To the editor, As a newcomer to Jefferson, I watched and listened with fascination during the City Council meetings over the past six months as the citizens of Jefferson vigorously debated the separately proposed Kading Housing Project (which is on hold) and the KCG Housing Project (which will move forward). I felt honored to witness the difficult, sometimes messy, and…
Read MoreCategory: Opinion
Biden is not the one raising the price of Cheerios
~by Colleen O’Brien Why do you think the cost of groceries is so high – 23 percent percent higher than in 2020, in fact? Must be Biden, huh. He’s the president. He’s in charge. Must be his fault also for the once-again-and-forever rising price of gasoline as well. That’s what people who can’t afford rising prices of anything, let alone…
Read MoreBeta Tau Delta members thank donors
In late November, the women of Beta Tau Delta again made their appeal to the citizens of Greene County to join with us in our efforts to help provide for the needs of the children of Greene County. The response was outstanding, and we wish to sincerely thank all those who contributed to this effort. With your support, over $13,000…
Read MoreAbbotts supports HF2612, the bill to overhaul Area Education Agencies
School superintendents who supported House File 2612, a Republican-backed bill to that reorganizes funding and oversight of Area Education Agencies – AEAs – were in a minority of their peers. Greene County Schools superintendent Brett Abbotts, though, spoke in support of the bill at a public hearing at the capitol. The bill was changed from the time it was introduced…
Read MoreThe American Legion – Why you should belong
The American Legion is celebrating 105 years of service. Founded on March 15, 1919, the American Legion is the nation’s largest veterans service organization, committed to mentoring and sponsorship of youth programs in our communities, promoting a strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow service members and veterans. If you’re a veteran, consider the below reasons of why…
Read MoreThe View from My Window – My antidotes to anger
~a column by Mary Weaver ANTIDOTE: a medicine taken or given to counteract a particular poison. It appears that Jefferson and Greene County (and the nation) are experiencing an agonizing emotional polarizing poison over immigration and numerous other hot button issues. Both camps believe they are correct and are passionately pursuing their agendas. At the State of Iowa level, we have recent legislation…
Read MoreMarch -Women’s History Month
March 2024 has arrived. March brings the vernal equinox, Daylight Savings Time, St. Patrick’s Day, Good Friday, and Easter. Baseball, golf and track seasons begin for students. Gardens are cultivated and daffodils poke through the ground. March also brings Women’s History Month, a celebration of women’s contributions to history, culture, and society that has been observed in the United States…
Read MoreLetter to the editor – In support of affordable housing
To the editor, I have been listening in online lately to the city council meetings. Thank you for providing this service. It has been troubling my heart as I listen to citizens of our town talk about “those people” that they don’t want living in our town. Who, I ask, are “those people”. One would infer from these conversations that they…
Read MoreLetter to the editor – Our community has answered the bell for 25 years
This past November, the Rotary Club of Jefferson held its 25th Annual Charity Auction and raised nearly $64,000 in gross profits. As the chairperson of that auction committee and a past president of the Rotary Club, I would like to thank all the sponsors, attendees, businesses, donors, and organizers for making the event successful. The Jefferson and Greene County communities…
Read MoreSecuring Iowa’s valuable farmland
~by Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig One of my favorite days of the entire year is the Century and Heritage Farm ceremony that takes place during the Iowa State Fair. During the all-day event in the historic Livestock Pavilion, hundreds of multi-generational farm families, many in matching t-shirts, wait their turns to proudly walk across the stage to receive…
Read MoreCapitol Roundup
~by State Sen Jesse Green, R, 24th District Greetings from the Capitol. This week we debated and voted on various bills that survived last week’s funnel week. I would like to highlight SF2096 which repeals gender balance requirements for appointive bodies. There was a time that gender balance requirements had been seen as a floor for women. Evidence shows that…
Read MoreCaught in my own curiosity
~a column by Colleen O’Brien What is the solution to bombardment by the U.S. Press and its repetitive boredom regarding their love affair with the illogic of a self-loving mediocrity? Quit repeating him, Press. He is not news, he is reruns. He is not interesting, he is a broken record. He is not informative, for he is ill-informed. He is…
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