Right on the money - kind of

The January 26 issue of Cityview was a gem. Your publication is now the principal source of news that readers desperately need to activate outrage at public servants. Jon Gaskell has finally recognized that S.O.S. (Save Our Schools) is a viable truth-telling group ("Give board an inch, it will take a mile") dedicated to improving education in the Des Moines Public Schools. Carolyn Szczepanski's investigative pieces are all excellent, and the one that looked into the scams, shams and underhanded dealings of Polk Country and its cohorts concerning county growth plans ("Comprehensive plan or calculated scam?") was an eye-opener. It was a must-read for all who think their elected officials really care about or represent the individual citizen's concerns and property rights. Ms. Szczepanski's research details the way landowners are being duped and disenfranchised. Winners and Losers and Civic Skinny were full of juicy food for thought, and the cover story "Tom Quixote" was a lively look at an enigmatic public servant whose past and future aspirations affect us all. So please keep up the good work and keep digging, dishing and holding feet to the fire of public disclosure. Thank you for helping keep us "in the know."

Mary Brubaker
Des Moines

No real parental involvement

Jon Gaskell was right in criticizing the Des Moines Public School district for holding private meetings on absenteeism ("Give board an inch, it will take a mile," Jan. 26). While the district is always asking for parental involvement, it is not willing to accept meaningful public input in the decision-making process.

Sharon Walsh
Des Moines

Power of the vote

The experience of citizens trying to shape the recently revised Polk County comprehensive plan ("Comprehensive plan or calculated scam?" Jan. 26) seems to reflect a phenomenon pointed out by Jane Jacobs in her classic book, "The Death and Life of Great American Cities." Jacobs suggests that much of what occurs at public input meetings simply validates decisions that have been made elsewhere, while at the same time de-energizing the opposition and rendering it ineffective. In contrast, she writes, people need to organize into effective coalitions and fight it out with officials on the plane where decisions are actually made. This is the only way to win. Further, she writes, there are only two sources of power: money and votes. Neighbors and neighborhoods trying to shape development and preserve their way of life have only one of these powers - votes - and only if they are organized effectively. City officials, developers, road builders and so forth have the other - money. So the only way to for us ordinary citizens to save our neighborhoods, farmland and natural areas from unplanned and sprawling development is to organize effective coalitions, and use the power of our votes to change who is in power.

Cathy Mabry McMullen
Des Moines

Not a church affair

I am writing in response to a letter that was published in your Jan. 26 edition that was written by Monica Brand. According to Ms. Brand, the word "marriage" was defined first in the Bible. And while I am not positive, I believe people were actually married before Jesus walked the earth, which would predate the Bible. Secondly, the Bible was not written in English; it was translated into English. So perhaps Monica would like to use a different word to describe her "union." Besides, if marriage were a church affair, how is it that a judge married my spouse and me?

Jesse H.R. Young
Des Moines

Poor form

I cannot believe your well-respected paper chose to print the guest commentary by a jackass like Kent Carlson ("New central library: Do you think I'm sexy?" Jan. 26). You have completely lost my respect. Not only was Carlson's piece a poorly written piece of shit, it wasn't at all funny, makes you guys look small-minded, and allowing the author to take an off-color pot shot at David Kruidenier was poor form. I'd say you guys are better than that, but obviously you aren't. Assholes.

Paul Hines
Former Des Moines resident

Disparaging David

Seldom have I read anything as disgusting ("New central library: Do you think I'm sexy?" Jan. 26) as the author's tasteless disparagement of David Kruidenier.

Gil Cranberg
Des Moines

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