David V. Wendell

Featured in: Favicon

thegazette.com Favicon

mccookgazette.com

Articles

Opinion: Doctors, clowns, and cowboys

Jan 19, 2025 | thegazette.com | David V. Wendell

Howdy vaqueros! January marks the 49th anniversary of a rite of passage for television and young children throughout Eastern Iowa, parts of Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, and Minnesota. It marks the debut of the Doctor Max program on WMT TV in Cedar Rapids.
A vision for downtown C.R.

Jul 26, 2023 | thegazette.com | Jim Ross Lightfoot |Norman Sherman |Kurt Ullrich |David V. Wendell

As I reflect upon the remarkable journey of captivating cities across the planet, I am reminded of the truth that lies within: a vibrant and attractive downtown is the heart that propels any city to its true potential. Having had the privilege of traversing numerous landscapes across the country and the developed world, this adage resonates deeply within me.
Improving health and democracy

May 31, 2023 | thegazette.com | Sarah Watson |Kurt Ullrich |David V. Wendell |Joe Bolkcom

Like to help rebuild democracy in Iowa while improving your health? Read on. Democracy cannot be pulled, like a magician’s rabbit, out of a hat. We don’t create “democracy.” But we can — if we will — work to create the columns, the foundation, from which a democracy can burst forth and survive like the perennials of spring in a well-tended garden. What are those columns?
From cheers to beers to Bourbon

May 30, 2023 | thegazette.com | David V. Wendell |Joe Bolkcom |Norman Sherman |Althea Cole

We gather by the thousands — students, alumni, just folks — to cheer University of Iowa teams. We’re happy when they win, sad when they lose. Either way, many students head off at games end for a drinking party. They go from cheers to beers and bourbon. For most freshmen, drinking is a new sport. Eager to fit in, they have an introductory drink and then more and more. Here, about 40 percent of students, down from 70 percent just 10 years ago, end up drinking in a high-risk manner.
Recognizing racism shouldn’t be tough

May 8, 2023 | thegazette.com | Colleen Mulholland |Neal Urwitz |David V. Wendell |Althea Cole

I want to start with a confession. I have never been Black. I have also never been a WASP. I am not a descendant of a founding father or of Chuck Grassley, who, I believe, was their contemporary. But I have lived all over our country for a long time. I have walked around with my eyes open. I have looked beyond my white nose. In a bloody spasm of democracy, we did abolish slavery, but today I see a disgraceful racist society. Not everyone agrees with me.
A modified citizenship test for Iowa kids

Mar 13, 2023 | thegazette.com | Sofia DeMartino |Althea Cole |Todd Dorman |David V. Wendell

Tucked into the governor’s big education bill, Senate File 496, is a little discussed provision requiring Iowa students to take the latest U.S. citizenship test to prove their knowledge of United States government and civics. Kids must get at least 70 percent of the questions right to graduate, but they can take the test as many times as they like. More than 90 percent of immigrants vying for citizenship pass the test. The bill also allows school districts to “modify” the test.
Vote yes for Benton Community school bond

Mar 3, 2023 | thegazette.com | Caleb McCullough |Erin Murphy |Nikki R. Haley |David V. Wendell

Join me in voting yes on March 7 in the Benton Community school bond referendum. I have been involved in farming and agriculture related business all my life. And one thing I know is that we need to make investments in business and education to keep up and remain successful. Six dollars per-acre is one bushel of corn per acre and is not a burden to agriculture. That is the cost to farmers in the upcoming Benton Community school bond vote on March 7. It is an investment for our future.