Letters: Letters: I’m a former mayor. Josh Mandelbaum has what it takes.

I’m a former mayor. Josh Mandelbaum has what it takes.

I was elected the first woman mayor of Newton 50 years ago this year. The job has changed a lot in that long period of time, but a few basics remain. Local government is the closest to the people. You can’t hide what you are doing, and really, almost everybody knows your name. The image of a mayor is often one of cutting ribbons, handing out keys, and chairing a meeting. Any pleasant person can do those things. Even me.

What we really want is a competitive and successful city. Today, it is most important to have a person who has worked in government, and has expertise in housing, transportation, recreation, public safety and the environment. Josh Mandelbaum cut his teeth on these issues. He has the talent and experience to move Des Moines to the next level.

— Myrt Levin, Des Moines

It’s unfair to denounce Hamas while excusing Israel’s oppression

As much heat as our government has raised about Hamas’ attack on Israel, one would think that we frown on those who destroy homes, kill innocent men, women and children, and hold other innocent men, women, and children captive.

But wait. The Israeli government has been doing that for decades — with our money and support. Where is our collective indignation about the demolition of Palestinian homes, the killing of Palestinian men, women and children, the indefinite detention of Palestinians of all ages? We — sort of, probably, kind of, in a way — wish Israelis wouldn’t do that; but they keep on, with no consequences. And it hasn't bought them safety.

We’ve seen decades of bloodshed that hasn’t made anyone safer. Einstein said insanity is continuing to do the same thing over and over but expecting different results.

The U.S. should call for an immediate ceasefire and negotiations for a solution that respects the dignity and humanity of each Palestinian and each Israeli.

— Deborah Fink, Ames

The Iowa that was is gone

As I read another of Kurt Ullrich’s stories of the world that used to be in northeast Iowa, I guess I need to say, “Kurt, it’s been a good run, but, it’s only got a little time left.” I grew up in northeast Iowa looking forward to hunting pheasants and ducks. Fishing for walleye on the rivers; trout streams so clear it was almost like a crime to catch them. I stopped hunting when there didn’t seem anything left to hunt because of ditch to ditch farming and decided that maybe I should put fish I caught back because they were fewer and far between, and maybe not edible.

This is not the Iowa I grew up in. Our waters are spoiled, our air is disgusting, when you ride a motorcycle on Highway 20 on a hot summer day you gag. Here‘s the deal, Iowa, and Iowans: What do we want to leave for our grandchildren?

— Mark Mahoney, Urbandale

Iowa is pillaged for the benefit of a few

Sustainability? What happened to sustainability? As Iowa leaders allow all manner of exploitation of our natural resources, it seems the concept of protecting Iowa’s soil, water, wildlife, and quality of life have gone off the radar screen.

Most Iowans want these things. Many of us remember when our grandfathers and grandmothers took care of the land for their children, grandchildren and so on. Many of our landowners are now mining our soil, ruining our water and damaging our wildlife. Corporate-owned food production and distribution is promoted everywhere in Iowa. We can’t get away from it. At the wrestling finals, every Saturday at football games on our televisions, and even on water bottles, industrial agriculture promotes its products and methods.

Project our water problems, our soil loss and our manure problems into the future. What will Iowa look like? Many Iowans reject the idea that our state is to be sacrificed for the benefit of so very few powerful people. Our farmers markets are doing great! However, we import the vast majority of what we eat and drink. And, we are not eating well in Iowa. Our calories are coming from corn and beans through all sorts of processed “foods” and fattening corn syrup drinks.

It seems our lean meat cuts are leaving Iowa while we are encouraged to eat bacon. I suspect our only avenue to change this food system rests with the consumers. Our policy folks respond to their donors. Of course, they have no option if they want to stay in power. So sad.

— Mike Delaney, Windsor Heights

Mandelbaum is a strong voice for progressive policies

The Iowa Unity Coalition believes Josh Mandelbaum has shown a strong commitment to eliminating inequities for the diverse communities in Des Moines. Mandelbaum has been a strong voice for progressive policies that help working people. We support his vision for a better Des Moines by ensuring everyone has full access to city resources and services.

— Mitch Henry, chair, Iowa Unity Coalition, Des Moines

A close look shows Josh Mandelbaum is the best choice

I take my responsibility to vote very seriously. I research the candidates to see who aligns with my views and make my decision.

I am proud to support Josh Mandelbaum for Des Moines mayor.

He is a dynamic young leader who cares deeply about his community and will bring his passion and vision to our city.

Des Moines would be fortunate to have Josh Mandelbaum as our mayor.

— Deb McMahon, Des Moines

Boesen’s resume puts her at the top

Connie Boesen is uniquely qualified to be mayor of Des Moines; she has demonstrated leadership skills as a school board member for 14 years, school board president twice, treasurer for Invest DSM, president of the East High Foundation, and as an at-large City Council member for the past five years. In that role, she has shown kindness and energy, especially in reaching out to the citizens across the city following the flood of 2018.

Boesen cares deeply about Des Moines residents and businesses. As a business owner, her financial management experience is a valuable asset for thoughtful and prudent decision-making for the future of our city.

Her extensive history of skilled decision-making and leadership in many arenas would greatly benefit Des Moines. Let's elect Connie Boesen as our first woman mayor.

— Gloria Hoffmann, Des Moines

Westergaard’s service has earned my vote

I hope that voters in the upcoming Des Moines City Council elections are careful when it comes to listening to the false narratives that are being spread on social media platforms and at our doorsteps.

In my opinion, Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement is wrong when it claims that Linda Westergaard has never accomplished anything and that she doesn’t listen to the residents of Ward 2. Instead of promoting the candidate this left-wing group supports, all it does is talk about how bad Westergaard supposedly has been.

This kind of personal attack does not help anyone think through the process.

I will be voting for Linda Westergaard to continue representing Ward 2 on the Des Moines City Council because I know she cares, she has worked hard for our neighborhoods, she has a long record of accomplishments, and because she makes herself available (phone number given, is present at the council meetings and workshops, attends neighborhood meetings/events, Coffee with Linda in various areas in her ward, etc.) to listen to her constituents.

— Sue Mick-Pohl, Des Moines

Did he really keep us safe?

I've been seeing lots of TV ads recently touting Donald Trump's record for "keeping Americans safe" when he was in office. I would like to suggest one respect in which he did quite the opposite.

In response to the world-wide COVID-19 crisis, perhaps the greatest national security challenge he faced as president, Trump failed miserably. He has admitted to intentionally downplaying the severity of the virus to the public by likening it to the flu and by falsely stating many times that it was "under control" and would "just disappear" and was "disappearing."

Trump also did not encourage mask wearing and undermined scientists and others seeking to combat the virus's spread. More than 400,000 Americans died from COVID during his watch, about the same number of Americans who died in World War II and a higher per capita rate of deaths than occurred in other high-income countries such as Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the UK. Many of those deaths could have been prevented with better leadership.

So, no, Trump did not keep Americans safe during his time in office.

— Jon Sullivan, Ankeny

News media falls for Hamas accusation

Journalism failed the world last week. On Oct. 17, the Gaza health ministry run by Hamas alleged Israel bombed a hospital and claimed 500 people died. The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, BBC, Al Jazeera and countless more ate it up as fact. No investigation. Case closed.

But as actual video and intelligence of a Palestinian Islamic Jihad’s failed rocket breaking apart and hitting near the hospital came to light, these respected news organizations quietly started to report the new findings as if their premature conclusions never happened. “Falsehood flies, and truth comes limping after it.”

The damage is done. Hamas won this battle: killing its own civilians is a small sacrifice for the world to lay all blame once again on Israel and ignore innocent Palestinians dying at the hands of Hamas.

— Alex Giller, Des Moines

Will there ever be a safe place for Jews?

Fear. Outrage. Shame. Disgust. These are the emotions that wracked my body when I first heard about the attacks on Israel on Oct. 7. What did this mean for my family there? Were they safe? Were they dead? Had they been murdered, as one thousand other Jewish people had been? I had no answers.

This is my Jewish reality, constantly fearful and outraged. I wait for the day when I wake up to swastikas on my door. As I eat, I wonder if my family is dead. I do my homework, hoping they’re alive. I go to sleep at night, knowing that the next day might bring me news of death. And there’s nothing I can do except wait.

Rates of anti-Semitism have been rising. My cousin, at 11 years old, faced anti-Semitism in school. The Anti-Defamation League’s 2022 audit of anti-Semitic incidents found that 3,697 incidents of anti-Semitism had occurred, a 36% increase from 2021. Hamas’ attacks on Israel are anti-Semitic. Why else would they be killing Jews? From the beheadings of babies to the extermination of the elderly, no Jewish person is safe.

The persecution of Jews has been constant throughout history. Mere days after Israel’s inception, it was attacked. Wherever they have been, Jewish people have never felt safe. When Jews said never forget, we meant it. With the actions of Hamas and many others, I feel like Holocaust has been forgotten and its atrocities are reoccurring. I leave on this: Will there ever be a safe place for Jews? At this point, I doubt it.

— Macy Gardner, Des Moines

What about land rights for Iowans, Governor?

I found the following quote interesting when reading the Oct. 24 story about vaccine pushback:

"In Iowa, government respects the people it serves and fights to protect their rights," Reynolds said. "I rejected the mandates and lockdowns of 2020, and my position has not changed.”

Gov. Kim Reynolds must have been misquoted. She certainly is not fighting to protect the rights of landowners in Iowa who are under the threat of eminent domain from hazardous carbon pipeline companies. As an Iowa landowner, I have not felt any respect from the government in this process.

— Patricia Schmidt, Camanche

Iowa needs seizure supports for schools

There needs to be immediate action taken in the Iowa Senate to ensure that all children in school are safe.

I am a mother of a school-age child with epilepsy, and I am terrified to send my daughter, Isla, to school. Isla experienced her first seizure when she was 18 months old, and she has been living with epilepsy ever since. One of her most alarming seizures lasted 15 minutes, resulting in an ambulance trip to the hospital. It is critical that Isla is surrounded by people who recognize and respond quickly to her seizures.

Therefore, I am calling on the Iowa Senate to pass House File 608 and support the over 4,400 children living with epilepsy in Iowa. The Seizure Safe School bill would ensure school personnel are trained in seizure first aid and require an individual Seizure Action plan for each student.

Twenty-three other states, including Illinois, Minnesota, and Missouri, have passed legislation to give school staff the tools they need to respond properly to seizure disorders. Iowa must act now, and not let our kids fall behind. This legislation has already waited six years too long. Iowa’s children should be the state’s first priority.

— Sarah Schuling, Johnston

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Letters: I’m a former mayor. Josh Mandelbaum has what it takes.