By The Gazette Editorial Board
The Gazette Editorial Board offers an institutional viewpoint as part of our company’s commitment to serving communities and providing leadership.
Our editorials are meant to focus attention on what matters most to Eastern Iowans. Frequently within our opining are calls to action — arguments to support or change a policy or practice involving government, organizations or leaders.
Our editorials are the consensus of board members — listed at the top of this page — not any one individual’s viewpoint.
Although we form our collective opinions within a philosophical framework, we have not formalized it. That is, until now. The board has agreed on a mission statement and principles, and we believe it’s important to share them with you:
Our mission: To foster a comprehensive community conversation, across multiple platforms, that will help readers and constituents understand the issues most relevant to them and encourage them to form and share their own opinions.
As a board, we advocate for:

• First Amendment freedoms of speech, press, religion, petition and assembly, adamantly focusing on open government, freedom of information issues and being the watchdog for our communities.
• Open, effective, accountable government at every level, favoring collaboration and consolidation over growth in the size of government, and demanding responsible stewardship of tax dollars.
• Federal budgets that reduce or eliminate deficits and pay off the national debt.
• Regional economic development and cooperation among area communities that results in more high-quality jobs for the region as a whole.
• Robust private investment, calling on government to minimize barriers and develop strategies that encourage responsible economic growth and job creation.
• Outcomes-based health care systems that control costs and maximize collaboration among public and private providers, based on what best serves patients, employers and the community.
• Outcomes-based education systems that produce better public schools and maximize student achievement through innovation, standards of excellence, competitive strategies and accountable financial practices.
• Regional diversity in ethnicity, culture and business.
• Effective, efficient social service networks built on public-private partnerships.
• Vibrant, safe neighborhoods through public-private partnerships and residents’ personal responsibility
• Responsible, forward-thinking stewardship of public resources and the environment
• Fair opportunities for individuals wanting to better themselves.