~by Tori Riley Staffing issues of the Jefferson police department have brought the department to a situation where providing 24-7 coverage is extremely difficult. The department’s roster is full at eight. There are currently only five, and one of them is at the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA). County attorney Thomas Laehn has referred to a potential “collapse” of the…
Read MoreCategory: Opinion
Larry Blake – ‘Popular kids’ taken out of context
To the editor, I do not ever in my time in school remember adults, let alone educators, determining who was “popular “. It is a peer imposed student hierarchy within each school. Usually other students aspiring to be like or liked by those they deem popular. Part of the “in” crowd. To take out of context Mr. Christensen’s comment about…
Read MoreHates Democrats, loathes the Press
~a column by Colleen O’Brien I write this column because I believe that at this point in history silence about lies begets violence. So, I’m going to talk about Mr. What-a-Guy, again. The Republicans say the Democrats lie, and the Democrats say the Republicans lie. I follow Fox News and MSNBC to see who’s lying most. Guess who told 19,127…
Read MoreIn support of J.D. Scholten
To the editor, In an article written by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, it stated that the 2017 tax law left low and moderate Americans financially behind. “The law will cost approximately $1.5 trillion over the next decade and deliver windfall gains to wealthy households and profitable corporations.” J.D. Scholten hopes to go to Washington to increase wages,…
Read MoreBruce Banister re: ‘popular’ kids
To the editor, Superintendent Tim Christensen recently said in an article in “The Jefferson Herald”, and I quote: “If the popular kids wear a mask, then others are going to be apt to wear one.” Gee Tim, would you please give us a list of the popular kids and particularly the “others”. I think parents deserve to know how and…
Read MoreThe Iowa Way
a column by Sen Joni Ernst Doesn’t it just seem like one thing after another? We’re in the midst of a global pandemic, which has taken the lives of more than one thousand Iowans, and then we get hit by a derecho. It’s been a trying year for folks across Iowa. The challenges we’re facing as a state, and a…
Read MoreHopeful ponderings
~a column by Colleen O’Brien The calm between the storms – the Democratic convention over, the Republican convention coming up. I write this on the weekend in between, praising what I’ve seen, dumbly hopeful about what I shall see. By the time this is published, we’ll all know if the upcoming contest will be played fairly. From what I hear…
Read MorePatti Naylor in support of Cipperley Price for county supervisor
To the editor, On November 3, 2020, we will have the opportunity to cast our vote with a strong local impact. Three county supervisor seats are up for election with three highly qualified challengers to the incumbents. For the District 1 seat, I am supporting Linn Cipperley-Price. As supervisor, Linn will prioritize transparency in the thought processes of the decisions…
Read MoreBruce Banister about face masks
To the editor, There is no contradictory evidence concerning face masks. It has been scientifically proven that masks are effective at hindering the spread of Covid-19. Dr. Steve Karber and Mike Dennhardt should be commended for voting for mandatory masking at school. Teachers are worried as are parents, but three people on the school board, Steve Fisher, John McConnell and…
Read MoreIn support of Cipperley Price for county supervisor – Evans McWilliam
Linn is a candidate in Greene County for county supervisor. As a neighbor and friend I know her strong, caring values as a mother, military veteran, wife, veterinary technician, garderner and land steward, and friend of humans and animals. These values I see reflected in her husband, three children, her animals and land, her work experiences and her community work.…
Read MoreThe progress of women
~a column by Colleen O’Brien After a fight of nearly three-quarters of a century that started in 1848, women in this country were awarded the vote. The 19th Amendment, Women’s Suffrage – ”The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex”…
Read MoreNow is the time
~a column by Colleen O’Brien The more dis-, mis- and in-formation crowding the media these days regarding our general election in just under three months, the more unsettled the country becomes. I sign off all news and read a good murder mystery which indeed keeps me engaged through the night. But a new day dawns, and with it my iPhone…
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