Opinion

Help support Rotary Blood Drive, July 6

Published by admin on Thu, 06/22/2017 - 9:35am

To the Editor and the Community of Monticello,

     On Thursday, July 6, the Monticello Rotary Club is sponsoring a community blood drive for the American Red Cross. The blood drive will be held at the Monticello Berndes Center from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

     To make an appointment, call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org. Walk-ins are always welcome. You can save up to 15 minutes when you donate blood by using RapidPass! Visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass for more information.

Help very much appreciated as substitute teacher

Published by admin on Thu, 06/22/2017 - 9:35am

To the Editor,

     Walking into a classroom as a substitute teacher can produce more than a little anxiety. Will I understand the lesson plans for today, and will I find them quickly and be able to digest them before the students arrive?? Sometimes what may seem obvious to the teacher that only teaches in one subject area, might not be obvious to me, especially in the math and science area…not my forte!

Four principles for fair, responsible taxes

Published by admin on Wed, 06/14/2017 - 10:39am

     Iowans deserve a tax system that is fair to everyone and increases prosperity. However, many think the system is rigged against them, and only lines the pockets of special interests.

     I believe there is bipartisan interest in comprehensive tax reform. I’m all for it, if we stick to four principles:

     • Tax reform must be fair.

Farm markets and farmers markets

Published by admin on Wed, 06/14/2017 - 10:38am

Q: How do you approach public policy when it comes to production agriculture?

Volunteers make all the difference

Published by admin on Wed, 06/07/2017 - 8:33am

Events that no longer exist

     Every now and then, here at the Express, we’ll sift through past issues of the paper looking to recycle story ideas or see what’s been covered in the past. I was going through old issues of the paper pertaining to the first week in June and noticed a trend.

     Consistently, and even in my eight years here, we’ve covered two popular events in the Monticello community that unfortunately are no longer around: the Monticello High School Alumni Banquet and the American Cancer Society Relay For Life.

A message from State Treasurer Fitzgerald

Published by admin on Wed, 06/07/2017 - 8:32am

     In May I expressed concern about the state paying bills on time next spring. Today I reiterate that concern. With the news that May revenue has come in significantly less than expected, it is time to consider a cash-flow borrowing in 2018. This would ensure we make payments on time, including school aid and tax refunds. Iowans should not be concerned about the need to issue a cash-flow borrowing. It is the right thing to do when you have unpredictable cash flows.

C.C. Walworth helped start Congregational Church

Published by admin on Wed, 05/31/2017 - 8:45am

To the Editor,

     I wish to share information about three former residents of Monticello, Iowa, that have helped to make our town what it is today.

     This is the third former resident Corbin researched.

Social isolation, the importance of staying connected

Published by admin on Wed, 05/31/2017 - 8:44am

     The need for social connection is rooted in our basic need to survive, a part of our human nature. No matter what age, we all have a need to be connected, to feel a sense of belonging. Take a moment and consider how many times we are actively engaged with others throughout our day: at work, leisure activities, the grocery store and other errands, having coffee or lunch/dinner with friends, at home with family members, etc. These interactions foster our sense of belonging.

World No Tobacco Day 2017

Published by admin on Wed, 05/31/2017 - 8:43am

     World No Tobacco Day is on May 31 and is a national campaign run by the World Health Organization. The theme for this year is “Tobacco – a threat to development.” Their goal is to inform and educate communities about the dangers of tobacco use and the manipulative tactics the tobacco industry uses to get people addicted to their products. This industry continues to spend billions of dollars each year to market and legitimize products that have been created to be highly addictive, which poses a threat to the overall health and well being of our local communities and around the world.

Building issue interview offers unique experience

Published by admin on Wed, 05/24/2017 - 11:47am

     Last week was a first for me…

     Wednesday evening I had two interviews lined up for our annual Home & Building Issue, which in published in this week’s Express.

     My first interview was at 5:30 p.m. on Monk Court. At that time, the sky was turning a bit gray, and the wind a bit gusty, but nothing to worry about.

     I left there with five minutes to spare before my 6:30 p.m. interview in Breckenridge. I wasn’t there more than 10 minutes when the rain started coming down in sheets and the wind picked up.

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