Viewpoints

To the Editor:
Lansing Fish Days needs gate workers for the August 7-9 event. Each year as the committee meets, there is discussion about whether or not to continue with Fish Days celebrations. The same people volunteer year after year.  Our small group has worked very hard to bring a new variety of attractions to Lansing.  No volunteers means no Fish Days in the future!
This year is Venetian Night, which makes helpers even more necessary. It’s a busy weekend - everyone has family gatherings and class reunions, along with all the other activities in Lansing.  
Can you spare a couple of hours of your time to help?  Many hands make light work. A sign-up sheet is available at Village Farm and Home (563-538-4884). Thanks to all that have already signed up to work a gate shift.  Please help Lansing Fish Days continue the tradition of a great family weekend!

Debbie Welsh
Lansing

To the Editor:
Last Sunday evening we were camping at the City Park and went for a walk.  While standing and reading the announcements on the Information Board I was hit in the head by a golf disc. It broke the skin on the side of  my forehead, bent my glasses and I’ve had a headache and neck pain ever since.
While I realize it could have been much worse, I’ve still had to incur the expense of a doctor’s appointment and am now on bed rest.
I never for a minute thought the incident was intentional but was disappointed that the person that threw the disc never checked to see if I was ok. Someone yelled “Did that hit you?” and I responded “Yes, it hit me in the head.” They responded that they didn’t see me standing there.
The persons stayed in the trees or corn fields until we left and walked back to our camper.  I think we all need to be responsible for our actions – good or bad.  

by Dick Schilling, Editor Emeritus

To the Editor:
Yes, we’ve had to deal with terrible odors from Aveka Nutra Processing, but the problem is supposed to be remedied shortly.
Waukon needs all the business it can get and if they are sued we could lose Aveka, putting people out of their jobs.
If everyone in town gets into a lawsuit with them and wins, the reward will be small. A law firm isn’t going to work for free.
It is best to think before you act. Think and investigate.

Carolyn Adam
Waukon

by State Representative Patti Ruff

by Msgr. Ed Lechtenberg

by Dick Schilling, Editor Emeritus

To the Editor:
What we need in Iowa is only family farms. I encourage everyone to write, call or email Governor Branstad, DNR Director Gipp and your reps in congress to change laws for the DNR. Iowa is invaded by confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs). I have a hog confinement going up 1,900 feet or so from my house door and another a half mile west of me. That one my neighbor (a family farmer) wanted but couldn’t outbid a CAFO owner.
These CAFOs pollute our waters with fecal bacteria, nitrogen and phosphorous. Also in the last 15 years there have been 715 reported manure spills, with most coming from factory farms. If you inner-tube the Turkey River you are swimming in it. So write your letter.
Another health hazard is in the air. Over 200 gases, including hydrogen sulfide and ammonia, are emitted (we are all breathing it, not just me). And do you know anyone with respiratory illness or asthma? CAFOs contribute to it, so write or call.

To the Editor:
In his recent letter to the editor, Gene Averhoff seems to suggest that we should deport American citizens who exercise their first amendment right to symbolic speech. I would like to remind Mr. Averhoff that the freedom to engage in expressive or symbolic speech, even when it takes offensive forms, is one of our country’s cherished values. As Justice Brennan held in 1989, “Freedom of speech protects actions that society may find offensive, but society’s outrage alone is not justification for suppressing free speech.” We should be proud to live in a country where no symbol, however venerated, has the power to trump our fundamental constitutional rights.

Cate St. Clair, Waukon

by Dick Schilling, Editor Emeritus