County attorney should resign To the editor, I fully agree with county attorney Thomas Laehn, he should resign immediately since it appears he is unwilling to fulfill his duties. This will allow him to sue the federal government on his own. It is fine for him to be “personally outraged” by the federal mandate but, for him to go on…
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The Mother Tree Project
~a column by Colleen O’Brien In 2015, Canadian scholar, naturalist, writer Suzanne Simard founded the Mother Tree Project to protect and retain the Mother Trees of nine forests across British Columbia. A Mother Tree is what Simard calls the giant trees of the center of the forest. She has worked for the Canadian Forest Service, gone to college for more…
Read MoreAgain, choices…
~a column by Colleen O’Brien Several things in these, our declining years of a democracy, are showing who we really are. We think of ourselves and civilization as we know it as the brilliant species who for about 6,000 years improved the world through ideas, smartness, progress. But if there are any humans left to read their history, it will…
Read MoreC. Custer, Bell Tower Foundation support casino vote
To the editor, I told the Iowa Gaming Commission in 2013 that it was not easy being Green (Greene) as we had been a “drive-through”, not a “drive-in” for tourists, new residents, new businesses nor industries. A casino would provide enjoyment for gaming, cultural entertainment, new employment opportunities, potential new residents and draw tourists to see other attractions in the…
Read MoreDream on
~a column by Colleen O’Brien A fellow I recently met asked me to describe myself. I told him I was a worried Pollyanna. He said, “Isn’t that impossible?” Being pollyannaish means that one is “pleasantly, even unrealistically optimistic.” Which means I can’t be worried. But I’ve always been able to walk down the middle of the road, so I am…
Read MoreBoone Co Community Endowment thanks Grow Greene County
To the editor, The Boone County Community Endowment Fund is pleased to partner with Grow Greene County and the Wild Rose in philanthropic efforts. Thanks to their generous gifts we are able to support many community projects around Boone County. Examples of this include: improvements at Don Williams Park, assisting with a new sign to welcome folks to Ogden, fairgrounds…
Read MoreLying liars and those who vote for them
`a column by Colleen O’Brien “…the chain of responsibility,” a phrase used in an opinion column* in the October 15 New York Times turned out to be a surprising point of view that needs to be publicized. The guest columnist Mr. Eyal Press wrote about Americans who vote for people who wind up doing dreadful things once elected, which I…
Read MoreChurdan library board supports casino vote
To the editor, In 2013, when the vote to approve gaming for Greene County was held, little did the citizens of Churdan, all of Greene County, and contiguous counties realize the importance and vast opportunities that the proceeds created by the casino provided. One only has to look around the county and neighboring counties to see the variety of projects…
Read MoreGJ fire chief Kersey will vote ‘yes’ in casino vote
Letter to the editor, I would like people to vote “Yes” for the continuance of the gaming license of Wild Rose Casino. The casino has given more than $14 million in donations and tax benefits since their opening more than six years ago. I believe that they have helped the communities by providing money for projects that might not have…
Read MoreJeff council member, teacher D. Jackson in support of casino
To the editor, Why do I support the casino continuing? I racked my brain to think of something original to write or a point to be made that hasn’t already been expressed. This is the best I could come up with. Can you imagine another business that would contribute $9 million to the community along with $5 million in property…
Read MoreChoice
~a column by Colleen O’Brien People who believe in a certain definition of choice are those who know that every woman must have control of her body just as every man has control of his, and it’s nobody’s business but the individual’s. A much more critical choice to pay attention to that is everybody’s business is whether we’re willing to…
Read MorePaton mayor Burrell supports gaming in county
To the editor, I must admit I was skeptical when the Wild Rose Casino gambling license first came up. The selling point was the funds the local communities and surrounding counties would receive annually along with grant opportunities. I thought “sure, little Paton is going to see any of that.” Well, was I ever wrong. The annual check we receive…
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