Easy savings for Des Moines: Pay Scott Sanders much less
Regarding the necessary city of Des Moines budget cuts: I can’t help but wonder why City Manager Scott Sanders’ salary is so excessive. And why is it necessary for him to have four assistants? Instead of cutting firefighter services and local library hours, could Sanders simply forfeit some of his outrageous salary? He could indeed do the right thing for our community so we can continue to provide the essential services we so desperately need. Please, Mr. Sanders, consider taking a pay cut for the benefit of those you serve. Thank you for considering this simple solution.
Karen Thompson Kinkel, Des Moines
Kim Reynolds tried to treat a symptom, not the cause
Gov. Kim Reynolds’ concerns over the costs of cancer care are laudable (“Governor presses UI over cancer costs,” July 23). Had she worked harder during her long time in office to address Iowa’s water quality issues, Iowa’s cancer rates might be going down rather than up.
Likewise, with our poorly regulated nursing homes, if Reynolds was willing to abandon her donors in that industry, we might not keep seeing the monthly reports of unnecessary deaths and suffering in these facilities.
Jim Walters, Iowa City
Give Americans clear crypto rules
For too long, everyday crypto users and developers have been stuck in a regulatory gray zone, without clear rules for anyone. This uncertainty prevents developers from building innovative financial tools and stands in the way of broader digital asset adoption unlocking new economic opportunities for more Americans. The CLARITY Act fixes this by, for the first time, establishing clear workable rules.
Enacting this legislative solution is important to me. As director of operations for PizzaDAO and president of the Iowa Stand With Crypto chapter, crypto is central to my daily work coordinating global community events, sponsorships and local advocacy. Clear rules would directly support the builders and everyday Iowans I work with every day.
The bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives with bipartisan support and also cleared the Senate Banking Committee with support from both Democrats and Republicans. Now, it needs a full Senate vote. If Congress fails to act, the continued uncertainty will keep slowing community growth, event expansion, and practical adoption here in Iowa and beyond — something we can’t afford while the rest of the world moves forward.
The Senate needs to advance the CLARITY Act now. We deserve clear rules and real protections for digital asset users — not more delay.
Hunter Williams, Bettendorf
8th-graders play high school sports, but at what cost?
House File 2591, which allows for Iowa eighth-graders to play high school sports, is going into effect for the 2026-2027 school year. As a high school counselor and a middle school and high school coach for 26 years, this really worries me. As a high school counselor, I have seen the impact that the stress of sports at the high school level can have on students’ mental health.
The pressure to be at early morning practices, get good grades, and then have practice or competitions at night, coming home to eat a quick bite before doing homework, all while still finding time to have a job, can be overwhelming for students. Let the eighth-graders enjoy competing at the middle school level, where the pressure and demands are not as prevalent.
From a middle school coach perspective, I would like to know: What is the point of having eighth-graders play at the high school level? If it is because participation numbers are low in the high school, I think we should try and solve that issue rather than bring eighth-graders up to help fill a roster. Are numbers low because more parents have their child specialize in fewer activities? Is it because AAU and club level activities have become more prevalent? There are numerous examples of students that have played multiple sports while in high school. Sadly, this is becoming more of the exception, rather than the norm.
More people argue that eighth-graders already are able to play high school softball and baseball, but what is often overlooked is the fact that Iowa is the only state to have these sports in the summer.
I have had numerous conversations with coaches and parents regarding, House File 2591, and most are against this. I have had middle school track and wrestling athletes who would be able to compete at the high school level as eighth-graders. I will have athletes this coming year who will seriously consider playing at the high school level. I will be there supporting any of my students who make this decision.
Ultimately, this is a parent’s/athlete’s decision. I just hope when these discussions are occurring that everyone considers the potential unintended consequences of their decision on the students mental, physical, social, and emotional health.
Scott Chapman, Woodward-Granger coach
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Des Moines can save money by paying Scott Sanders less | Letters
Reporting by The Register’s readers, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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By The Register's readers, Des Moines Register | USA TODAY Network
