Viewpoints

by Rev. Lynn Groe

To the Editor:
Greetings from the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina.  Although my husband and I live in one of the most beautiful places in the eastern part of the U.S., we are always smitten when we return to Waukon, Iowa. My class (the class of ‘69)  held its 45-year class reunion on July 19th, so we returned for a few days to my hometown of Waukon. We always marvel at the beauty of the county, the pride in Iowa farmers and their properties and the genuine friendliness of everyone with whom we come in contact in town and out in the country. It always serves as a reminder of who I am as a person because of the time and place I was raised.  Don’t ever take this great place for granted. There is a quote, “Home is the place that goes where you go, yet it welcomes you upon your return. Like a dog overjoyed at the door. We’ve missed you is what you hear, no matter how long you’ve been gone.”

To the Editor:
I would like to express my appreciation to the Allamakee County Fair Board and all of the men and women who helped to make the fair this year such a success.
The grandstand events, indoor and outdoor exhibits and the livestock of all kinds that were on display were all outstanding. Squirt, the “super bull” was also a big hit.
The 4-H food stand and ice cream by WW Homestead Dairy were also enjoyed by everyone.
They say fairs are for little people, and they are, but the adults enjoy them also - just one more thing to bring us together as family and friends in a small town.
Again, hats off to the Fair Board for an excellent job.

Ken Krambeer
Waukon

P.S. I hear the pay is really good!

by Dick Schilling, Editor Emeritus

To the Editor:
I fully support opting out of smart meters and highly recommend anyone and everyone to do so. There are some communities where residents are not charged more for doing this. In reality, this is the right thing to do. Why should there be an extra charge for not wanting a hazard on their property? When you stop and think about it, the company should be charged extra for placing a hazard on someone’s property. That’s the way it goes with every other kind of hazard. You are charged extra for things that pose a hazard over those things that do not pose a hazard.

by Patti Ruff, State Representative

by Dick Schilling, Editor Emeritus

by Rev. Kevin Smith

To the Editor:
On August 5, polls in Allamakee County will be open from noon until 8 p.m. for the Local Option Sales and Services Tax continuation vote. The Local Option Sales and Services Tax (LOSST) has been a vital and essential contributor to the well-being of our local communities and rural areas since 1997. This 1% sales tax is collected on sales made in Allamakee County, and all money collected stays here in Allamakee County. It is distributed to the Secondary Roads Department, Rural Services (such as garbage collection sites), and Rural Townships. Rural Townships have several commitments that they use these funds for, including fire/ambulance protection, cemetery maintenance, and library support. These services, which we all enjoy and benefit from, rely on the LOSST funds.

To the Editor:
 In last weeks Standard there was a public notice for the Allamakee Board of Supervisors approving Resolution #14.283 which was the Resolution for the Destruction of Noxious Weeds. I agree that it should be land owners’ responsibility to control or eliminate the noxious weeds on their land and my wife and I do a credible job of it on our land. What sort of fine will the Supervisors impose on the State and County Highway Departments for not controlling the noxious weeds in their ditches which causes them to spread to our land?
Everywhere you look there are thistles of huge proportions in full bloom in the ditches and as of today (July 14) no attempts have been made by either department to mow or spray them. It seems to me that some sort of push should be made to control these so they don’t continue to spread into our land.

John Scheeler
Dorchester