Protecting Ames’ citizens should be the city council’s priority

Protecting Ames’ citizens should be the city council’s priority

Wednesday's article “City of Ames Denies Claim That Pridefest Had “No Security Precautions” was significantly inaccurate.

I argued to the City Council that the Pridefest event had no physical security or police presence AT THE EVENT. There was no security AT THE EVENT. This was NOT disputed.

The first goal of security is to Prevent or Deter a mass killing. That is what you want. That occurs when you have barriers and police visibly present. The City did nothing to prevent a mass killing. Responding later to stop the perpetrators is not a help. It is way too late. A lot of people can die in the few minutes it takes the police to arrive. What we know from other school killings is that even when the police do arrive, it is chaos and it takes a lot of time for the police to determine what is happening (as they arrive cold). They do not just rush in and start shooting.  Lots of time is lost.

The true public debate is: Preventative security at the event.

The Tribune should have discussed the issue of general terror warnings vs. specific threats and what should happen in each case. In my view, the former merits serious security, and the latter merits canceling the event.

The question is: What should the City have done in response to the general terror threat warning? Is it acceptable to ignore such? Other cities have increased security in response to the warnings , but Ames did not.

Last year the Council disbanded the School Resource Officer program in our schools for dubious reasons, instead of fixing the program. That seriously downgraded security in our schools. It has kept the Ames Police Department at a grossly substandard level for comparable police departments, per FBI data (i.e., officers per thousand of citizens).  I hope the Council changes and begins to prioritize public safety.

At Tuesday’s meeting, the Council asked for a City assessment of its liability and the liability of individual Council members for a future terror event. That says volumes. It should have asked City staff for recommendations on upgrading public safety. Sadly, the main responsibility and concern of the Council is to protect the Council.  Who is protecting us?

Kind Regards,

Maddy Nasuti

Ames

For future generations: My conservation call to action

Growing up on a farm in western Iowa fostered a deep connection to the land, water, and wildlife. Living in an urban area for the last 15 years has made me appreciate the natural access I once took for granted. This ingrained understanding of natural resource stewardship is why I volunteer with Story County Conservation and why I will vote ‘yes’ for the Story County Water and Land Legacy bond.

A key focus of Story County Conservation is nature education, aiming to nurture an environmental concern in our community through enjoyable outdoor experiences. As children of the ‘90s and the Loess Hills in our backyard, my siblings and I had limited entertainment options besides exploring the great outdoors. In contrast, today's children face more obstacles to accessing green spaces, and digital distractions reducing their outdoor engagement. If we want to foster a lifelong appreciation for the importance of conservation, it’s vital that we provide opportunities for them to connect with and enjoy nature.

I support the Story County Water and Land Legacy bond initiative because it upholds decades-long trust in preserving our water, wildlife habitats, and expanding trail systems. A 'yes' vote on November 5th ensures an enduring legacy for future generations.

Christine Laumer

Ames

A case for the Story County water and land legacy bond

As a strong advocate for land and water conservation in Iowa, I urge Story County voters to vote YES on the upcoming Water and Land Legacy bond on the ballot this November 5th. Without adequate public land, it is difficult to foster a deep conservation ethic in individuals, families, and communities. Iowa ranks near the bottom in the U.S. for the percentage of public land available for outdoor recreation, wildlife and plant habitat, and environmental education. By passing this bond, we have the chance to enhance access to dwindling precious natural spaces, ensuring that future generations can enjoy fishing, hiking, paddling, picnicking, swimming, biking, and more. Voting YES on this bond means supporting clean rivers, lakes, and streams, and safeguarding our natural resources from pollution and overuse.

This bond also expands opportunities for all Story County residents to experience the outdoors, from creating new biking and walking trails to improving wetland areas for flood protection. Preserving our land and water benefits everyone, from wildlife to people, and it helps build a community that values and sustains the environment. Be a part of a legacy for conservation in Story County by voting YES to protect Iowa’s outdoor heritage and natural beauty for future generations. To learn more visit www.waterandland.org

Sincerely,

Nancy Franz

Ames

This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Protecting Ames’ citizens should be the city council’s priority