Opinion

MVEC helping rural Iowa prosper

Published by admin on Wed, 08/09/2017 - 10:38am

To the Editor,

     Eighty years ago, the rise of rural electric cooperatives changed the everyday lives of Iowans by bringing electricity to the farm.

Where is the water?

Published by admin on Wed, 08/09/2017 - 10:38am

To the Editor,

     I am one of several people who wonder why the water is turned off around the Monticello Park (fairgrounds).

     It’s no wonder people don’t use the park for picnics and games any longer. The restrooms are closed. No water to put on the big planters of flowers. It all has to be carried in jugs from home by the Garden Club members.

     It seems like the park is all geared just to the big fair, five days of the year. It’s a public park.

     We have at least three months of good weather yet this summer. Let’s have some water.

Change is a good thing

Published by admin on Wed, 08/02/2017 - 8:36am

     First and foremost, I want to give kudos to Jennifer Fischer, our Jones County Extension director, for having the insight and ingenuity to install a Free Little Library at the fairgrounds here in Monticello.

     You can read all about it on the front page of today’s Express.

     I think this is such a neat idea! In fact, why not install another Free Little Library in Monticello?

It’s a rite of passage

Published by admin on Wed, 08/02/2017 - 8:35am

To the Editor,

     The Monticello Dam has been a part of the lives of every child that has grown up in and around Monticello. We have all been down there swimming, playing in the water, fishing, and walking the apron. The first time across the apron is a sort of rite of passage that will stay in our memories forever. It makes me sick to think that it could be torn out for no good reason.

     We should save and maintain the dam for our grandchildren and their children to love and enjoy like we do.

     I’ve signed the petition to save the dam, hope you do too.

Negative aspects coincide with dam removal

Published by admin on Wed, 08/02/2017 - 8:35am

To the Editor,

     The Jones County Conservation Board is considering removal of the Mon Maq Dam on the Maquoketa River. The Board originally garnered support for a project, which involved a white-water park with hiking/biking trails along the river. They have since concluded the proposal is not feasible. However, they still wish to go forward with removing the dam.

Leave the dam alone

Published by admin on Wed, 08/02/2017 - 8:34am

To the Editor,

Help save Mon Maq Dam

Published by admin on Wed, 08/02/2017 - 8:34am

To the Editor and Jones Co. residents,

con·ser·va·tionˌkänsərˈvāSH(ə)n/

     noun

     1. The action of conserving something, in particular: preservation, protection, or restoration of the natural environment, natural ecosystems, vegetation, and wildlife.

     Synonyms: preservation, protection, safeguarding, safekeeping; preservation, repair, and prevention of deterioration of archaeological, historical, and cultural sites and artifacts.

Get rid of the Monticello dam

Published by admin on Wed, 08/02/2017 - 8:33am

To the Editor,

     I was never asked to take a survey about the Monticello dam. I think it should be torn out. It’s not really good for anything unless you want to drown someone.

     I also don’t see why Jones County needs to spend good money maintaining a useless dam built back in the 1800s. It’s just a waste. When other dams in Jones County wear out, get rid of them too. Let the rivers flow naturally.

Thomas Lee Hamilton

Olin, Iowa

Strategies for successful aging: mindfulness meditation

Published by admin on Wed, 08/02/2017 - 8:30am

     Meditation seems to be in the news a lot lately. While some view it as a “weird, hippie thing,” there have been some pretty convincing studies regarding the health benefits of meditation. A number of studies show that meditation is associated with relieving stress, anxiety, and depression. Meditation can help reduce stress-induced inflammation and inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and asthma. Other researchers report that meditation appears to change activity in key pain-processing regions in the brain.

So much goes into our coverage of the GJCF

Published by admin on Thu, 07/27/2017 - 8:09am

     The Monticello Express takes great pride in covering everything associated with the Great Jones County Fair, not to mention publishing our annual GJCF souvenir issue.

     Many 4-H and FFA families treasure this special issue featuring all of the champions and reserve champions from every livestock-judging show during the week, as well as the official show results.

     These kids work tremendously hard in the days leading up to the fair to make sure their animals are in top-notch condition.

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