Opinion

Blum ‘knows how to work together’

Published by admin on Tue, 11/20/2018 - 10:11am

To the Editor,

     I urge your readers who are independent thinkers and vote accordingly, to vote Nov. 6 to re-elect Rod Blum as our First District Congressional Representative.

     On his very first vote, Rod Blum voted independent of his party leaders to replace the Speaker of the House. However, Congressman Blum knows how to “work together” having formed the bi-partisan “Congressional Term Limits Caucus.”

Arthritis care for seniors

Published by admin on Tue, 11/20/2018 - 10:11am

     Arthritis is a broad term that refers to over 100 diseases affecting your joints. Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common forms of arthritis affecting 27 million Americans. The Arthritis Foundation estimates that one in two adults will develop symptoms of knee OA during their lives and one in four adults will develop OA in the hip by the age of 85. Although OA occurs in people of all ages, osteoarthritis is more common as we age and is more prevalent in females.

Apprenticeships help Iowans boost careers

Published by admin on Tue, 11/20/2018 - 8:44am

     The number of skilled workers is not growing fast enough to meet demand, according to a report on The Future of Work from the Council on State Governments.

     Iowa is falling short of our goal for 70 percent of our workforce to have some education or training beyond high school by 2025. The Iowa economy won’t be able to pick steam if we can’t fill our job openings—especially when other states are pushing ahead with initiatives to grow their own workforces.

Proposed Hotel/Motel Tax increase basics

Published by admin on Tue, 11/20/2018 - 8:43am

     On Tuesday, Nov. 6, all residents of Monticello will have the opportunity to vote on the question of whether or not the local Hotel/Motel Tax rate should be increased from 5 percent to 7 percent.

     The City of Monticello receives Hotel/Motel taxes based largely upon occupancy and taxes paid by users of the Boulders Inn & Suites. After the Blue Inn closed, the Hotel/Motel taxes received by the city largely dried up.

Council dismissive of scientific data

Published by admin on Tue, 11/20/2018 - 8:41am

To the Editor,

     For several months, a group of citizens (along with some out-of-town animal experts) have been speaking with the Monticello City Council about its current animal ordinance that bans specific types of animals. Despite what many would consider to be an exhausting number of scientific and date-filled reports, the council has ignored our efforts and focused only on what Mayor Wolken calls “popular opinion.” The council urged our group to educate the public, so we have begun doing that.

Republican support IPERS

Published by admin on Tue, 11/20/2018 - 8:40am

To the Editor,

     Over the last several weeks, I have seen a lot of misinformation being spread across Iowa regarding the Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS). Unfortunately, Democrats are crisscrossing the state, holding meetings and panicking IPERS members that their pensions will be cut or eliminated altogether. This is absurd and the worst kind of politics.

Can I vote before Election Day?

Published by admin on Wed, 10/24/2018 - 3:17pm

What if I want to vote early, or don’t want to go to the polls on Election Day?

     Voters may receive a ballot prior to Election Day by voting early in the Auditor’s Office beginning 29 days prior to Election Day until 5 p.m. the day before Election Day. The office will also be open on Saturday, Oct. 27 and Nov. 3 for voter convenience.

Historical photos retrieved for Heritage Center

Published by admin on Wed, 10/24/2018 - 3:16pm

To the Editor,

     This article tells how good the citizens of Monticello are.

     Years ago my mother, Shirley Hoag Eden, sent me a wonderful large scrapbook filled with photos of “old” Monticello. I decided I was selfish not to share it with the folks in Monti, so I had it shipped to an “old” address that I thought was the Historical Genealogy building (Monticello Heritage Center), but it wasn’t, I soon found out. But thanks to Jan Hoag and the honest man who lives at 116 Grand St. The man took it to the library.

Lions Club White Can Day, Oct. 13

Published by admin on Wed, 10/24/2018 - 3:15pm

To the Editor,

     Did you know that your Monticello Lions screen over 100 children each year for eyesight correction and eye disease? Several years ago, our club purchased a $10,000 digital eye-screening camera with the help from local donations, including a $2,000 grant from Theisen’s.

Hein is a true civic leader

Published by admin on Wed, 10/24/2018 - 3:15pm

To the Editor,

     I am writing to state my endorsement for Lee Hein. And here’s why: Many people in business, commodity and civic leadership roles recognize and appreciate Lee’s solid, practical approach to legislation.

     That kind of recognition doesn’t come easily. It’s developed by honesty, a long-range view and looking at the big picture so that laws that are proposed are not rammed through by one party or the other at the last minute–but are well thought out and serve all citizens by really solving problems.

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