~a column by Colleen O’Brien An old book of clichés has fallen off my bookshelf into my eager hands. I forgot I owned this book. I love clichés. They are apt, funny, even more often weird. This book, Tenderfeet and Ladyfingers, by Susan Kelz Sperling, relates how we use our mortal selves as fodder for clichés that over the centuries…
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Letter to the editor – David Weaver
To the editor, On January 18, I announced my intention to be a candidate for the Iowa House and it has been a wonderful journey. I have met folks from all parts of Greene and Boone County that I likely never would have had the opportunity to meet or interact with. I joined the Boone County Chamber of Commerce and…
Read MoreLetter to the editor -John Brunow, Greene Co Democrats treasurer
To The Editor, Here in Greene County we are working on Get Out The Vote this weekend before the November 6 Election. As people participating in politics we are chasing absentee ballots and calling friends and neighbors and urging them to vote. Conversations revolve around election predictions of turnout and results.
Read MoreLt Gov candidate Rita Hart campaigns in Jefferson
Iowa Senator Rita Hart, Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor, was in Jefferson over the lunch hour Friday. She spoke at the Milwaukee Road depot with about a dozen voters. She said she’s confident about the Hubbell-Hart campaign. She commended the entire Democratic slate, and said they’re doing well “getting out our message of what the Democratic vision is…. People recognize…
Read MoreSec of State candidate Deidre DeJear visits Jefferson
Deidre DeJear, Democratic candidate for Secretary of State, had lunch Thursday in Jefferson with about 20 interested voters. By a show of hands, most had already cast early ballots for Tuesday’s general election. DeJear said she is feeling the same enthusiasm in this election as she felt while working as a campus organizer for Sen Barack Obama in 2007-08. DeJear…
Read MoreLetter to the editor – Matt Gordon
To the editor, This spring was full of chatter around town about the House race between the new Democrat challenger and the incumbent Republican, Chip Baltimore. Rumor had it that Chip may not run this November and the political activists of Greene County were constantly in discussion about who they’d like to see represent our district in Des Moines.
Read MoreMiller joins coalition to oppose EPA’s Clean Power Plan replacement
‘Affordable Clean Energy’ rule could result in more than 1,600 more premature deaths DES MOINES — Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller, part of a coalition of 26 states, counties, and cities, called on the Environmental Protection Agency Nov. 1 to abandon its proposed replacement to the Clean Power Plan, the first nationwide limits on climate change pollution from existing fossil-fueled…
Read MoreLetter to the editor – Dick Finch
Thank you, Greene County supervisors, for forward thinking and acting on TIF financing for college campus in Jefferson. Now please back off on any more CAFO building permits. This TIF financing will help out property owners with some property tax relief …. whew. We need it.
Read MoreGov Reynolds campaigns in Jefferson
Gov Kim Reynolds made a campaign stop in Jefferson Tuesday as part of her “Keep Iowa Moving”(KIM) tour. With her was State Auditor Mary Mosiman, who is running for re-election. Phil Thompson, Republican candidate for Iowa House District 47 made brief remarks. The event, which was held at Dunkers by Matt, lasted 30 minutes. Reynolds was introduced by Greene County…
Read MoreLooking at the midterm, 2018
~a column by Colleen O’Brien I just read in a political column that Democrats are desperate to end their losing streak. I’d say Democrats are desperate to move this country along into the 21st century after two years of retreating because of Dark Ages warlording folks rustling up fear of strangers; erecting walls to keep out strangers; refusing sanctuary to…
Read MoreAre we carefully taught?
~a guest commentary by Dale Hanaman In the Rogers and Hammerstein sound track of the movie “South Pacific” is the song You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught. The words are haunting to the ear. The first verse reads: You’ve got to be taught to hate and fear You’ve got to be taught from year to year It’s got to be…
Read MoreLetter to the editor – Jane Alexander
To the Editor: J. D. Scholten, candidate for Iowa’s 4th Congressional District, leaves a lot of daylight between his stance and incumbent Steve King’s. First, he shows up. He’s been in Greene County at least four times this year answering questions from the public. In mid-October, he visited residents in Churdan for part of an afternoon. Representative King hasn’t held…
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