~by Colleen O’Brien Turning off one more tirade from a hopeful presidential candidate, I fantasize a bleak future. America needs to get rid of immigrants and put them and other bad types into sanitariums to remove their influence from good white Christian mates. I’m not an immigrant; my nearest connection to one would be my paternal great-grandparents, who immigrated here…
Read MoreCategory: Opinion
Letter to the editor, questioning possible sale of Greenewood Senior Apartments and coming rent increase
Once residents of the Greenewood Senior Apartments confirmed that the board of the non-profit Greenewood Homes planned to sell their residences to a private, for-profit company and to increase rents to an amount yet undetermined, understandably, the residents had many questions, concerns and ideas. So, they invited Sid Jones, chair of the Greenewood Homes board, to attend their monthly potluck…
Read MoreView from my window – LOSST
I am sharing information this week about LOSST, an acronym for local option sales and service tax. The Greene County board of supervisors passed a resolution Nov. 27 to place a language change about LOSST for the unincorporated areas of Greene County. The vote will be held Tuesday, March 5, 2024. County auditor Billie Jo Hoskins shared how this tax…
Read MoreLetter to the editor – B. Banister re: presumed Republican presidential candidate
To the editor, Why would anyone vote for a person who: 1. Has been convicted of sexual assault.2. Whose business enterprise has been convicted of fraud.3. Stated in front of cameras that he believed Vladimir Putin over the CIA.4. Paid hush money to a porn star.5. Is a proven liar.6. Faces two state indictments and two federal indictments amounting to…
Read MoreCapitol Roundup
Chaplains, vaccine exemptions, school properties ~by Sen Jesse Green R, 24th Senate District January 26, 2024 The past couple weeks have been filled with subcommittee action, which is the first step in the legislative process every bill must go through. I will highlight a few interesting ones that may have flown under the radar for this week’s newsletter. SSB 3092…
Read MoreIowans support reproductive freedom
~by Iowa House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst January 26, 2024 As we wrapped up another week of the Iowa Legislature, Iowans have seen coverage of several new bills introduced related to reproductive freedom. While the Governor’s abortion ban is currently on hold as it is reviewed by the Iowa Supreme Court, some GOP lawmakers are still working on other bills…
Read MoreLetter to the editor: B. Banister re: Multi-Cultural Family Resource Center
To the editor, Greene County has always been a welcoming place for newcomers. The schools, churches and general population are open and ready to lend a hand. Jefferson has a diverse culture, the owners of Oly’s Corner, The Peony and Casa de Oro to name a few examples. As far as I know none of these people asked for or…
Read MoreView from my window – Sportsmanship in coaching a winning team
Annie Smith, principal at Paton-Churdan Community Schools, originally posted these comments on Facebook. With her permission she is contributing them as a guest columnist for VIEW FROM MY WINDOW. As we’ve hit the halfway point of this year’s basketball season, I am so confused and disheartened about where the game of basketball has gone! A lot of coaches at all…
Read MoreComparing apples to oranges
Or, why can’t a computer be more like a toaster? ~a column by Colleen O’Brien My computer, with Microsoft Word paid for and installed, is back on track, after several days of black screen when I punch its button. This computer vacation did give me a respite from the news, an oddly satisfying feeling of living on a deserted island,…
Read MoreIowans say ‘No’ to governor’s special education and mental health cuts
~by Iowa House Democratic leader Jennifer Confrst The 2024 legislative session is off to a controversial start. Lawmakers have already heard from thousands of Iowans concerned about a proposal offered by the Governor that would reduce mental health, special education, reading recovery and other services provided to kids in schools. Last month, the Governor hinted she was going to propose…
Read MoreLetter to the editor from MeLinda Madison re: Perry Jan. 4 tragedy
Dear editor, In light of the recent shooting that occurred in Perry on January 4 of this year I’m writing this letter to voice my opinion and deepest thoughts about this and the other school shootings that have happened in our country. To me, gone are the days of resource officers as well as strong resources that were readily accessible…
Read MoreLetter to the editor – Janice Harbaugh on behalf of Area Education Agencies
To the editor, I was a very young teacher working with teenagers who had been adjudicated to be delinquent when the Area Education Agency system was started in Iowa in 1974. Through 50 years, I have worked with it, for it, and sometimes against it, at various times in various roles. I am currently on the board of directors representing…
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