Answer the phone and appoint proper public servants
Public officials face incivility and calls from citizens as a Cedar Rapids writer urges better appointment practices. The piece cites the need for open interviews, fixed terms, ombudsmen, and actual public access to officials to keep governance accountable. Laura Browne, Cedar Rapids copyreader, adds her long history in preservation.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Boston Harbor
Cedar Rapids
Bluestem
Iowa
Johnson County
America
Billy Bass
Seminole Valley Farm
Ushers Ferry
Cedar River
National Guard
Andy McKean
Linn
Lumir Dostal
Veterans Commission
Laura Browne
Beginning of the 21st Century Debated in The Gazette
The piece recalls a Gazette cartoon from January 2 1901 that sparked debate over when the century began. It notes the Y2K scare and credits human factors for post 2000 stability, concluding we now live in the 21st century on January 1 2001 despite differing views.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Prickett
the Gazette
Gazette
Feed the birds and help pheasants in Marengo
Larry Wetjen of Marengo appeals to residents to feed pheasants, noting hunters are scarce and road noise, trash, and door knocks disturb locals. He suggests buying corn or soybeans and spreading it where birds feed to ease the birds' hunger and offset inconveniences.
Gazette letter submission rules and contact details
The Gazette invites letters up to 300 words. Include your name street address and daytime phone number but print only your name and hometown. Mail to The Gazette Box 511 Cedar Rapids IA 52406 or send by Fax or email to the listed contacts.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
the Gazette
Cedar Rapids
Iowa
Bush Rumsfeld Cheney O Neill Return To Pentagon Team
The Washington Post editorial notes a return to tandem leadership as George W. Bush brings Rumsfeld back to defense with Cheney and O Neill, forming a veteran trio. It weighs how this experienced group will address post Cold War security, budget tradeoffs, and missile defense amid evolving threats.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington Post
Gerald Ford
Donald Rumsfeld
Secretary of Defense
Dick Cheney
Office of Management and Budget
Paul O'Neill
George W. Bush
Rumsfeld
Pentagon
O'Neill
Treasury
Defense
Soviet Union
Cheney
Bush
Two Pair and Two Sides of Grammar in Columns
Johnson and Linn counties readers contributed a two pair column. James Christensen of North Liberty dealt the first pair. Lea Myers of Cedar Rapids provided another. The piece includes a correction about fared versus best and notes about wreaths versus wreathes.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Johnson and Linn Counties
James Christensen
North Liberty
The
New York Times
Buchanan
Palm Beach
Lea Myers
Cedar Rapids
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Bugs
Mark Bowden
Jerry Elsen
Dave Storey
Scott Swenson
Peg Schmitz
Chad
United States
Larry Wetjen
Marengo
Ford
Clinton
the Times
Broward County
Gore
James
Miranda
Lea
Carl Kane