Setting the record straight on Miller-Meeks

To the editor:

I am the husband of Mariannette Miller-Meeks. I write in response to a previous letter that accused her of 'abandoning Ottumwa” and looking to 'get ahead … at any cost.”

Our national politics is filled with personal attacks, but I never thought this style of politics would reach Ottumwa. Regrettably, it has. As a proud husband, I will not let these smear tactics go unanswered. Mariannette has lived in Ottumwa since 1997 when she joined a medical practice with two other ophthalmologists. Mariannette has served on various local committees, boards and commissions throughout the years and currently serves on the Wapello County Veterans Commission. When appointed by Governor Branstad to be the Director of the Iowa Department of Public Health, Mariannette resigned from her medical practice but continued to live in Ottumwa and drive to Des Moines every day.

Upon leaving that position, she began employment with a hospital in West Burlington. Again, she opted to drive to and from Burlington every day rather than move from Ottumwa. We chose to live in Ottumwa and Ottumwa is, and remains, our home. It is disappointing some have resorted to smear tactics and personal attacks.

This election is more important than that. It is about what is best for the residents of Ottumwa, Fairfield, Bloomfield, Keosauqua and every other resident in the district. Mariannette is running to lower healthcare costs, create good paying jobs in our communities and to serve others.

Before you vote on Nov. 6, I thought you should know the truth!

- Curt Meeks, Ottumwa