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With mortgage rates remaining low, many have begun searching for a new home. While some choose a home based on location, style, or square footage, safety should never be overlooked. Here are some questions to ask at the beginning of your search to ensure a safe home.
Is it away from a river/creek or other water source that may flood?
What fire department and ambulance service is available and how do you contact them in an emergency?
Is it near a fire hydrant?
Are home entryways, parking areas, and area streets well lit?

The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Public Interest Institute. They are brought to you in the interest of a better-informed citizenry.

Iowa is ranked seventh in the nation according to the 2003 edition of America's Health: State Health Rankings published by the United Health Foundation.

To the Editor:                  
In the Dec. 8 issue of the Standard there was a picture of the block immediately south of the old court house. The caption asked if anyone could identify the first building on the East side of Allamakee Street (across from the hotel). I recognize the site. The building would be north of the Dillenberg block (which was erected by my Grandfather, Ernst Dillenberg).

To the Editor:
SHARE Iowa is a wonderful program and I want to tell all of you about it. SHARE allows you to get to know your fellow community members while helping and sharing in a food co-op.
SHARE helps you stretch your food dollars. By volunteering two hours a month through your local church, helping out your neighbor, or even attending a PTA meeting, you can take advantage of the wonderful savings each month.

To the Editor:
Our road easement on Peterson Hollow started to grow back. But this quit after a few pictures of this growth.
Not hearing from our Allamakee County Engineer, Supervisors, or Attorney on the rule that gives them the right to Allamakee County landowners' road easements, we decided to write Iowa State University in Ames, since they made up the Planning and Zoning booklets, and see if they can come up with the rule that gives Allamakee County the right to Allamakee County landowners' road easements.

To the Editor:
Boy Scouting and Girl Scouting bring unique opportunities to boys and girls in the Cedar Valley. Boy Scouts of America, Winnebago Council and Girl Scouts of Conestoga Council collectively cover over 20 counties in northeast Iowa. The Scouting programs offer girls and boys a chance to experience opportunities in single-gender settings. Girls and boys can try whatever they choose, be it knot-tying, cooking or science experiments, in a safe and supportive environment of peers and loving adults.

To the Editor:
The mention of "born agains" being in prison (Letter to the Editor, January 19, 2005 Standard) is good to remember. Being in prison gives one opportunity to take one's eyes off of life's temporary pleasures and focus on everlasting peace and joy. Jesus said in Luke 5:32 "I have not come to call respectable people to repent, but outcasts."

(Reprinted by suggestion of Northeast Iowa Community College and with permission of Des Moines Business Record, which first published this editorial in its January 10, 2005 issue.)

In the past several legislative sessions, Iowa's 15 community colleges have become the fabled red-headed stepchild of the state's public education system. With a little more flexibility in the fiscal 2006 spending, that should change.

DES MOINES - Welcome once again to Desperate Development, the show where we select a tough remodeling project and find out which team of savvy, seasoned Statehouse leaders can tackle the job.
Today, our contestants will be asked to revitalize an 1846 farmhouse that's clearly past its glory days. It's very roomy - nearly 3 million people live there now - but its proud, stubborn occupants are rattling around a drafty old place that could definitely use some updating.

Economic development took center stage in the legislature this week when Senate Republicans showcased measures that may seem a bit out of the box. A controversial proposal was offered to encourage our young people to stay in Iowa while providing high paying job opportunities. Whether or not these suggestions see fruition, we at least got people thinking about the issues.