To the editor:
The Newton Daily News has published numerous pictures of State Rep. Dan Kelley in recent months that involve city and county residents. And I think it is great that city and county residents get exposure through our local newspaper.
What I do take exception to is Rep. Kelly having ample time for photo ops, but doesn’t have the time to respond on issues that are important to me. Using the email address published in the Newton Daily News, I have emailed Rep. Kelley four times since Feb. 8 (2/8, 3/1, 3/26, 3/29).
In addition, I have left him a voice message going through the state government switchboard. I have not received a single response of any kind. In contrast, I have emailed State Sen. Dennis Black and have received a response every time.
The subject of my contacts to Rep. Kelley revolves around Second Amendment rights. He has indicated to me in prior communications (last year) that he is, in fact, a supporter of the Second Amendment.
I would like to see Rep. Kelley get past the talk stage and move into the arenas of voting for and sponsoring pro Second Amendment legislation.
Rep. Kelley states on his website: “I’m Dan Kelley, a long-time resident of Jasper County. I serve in the Iowa House representing the 29th district. I am committed to being your voice in the Statehouse!”
If “representing” and “committed” are defined by not responding to a constituent once in a more than two-month time period, then I think we need a new representative. Our representatives are servants of the people, plain and simple.
Yet, by being silent, we let them take us for granted and allow them to focus on re-election rather than protecting those rights that our country was founded on. If we ignore the opportunity to protect our rights, our rights will go away.
Rather than promoting Kelley’s re-election bid (through face and name recognition), the Newton Daily News would serve the residents of Jasper County in a much nobler way, by having all of our elected officials publicly state their specific stand on all proposed Second Amendment legislation.
Chris Bollhoefer
Newton
