opinion
Republicans mute about high costs
Friday, February 7, 2025 4:13 pm
No matter where we live, Iowans are impacted by the high costs of everyday goods and groceries. Donald Trump promised to bring down the cost of eggs, lower costs, and stop inflation. He proclaimed that prices would immediately fall if he …
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‘If it ain’t broke, what’s there to fix?’
Friday, February 7, 2025 4:12 pm
Residents, As a lifelong Decorah resident, I think all these three-column letters are getting old. I don’t spout wattage and kilowatt hours. It’s all on paper and not worth writing again. To me, it’s that easy-touch light switch. I only …
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Passionate disagreement on matters of importance are a sign of healthy community
Friday, February 7, 2025 4:11 pm
Dear Editor, Luther College hosted over 150 business owners and citizens of Decorah on campus the last week in January for the 34th annual celebration of our relationship with the Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce and the bestowing of the …
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Why a no vote matters
Friday, February 7, 2025 4:10 pm
On March 4, the residents of Decorah will go to the polls to vote on whether the city should be authorized to explore creating a Municipal Electric Utility. Supporters claim this vote only allows the city to see if it’s …
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A response to Klocke
Friday, February 7, 2025 4:10 pm
I’d like to correct some gross inaccuracies in Kent Klocke’s recent letter to the editor. Klocke begins by referring to the feasibility study commissioned by Decorah Power in 2017. He rightly asserts that the Decorah Power feasibility study included a …
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Fair warning: debate’s good, but the gate’s closing
Friday, February 7, 2025 4:08 pm
I had to chuckle while doing my proofreading this week, because I completely agree with the first line of Mr. Johnson’s letter to the editor — these three-column letters about Decorah’s proposed municipal electric utility are indeed getting old, regardless …
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Data and figures on electrical rates
Monday, February 3, 2025 9:56 am
Dear Editor, I would like to offer a more thorough analysis of electricity rates, comparing Alliant’s rates to those of other electricity providers. I will begin with a comparison between Alliant and MidAmerican Energy, the two investor-owned utilities that serve …
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Getting to the table
Monday, February 3, 2025 9:46 am
Dear Editor, I believe more information is nearly always better and, in order to make an informed decision on whether or not to to establish an MEU for Decorah, we would first just have to be at that table. I …
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Some business thoughts
Monday, February 3, 2025 9:37 am
As a business leader in Decorah for over 30 years that has run a $10,000,000 a year business, employed 100-plus people and ran a successful contracting business, I have learned to look beyond what is on the surface. With a …
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Can we have a kind debate?
Monday, February 3, 2025 9:36 am
Decorah residents and businesses are bound by a state contract to be purchasers of electricity from a Wisconsin corporation. The profits from electric use in Decorah contribute to the Wisconsin corporate CEO’s salary and bonuses. Corporate shareholders are also counting …
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‘If you can’t be first, be better’
Thursday, January 23, 2025 10:57 am
Sometimes folks seem to believe we journalists are supposed to be all-knowing, but unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your perspective), we aren’t. Take for example, the recent situation at Aase Haugen here in Decorah. The local senior care facility was …
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Alliant and reliability
Thursday, January 23, 2025 10:53 am
Dear Editor, As we approach March 4, Alliant Energy is apparently sparing no expense to convince residents that it is the beacon of electric reliability and affordability, and that we can’t do any better. This is the second time since …
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Many chances
Thursday, January 23, 2025 10:52 am
I would like to address a common concern I’ve heard about the March 4 referendum vote to establish a municipal electric utility. Some feel that having just “one vote” means they only get one chance to have a say in …
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Economic common-sense – the case for an MEU, Part 3
Thursday, January 23, 2025 10:45 am
The vote to establish a municipal electric utility is an opportunity to explore an alternative to save money, invest locally and build resilience for our infrastructure. Opportunity — you never know until you try. Saving Money: I don’t know about …
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A vote for knowledge
Wednesday, January 22, 2025 10:52 am
A yes vote on March 4 is a vote for knowledge. This is a vote for an investigation into the possibility of a local electrical utility, a vote to look further into the costs, to consider where the money will go, who …