Viewpoints

To the Editor:

There is a bill in the Iowa House, HSB110, that would alter how our judges are selected in Iowa by allowing the governor to make appointments to the State Judicial Commission, without approval of the Senate, and will ultimately make this a partisan-based system going forward.

Currently, Iowa justices and judges are selected using a merit-based system. A commission composed of nonpartisan Iowans reviews the credentials of individual lawyers who are nominated for judicial office. This commission then nominates the individuals whom it finds best qualified and sends their names to the governor for final selection.

Governor Kim Reynolds has only appointed Republicans to the state and district commissions. Of the 68 appointments made by the Governor, 65 are held by Republicans and three are held by no parties.

To the Editor:

I am writing to express appreciation to Waukon residents for sharing the true meaning of Christmas with children in need this past holiday season.

Because of the generosity of donors in Waukon and across the United States, Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse, collected more than 8.8 million shoeboxes in 2018. Combined with those collected from partnering countries in 2018, the ministry is now sending more than 10.6 million shoebox gifts to children suffering from poverty, natural disasters, war, disease and famine.

These simple gifts bring smiles to the faces of children around the world. Packed with fun toys, school supplies and hygiene items, these gifts bring joy and are a tangible expression of God’s love. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 157 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 160 countries and territories.

To the Editor:

As we start the new year and look ahead to what we as public servants can achieve, there are a number of important issues facing Iowa’s agricultural industry where our roles on the state and federal levels intersect. Recently, one issue has been defending and advocating on behalf of biofuels workers and the farmers who grow the made-in-America fuel.

Working together, along with U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst and Gov. Kim Reynolds, we not only fended off moneyed oil interests opposed to competition from America’s farmers, but finally delivered on President Donald Trump’s promise to allow for year-round sales of higher blends of ethanol, known as E15.

Our work for Iowa’s farmers will continue in 2019. The top issue, without a doubt, is international trade. Opening new markets and breaking down barriers to allow Iowa’s farmers to export the best agricultural products in the world to places across the globe is something we’ll be working for every day.

To the Editor:

Ten states now regulate marijuana like alcohol.

In November, Michigan voters approved legal sales of marijuana to adults. The newly elected Governors of both Minnesota and Illinois want to do the same.

Iowa should follow their lead. Marijuana prohibition hasn’t worked and has hurt taxpayers and everyday Iowans.

Despite the best efforts of the criminal justice system to protect us from this overly exaggerated threat and the hundreds of millions spent on police, courts, jails and prisons, Iowans are not safer or healthier.

By legalizing and regulating the sale of marijuana to Iowa adults, we can refocus our criminal justice system on serious crime and expand substance abuse treatment programs.

We can also capture our state’s share of the businesses, jobs, revenue and commerce created by regulating marijuana like alcohol.

To the Editor:

If you have watched the news at all, you know the mess Venezuela is in. Once a very nice place to live, the Democratic Socialists and Communists took over the government, and look what is happening. In my opinion, the devil has taken over the U.S. Democratic party. Read what Catholic Voice President Brian Burch has to say in his recent letter to me:

“On Election Night, with all Florida precincts reporting, pro-life Rick Scott led his pro-abortion opponent by 12,536 votes and was declared the winner by all the major news networks. But lo and behold, days after the votes had been counted, election officials in two Democrat strongholds ‘found’ thousands of uncounted ballots! Amazing!

I’m writing before Florida concludes its statewide recount but my point is this:

Godless pro-abortion extremists do not relinquish power willingly! They will lie, cheat, and do whatever is necessary to steal elections.

To the Editor:

Initially, I want to express appreciation to all of you who have provided food, service or any type of donation to the Waukon Community Meals. Your generosity has enabled the monthly meals to keep on growing.

Personally, I continue to be blown away by the response from the community. What began as a reaction to the level of free and reduced-price breakfasts and lunches served at the public school has translated into a true opportunity to grow us as a community.

Because we are such a small community, the core committee decided early on that we would not put out any donation baskets or ask for any proof of need. Anyone who is hungry is welcome to come on in. Being low income, temporarily strapped for money, or laid off is stressful enough. Our committee wanted and still wants everyone, rich, poor or in between, to come together to enjoy a meal.

To the Editor:

On behalf of our team at Helping Services for Youth & Families, my gratitude to the community for supporting 2018 Holiday Lights!  This support is crucial in ensuring programs at Helping Services continue to thrive in communities throughout northeast Iowa.

Over 400 volunteers helped with Holiday Lights, from setting up displays to greeting visitors. The popular Walk-Through Night attracted over 1,500 visitors, a 150% increase from the previous year. The donated soup, cookies, coffee and hot chocolate were once again a big hit.

During the event visitors helped us break the all-time attendance record for Holiday Lights by 281 cars. We are grateful to report that free will donations to benefit programs at Helping Services surpassed $35,000 for the first time. Good weather and the public’s enthusiasm made for another remarkable Holiday Lights’ year.

To the Editor:

In the early 2000s, Allamakee County had a million dollar surplus. The last I read in the paper it was put in a Waukon bank on interest.

Now, by the Rule of 72, if it was on interest, say, for two percent, it would double in 36 years. So, it’s been 18 years. Gee, we only have 18 years to go.

Who’s in charge of such a mass amount of money? But it’s growing.

Earl Jones
Harpers Ferry
 

The True Christmas Spirit
 
I remember when I was a child how exciting Christmas time was. How we waited and waited for Christmas to get here. It seemed like it took forever. As a child there seemed to be a special spirit or feeling in the air at Christmas time. It was a feeling of excitement and happiness that only children experience.

But when I got older, about 12 years old or so, I remember feeling disappointed because that feeling of Christmas was no longer there, like it used to be. I tried to get it back but it would never be the same again.

But then a new Christmas spirit replaced the old one. Christmas took on a much deeper meaning. Now I was old enough to understand what Christmas was really all about. Those Christmas Carols: Away In A Manger, Silent Night, Joy To The World, and O Holy Night, began to take on a new meaning.

To the Editor:

Congratulations to the one supervisor who recognizes that remote camping will always be remote camping. It was that way when the tents were there, and no amount of pressure should ever try to normalize an area that is not normal. Traffic count can be faked. Where does the traffic go at the end of a one-mile ribbon? Does it end at the end of the rainbow, or at the end of the other one-mile strip - the field of dreams?

When getting my hair cut recently, my beautician commented that she noticed a couple of black hairs - that I must be getting ready for my next life. November 21, when I picked up my mail, I said, “Oh, my first hate mail!” It turned out it was a thank you note.

It did my heart good to see Matt Brandt call out the editor for printing what he thought was hate speech. I thought now that the elections are over, some of the political narrative could well be toned down.