opinion
A letter to the taxpayers of Winneshiek County
Wednesday, February 24, 2021 9:24 pm
Dear Editor, After much deliberation, I felt the need to make a recent purchase by the Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors known to the public. Mid-January, three implement dealers (myself included) were asked to submit quotes for a new 115hp …
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Maybe history will sort it out
Friday, February 19, 2021 9:22 pm
Dear Editor, The United States came together after 911 in a bi-partisan way to become engaged in fighting terrorists from foreign countries. The Patriot Act followed. (Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism …
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Enact fair and enforceable face mask laws for the common good
Friday, February 19, 2021 9:22 pm
Dear Editor, The air volume in a closed room, no matter how large or small is communal property, shared by everyone. That airspace, and any virus it contains extends into the lungs of every person breathing in that room. …
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Reynold’s rescinding of mask and distance ordinance is premature; safety tips suggested for public
Friday, February 19, 2021 9:21 pm
Dear Editor, Iowa’s battle with the coronavirus pandemic is not over. Governor Reynold’s premature rescinding of her weak mask and social distancing ordinance, done without consulting Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), may cause the estimated death of an additional …
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Winneshiek County.: A COVID-19 vaccination desert
Sunday, February 14, 2021 5:13 pm
Dear Editor, Winneshiek County Public Health (WCPH) has no plan for COVID-19 vaccination distribution. If there were a plan, it would be shared with the public. That’s part of the “public” in public health. A random review of other Iowa …
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Properly funded public school would result in the excellent education young people deserve
Sunday, February 14, 2021 5:12 pm
Dear Editor, Recently a principal for North Charleston H.S. in Charleston, S.C. has made national news. This individual has appeared on the Today Show, been featured in People Magazine as well as other media because of his efforts to help …
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What message does the school choice bill send to educators?
Sunday, February 14, 2021 5:11 pm
Dear Editor, Governor Reynolds’s proposed school choice bill (SF159) would allow public funds to be diverted to private schools in districts with underperforming public schools. This bill is not supported by educators and administrators in Iowa public schools. Legislators …
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Family planning highest impact, most cost-effective investment
Thursday, February 4, 2021 8:20 pm
Dear Editor, My September 2020 “Population Connection” magazine states: “Family planning and slower population growth have a positive impact on nearly all 17 of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS).” These goals are as follows: 1. No poverty; 2. …
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Repudiate misinformation or perform an exorcism?
Wednesday, February 3, 2021 8:20 pm
Dear Editor, After looking at the Thursday, Jan. 21 opinion page, I could not make up my mind whether to sit down and start repudiating all the misinformation or call a priest to perform an exorcism. Let us give the …
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‘School Choice’ bill offers no choice to taxpayers
Wednesday, February 3, 2021 8:19 pm
Dear Editor, Ninety-two percent of Iowa’s children are educated in public schools*. As a parent, taxpayer and college educator that receives this product, I care as much about the success of a child in Cedar Rapids or Western Iowa as …
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A Simple letter about a simple idea: the beauty of public schools
Wednesday, February 3, 2021 8:18 pm
Dear Editor, Public schools are one of the basic foundations of the U.S. They work as an equalizer because they accommodate, in theory, everyone and everything. Public schools have a built-in system to care for differences in students. Paid for …
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Decorah needs a vaccination plan
Wednesday, February 3, 2021 8:17 pm
Dear editor, Before making any comments on the County Supervisors meeting this morning that heard a COVID-19 update from (Winneshiek County) Emergency Management and the (Winneshiek County) Public Health department, I must say that the last thing needed now is …
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From the Edge to the Overlap
Tuesday, February 2, 2021 10:17 pm
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about both the positive and the negative aspect of edges, boundaries, and overlaps – of our experiences, of our commitments, of our beliefs and values, of our identities, and of the transitions in our …
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Farewell to Decorah
Saturday, January 30, 2021 2:30 pm
Dear Editor, In a few days, we are leaving Decorah to move to Traverse City, Mich., to be closer to our son and his family. We made this decision in order to be closer to family as we age, but …
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Private schools should be funded with private funds
Saturday, January 30, 2021 2:29 pm
Dear Editor, Here we go again. Once again, our governor and some Republican legislators want to take public tax monies from public schools so that parents can use the money to select a private school or even home schooling. This …