To the editor, I’m writing in regard to the opinion piece in Greene County News Online dated Feb. 4, 2023. I hope to rebut some of the remarks in the piece by Mary Weaver titled “More housing, less hog odor needed to bring new residents to county.” The opinion piece stated that “low tax rates are not the answer to…
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View from my window
More housing, less hog odor needed to bring new residents to county ~a column by Mary Weaver Last week the National Realtors Association reported “people are not moving to big city centers like they used to.” Affordability is drawing folks to less dense and cheaper areas, particularly those in the booming Sun Belt.* After reading that, I began asking people…
Read MoreInvestigation proves group that funneled tax dollars into Chinese labs can’t be trusted with taxpayer money – or bats
~a column by Sen Joni Ernst January 30, 2023 Nearly two years ago, I requested an investigation by the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) into EcoHealth Alliance —the shady organization that funneled taxpayer money into China’s Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) to conduct risky research on coronaviruses. The investigation came after we learned that EcoHealth…
Read MoreNothing is ever over when it comes to a woman and her looks
~a column by Colleen O’Brien How many men worry about their hair in the wind? Or check their faces in a compact mirror after lunch with their cohorts? Have you ever come across your husband contemplating a face lift by pulling the skin on his face back taut? “Men tend to judge themselves in terms of what they can do,…
Read MoreElks donate to Churdan fire department
Jefferson Elks Lodge 2306 last Thursday presented a $2,500 donation to the Churdan fire department to purchase a defibrillator and other equipment. The funds come from an Elks National Foundation (ENF) grant. Pictured are (front, from left) Elks grant writer Joyce Fister, Churdan FD secretary/treasurer Bill Gebhart and firefighter Colton Morlan, and Elks lodge officer Les Fister; and (back, from…
Read MoreCapitol Roundup
History was made: The school choice war is finally over in Iowa ~by State Senator Jesse Green January 27, 2023 Thank you to those who have fought so long and hard on behalf of the parents and children in Iowa. It’s an honor to serve during this historic time of our state’s history as we pass transformative, pro-family legislation like…
Read MoreGov Reynolds open letter to Iowans on school choice
Today, Jan. 20, Governor Kim Reynolds released the following open letter to the state of Iowa: A strong education system is foundational to Iowa’s future, which is why school choice continues to be a priority of mine and of families across our great state. I believe in Iowa’s public schools. Kevin and I are both products of public education. It’s the…
Read MoreView from my window
A look at school finance and property taxes ~by Mary Weaver If the Governor and the Legislature are successful in allowing state educational funds to be transferred to private schools, what might occur? This writer naively thought the school board could just raise the property tax rates to cover the needs of the children being educated in Greene County. A…
Read MoreUsing public funds for faith-based education is just plain wrong
~by GreeneCountyNewsOnline publisher Victoria Riley The Iowa Senate Committee on Education and the Iowa House Education Reform Committee on Wednesday passed SF1 and HF1, what the Republicans are calling the Students First Act, out of committee and on to their respective chambers. Gov Kim Reynolds, always the sore winner, said, “This is just the first step in giving educational freedom…
Read MoreIt took most of a century
~a column by Colleen O’Brien I just finished a great book – and having gone through several weeks of a trying time finding a great one, I was more than ready. This one is called “The Dictionary of Lost Words.” It’s not new but a 2020 book, author, Pip Williams. Her title brought up to me the ‘Lost Boys’ from…
Read MoreThe Capitol Roundup
~by State Senator Jesse Green January 13, 2023 Greetings from the Golden Dome. Members of the 90th General Assembly have been sworn in and the work of making your voice heard within the policy making process has begun. I could not pick a better time in Iowa history to serve than right now. I am so proud to be a part…
Read MoreWatching the watchdogs
~a column by Colleen O’Brien Because of the paucity of ideas in my fogged brain [do I blame Covid or my age?], I look at columns of mine from thirty years ago: “Watching the watchdogs.” It could have been written today. “So, who do you believe – CBS? CNN? The Gazette? Time Magazine? None of them? “Along with all else…
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