOTO Marshalltown Police Department Chief Mike Tupper answers a question during the United Against Hate event at the library on Sept. 12. Joining him on the panel was CAPS Assistant Director Esmeralda Monroy and Marshall County Attorney Jordan Gaffney.

There are so many things going on in Marshalltown and Marshall County these days. In just the past couple of weeks, I have attended events celebrating the YSS/Marshalltown PD MPACT program, school bond informational meetings in Marshalltown and Gilman, the United Way KickOff celebration, a listening post at the Veterans Home, a meeting with our new City Manager Carol Webb, the fall kickoff of the Marshall County Retired School Personnel Association, the 13th Street Harvest Market and tours of Marshalltown Community College, Consumer Energy and Bobcat Academy Child Care.

In the upcoming week I plan on attending the Marshalltown Cultural Fair, the Live on-Stage performance, helping with instrument signup and distribution through the Marshalltown Youth Foundation, eating at the Marshalltown FFA potluck, and leading right up to a full weekend of Oktemberfest Events!

I love being a part of our amazing community! Bring on the Funnel Cakes!

One of the highlights for me recently was the United Against Hate panel put on by the Department of Justice/State Attorney General and the Marshall County Attorney’s office. The group discussed the difference between discrimination and hate crimes and how they are dealt with in our communities and across the state and nation. The effects on individuals who encounter these crimes are life changing. It affects the way they live, work and play. The panelists stated that we all want safe communities, and these crimes can have ripple effects through the family and community.

I think the reason this discussion resonated with me is that we are deep into election season. We know we have a divided nation and we’re all just so exhausted by politics today. Hurtful and hateful things are said. Items that can’t be verified and rumors treated as facts spread like wildfire on social media. We sometimes feel the ripple effects in our own lives as we talk about them around the coffee machine or become estranged from family members with different views.

If your neighbor puts up a political sign that does not represent your views, don’t hate your neighbor. Don’t shut them out. Your views on things may be different and you may not want to talk politics, but they are still your neighbor. We are a community of neighbors. We help each other. We are there for each other. Right now, and for the next two months, the political tensions will only increase as candidates try to separate themselves from each other.

My wish is that we keep the election about issues and not about tearing down other people. We know that not everyone thinks the same things or has the same views. We can talk about issues in a respectful way without tearing down others. There are many views of how to best provide services for our nation, our state, and our communities. Do your research on candidates and policies. Respectfully campaign for your candidates. Be open to other views. Get out and vote!

In the end, there will be winners and losers. Let’s try to find some common sense ways to work together. Let’s not turn the results into more hate.

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Sue Cahill, a Democrat from Marshalltown, represents District 52 in the Iowa House.