Letter to the editor, Born, raised and graduated high school in Jefferson, went away to live in the big city and now my wife and I have returned with four kids calling Jefferson our home once again. I have always been proud of my small rural town upbringing and I am excited to raise our kids here, too. My wife…
Read MoreCategory: Opinion
Letter to the editor – GCELC board
To the editor, The Greene County Early Learning Center (GCELC) is dedicated to providing quality care in a learning environment. GCELC has been fortunate to serve the families of Greene County since 2005. Research shows that quality learning environments are important starting at birth, and we believe it is just as important when the children attend elementary, middle and high…
Read MoreLetter to Greene County residents – D. Marquardt, K. Gray, A. Van der Meer, B. Vanderwilt
Greene County residents, As educators in the district, we are excited about the prospect of the new high school and Career Academy as well as the updated facilities for the middle school. As has been documented, our facilities are in need of some serious updating in order to help provide the best possible safety and education we can.
Read MoreLetter to the editor – Sid and Linda Jones
To the editor, While many of the points we want to mention have been covered by others, a reaffirmation of the importance of some of these cannot be overstated. The safety and security of our students is critical. We do live in a world where personal activities related to drugs and mental illness continue to worsen. We many times think…
Read MoreLetter to the editor – Bruce and Jenny Wessling
To the editor, We would like to voice our support for the upcoming bond vote. We believe that just like any business, you have to be willing to change and adapt to new ideas and technology to prosper. Bruce and I feel it is our obligation to assist the next generation by providing every advantage for success possible and the…
Read MoreLetter to the editor – Gwen Black
Dear Editor, Unlike most citizens of Greene County I have only been alive for 17 years, but a part of this community for all of them, my roots run deep here. To let you fully grasp how deep my roots are here my great-great-great-grandparents came on a boat from Germany in 1897 and planted their family tree in the Cooper…
Read MoreThe wonderful places I could go
~a column by Colleen O’Brien Mysterious place names across this country – Missouri Breaks, Natchez Trace, Toledo Blade – all coloring my life with a romantic tinge when I was first read the words. I had an idea what “breaks” were (which turned out to be wrong); a “trace” I figured was a “trail, “which turned out to be almost…
Read MoreLetter to the editor – Marilynn Hoskinson
To the editor: Several years ago the issue of building an overpass came up in Jefferson. After discussion, the city fathers decided we didn’t need it. As the years passed it was evident that fire protection was challenged north of the Union Pacific double tracks due to long trains going east and west, slowing traffic. Also, emergency ambulance service to…
Read MoreLetter to the editor – Kathy Morain
To the voters of the Greene County School district: I am writing to urge support of the school bond issue election on April 3. I feel we have an obligation to “pay it forward” the way previous generations have done for students and families. The voters approved the current high school building which opened in 1967, and then voted for…
Read MoreLetter to the editor – Keith Van Beek
Dear Greene County Residents, I’ve heard the sentiment, “Why do we need a new school? We are a retirement community, and no young families will want to move here” in light of the upcoming bond issue. My wife Kelsie and I made the decision to move to Greene County a little over two years ago. We had zero connection to…
Read MoreLetter to the editor – Dianne Blackmer
Dear editor, Nearly 100 years ago, a new high school was built, proudly carrying the hopes and dreams of our people for their children. Almost a half century later, recognizing the changing educational needs of new generations, a beautiful new high school was built and the proud old building came to serve middle school students.
Read MoreLetter to the editor – Patrick and Brooke Raney
To the editor, My wife Brooke and I often talk about raising our (future) children in a small school district. Living in the Des Moines metro nearly 10 years is a blast with many entertainment options, restaurants, bike trails, and friends. When I mention someday moving “home” to my clients, friends, and family I generally get the question, “Why do…
Read More