Viewpoints

by Dick Schilling, Editor Emeritus

To the Editor Emeritus:
I’m responding, Dick, because of your caustic remarks about Pope Francis.

To the Editor:
Has anyone really looked at politicians’ hand gestures? As we know there is a whole field of study on body language, but allow me to take liberty here with some “political posturing.”
For convenience, I have arbitrarily grouped them into four types. The first of the four types is an open hand with fingers slightly splayed; the second, finger pointing; the third, is four fingers pressed into the heal of the hand.
The open-handed gesture indicates the politician is virtually, and figuratively, petting their audience. Finger pointing can only mean the listeners are being accused of something they did or did not get while being petted. When a politician’s fingers are pressed into the heal of their hand it likely means there are members of the audience they would like to grasp by the scruff of their sorry necks and have them removed from the premises.

With winter just around the corner, Iowans who meet certain income guidelines and are at least 60 years of age or are disabled can apply, starting October 1, for assistance with their home heating bills.  All other persons may apply, with certain income guidelines, beginning the first of November. If approved, the assistance will can continue through April 30, 2016.
Persons who would like to apply for the assistance should contact their local Community Action Agency (CAA). To find your local CAA, log on to https://humanrights.iowa.gov/dcaa/where-apply or call the Department of Human Rights at 515-281-0859.  
Bow season began on October 1, and it is a good time to remember the importance of tree stand safety.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources provided the following tips for making your tree stand and hunting trip both safe and successful:

by Dick Schilling, Editor Emeritus

by Dick Schilling, Editor Emeritus

To the Editor:
Old Glory and the ideals represented by a white picket fence should be honored. However, on the point of Mt. Hosmer?
Not only is there a desire to be in beautiful places like the Veterans Park at Mt. Hosmer, but share the beauty. Sharing the beauty might just mean preserving it.
I would be remiss in honoring the spirit of the woman the Mt. Hosmer is named after if I didn’t comment on the ongoing tendency to use nature as a backdrop for honoring those who have gone before us. Are we adding to a visitor’s experience when they come to the park, or taking it away?
Just a thought, but you can have picket fences, fly Old Glory and put up benches in your own back yard, without taking a breathtaking view of nature away for the rest of us.
Thank you.

Ann Gallagher
a/k/a Catfish Annie
Waukon
 

by Dick Schilling, Editor Emeritus

by State Representative Patti Ruff

To the Editor:
Kum & Go has now added E-15 to their 65 stores in Iowa.  E-15 was approved by the EPA for use in all 2001 and newer cars, trucks and SUVs.
E-15 has undergone more testing than any other fuel in history. The Department of Energy concluded when E-15 was compared to gasoline, there were no significant changes in tailpipe emission or drivability.
A solar farm in northern Iowa near St. Ansgar: A ribbon cutting was recently held for Heartland Power Cooperative which recently completed their new Community Solar Project. This project includes more than 2,700 panels, with each panel expected to generate 8,500 kilowatt hours over the 20-year life of the project. The units are being sold to members for $700 per unit, which comes out to 8.2 cents per kilowatt hour - lower than the current residential rate.
These are just a couple among many other interesting activities  taking place in our state of Iowa, keeping us moving forward.