Gomers: What's going wrong

Gazette Editorial Board

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NARROW-MINDED TACTIC: Opponents of a housing subdivision proposed for rural Johnson County, off Newport Road, certainly have the right to their objections. Big housing developments plopped in rural environments often don't mix well in Iowa's heavily agricultural countryside. But some of those foes now plan a campaign against a different proposal: the county's justice center project, up for voter referendum again in May. They want “to express their disdain for the supervisors” on rural issues, according to their attorney, Jeff McGinness. That's not much of a reason to oppose a project of countywide importance, as compared to their own parochial dispute.

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SEQUESTRATION DOWNSIDE: Another downer from the federal budget sequestration of across-the-board spending reductions: About 1,100 Iowa National Guard members who are full-time “federal technicians” must take furloughs that will cut their pay and benefits about 20 percent for five months starting in May. It'll be toughest on those with young families. And the Guard's overall readiness level likely will suffer, as maintenance on thousands of pieces of equipment and vehicles will be delayed.

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