One for Jerry...

An appeal for those who shine the light

Dec 17, 2024

In 1967 My first job as a high school student was as a copyrunner in the old Des Moines Register’s Sports Department. I met Leighton Housh, the sports editor at that time and he recognized my desire to get into journalism. (original story here).

The Register was a great laboratory to study and learn what it meant to be a news-editorial journalist worthy of the title. Whether sports, investigative, police beat, business, agriculture and opinion/comment all were great. Regardless of department or beat, the prime directive was to develop sharp eyes and ears, a very sharp pencil, and a sharp-as-hell instinct for knowing if whoever you were interviewing was being straight with you or not.

When I transferred from the Sports Department to general assignment and statehouse reporting, Register Editor Frank Eyerly made sure that I stayed close to reporting veteran Jerry Szumski. I couldn’t of imagined a better guide through the process of seeking legislative transparency amidst the muck of statehouse sausage making.

I took these photographs as a statehouse reporter during the Gerald Ford era.

The late Jerry Szumski Statehouse and General Assignment Reporter for the Des Moines Register. We knew very clearly that our role was not to "buddy-buddy” with legislators but to keep both eyes and ears on ‘em.

The transparency battles that Iowa political journalists face today are not necessarily new but this always-protracted battle seems to have swung massively in favor of those looking to wield political power out of sight of reporters. The battles enjoined now by reporters and community action organizations like Iowa CCI, are those that flare when politicians, emboldened by secrecy and no accountability press their advantage in ways that cause the kind of pain and abuse addressed in the mission of community groups like CCI.

(All Photography by the Author)

The sausage factory (circa 1974) A scrum of Iowa legislators huddling to interpret language on a bill. I took this picture from the rear press area…..

….Then I took this one from right behind the Speaker’s shoulder…

….and then came around the other side to get this shot…

The point is that in 1975, nobody in the legislature thought it was a smart idea to restrict the movements of this 25-year-old Black reporter with a camera. In fact, no reporter would’ve willingly relegated themselves to the upstair gallery. A laughable notion.

So here we are in 2024-5 with State and commercial power seeking to evade all but minimal transparency. Bleeding Heartland editor, Laura Belin and Randy Evans at the Freedom Of Information Council project are two journalists who prevail in their quest for increased accountability where too many so-called news organizations offer no pushback or shrink from their oversight role.

Black Iowa News gave one of the most nuanced views of African American farmers of Iowa I’ve ever read locally. The 2nd Annual Iowa Farmers of Color Conference held at Living History Farms was where editor Dana James caught up with some of the 130 attendees.

My statehouse reporting mentor, the late Jerry Szumski was a member of Iowa Citizens For Community Improvement an organization dedicated to shining light and bringing justice to those whose voices aren’t accompanied by outsized financial or political influence. Seasoned reporters like Jerry knew and understood their role as journalists in highlighting the often unfair power dynamics between those in power and the citizens who have to live with the consequences. He was the embodiment of what the Fourth Estate was supposed to be all about.

Late in his career Jerry brought his considerable knowledge to Iowa CCI becoming a member bringing his expertise and knowledge to bear on efforts that truly improved our community.

Like a dogged investigative reporter, Iowa CCI has a reputation as a feisty group, not content to let politeness delay the urgency for justice. Ask a legislator of either party about CCI and they’ll probably frown whilst acknowledge CCI advocacy as a deep and equally challenging counterpoint (to Republicans or Democrats) who work against the welfare of rural and urban citizens. That feisty-ness will not be extinguished.

Those in governmental power always would wish for polite and predictable responses from the press and community activists but circumstances (often rendered by those in power) demand the need for continous, relentless flashlights illuminating stuff some would like to hide.

In this time of end-of-year contributions, I would ask you to consider making a contribution (tax-deductible or not…up to you) to Iowa Citizens For Community Improvement. While you’re at it consider supporting Randy Evans who happens to be executive director of the Iowa Freedom of Information Council, a 43-year-old nonprofit education and advocacy organization that works for improved government transparency and citizen accountability. As Kim and Co. try to turn the lights out, Randy is steadfastly trying to keep them on.

Randy Evans is at IowaFOICouncil@gmail.com. I am sure he can use your support. He’s also a member of the Iowa Writers Collaborative

Iowa CCI since 1975 bringin’ the heat, keepin’ hope alive. Please consider supporting these extraordinary Iowans. (full disclosure: I’m currently a board member)

Please now join me for A New Year’s Eve Invitation and a new composition over at RadioDartanyan

One for Jerry...

An appeal for those who shine the light

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