Koelker, Bradley skip rural legislative forums

To the Editor,

   A characteristic of a competent elected official is to show up to hear constituent concerns. It is what we expect and, at a minimum, should be a requirement for being a public servant.

   Unfortunately, Senator Carrie Koelker and Representative Steve Bradley don’t seem to have received the memo. Koelker’s senate district is Jones, most of Jackson and much of rural Dubuque County. Bradley’s house district is Jones and most of Jackson County.

   The League of Women’s Voters held a forum on Feb. 3 in Dubuque and invited both. They were a no-show. In Jackson County, the pair have not held a public forum during this year’s legislative session and there is no word of any public “listening event” on the horizon. Three forums were planned by Jones County Economic Development. Koelker and Bradley did manage to squeeze out one hour of their schedules to attend the January forum. But you guessed it. They cancelled the Feb. 23 forum.

   Recently, both Koelker and Bradley were invited but skipped a public forum focused on Area Education Agencies (AEAs) Feb. 10 in Anamosa. The AEA bill is arguably one of the most contentious bills in the 2024 Legislative Session. It has been reported the legislation, if passed, will be most damaging to the rural districts that Koelker and Bradley represent. Apparently, this important forum did not warrant their attention.

   I am reminded of lyrics from a Joni Mitchel song: “You don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone.” We previously had two great members representing us in the Iowa Legislature, Senator Tod Bowman, and Representative Andy McKean. They scheduled regular forums. And they showed up.

   When are we, Iowans living in rural areas, going to stop voting for people who are not listening to, working for, or helping us?

Bob Gertsen

Oxford Junction, Iowa