Vote for Kragenbrink, Meyer for school boardHow fortunate we are to have ten community members willing to serve on our school board! As so many have noted, this is an important election requiring due diligence to understand the candidates’ motivation and qualifications.
An additional consideration is gender representation. The current board has three women, none of whom are seeking re-election. Of the ten candidates, only two are women. Gender is not the only consideration, but neither do we want to inadvertently elect an all male board.
Lucky for us, both Suzette Kragenbrink and Kristin Meyer are excellent candidates and more than qualified. Please consider voting for Kragenbrink and Meyer in order to ensure a school board that represents all of our community.
Lori Wunder
Mount Vernon
Make your school board choices — I have Mount Vernon Schoolboard elections are on November 7 and are the topic of many discussions with family and friends. Jason Clark is running for one of the four open seats. He is a Mount Vernon Alum. He and his wife decided MV was the place to raise and educate their two boys. He knows Mount Vernon Schools can give their boys opportunities to succeed; for all children to succeed.
Jason knows all children succeeding has a valuable impact on any community. He wants to serve on the schoolboard to bring his skills to maintaining this mission for the children in our district. He runs his own small business which requires understanding financial stability, bookkeeping, personnel, insurances and interacts with people and the public daily.
I ask for everyone to attend the Oct. 25 question and answer session with the schoolboard candidates hosted by the League of Women Voters. This is a very important election for many reasons, LGBTQ+ rights, book banning limits, support for our educators and decisions which must be made as the district continues to grow. However, the hiring of our next superintendent is vital to our district continuing the excellence we all expect from our school.
I have informed myself about the values and skills the candidates will bring to the schoolboard. I write this letter to emphasize how important it is for each of you to do the same. I have an opinion of which of those running should fill the four seats. I will be voting for Jason Clark, Suzette Kragenbrink, Jeremy Kunz and Kristin Meyer. Please educate yourself and then VOTE! Both these expectations are what make our communities work.
Thank you,
Warren Havill
Mount Vernon
Disinformation…AGAIN!While I acknowledge that some of Megan’s quotes contain partial accuracy, it would be more beneficial if she presented the complete sentences instead of cherry-picking. However, watching the videos or reading my “LTE” can provide the necessary information for making an informed decision.
Regarding the accusation of “flipping rhetoric,” I stand by everything I’ve said. I have never claimed allyship to the LGBTQ+ community as a whole, only to the LGBT (Transvestism) aspect, which I still support. Drag shows for adults are entertaining.
Yes, I aim to protect children from situations at pride events where adult men expose their genitals, as can be seen in the video from June 19, where I provide evidence to the council.
I maintain my stance on the T&Q statement. Megan validates bullying by expecting compliance with delusions, which I refuse to do.
I support exceptional educators, but not those who spread misinformation. Reporting the truth is not an attack; it is simply stating facts. Opinions do not determine the correctness of a person’s position.
White supremacists are despicable! Quoting Hitler does not make supporters of Mom’s for Liberty white supremacists. This quote was taken out of context, as reported by the AP. CNN frequently quotes Trump; does that mean they support him?
I genuinely support all students. However, I do not endorse equity (equality of outcome) but rather equality of opportunity. This is why I believe DEI initiatives are dividing us. We need a meritocracy that avoids favoritism.
I recommend that you, as readers, do your due diligence. Read my “LTE” from August 3 and the teacher’s from July 20. Watch the Sun’s YouTube videos. I am confident that by examining the evidence, you will see the truth and form your own objective opinion, just as logical adults do.
Greg Papin
Mount Vernon
Moms for Liberty meeting eye-opening I write to second the letters by Denise Havill and Megan Jones in last week’s Sun. I was curious about the Moms for Liberty group because I had understood that the state and national MFL organizations had been involved in the anti-trans and pro-book banning legislation passed in the most recent Iowa legislature.
In order to get the facts about MFL I attended the August meeting of the Linn County Chapter with Denise and two other interested citizens. Prior to the meeting we were graciously greeted by the president of the group who was anxious to tell us that the group does not support the banning of books and works solely to protect children.
During the meeting I saw a different picture. The ironic focus on liberty in their name proved to be liberty for them to impose their beliefs on everyone else. Their definition of liberty does not include the rights of students, teachers, and parents to determine what books children/students should read. Their definition of liberty does not include the ability for ALL students to be accepted, encouraged and nurtured, nor the acceptance of any family other than that including a mother, a father, and heterosexual children.
As the meeting progressed, I watched a slide show that vilified our superintendent for his acceptance and support of ALL of our district’s students. I saw slides that maligned my daughter-in-law for her defense and encouragement of students who supported the LGBTQ+ community within our school district.
Finally, I was interested as they introduced and applauded their candidate for the Mount Vernon School District, Greg Papin. Whatever Mr. Papin claims on his website and in interviews, the Linn County Moms for Liberty believe that he is their candidate and that he ascribes to their beliefs and attitudes.
Arlie Willems
Mount Vernon
Vote for Jeremy KunzI am supporting Jeremy Kunz for re-election to the Mount Vernon School board because of his knowledge and dedication to public school governance and his support of all students at MVCSD.
Jeremy has been involved in our archery program as coach and parent, helping develop a strong club. This support of broadening opportunities for students continues in his work on the school board. Whether class requirements, facilities, or hiring qualified staff, Jeremy has been there for our diverse and creative students and parents. He believes attracting and retaining the best staff will continue the outstanding growth of our students’ accomplishments. This year the board will be selecting a new superintendent, and Jeremy will look for a candidate who believes in every student.
Jeremy’s knowledge of educational law and state requirements were built from his own teaching experience as well as supporting teachers and administrators through ISEA.
Jeremy has a commonsense approach to board members’ responsibility to care for all students and staff ay MVCSD.
Vote for Jeremy and support all students at Mount Vernon.
Kristi Keast
Mount Vernon
Caution, Misinformation An individual running for the Mt. Vernon School Board is a concern. Doug Plotz spoke at the June 19 City Council meeting (still available on YouTube) during which he expressed opinions based not on truth but on misunderstanding of the individuals who identify as transgender.
The inflammatory phases and language he used would indicate he is not informed. He expressed opinions formed without research, opinions based on his personal experience rather than understanding the experiences of others. I fear he would vote to deny parents of children identifying as transgender the right to do what is best for their children in order to see to their mental health needs as it relates to gender affirming care. The evening agenda related to the process the city council was undertaking to determine the possibility of flying a pride flag and the Mayoral Pride Proclamation. Mr. Plotz took the opportunity to push misinformation about the LGBTQ+ community without any research into realities regarding transgender individuals.
To repeat untruths, to over exaggerate unfounded fears about an area he knows nothing about, and to degrade the lived realities of some kids and their parents, all are indicators that he will not be a board member willing to listen to or address the needs of all parents in the school district. He would be prone to have knee-jerk reactions and close minded responses to issues before the board. Please do not vote for Doug Plotz.
Linda Kemp
Mount Vernon
Letters to the editor Oct. 26
October 26, 2023