Letters to the Editor

Beef and bikes are what May is all about if one is a beef producer or a cycling enthusiast. May is the month reserved for graduations, but this year they are mostly virtual affairs. Eggs, salsa, hamburger and strawberries are also feted in May. Most of us are aware that military veterans are center stage in May, especially when we honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice with Memorial Day ceremonies. ...

COVID-19 has one purpose, to infect people. It’s relentless, doesn’t discriminate and can’t be stopped without a vaccine or herd immunity. When it attacks your lungs, oxygen to vital organs is reduced which can result in organ failure. While lungs are ground zero, it can directly attack many organs including the heart and blood vessels, kidneys, gut and brain. ...

The 1941 Walt Disney film "Dumbo" contained a song that was very popular. Cliff Edwards sings: "But I think I will have seen about everything, when I see an elephant fly.” Today, he would be rolling over in his grave hearing of motorists behaving badly (if only it were flying elephants he witnessed). ...

Dear Editor of the Spencer Daily Reporter, Life is hard right now. That is a fact and a very hard pill to swallow. As a 2020 high school senior myself, I have heard from everyone how badly they feel for me. It is true that I have worked extremely hard for four years, staying up into the early morning hours studying and finishing English papers. ...

This pandemic is unprecedented only if all prior ones and expert reports/warnings are ignored. Given that, no organization (city, county, state, federal) would be expected to spend billions on supplies/staff to sit idle until the next pandemic (and there will be one). Without national leadership, President Donald Trump left governors/mayors on their own to fight for supplies with other countries and even with our own country...

All the concern about COVID-19 boils down to a few key factors, several of which include common sense, proper hand washing, social distancing, and notifying your doctor if you have symptoms. You could call these your "coping skills,” as they make up an action plan for when you are confronted with an adversity such as the pandemic...

I would like to correct our friend, Robert Sneitzer, of Spirit Lake, on what he wrote last Tuesday (March 31 in the SDR) about President Donald Trump: "President Trump said, 'Not all governors have been appreciative of me,' and directed Vice President Pence not to call governors that have not been appreciative." I too saw the press conference...

I am homebound and have lots of leisure time these days. I just read a book that a friend gave me. "Answer The Call" written by Dr. Steve Meyer from Sioux City, Iowa. He was the orthopedic surgeon who answered the call when a bus crashed in Tanzania, Africa, in 2017. ...

The U.S. now leads the world in COVID-19 deaths. The New York Times has chronicled some of the events responsible for this tragedy. On Jan. 29 trade advisor Peter Navarro laid out to Trump, in striking detail, the likely a half-million deaths and trillions of dollars in economic loss the pandemic would cause. ...

You can’t shame the shameless and you can’t fix stupid. I only go shopping once a week for needed items, then spend a half hour or more disinfecting my purchases, car and myself. What I witnessed yesterday freaked me out. At the places I went there was zero distancing (except when I was distancing myself from others), almost zero masks though none can be found to buy (counted three including the one I made for myself), multiple people shopping together even with kids, people picking up lots of stuff and putting it back (shop with your eyes instead).. ...

As a former oncology RN, my heart goes out to health care professionals on the front lines fighting the coronavirus pandemic across the country. I imagine this will be one of the most difficult challenges of their lives; I hope they get the support they so desperately need...

I would like to respond to my two "fan" letters in Tuesday's Daily Reporter written by Rick Steuben and Mary Marske as well as a personal letter from "a concerned citizen" with no return address. She, or he pulled no punches! "When are you going to quit writing these editorials that show your stupidity! I feel that you are more of a hypocrite with most of your 'Crew' thinkings. ...

The last few weeks have been difficult for our country, state and community. We have experienced a new virus spread throughout the world, enter the United States, travel to the Midwest, and make its way to our own county. Some of you may be returning home from winter locations. ...

As our nation’s governors ask the federal government for assistance, President Trump said “Not all governors have been appreciative of me,” and directed Vice President Pence not to call governors that have not been appreciative. In a televised press conference he said “I want them to be appreciative.” Will Trump ask for Pence’s resignation if he calls anyway?...

As elected and appointed officials throughout Clay County, we believe it is imperative to send a unified message to our communities regarding COVID-19, and provide as much support as possible to our health care leaders. First, we want you to know we meet electronically on a daily basis and share updates on what is happening in our communities, ask questions of our medical providers and provide support to one another. ...

You! Yes you! I’m talking to you! COVID-19 is serious and real. More people will get sick. Don’t be the one that makes them sick. Act like you have COVID-19 even if you don’t feel sick because without testing you don’t know for sure. Twenty percent will require health care. The goal is to not overwhelm the hospitals with those needing health care needing it all at the same time...

Spencer Hospital and other area health care providers are engaged in an unprecedented effort to serve the community in the face of the COVID-19 public health emergency. You can best support local health care professionals — some who are your friends and neighbors — by practicing social distancing. With the exception of essential life activities, such as grocery shopping or significant medical activities, please stay home...

After reading Jerry Crew’s letter in the March 18 edition, my initial response would not have been printable in a family newspaper. So I decided not to reply at all — until our daughter Stephanie sent me a portion of a debate last Saturday she had been having via text with a friend. It’s a perfect response and I received her permission to use it. The paragraphs in quotation marks below are entirely hers...

Months ago he said the coronavirus threat was a hoax. Weeks ago he said don’t worry. It’s well under control. It will go away like a miracle. Now he says we have a drug, approved by the FDA to treat the virus that will be available soon. Statements from the president should be truthful and based on facts. ...

Believe me, I am no lemming! Actually I am a nurse with a Bachelor of Science degree (2008) from the University of Iowa. Your letter to the editor endangers your followers and the businesses you are advocating for. Believe me, I was devastated when I walked out of my church yesterday for the last time in months. ...

As sequestration becomes more and more the norm in these confusing times, it would be easy for many of our folks to fall victim to fear, anxiety and "dreaditation" (you know, you dread something so much it becomes a reality). Fortunately, there are at least five strategies to ward off a bad case of fear and dread. Allow me to explain...

Does everyone know about lemmings? According to legend, these small, furry rat like rodents willingly plunge to their death by following their leader over the edge of a cliff! Are we going to follow our leader, Gov. Kim Reynolds, "over the cliff?" Unintended consequences? Does the governor or anyone on her staff not understand the concept? Yesterday, at the local Fareway grocery store, people were grabbing stuff off the cart before it was put on the shelves. ...

As officers of the Spencer Schools Support Staff Union, we would like to publicly thank our Spencer Schools Board of Education for their actions at their meeting on March 16 in support of our hourly wage staff during this challenging time. The board action will truly help us all as staff to stay safe and know that we’ll be able to “be OK." Your actions speak well of the school's mission to “be responsible citizens” and your actions lead by example in showing our Spencer Tigers and the community...

No rants against President Trump here. No disparaging words that promote dissension and the status quo we've been used to for more than three years. No, at this time in our existence, we need to focus on promoting those things that keep us mentally healthy and fit. ...

When a statement from the president of the United States is issued, we should be able to believe it — right? On Feb. 24, 2020, Trump tweeted: “The Coronavirus is very much under control in the USA. We are in contact with everyone and all relevant countries. CDC & World Heath have been working hard and very smart. Stock Market starting to look very good to me.”...

See something, say something — Kudos on following up on obvious concerns and raising awareness of diabetic conditions. Having experience with a Type 1 diabetic family member, that was the first thing I thought of. Many assume people in that condition are drunk which only compounds the problem in multiple ways and could have fatal results. Remember the saying about “assume.”...

Comments made by President Trump on the Hannity show concerning the coronavirus outbreak disputed everything the World Health Organization has warned us about including the mortality rate of 3.4%. Trump’s exact statement: “Well, I think the 3.4% is really a false number. ...

In case you missed this. —Trump said at a Fox News town hall forum that he was intending to reduce funding for Social Security and Medicare, two of the largest federal entitlement programs. —"Oh, we'll be cutting," he said. "We're also going to have growth like you've never seen before." (Note: same was said about TCJA, passed two years ago but 2019 U.S. deficit rose 26% to $984 billion, highest in seven years)...

We are right at the half way point of this session of the Iowa Legislature. Legislation is being formulated and tweaked as the funnel looms. The issue of voting rights for felons released from prison remains in the mix, going forward. It could get to the point of putting the matter to a vote of the people...

The Daily Reporter of Tuesday, Feb. 25, carried an item relating U.S. Rep. Steve King’s comments at Nutra Tech in Storm Lake. Once again he revealed his ineptitude. Never in his comments, as recorded in that article, did he take responsibility for his profane speech. ...

The Feb. 24 Daily Reporter carried an AP story about the restoration of the trumpeter swan. The loss from Iowa in the early 1880s was blamed by our DNR on unregulated market hunting “and the extensive loss of wetland habitats.” That’s only half right...

Letters to the Editor is my favorite section of any newspaper I receive. Unlike the so called op-ed columnists, it gives a snapshot of what some real people are thinking. Of course, it is somewhat misleading, as the letters most often come from the same people, so perhaps the letters section provides a better perspective of the extreme poles of public opinion rather than any accurate rifle shot indicator of the public mood...

Apparently some of our state representatives, our congressman and at least one SDR letter writer were annoyed by the debacle that was the Senate impeachment hearing. So was I, but not for the same reason. Our president said "read the transcript.” So, I did. ...

I promised myself I would not engage Robert Sneitzer and his left wing rants, but today, Robert finally got to the crux of his problem! His inability to distinguish between the man and the president. I've detested the policies of Barrack Hussein Obama from the time I first heard of him as a state senator in Illinois, and still do. ...

The subject article about L.J. Coon wanting the NTSB to reopen the investigation into “The Day the Music Died” aircraft accident contains a couple of glaring errors that will give Mr. Coon no credibility with his effort to get he NTSB to act. The aircraft was a 1947 Beechcraft model 35 Bonanza. That plane has a fuel capacity of 40 gallons — not 250 gallons. Also it was not retrofitted with a V tail, that aircraft came standard as delivered with a V tail...

Dear City Manager Mack and Mayor Robinson, I like the Spencer, Iowa, webpage except the Econ development picture doesn’t show much in development nor activity. Also, the picture of City Hall isn’t good, but it will be impressive with new city hall building...

Roger Stone, President Trump’s close friend and advisor, was tried on charges of obstructing a Congressional inquiry, witness tampering and five charges of lying to congress. As the evidence was indisputable he was convicted on all charges. Justice Department officials, following department policy recommended seven to nine years in prison. Attorney General William Barr had recently been on a campaign criticizing department prosecutors for being too lenient in sentencing. He pushed...

The Christian right makes up a significant share of the Republican Party, claiming that they share the same values. Wednesday, in a speech to the Senate prior to the impeachment vote, Senator Romney stated that being profoundly religious, he could not violate the oath he took to be a fair and impartial juror in the impeachment trial and that the overwhelming facts of President Trump’s obstruction of justice necessitate a guilty vote in the trial. ...

Feb. 5, 2020, the day the U.S. Constitution died. Now that Article One has been nullified because the GOP refused to defend the constitution (not to mention their own power as an equal branch of government), Article Three is up next resulting in the complete and irreversible destruction of America...

I think it fair to say that Mitt Romney has had his share of controversy over the years. Not that long ago, seems to me he declared he won the Republican caucus when it actually was found to have been won by Rick Santorum. Most recently he indicated support for voting against impeachment of the president, only to turn and vote just the opposite — the only one of his Senate colleagues to "jump ship.” I believe I am accurate to quote him on this: "Do what is right and let the consequences follow.” Somehow, I have a feeling that will be quite evident in upcoming weeks.. ...

The issue of climate change is about the speed at which it is happening. It’s true that climate change has occurred before over the 4.5 billion years of the Earth’s existence and since man came to being 200,000 years ago. The difference now is the speed of change and dramatically shorter time to adapt to the change, if we even can. ...

When David Kruse "Canary in the climate change coal mine just died" tells me that "man-made climate change" is a scientific fact, I immediately ask "What science?" I have not done extensive research (I did not know what a "Indian Ocean Dipole" was) on global warming/climate change, but I do know the science (?) is the same...

Governor Reynolds announced she will push for a 1 cent increase in the sales tax. While water quality and mental health care are viable issues, using the revenue to lower income taxes is not. Most working Americans spend the majority, if not all, of their paycheck on taxable goods and services. ...

In Governor Reynolds's Condition of the State she talked about the overall wellness of all Iowans, in every part of the state, in all stages of life, but she neglected to mention anything about the mess that is privatized Medicaid. This impacts Iowans who need long term support services to live in the community and individuals who perform the important care work that keeps these individuals functioning...

Ms. Buenger, I appreciated your article in SDR Jan. 28, 2020. You ask us to look and really see others. And to come together and form reasonable responses as a nation whose citizens care and are able to act. May I respond to your article? But first — about private insurance: I skipped a medical check-up at Mayo two years ago after my private insurance became high deductible, high out-of-pocket. I wonder about others ... who may skip treatment and who don't show up in our statistics...

Most of us recall, and perhaps live by the old axiom: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!" In other words, that which has worked for many years, and not been the source of compelling controversy, need not be changed, discarded or done a different way...

There's a clever bill in the Iowa Senate to appease the speed happy zealots, and Big Money/Big Business/Big Trucking. It will penalize anyone that does drive the speed limit in the left lane (of a four lane) when speeding drivers what to exceed the speed limit. Enforcement personnel don't charge anyone for less than 10 mph over posted, so it effectively allows the speed limit to be increased another 10 mph...

I am writing to thank Spencer residents for sharing the true meaning of Christmas with children in need this past holiday season. Because of the generosity of donors in Spencer and across the United States, Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse, collected more than 8.9 million shoebox gifts in 2019. Combined with those collected from partnering countries in 2019, the ministry is now sending 10,569,405 shoebox gifts to children worldwide...

Tuesday, Jan. 21, is the likely date for the Removal From Office trial for President Donald John Trump to begin in the U.S. Senate. Each senator is required to take a formal oath, first established in 1798 and later modified in 1868 that now reads “I _ solemnly swear (or affirm as the case may be) that in all things appertaining to the trial of the impeachment of President Donald John Trump, now pending, I will do impartial justice, according to the Constitution and laws: So help me God.” The senators must also sign an impeachment oath in a special book that is sent to the National Archives.. ...

Before 2020 gets too far along, I propose a resolution, and I hope the Spencer Daily Reporter does its part in making it happen. Thus I resolve to refer to the POTUS as President Trump, Donald J. Trump, president or our commander in chief. The same goes for calling all other presidential hopefuls by their given names. Hopefully other letter writers would also observe said protocol...

I am writing this to all the people who have thought about writing to the Spencer Daily Reporter an addressing their opinion that they have a passion about or certain problem in the community they want to address. First of all, once you get past the fear of what people might think. I say who cares?...

Qassem Soleimani was a terrorist and responsible for maiming and killing Americans. Agreement there. As far as Americans holding posters of Soleimani, I searched the internet and watched TV for images and found none. Maybe they were mislabeled photos/videos seen on Fox News which has happened before. Even if the pictures were fake, who interpreted the reason the posters were held?...

This is in response to Randy Cauthron who asked "What say you?" about President Trump's decision to vaporize the most evil general in Iran, and the article in last Tuesday's Reporter "Buyers should beware of organic labels on some nonfood products."...

In 2005, Donald Trump founded a privately owned for profit operation known as Trump University: aka Trump Wealth Institute. It operated till 2010 then being cited for false advertising, high pressure sales and having little educational value. Thousands of students paid up to $35,000 for worthless sessions. It was never university accredited. In 2013 Trump was fined $25 million for fraudulent practices which he refused to pay until 2016 as he was then a candidate for the U.S. presidency...

You've opined of late that it would really be something if we could figure out a way to keep the Christmas spirit alive all yearlong. I believe you have something big in the making, and I'd like to do my part to move the discussion along. The concept seems like it would be very popular. ...

Dear State Lawmakers It’s time for Iowa’s outdated animal cruelty laws to be fixed. The House unanimously passed a great animal cruelty bill last session, and now it’s time for the state senate to pass it, too. HF737 will help protect Iowa’s pets. It will increase penalties for animal abuse, animal neglect, and animal torture. It will make animal torture an automatic felony in Iowa, just like it is in 48 out of 50 states...

In a letter to the editor in local publications Terry Yarns lays it all out. The cult like behavior of large numbers of the Republican Party including those in Congress mystify true Republicans that continue to hold to the beliefs the party was founded upon. ...

Can we agree on one thing? Everyone wants to be happy. Would you say that you are "happy beyond measure,” "about as happy as I've always been,” "relatively happy,” "as happy as I deserve to be,” "working on it?” Would you like to be happy every day of your life?...

I would like to respond to the letter to the SDR Dec 5 edition from Alan Oppendal, Ruthven. He refers to the Trump administration as being like a rogue elephant and that his administration would be a disaster. According to Alan nothing has changed to change his mind. ...

To the younger generation, Berkley Bedell was our very active U.S. congressman and activist Democrat after leaving Congress having suffered a bout with Lyme disease. However, to the older generation, there is much more for us to remember him for. His importance to our community before his time in Congress needs to be told...

I have several concerns about the proposed change to Ditch 37 in Clay County. I attended a meeting with the engineer telling what was to happen. This implied we, as land owners have nothing to say in the situation. The farmers and landowners in this area have talked with are opposed to the changes. Even people who originally signed the petition. I've had several thoughts, mostly concerning erosion and the environment...

What are the governor and the GOP Legislature not going to do to IPERS and all Iowa’s public servants this year? 2016: Gov. Kim Reynolds said IPERS is secure, strong, sustainable, efficiently managed, creates jobs and is an economic engine for Iowa. Then at a private fund raiser she says she wants to privatize it...

A fellow famous for his work with peanuts (no, not former President Jimmy Carter) had this to say about the aging process: "How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and the strong — because someday in life you will be all of these." I'd say George Washington Carver nailed it...

As I read the letters to the editor in the Reporter that discuss the merits or demerits of our current presidential administration, I am reminded of blind men examining an elephant. In other words, it is possible for practically anyone to come up with something, real or imagined, that supports his or her preconceived notions...

I find it utterly disgusting that anyone in the United States of America has got to go hungry or does not have a decent place to live. To put in perspective, 16 million children in the United States of America go hungry everyday. That’s basically the size of the state of Iowa 5 1/2 times. (Iowa's population is 3.2 million people)...

For hundreds of years and many wars, American soldiers have dealt lethally in combat against our enemies. Sadly, there have been instances when a few misguided warriors have committed crimes against nonbelligerents, which in order to maintain discipline, military justice demanded punishment for the offending soldiers...

I appreciate the recent rebuttal letter for making my point about public misinformation on the impeachment process. I did not call anyone “stupid, immoral or partisan.” I said “As often demanded of them, Congress is doing their job and upholding their oath to defend the constitution. ...

As we enter the Thanksgiving/Christmas season, the words in a Glen Campbell song come to mind: "If you see your brother standing by the road, with a heavy load, from the seeds he's sowed, And if you see your sister falling by the way, just stop and say you're goin' the wrong way. ...

Last Monday Diane Smith had a letter explaining the entire impeachment process cannot go unanswered! And Dave Kimbell's letter in Thursday's Reporter was a great response to the venom and vitriol of Diane Smith, who along with Robert Sneitzer, rank No. 1 and 2 as the true anti-Trumpers in northwest Iowa. His letter is much nicer than mine would have been!...

Against my better judgment, I am responding to a Letter to the Editor that was printed in the Monday, Nov. 18, Spencer Daily Reporter that rankled me. The writer stated that anyone who didn't agree with her were not intelligent or moral. Her rhetoric indicated that she is not a fan of the president. ...

George Thorogood and the Destroyers had a great song released back in 1982. Do you remember "Bad to the Bone"? These days, however, the title that reflects the lives of over 40% of us is "SAD to the Bone." Despite the progress and prosperity of the last few years, more and more of us complain of loneliness, sadness, despair, doom and gloom. ...

After hearing and reading the misinformation the public believes on the impeachment process I hope this helps which is all easily researched online. As often demanded of them, Congress is doing their job and upholding their oath to defend the constitution. If you believe otherwise it says it all about your allegiance, intelligence, morals or all three...

A direct translation is “something for something.” In the international political world it means “I’ll do this — if you do that.” U.S. federal law prohibits a foreign national from directly or indirectly making a contribution or donation of money or other things of value in connection with a U.S. ...

What should we think when the October National Geographic tells us the last northern white male rhinoceros has died. The dogma of grinding the rhino’s horn into dust, then boiling the dust in water for a cure of impotence, has caused the wholesale slaughter of the rhinos — based upon a lie...

I don't know about you, but "quid pro quo" has never been a household term in my world. These days, however, it is bantered about frequently, and mostly in a pejorative manner. Near as I can tell, the term involves such things as an exchange, a trade off, or reciprocity. ...

It would seem to Trump and his allies this is not possible. Their latest immigrant attack was against Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, a decorated, Purple Heart awarded war hero. Born in Kiev, then part of the Soviet Union, whose Jewish family was forced to flee and relocate in America when he was three years old...

I have been reading about Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s Lower Drug Costs Now Act, or H.R. 3, which will be voted on very soon by the House of Representatives. It’s no secret we’d all like to see lower prices, but there is always a tradeoff, especially anytime there are government mandates...

TMI (too much information) is a catch phrase these days. You know, when you ask someone how they are doing, and they tell you their unabridged life story! I noted a form of TMI when I watched parts of the seven game World Series between the Astros and the Nationals. Everything I ever needed to know about a pitcher or a hitter, their statistics, preschool years, the rest of their formal education, why a MLB team drafted them, what they can offer in free agency, and on and on...

I think that Abraham Lincoln said it correctly in his Gettysburg Address when he stated: Government of the people, by the people, and for the people. Have we lost a little of that in our local government? We are going into the second year of the Drainage District 37 issue and seem to be no closer to a solution. ...

The Court Appointed Special Advocate and Iowa Citizen Foster Care Review Board programs in Clay and Dickinson counties need volunteers. Advocates with CASA and ICFRB members directly affect the experience children have within the foster care and child welfare systems by giving them a voice and ensuring they are heard...

Our elected officials in Washington have been coming up with new ideas to fix the mess of health care and Medicare left by previous administrations. This work has resulted in some positive policies, and others that have some major setbacks. Thankfully, we have Senator Grassley in Washington to examine policy changes with a keen eye...

Recently Iowa Senator Grassley got on the bandwagon to promote prison reform. Criminal justice reform is a term that has been tossed about for generations. If any progress is to be made it cannot be from the top down or the bottom up. It must be reformed horizontally. ...

Based on my experience at the political booths at the fair and the recent letter to the editor, it’s clear that the Republican Party loves to insult people not just from their booth but also toward people at the Democratic booth. The last day of the fair I walked by both political party booths. ...

I have not always agreed with ever word uttered or written by David Kruse, but his column in your issue today (Friday, Oct. 11) was the most profound and accurate expression of the disaster Trump has imposed on our state that anyone has been willing to express...

I see that the Spencer City Council is considering a model bicycle ordinance that would have as one of its goals creating "awareness about bike safety.” From the wording in the Oct. 15 Daily Reporter story on this matter, consideration is being given to require lamps on bikes, as well as clarifying how riders are to conduct themselves on city streets. ...

Each year end, Gallup polls thousands of people around the world about the approval and effectiveness of global leaders. The world leader selected in the latest poll (December 2018) as the most respected was Germany’s Angela Merkel. Lining up behind her were China’s Xi Jimping, India’s Narendra Modi, UK's Theresa May and France’s Emmanuel Macron...

Almost without exception, I have manned the Republican booth on the opening Saturday of the Clay County Fair since we moved from the commercial building into the events center. And I have never been more optimistic about the reelection of President Trump and the Republicans regaining control of the house after spending four hours at the booth!...

In case you missed it, Oct. 6-12 is Mental Health Week. Thursday, the 10th, is World Mental Health Day. The focus this year is suicide prevention, and a very worthwhile focus it is. Every year, worldwide, nearly 800,000 people take their own lives. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15- to 29-year-olds. Consider this: The three most prevalent ways of death involve ingesting pesticides, hanging and firearms — in that order...

A majority of Americans now say they favor action to impeach President Trump. Though there are many actions by Trump that qualify for action against him, the latest and most serious is his request of a favor of Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate his leading presidential opponent and offering the help of Rudy Giuliani and Attorney General Barr. ...

The Sept. 24 Spencer Daily Reporter carried a front page story about Iowa Legal Aid hosting a free expungement and employment barriers clinic on Nov. 6. According to the story, Spencer is one of the sites for the clinic due to having the highest number of contempt for nonpayment of court debt. We're even higher than Polk County...

On Sept. 20 millions of young people around the world marched to make their voice heard. They said- We want a future! World scientists unite in saying the world as we know it will be in peril if we continue to pour pollution into the space surrounding our planet. ...

News stories alleging "inappropriate behavior" perpetrated on members of the University of Iowa Marching Band at the recent Cy-Hawk football game, in Ames; Iowa's athletic director reaching out to his counterpart at ISU; Iowa band members claiming their own university is part of a cover up — what's going on here? This is Iowa, not New York, Ohio, Texas or California!...

So I'm walking out of the Clay County Fair the other night, and a friend and I are talking about the Foreigner concert that didn't happen last Saturday. I understand that a cancelled grandstand show is a pretty rare event. Anyway, my friend says something about the financial loss The Fair, vendors, patrons all sustain when something like this occurs. The more we talk and go into the details, the more an idea emerges...

President Trump stated “I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody and not lose any voters.” Amid daily gaffs, false statements, praise of foreign dictators while alienating allies, and imposition of tariffs that cost Americans millions of dollars, his supporters march lock step to defend him...

My typically clear, concise and coherent musings must have recently been misread, dyslexically speaking. In last week's Spencer Daily Reporter, a guy named Bill wrote a letter concerning birds and wind turbines. The next day, Mr. H S. seemingly attributed the letter to me. It was not I. He also referred to me as Dr. Kersting. That, too, would be inaccurate, as I only have a masters degree...

I want to thank Jerry Crew for his response to my letter. I do respect his military service and his intelligent commentary on agricultural matters. I have less regard for his political judgement. I do want to correct one misstatement by Crew. Elizabeth Warren never claimed Indian ancestry to win a faculty job at Harvard. ...

My daughter, Anna and I, arrived in Dingle, County Kerry, Ireland, approximately 3 p.m. local time on Sept. 11, 2001. Anna went in to check on our reservation while I unloaded our luggage. There was a light mist in the air so characteristic with Ireland. Anna came out to tell me she had bad news...

I saw Megan Jones’ opinion in the Aug. 26 Daily Reporter that Iowa is in need of more rural physicians. I’d add that I think we are also in need of more ambulances. Recently a person I know from our area had a life-threatening condition and needed to be transported to Sioux Falls, but weather didn’t permit it by helicopter. ...

I need to correct Mr. Oppedal's letter in the Aug. 28 edition of the SDR. I did not fly the "big bombers," but I was the navigator/bombardier on B-47s (first jet bomber), Bombardier on B-52s (still flying as an integral part of our aerial nuclear strategy) and the reconnaissance systems officer on the fastest (still today) airplane in the world. the SR-71...

Will the silliness never end? I've heard windmills called a lot of things, but melanoma — that's a new one! However, if you are truly concerned about some kind of bird holocaust, consider the following: The passenger pigeon and ivory billed woodpecker were wiped out long before the first electricity generating windmill was erected. ...

I see people commenting in a regional paper about climate change and global warming being a hoax. I assume they do not have cellphones or take medicine when they are ill as that would also be items based upon scientific research and technology. Here are some scientific facts based upon the latest research and technology:...

I really appreciate Jerry Crew’s letters to your publication. He has demonstrated that he is a person of above average intelligence and in agricultural matters, such as soil conservation, he is a very progressive thinker. I have been told that he was an Air Force pilot who flew the big bombers. I do know that organization doesn’t just pass out wings to anyone...

Are we creating avian killing fields in Dickinson County? Should we look at our new winds farms as an environmental melanoma — small, almost unnoticed, at first. But over time, will become a raging killer of bats, and migrating birds, ranging from song birds, waterfowl, hummingbirds to raptors...

I hear and read things Congressman Steve King supposedly said. I’m not sure what to believe. I do believe he wants to do his best to represent the 4th District. Incest and rape are terrible in all cultures and religious. We have laws in our country that should be enforced to the fullest when someone is charged with such crimes...

An ever growing number of psychiatrists are now saying that President Trump is clinically mentally unstable. Witnessed by tweets and statements during rallies, it has become apparent that worry and stress about criticism of him and the impending impeachment has affected his ability to act rationally. ...

“I love the smell of napalm in the morning!" Well, no, I really don't but I would highly recommend a trip by motorcycle (or by a four-wheel vehicle with the windows open) along the county roads of Clay and O'Brien counties. Robert Duvall, in "Apocalypse Now" uttered a classic line on screen. ...

As near as I can figure, voting in this country is both a right and a privilege. That being said, I find it both interesting and challenging to see how much attention these days is being given to restoring the voting rights of convicted felons. The argument for seems to be that because they have served their prison sentence/completed parole, they should be able to have their voting rights/privileges restored...

Today’s 21st century classroom looks a lot different than it did 30 years ago. Across the state students are entering schools every day faced with traumatic issues as well as heavy mental burdens created by the “technology explosion” of social media...

Robert Sneitzer "shades of 1930s Germany" in his letter published Monday in the Daily Reporter shows the same breadth of intelligence as Democrat front runner Joe Biden, who in his soapbox appearance at the Iowa State Fair, stated "we choose truth over facts!" His comparison of a duly-elected POTUS with evil dictator Adolph Hitler should be universally condemned, and, quite frankly, is an act of treason!...

U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, an Iowa Republican, and U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat, co-sponsored a bill addressing the high cost of prescription drugs. They presented it to the Senate Finance Committee for confirmation. It was voted on and passed 19-9. It will no go on to Congress. President Trump supports it and has indicated he will sign it...

Mr. Editor, I believe I have a way to accurately predict who could be the next (and succeeding) mass "harmer" in America. Getting more specific, it might be a male born in the U.S. (or not), under the age of 60, and someone who is not feeling a lot of love these days (or for that matter, for a very long time). Let's have a few more details, so we can better prepare ourselves, OK?...

In a recent oval office interview with Breitbart News, Trump said in a warning to Democratic Party members “My base is full of tough people who will only use their toughness when provoked to a certain point.” He further stated. “I can tell you I have the support of the police, the support of the military and the support of the Bikers for Trump. I have tough people, but they don’t play it tough until they get to a certain point, and then it would be very bad, very bad.”...

I was watching multiple reports on the horrible double mass shootings Saturday. I send my sympathy to the people effected, knowing how hollow words are at this time. And it won't be news again until the next mass shooting. I did notice a big discrepancy in reported numbers of mass shootings in the U.S. ...

According to the latest conspiracy theory spread by some liberals, Lara Trump is somehow responsible for starting the “send her back” chant during a recent Trump rally in Greenville, North Carolina. This lie also appeared in a recent letter (to the editor written by Robert Sneitzer on Monday, July 29) published in the Spencer Daily Reporter accusing the president and his family of being racist...

There are some things we can learn from those mass murderers in our malls. One lesson could save lives. That would be the one about becoming more intentional. By intentional I mean something that is done on purpose, with full intent, deliberately and with focus. Let me explain...

Racist acts by President Trump should not be a surprise. His past reeks with words and actions displaying his mindset. He was sued twice for refusing to rent to blacks in his projects. He attacked Muslim Gold Star parents. He claimed a judge in his trial was biased because he was Mexican...

I seriously doubt that AOC and "The Squad" enjoy the songs of Merle Haggard. That being said, I'd like to introduce them to "The Fightin' Side of Me,” verse one: "I hear people talkin' bad about the way they have to live here in this country, Harpin' on the wars we fight and gripin' 'bout the way things ought be. ...

I wasn't seeing much to write about of late, until I came across a story in a recent issue of The Wisconsin Rapids Tribune that described that city's anti-bullying ordinance and the accompanying fine structure for the initial and subsequent offenses. ...

Last year there were 8,967 substantiated reports of child abuse and neglect in Iowa. The cost to taxpayers of our child welfare system was about $230 million. Many of the children reported as abused or neglected were designated as “child in need of assistance” and removed from their homes, putting them and their families into the court system. Almost half of them were 5 years old or younger...

I would have to admit that I don’t usually read the “legals” section in the newspaper, but an item recently(7/8/19) caught my attention. The listing was for the salaries of the Clay County employees. I found the total paid from July, 2018 through June 2019 to be $5,426,668.47. ...

This is my response to Ryan Oder, Katy Johnson, H Schar, Amanda Green and 53 citizens of Spencer including 3 religious leaders. I am truly sorry my belief system does NOT allow me to choose which parts of the Holy Bible I should believe and which parts I can ignore. And it's quite clear homosexuality is a sin. Therefore I cannot condone nor support the constant flaunting and in-your-face behavior by the gay pride community and their supporters...

Thank you to Katey for her excellent letter about wind turbines. I am a baby boomer and I am for wind turbines. Coal is dirty, pollutes the landscape, kills miners and is unsustainable. I invite you to go to the Spencer library and check out the book “Climate Justice: Hope, Resilience, and the Fight for a Sustainable Future” by Mary Robinson, former president of Ireland and UN high commissioner for human rights. ...

King James I ruled England from 1603-25. He introduced the theory that a monarch is subject to no earthly authority, deriving the right to rule directly from the will of God. Thus, he is not subject to the will of the people, the aristocracy, or any other estate of the realm. It implies that only God can judge an unjust king and that any attempt to depose, dethrone or restrict his powers run contrary to the will of God...

I’d like to start off by saying that I am in fact a millennial, so my values are a lot different than the baby boomers. For starters, when I made my wedding registry I didn’t put $500 china on it. My Walmart plates will do just fine for Thanksgiving...

We are grateful to live in a nation that protects our right to free speech. Yet when someone’s words make others feel condemned and threatened; as recent comments in a letter to the editor did; we cannot let it go unchallenged. We consider ourselves allies of our friends who identify as LGBTQ: lesbian; gay; bisexual; transgender and queer or questioning. ...

I've read over Mr. Crew's letter to the editor several times now, and have had several different versions of a response. I do agree with Mr. Crew on the fact that we must listen to his concerns and not simply dismiss him. I'm a firm believer in being intolerant to someone you deem intolerant does not make you tolerant. However, I find it interesting how Mr. Crew holds those who support LGBTQ+ rights to a higher moral standard than himself or the people he supports...

In response to the letter from Mr. Jerry Crew, I would ask him, who are you to judge? You say that the pictures of Gays, their celebration of Gay pride and the displaying of their flags puts you “over the edge.” Did it ever occur to you that your “closed mind” attitude puts many others over the edge too? I’m pretty sure that you have little concern for how they feel or what they think...

Two hundred thirty government entities in the U.S. alone have banned or blocked industrial wind turbines at the urging of their constituents. Hundreds of homes are directly affected by every large industrial wind installation. These installations cast a long list of negative impacts for 2,640 feet, at least that is the distance the wind companies will admit, yet they require county ordinances allow them setbacks from the foundation of homes to be merely 1,200 to 1,600 feet...

Nasty train graffiti being called a mural on the tattoo building and now Neil and Cindy Drefke doing a second mural on the Salvage Sisters building! Copying another city just west of Spencer, but their city's murals are classic designs of people looking out windows and such...

Two items in the Thursday SDR showed that you don't have to turn your head very far to spot hate and bigotry right here in Spencer, Iowa. At least the idiots who vandalized the Rainbow Tree had the good sense to do their dirty work after dark, when their faces couldn't be seen. Unlike Jerry Crew, who spewed his self-righteous bile all over the editorial page...

I first heard the term, “gay,” when I was in grade school. My peers flung it at one another on the playground as insults. Maybe I did too. I usually wasn’t mean, but I don’t remember. I liked fitting in. In 1997 I went to college at Iowa State. I remember vividly sitting with my friends in the cafeteria as they razzed each other about being gay or told jokes about the LGBTQ community. While I didn’t tell them myself, I wanted to fit in, and I laughed along...

The first known accusation of rape against President Donald Trump was made in 1989 by his then wife Ivana. Under intense pressure of a financial settlement during divorce negotiations, she was forced to concede that it was not a criminal rape because they were still married at the time. As Trump publically stated in a taped interview, he felt that because of his wealth and fame he could sexually assault women without fear of retaliation and this incident seemed to validate it...

This last Thursday evening my husband and I were fortunate enough to hear the Spencer Municipal Band in East Leach Park. It was a beautiful evening and the band played on. It is a wonderful opportunity for all ages to come and listen to a great concert. We would encourage others to take advantage of these Thursday evening outdoor concerts...

You asked for it, you got it, that Japanese carmaker! Well, maybe not, but at the conclusion of your June 23 One Man's Perspective ("45 Minutes with Alex”) you did say "What say you?" I say you were in the presence of God himself, yesterday at St. Joseph's in Milford. ...

Howard Beale (tormented news anchor from the movie “Network”) urged everyone to open their window and shout out "I'm as mad as hell and I'm not going to take this anymore!" Most of us (I quite often) at some point in their lives have reached the conclusion "That's enough!"...

Recently I had a flat tire north of Spencer on the truck bypass road approx 2 miles east of 71. This occurred around 5 p.m. on a Friday afternoon. I tried for 45 minutes to get my tire off but the lock nuts were “frozen” on the hub, I’m not very handy. ...

Medicare patients today, and everyone hoping for a cure for cancer or other catastrophic illnesses down the road, need help from Congress now. There is an upsetting proposal referred to as the International Pricing Index model to change how Medicare decides on reimbursement rates...

I would like to specifically direct this email to whomever decided to attack Delray Bredehoeft by publishing a ridiculous characterization of him standing in water holding leeks. I am personally offended that someone would portray such an upstanding member of our community in such a manner. ...

President Donald Trump’s first visit to the U.K. in 2018 brought out 250,000 protestors lining the streets voicing their disapproval. His June 2019 visit, luckily, coincided with heavy rain on Monday that decreased the number of protestors to only 75,000. ...

There's all kinds of things we can learn about life, from so many sources these days. The people who print "Our Iowa" magazine did a story on baseball recently. Part of their focus was the Field of Dreams, in Dyersville. They also singled out Bob "Rapid Robert" Feller, the Van Meter fast baller who is said to have noted: "That's the way life is, with a new game every day, and that's the way baseball is." How true. ...

I have resisted writing publicly, preferring to address the issues with the Clay County Board of Supervisors and the Clay County auditor, but after the most recent article regarding Drainage District No. 37 I felt the need to clarify several issues...

Farmers across Iowa are grinding out field work while keeping a close eye on the weather, markets and Washington. Mother Nature has the final say on when seeds get planted. Our livelihoods also hinge on factors that are largely out of our control, such as federal tax, regulatory and trade policies that come from Washington...

Representative Wills was loud and proud of Iowa’s ranking as No. 1 state in the nation. He attributed the success to the unified Republican government. But now that we’ve fallen in the rankings to No. 14, he hasn’t said a word. Most troublingly, Iowa ranks as No. 41 in the entire United States when it comes to air and water quality — the lifeblood of our community and economy...

Pathetic is an inadequate term to describe the behavior of House Democrats who refuse to believe the Mueller Report did not "nail President Trump's hide to the wall!" They attempted to crucify AG Barr who was merely doing his constitutional duty in reporting the results of a special prosecutor to the public and congress. ...

Transparency in social contexts is defined as: “operating in such a way that it is easy for others to see what actions are performed. It implies openness, communication and accountability.” Under no stretch of the imagination can this president claim transparency. ...

You didn’t print my previous pro-choice letter but you did print antiabortion letters. Interesting. With all the horrible anti-abortion laws recently enacted, I’d like to make these points. 1. Pro-choice is not pro-abortion. 2. There’s always been, always will be abortions, natural and induced. Making them safe, legal, accessible and rare is the goal. Otherwise there will be dead women. Some with kids now left without a mother. But I guess those lives don’t matter. See point 8...

Governor Reynolds and the GOP said they would protect and not touch 411/IPERS. 2016: Governor Reynolds said making changes to IPERS was one of her top priorities and IPERS was not sustainable. 2017: Governor Reynolds comment: "As a defined benefit plan (pension) IPERS is secure, strong, and sustainable."...

The "merry, merry" month of May is a glorious month in many ways! Each May, we celebrate and enjoy beef, hamburgers and strawberries. One of its weeks is set aside for honoring nurses and nursing homes. There is a day to honor teachers, and the whole month offers chances to show appreciation for school boards. ...

The recent letter to the SDR from Bill Kersting proposing that armed school personnel would stop school shootings is a retelling of an idiot's parable. History and our own experience point to just the opposite. When I was a kid (admittedly, that was a long time ago), there was approximately one gun for every three persons in the U.S. ...

We've had this conversation months ago, but the news of the day would indicate we are still not convinced that several concealed carry permit holders in our K-12 schools just might stem the tide of shooters entering the buildings and having their way until law enforcement arrives...

In your recent column describing the "let's try to be civil" effort at the last Eggs and Issues forum, you concluded by asking "What say you?" So, since you asked for it, I'll give you my take on the matter. The event began in proper fashion, as a wonderful middle schooler schooled us all. ...

RELEASE THE REPORT! And the WHOLE report! And the summaries written by the investigative team! Just as was done with the Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton investigations. No more month long delays to release at a time you think it can be buried in the news, no more giving the target the report before those elected to do oversight, no more of the attorney general acting as the traitor’s lawyer and PR manager. ...

I attended Eggs and Issues last Saturday and your reporter, Joseph Hopper, completely missed the tenor of David Johnson's long-winded question which wasn't even a question, but a diatribe against Mike Naig, Sen. Joni Ernst and Rep. Steve King. Johnson, ironically, started his speech calling for "civility and common ground" and then complained "our campaigns are not Iowa nice..." He then proceeded to demonstrate the opposite! He was rude, condescending, uncivil and, quite frankly, very nasty!...

A pardon by the president was promised if the newly appointed acting Secretary of Homeland Security Keven McAleenan was charged with breaking the law by following President Donald Trump’s orders on border security. This followed the dismissal of Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen because Trump felt she was not tough enough and disagreed with the family separation policy. ...

Upon returning last Tuesday from a refreshing and enlightening cruise on the Mississippi River (thanks to the Adventure Club at Farmers Trust and Savings Bank), I thought I’d be sharing the sights and history of the river, in the fashion of Mark Twain. ...

Iowans have always taken pride in our strong local governments. House Study Bill 165, under the guise of property tax relief, threatens that long held value. The fact is, our property tax rates compared to income have actually decreased since 1980, even as tax supported service demands increased...

If you love our country you should take comfort that the president didn’t willingly collude with a foreign enemy to take control of our democracy. The rule of law is working, no matter your opinion of the person holding the office. The sole and narrowly defined directive for the special counsel was to only investigate if there was willful collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign (“willful” being the operative word here). ...

Kaboom! What's that — there was no kaboom? You mean the bombshell Mueller Report was a dud? All the mainstream media, progressives, moderates, socialists and every single Democrat in Congress are in desperate need of a change in their underwear! This was to be the coup d'etat that would bring down the most despised (by the left) duly elected president in our history! The most biased special prosecutor in history with the most biased staff took two years to tell us there was no collusion with Russians, no more indictments and no obstruction! They knew this after less than six months, but spent the next year and half threatening people to betray President Trump!. ...

Winter weather in northwest Clay County, Iowa causes stress for its citizens — city and rural residents! Snow is one of the worst culprits on paved roads and especially rural gravel roads. The heroes of the area are the gentlemen who maneuver the huge, yellow road maintainers!...

So I guess the ongoing diatribe against our president is that he could be considered by some to be unfit to serve in his present capacity. From what I can tell, this is based on the assumption that our president displays some (if not most) of the characteristics and behaviors that someone with "narcissistic personality disorder" displays. ...

I was 16 years old and a senior in high school in 1941. Franklin Roosevelt was president. I took a government class that year, I took it seriously. I learned that Roosevelt had started the Social Security program, which is still a good thing. He was also responsible for the WPA, the CCCs and other programs that made bums out of people. ...

At least two things of note, this past week, are deserving of comment. On the one hand, there is the writer of "Steve King" (SDR, 3-11-19 Opinion page). She wonders what God Congressman King worships. Short answer: the same God she worships. He's the God who wants us to teach our children the proper use of firearms, hunt responsibly, and protect those near and dear. ...

In 2008 the FBI and the General Services Administration determined that the J. Edger Hoover Building, home of the FBI, needed to be replaced because of lack of space, security and building general conditions. A cost study by the GSA showed that it would be more secure and less costly to relocate to a suburban location than to repair or rebuild on the present location which happens to be just across the street from the luxury Trump Hotel. ...

Legislation in Iowa and other states has been considered to give doctors full authority over parental rights of medical decisions regarding vaccinations of their children. Currently religious and medical are the only exemptions in Iowa. I don't believe this would be fair to parents and their families. Doctors and vaccine makers already have no liability for injuries or reactions caused by vaccines. Because there is no liability, how can they be trusted to make such decisions?...

Steve King states that guns are a “God-given right,” Makes me wonder what God he worships. My God says to “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” Mt 5:44. “... If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink” Ro 12:20. ...

Whether or not felons in Iowa who have completed their prison sentences get their right to vote restored is a current issue in the Iowa Legislature. One sticking point is the matter of restitution and fines that may be outstanding at the time the felon is released. ...

The advice of Trooper Vince Kurtz is frequently found in the SDR when severe winter weather is the subject of the day. This past February is a good example. Couple that with winter weather advisories, storm warnings, blizzard conditions in effect, and other ways of alerting the motoring public that travel is not advised, and you have a clear and convincing argument for staying off the roadways — for most people. ...

The legislators who want to change the vaccine law must be younger than I am. In the small town in Iowa where I lived I knew two girls who were confined to a wheelchair after polio. Another friend spent time in an iron lung and one arm was permanently bent at a right angle. ...

It's Sunday morning, temperature is 9 degrees, and feels like minus 14. Wind is gusting over 30 mph, and has been doing so (as predicted) since last evening. The windblown snow and piles of the stuff from previous snows, goes higher and higher, yet spring officially arrives in 24 days! Really! As with a lot of things these days, we'll see about that...

Regarding the criticism of the Green New Deal, I guess we don’t dream big anymore even when our very survival is at stake. Remember the following speech from Sept 12, 1962? If we don’t dream big we will pay the price forever. We’ve got until 2030 to hold the line on climate disaster. Dealing with the aftermath will be prohibitive costwise...

In late January, the Trump administration’s Department of Veterans Affairs announced an historic collaboration that could help curb the epidemic of veteran suicide. By partnering with the National Shooting Sports Foundation and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the Administration is taking important steps to promote responsible gun ownership best practices and safe firearm storage...

Iowa politics are pointing toward concentrating power in Des Moines. The proposal to reorganize judiciary selection, giving the Legislature a larger role, is bigger than a “partisan power grab,” and the argument that having legislators instead of lawyers select commission members would protect the rights of voters is only a small piece of the puzzle...

I must admit, this week it was difficult coming up with a topic for discussion. Look at all the choices: the wonderful world of California's Gavin Newsom; late term abortions; human composting; how to fix "the Bottle Bill"; the Green New Deal; the scourge of pornography; and the list could go on and on. Instead of focusing on these and other less than honorable aspects of our current state of being, let's go with several positives that were greatly enjoyed...

As interested and concerned citizens, we should expect our president to give us correct and truthful information in an important national address. Instead what he delivered was laced with untruths and misrepresentations. —He claimed the U.S. is the hottest economy in the world. We’re not!...

As a father of military men — where one did a tour in Afghanistan with the 82nd Airborne and was in for 10 years, and the other is a career NCO in the Air Force, enough said ... America needs to see and hear about these congressmen! I didn't see, or read about this, in any medium and I follow Crenshaw on Twitter. ...

Two letters to the editor printed in the Feb. 7 edition of the SDR challenged your pro-life value set. The two writers seemed to be trying to convince the readership that laws coming (or already on the books in New York state) would not be taking the lives of babies in utero, in the birth canal or outside the womb. ...

Randy Cauthron’s opinion piece regarding New York’s Reproductive Health Act asked, “Please provide me with some legitimate reasoning or an argument you could make standing at the foot of God — before your very Creator (whether you acknowledge him or not) — which would compel him to agree with the decision to kill an unborn child.” The answer is the baby is already dead or not viable outside the womb. ...

Randy Cauthron’s editorial and a letter to the editor in the 2-4-19 SDR are devoid of fact or reasoning. The New York legislation does not allow the mother to decide to kill a baby after delivery! The reproductive Health Care Act states that a health care practitioner “may perform an abortion when, according to the practitioner’s reasonable and good faith professional judgement based on the facts of the patient’s case: the patient is within 24 weeks from the commencement of pregnancy, or there is an absence of fetal viability, or the abortion is necessary to protect the patient’s life or health.”. ...

This is my first year as a teacher’s associate at Lincoln Elementary. I’m especially enjoying helping the students learn and teaching them how to succeed in life. We high five in the hallways and I receive hugs from the students every day. We have fun on the playground playing football, nine-square, swinging on the swings, oh and yes, I even get to help turn the jump rope. Our teachers and staff are dedicated to teaching. They put in long hours and have a tremendous love for their students...

Randy Cauthron impassioned editorial condemning the New York state's legislation allowing the murder of a human baby during a normal birth process ended with "What say you?" This is my answer. Roe v. Wade allowed abortions the first trimester of gestation, but did not allow baby-killing the third. ...

The Clay County Board of Supervisors has voted to devastate a local wildlife and outdoorsman’s haven. Flowing from Trumbull Lake in northeast Clay County to the Little Sioux River several miles south of Highway 18 is Pickerel Run. While a portion of this stream was dredged about 100 years ago, in the century since, nature has had its way, returning much of the stream to a lovely natural condition...

I was a bit surprised to have received the Daily Reporter on Saturday, but then I realized that Monday is MLK Day. However, I was even more surprised to see (ironically placed) letters to the editor from Bill Kersting and Don Etler. The writers seemed upset with SDR publisher Paula Buenger over a column she apparently wrote about one of Steve King's recent antics. ...

My father would often state that if you wanted to find out who was behind something you need to "follow the money" trail. Who is pushing for an outcome and how do they profit from it and when you answer that you see behind the veil. The recent events that took place on the United States' southern border is a culmination of years of purposeful mismanagement by our politicians who choose to use these events for their political gain, and at the peril of those trying to get into our country, and charging the taxpayers of the U.S. ...

As it was Jan. 18 (also National Winnie the Pooh Day) I thought I'd ask you to pass along my comments to Paula, your publisher. Her editorial Jan. 15, regarding our 4th District congressman, didn't sit well with me. I was fine with her usual "fluff" for the first 100 words or so, but then she had to "pile on" Rep. Steve King with her comments about him being ineffective and embarrassing...

Regarding Publisher Buenger’s opinion piece, “NW Iowa values aren’t reflected in King’s statement,” she forsakes two of our values. One is we don’t pile on when someone is down. The other is we give the benefit of the doubt. It was foolish of King to give that interview to a proven hostile NYT. ...

During President Trump’s campaign for the presidency he made promises. Setting aside his promise that Mexico would pay for the border wall, probably one of the most significant promises was that during his years as president he would eliminate the Federal deficit which at the time stood at $19.7 trillion. ...

At the risk of trying to simplify a complex matter, I'd like to initiate some dialog on the topic of restoration of voting rights for felons. The rights of some 52,000 folks in Iowa are in the balance. Some people think this process should be automatic, says state Rep. ...

Our supervisors are offering the money from the wind turbines to the people of Everly that didn’t want the turbines in the first place. Ten million dollars over two decades or $500,000 year on average to “give” to Everly. Actually there will be no tax money the first year. There will only be 5 percent the second year, increasing by increments of 5 percent each year until year seven when the turbine taxes will be capped at 30 percent of their full valuation. (Iowa Code 427B.26)...

My name is Isabelle Rydell. I am a senior at Spencer High school. I feel that the kid's middle school age and high school age should have a place to hang out. On the first Friday, we could have a dance at places like the VFW or the YMCA. On the second Friday, we could have a movie night at the library. ...

Here we go again, off into the new year with a bunch of resolutions that may or may not still be in effect come February. Our collective track record of making meaningful changes is remarkably dismal. In America, the top resolutions are to exercise more, lose weight, save money and travel. ...

This time of year, we are often reminded of the excesses in our society. We eat too much, drink too much, and spend too much. Most of the world wouldn't mind having our economic situation. We are a pretty affluent society. But not all of us. For many years, the Salvation Army had a presence in Spencer, and could be called upon to lend a helping hand when an individual or family experienced hard times, and needed some financial assistance. ...

It would seem to be a great Christmas present if we'd all dial back the vitriol, heading into the last two weeks prior to the coming of Christ. And if we got good at it, we'd have a jumpstart on how to act in 2019. We all play a role in stopping the hate and replacing it with the prerequisite love...

Normally, I can agree with the views of David Kruse and The CommStock Report about two thirds of the time. His Nov. 30 column ("America was built by immigrants") was no exception. The Heartland and the coastal regions of America differ considerably. ...

I have received many comments about my numerous letters to the editor. A few deriding my opinions and demanding that I stop writing, but surprisingly, in this dominantly conservative district, many more applauding them and encouraging me to continue writing...

You probably recall that old but true saying: "Everything I need to know, I learned in kindergarten.” For the most part, I fully agree. However, I found out this past week in Branson, Missouri, that Yakov Smirnoff has a lot on the ball given his perspective as that of a Russian immigrant. An American citizen since July 4, 1986, Yakov was gifted with a rare talent for making people feel good. Since ending up in Branson decades ago, he has turned his talents into a pretty good living...

In response to the article written by Nate Shaughnessy published on Oct. 29: If you have never attended one of the Clay Central-Everly football games, I will fill you in on what you would observe. First, you would see the passion. The 18 boys we had on the field were different in many ways, but they all had one thing in common: the love of the game. ...

I feel compelled to write this article about the dog “rescue” that occurred north of Terril in September. I agree that the pictures of the frail dogs are very graphic, but some important facts are missing. Snowball, the 14-year-old white pit bull, had a long medical history. ...

Stop it! Just stop it! Would that it were that easy. However, it is that simple. The solution to all the expressions of hate, distrust and violence is to cease and desist! But, you say, what to put in its place? How to change the narrative and the acting out? It comes down to gentleness, and I'll tell you how that works, if you'll stay with me...

Colin Van Westen's opinion piece in the Oct. 18 SDR ("Forging Forward") was an example of motivational journalism. A "manifesto" if you will. However, we start to part company, when in paragraph two, Colin tips his hand by use of the phrase "how wealth is distributed.” I fear he is already on the way to promoting a brand of socialism I'm not buying into. ...

The second amendment to the constitution of the United States of America states: “A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.” Also: 1 — The founding fathers were devoted to the military...

Each month of the year is dedicated to a wide variety of causes: some familiar and some not. October is no exception. The range goes from Pastor Appreciation to National Pork Month. We also seek to Stop Bullying, Prevent Domestic Violence and Promote Cyber Security. We even dedicate the month to eating things such as cookies and ice cream. All well and good, but did you know that Mental Health Awareness Week was observed a few days ago?...

We have just witnessed the most foul, vile attack in our nations history by 10 desperate Democrats on the senate judiciary committee to destroy a decent human being, Brett Kavanaugh! Why? The most basic tenet of the Democrat platform is abortion on demand and the appointment of a fifth conservative on SCOTUS means the possibility Roe v. Wade gets overturned...

A letter signed by over 1,000 law professors from elite colleges and universities around the country sent to the U.S. Senate urged them to reject Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court. They cited that his lack of judicial temperament disqualified him for any court. ...

In Meredith Willson’s classic, “The Music Man,” our state is touted as having a “chip on the shoulder attitude we’ve never been without that we recall.” In about a month, my fellow Iowans will have the right to go to the ballot box and exercise their right to vote. I would hope that the “Iowa way” means we all take our right to vote seriously and elect those who will lead and guide our state...

What should a sexual assault victim expect if she accuses the person who assaults her? She will be shamed, blamed, threatened, called to be lying or mixed up. Much courage is necessary and sometimes the courage doesn’t come right away. Dr. Christine Blasey Ford had a decision to make. Should she remain silent and avoid the hurtful notoriety or does America need to know about the actions and character of a nominee to the Supreme Court of the United States for a life time term?...

The gyrations conducted by the Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee during the recent hearings on Brett Kavanaugh have been burlesque. And now the normally staid Senator Feinstein has released a document that tarnishes Kavanaugh's reputation and puts into jeopardy his nomination. The accusation will be difficult to refute as he is being declared guilty by social media and the Socialist side of the Democrat party...

This is in response to Mary Marske's letter “Shame on you Jerry Crew" that appeared in the Sept. 17 issue of SDR. Shame on you Mary Marske for making the murder of Molly Tibbets by an illegal immigrant a racial issue with the statement "Would Molly Tibbets be any less dead if she had been killed by a white, Anglo Saxon male?"...

Do you have loved ones in Northlawn Cemetery? Are your markers clearly visible? Well, listen up! Unless the city kills the Creeping Charlie, your markers will be gradually taken over by the Creeping Charlie like my loved ones are. Creeping Charlie is a very difficult weed to get rid of, however, it can be done with perseverance. ...

President Theodore Roosevelt, in a speech on May 6, 1903, stood on the edge of the Grand Canyon and said “Leave it as it is. You cannot improve on it. The ages have been at work on it, and man can only mar it”. On June 8, 1906, U.S. representative from Iowa, John F. ...

As this is written, the 2018 edition of the Clay County Fair heads into its final two days. We've enjoyed good fair weather, and I hope huge crowds. I originally didn't like the idea of no longer disclosing the daily number of fair admissions. Now, however, I can see how it adds to the suspense, and is worth doing. ...

There is a reason why developing the most innovative energy policy in the country is one of Governor Reynold’s top priorities. Not only does a focus on access to affordable, reliable, clean energy reduce carbon pollution, but it has also proven to ensure we have a thriving economy. As state and industry leaders work to maximize our energy opportunities, wind power has emerged as Iowa’s top source of renewable energy, to which O’Brien County is playing a major role...

An open letter to every person in Spencer, Iowa. Today is Sept. 10, 2018. I’ve decided on my day off work to attend Veterans Day at the Clay County Fair. I’ve never seen the parade, nor have I heard any of the speeches. But my main goal for this is to give a firm handshake to every veteran who has served in combat. I can’t even fathom what these soldiers go thru during a war. The horror of this, what they see, what situation they’re under ... well, is mind-bending to me...

Jerry Crew, shame on you for using a family’s tragedy to spout your anti-immigrant phobia! Would Mollie Tibbets be any less dead if she had been killed by a white, Anglo-Saxon male? If her father can forgive her murderer, who are you to defame his Christian forgiveness? While you call others to task for breaking the law, you admit that if your daughter were murdered you would kill “him with your bare hands!”...

A couple of weeks ago the SDR carried a couple of stories from other publications without attribution. Since they did not appear in the opinion section and since the SDR considers itself a NEWSpaper, the assumption it is not biased, but one article quoted extensively David Johnson (Yes, THAT one) who argued Iowa NEEDS the illegal immigrants in livestock confinements because Iowans won't do the work. ...

I listened and watched the ethanol plant rep demonstrate how cleanly alcohol burns. Our conversation shifted to swapping shared memories of farm chores, and concluded that our respective career paths were definitely influenced by our childhood experiences on our parents’ farms...

Parents, when your children go to the store with their grandparents, please remind them not to OK the sale of a young adult video game to their grandchildren. I constantly warn the grandparents that this is a very violent game and they still let their 10- and 12-year-old grandkids buy theses games meant for 17-year-olds. ...

A recent opinion piece in the Spencer Daily Reporter caught my attention, and evoked a few conflicting emotions. Daily Reporter staff writer Joseph Hopper was dealing with the Aug. 10 "baggage handler suddenly a pilot" story in his piece titled "Adieu, Sky King.” The more the story unfolded in real time, the more emotions surfaced: wonderment, fear, curiosity, panic, empathy and sadness. ...

Not surprisingly, Senator Charles Grassley was awarded the "U.S. Wind Champion Award." He, single-handedly, is responsible for ALL wind subsidies since 2015. He got an extension through 2020 by adding it to the Omnibus Spending Bill which is rammed through legislation because congress CAN'T or WON'T pass a budget. ...

The plaque on the Stature of Liberty reads: Give me your tired, your poor Your huddled masses, yearning to be free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore, Send these, the homeless, tempest tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door. The statue was officially dedicated in 1889 by president Grover Cleveland with the words of Emma Lazarus inscribed at its base. ...

It grieves me to know that you may be one of the nearly 400 Iowans who take their life each year. Your pain, disappointment and hopelessness is a tragedy that needs to be addressed. No doubt you've tried to make sense of what is going on in your life. Do you always feel sad, depressed, lonely? Do you believe the world would be better off without you in it? No job, no friends, no future? Let's talk, can we?...

Before the election, Donald Trump touted that if he were elected, he would win so often that we would get tired of winning. He would become something big for our country. A look at his performance since the election has shown anything but his being a big winner. ...

Two candidates are running to represent Iowa House District 2. Only the incumbent gets space on your opinion page. Today's (Monday's) offering from the incumbent serves one purpose: keeping her name in the newspaper. Why not also offer equal space to the challenger?...

Shortly after dissing NATO, the U.K. prime minister, and the Canadian prime minister and days before his summit with Vladimir Putin, during an appearance on CBS “Face The Nation” President Trump was asked who he considered America’s biggest foe and competitor. ...

What a pathetic bit of journalism! Not worthy of the Reporter! If he indeed was seeking data on the DACA issue he should have read “Five Myths about DACA” by David Bier, an immigration policy analyst at the Cato Institute, in the “Washington Post.” How stupid does he think we are? To begin with, DACA recipients are those who were brought here as children BEFORE their 16th birthday, BEFORE June 15, 2007...

At least 93 percent of the time, my take on things is the polar opposite of that held by your sports editor, Nate Shaughnessy. You might say we are diametrically opposed when it comes to which American League baseball team is the best (he bleeds Red Sox red, while New York Yankee blood courses through my veins). He says "potato,” I say "tomato.” You get my drift...

I cringe every single time I read Colin Van Westen on the opinion page because I know every word comes from a "dyed in the wool" liberal with little regard for the truth and, even more importantly, zero knowledge of history! I have resisted responding in the past, but — in the immortal words of the news anchor in the movie “Network” — "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take this anymore!"...

Will Congress allow it? After punishing tariffs hurting our European allies, disparaging remarks questioning our need for NATO and now casting aside the results of numerous U.S. Intelligence investigations and opinions about Russian medaling in our elections, President Trump says he believes President Putin when he says they didn’t do it. ...

Republican conservatism used to center on: Free trade, family values, fiscal conservatism, limited government and strong international leadership. These are admirable values that I totally agree with. It’s hard to see these values embraced by our Republican conservative administration today...

Recent opinion pieces in the Spencer Daily Reporter have focused on the need for our country to get back on the civility trail, and embrace once again the values upon which our country was founded. To my knowledge, those would be Judaeo-Christian values, such as "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Those adhering to these values don't claim they can do anything they want, any time/place they want, and to anyone they choose. ...

Have been thinking about moving to Iowa from the west but in researching on Zillow, property taxes on a house here are $140 a month while in Spencer with a comparable house the taxes would be $500 a month. Add $500 a month to a house payment!? That’s a real deal breaker. Don’t know who’s responsible for property taxes — the city, county or state — but if their intention is to keep people out of the area, someone should let them know they’re doing a great job...

A couple of weeks ago Editor Randy Cauthron had an article on immigration covering it as a conservative in support of President Donald Trump's policy, and the next day Publisher Paula Buenger articulated the other side that opposes everything the present administration proposes. In fact, the ONLY area of agreement between the two sides — It's a HUGE problem!...

Recently our family experienced the awful ordeal of a family member going to a federal prison for 10 years for a nonviolent crime. This family member is not a terrible criminal. He is not a threat to society, he is a good person, father who made a bad mistake...

On June 30, 2018, hundreds of thousands of people from Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C., to the Highway 71 bridge in Arnolds Park, Iowa, joined protesters in all 50 states to show their objection to the “zero tolerance” policy implemented by the Trump administration. ...

Last week I attended my first Coffee with the Editor. I walked in a little reserved and cautious as there were quite a few Republicans around the table, and I’m running for Iowa House of Representatives as a Democrat. Most of the people around the table were people I’ve worked side-by-side with on various efforts around the community, so I opened up in a short amount of time. ...

OK, the primaries are over, we have our 2018 candidates. Let’s not just sit back and say I’m going to vote “party.” I watched the debates and I listened. The right people won! In both parties. Now we have to choose the “right” person to win the election. I urge all voters to watch, listen, pray and then vote in November. The right people will win. Iowa will still be the No. 1 state in the nation...

Praise God that this year will be our third year declaring God’s word at the Clay County Courthouse! This, of course, will not make it to its third year without your help! We, as a state, are embarking again, continuing the history that we have started in our county while we approach the celebration of our Independence! The Bible Reading Marathon starts on June 30 and ends on July 3. To ensure the event goes smoothly and in order, we have provided you a list of responsibilities...

The week of June 10 is momentous for many reasons. First of all, on June 12, we note the historic summit between the leader of North Korea and President Trump. Much lies in the balance. It is just the two of them, sitting down for a talk. How will it go? What will be the outcome? One thing is true: there's very little we can do to influence either men. ...

Just to give a few details about my life. My name is David Ellenwood and I am 62 years old. I was born and raised in Spencer. I have gone to church most of my life. The Lord spared my life at the age of 48, by allowing me to have a blood clot near my stomach and liver, that my father and uncle passed away from in their 40s from this blood disorder. ...

The story in the Reporter last week announcing David Johnson will not seek reelection after 16 years serving in the Iowa Senate left me with mixed emotions. I was a loyal supporter throughout his first three terms lauding him for his strong support for Birthright, (an organization strongly opposing abortion) his allegiance to his Roman Catholic faith and quite willing to help me, and many others, with matters dealing with the Legislature. ...

As I sat and watched various patriotic programs and movies depicting a variety of naval and land battles in World War II this past Memorial Day weekend, I couldn't help but ponder a few of the sentiments conveyed earlier in a reader's letter. This reader, in his piece "What is the kneeling about?" seemed to be trying to justify the NFL players who take a knee, rather than stand with hand over heart as is the traditional pose when the national anthem is played. ...

We would like to express our deepest gratitude to all of the wonderful people who volunteered their time to help put up flags Memorial Day morning and to all of the volunteers who dropped everything during the last minute rush to get the flags down before the storms moved in ... thank you!...

Steve Kerr, coach of the NBA Golden State Warriors told it as it is! President Donald Trump called the new policy to fine the team owners if players kneel “good” for the NFL and even went on to say of any player who kneels, “maybe you shouldn’t be in the country.”...

If there's one thing the disturbed cowards who shoot up schools have in common, it seems to be this: the vast majority, in recent memory, are teenage males. Many are adults in the physical sense, but they so frequently are the bullied, the outcasts, the alienated, the incapacitated...

Last Tuesday the Daily Reporter reprinted an editorial written by the Quad City Times which took the Iowa Legislature to task for passing the fetal heartbeat bill that will eliminate abortions in Iowa after a heartbeat is detected in the unborn child. ...

On Saturday, May 12, myself and two other people had diner at noon at the Family Table in Spencer. When I went to pay my bill, the waitress said this has already been paid for. This day I was wearing my Honor Flight Veteran hat. It appeared that someone had seen my hat and had paid for our meal. ...

I can’t begin to thank the Daily Reporter, the community, the folks who wrote nomination letters and those who said and wrote so many nice notes on social media and emails. Being named the “Citizen of the Year” is by far the greatest honor ever bestowed upon me...

The week of April 15, we celebrated National Volunteer Week. For years we have known that without the dedication and passion of millions of volunteers in this country, the good works and spiritual support of people of all races, colors and creeds would be severely curtailed. ...

The cover of the latest issue of Successful Farming (one of agriculture's prime publications) was "HSUS goes to church" which is a story of how the humane society aims to influence animal agriculture through our religious institutions. Yes, Humane Society of the United States is the organization behind the tear-jerking ads playing continuously on cable channels showing the sad faces of pets waiting to be adopted. ...

The week of April 15, we celebrated National Volunteer Week. For years we have known that without the dedication and passion of millions of volunteers in this country, the good works and spiritual support of people of all races, colors and creeds would be severely curtailed. ...

Sitting at my desk, watching the raging blizzard we are experiencing this 14th day of April, the city of Spencer has pulled the snow plows, and many businesses have closed. A multitude of thoughts and awarenesses pass through the old bean. Mother Nature can be quite fickle. Spring is just around the corner! What corner?...

I surrender! Did I flip the calendar at the end of March? Think about this — in a couple of days we'll be celebrating the second month of spring! A year ago today I was in the asparagus patch harvesting our first meal of the delicious "slice of heaven" green/purple spears soon to be popped into a pan of water, brought to a boil, drained, seasoned with some salt and pepper and a large glob of real butter! Viola! Only to be equaled, if not surpassed, three days later with our second culinary treat — bacon-wrapped asparagus spears!. ...

This past week many area residents were intrigued and some were inconvenienced when the big red horse barn was moved from West 18th Street around the beltway of Spencer to Oneota Park. The Clay County Conservation Board took advantage of a unique opportunity to relocate the iconic building. The next step will be to convert it through adaptive reuse into an area Environmental Education Center and headquarters for the CCCB...

One longtime legislator in the present majority party said he’d never voted for a tax increase. I am thinking, wow, my property taxes go up every two years so how can that be? Let’s see, sometimes a tax cut is really a tax increase. Let’s take a look at how. ...

In the inimitable words and melody of John Sebastian's hit song of the '70s (Theme Song for "Welcome Back Kotter" sitcom): "Welcome Back, Welcome Back, Welcome Back, Welcome Back — Back here where you belong!" We've missed your opinion page and your movie reviews!...

I have been a member of Ducks Unlimited for 40 years, and a devoted waterfowler and angler for even longer than that. As sportsmen and women, we rely on clean water and healthy habitats to perpetuate the fish and wildlife we so enjoy. With only 10 percent of Iowa’s wetlands remaining, and many of our waters impaired, it is imperative to fund the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust. ...

A couple of weeks ago, at the Clay Republican County Convention, it finally hit me up side of my head why our battle against the devastating and treacherous encroachment of wind turbines here in our county has been LOST! Ignorance! About 30 were in attendance, but only one (me) felt the need to establish a reasonable distance to protect the property of those who do not want a wind turbine in sight!...

Character Matters is a program presented to students to show them the importance of monitoring their judgment and behavior to meet accepted social standards. March For Our Lives is a movement by our youth to show their concern for their security. It encourages actions, not words in the behavior of our legislators in response to the many school shootings. Thoughts and prayers aren’t enough...

You cannot claim to NOT be homophobic and say you "pity those who have gender dysphoria." It is we, the families of gay, lesbian and transgender loved ones who pity you. H Schar, Spencer

As a young real estate mogul, he added to an empire stared by his father. His success, however, was marred by his practice of not paying his employees and subcontractors. U.S. banks refused to lend him money due to his history of not repaying loans leading to his practice of using foreign services as a revenue source. ...

The Daily Reporter published an editorial from the Quad-City Times that said this about SF 2281 — (the heartbeat bill which outlaws abortion of a baby if a heartbeat is detected) "It's an unconstitutional attempt to criminalize most abortions in Iowa."...

I feel somewhat honored that H. Schar had some positive comments about me in his recent letter to the editor. Unfortunately, about 44 words into it, he ventured far afield when commenting on one of my suggestions for dealing with an active shooter in a school...

I am enthusiastically voting “yes” for the $9.7 million bond that will fund several necessary improvements in our school facilities. First off, school safety is of paramount concern and the bond would provide funding to construct secure entrances into our facilities. ...

Another school massacre and our president responds: MORE GUNS! We should train and arm 20 percent of teachers he says. Our U.S. public school system currently employs over 3 million teachers. Using the math, that would create 600,000 potential new customers for gun manufacturers. ...

Another school massacre and our president responds: MORE GUNS! We should train and arm 20 percent of teachers he says. Our U.S. public school system currently employs over 3 million teachers. Using the math, that would create 600,000 potential new customers for gun manufacturers. ...

The opinion page of Tuesday’s Daily Reporter offered the people of northwest Iowa some thoughts about the latest school shooting tragedy. The letter from Bill Kersting was interesting, as it laid out some pretty specific ideas for resolving the next assault on our schoolchildren...

Another mass murder spree, more calls for stricter gun control. What's new? Not much, I'm afraid. While Congress either spins its wheels, or refuses to address an issue that keeps concerning more and more of us all, I believe there is a course of action we could take here in Iowa that at least offers some hope...

I want to respond to your request made in your One Man's Perspective column of Feb. 12. This had to do with the teacher in California who went off the deep end by totally denigrating those who serve in the military. He did this in a classroom, on the taxpayers' time, and it went viral. ...

Early in this year of 2018 (Jan. 5) the life of Mr. David Brown came to an end on this rock flying through space. His life was filled with helping people and students grow with wisdom and knowledge of life. It was my privilege to have taught and coached with Dave Brown from 1974-1980. ...

The gentleman doth protest too much, methinks. — H Schar, Spencer

Randy, it was good to see your response in the paper on Jan. 29 with regards to all of the negative attention that has been brought on our community. Some I agree with and some, not so much. But that’s human nature. I am not sending you this letter to criticize you in any way or respond to anything you wrote. This is simply my thoughts on things from my perspective after living in this community for 16 years...

The opinion piece published in the Storm Lake Times a few weeks ago was without a doubt a fiction. A Pulitzer Prize-winning paper should be embarrassed for publishing it. That the fiction went viral, and our high school students received the blame for something that never happened, is also shameful. The real question is why were so many people who live in Spencer so ready to believe this particular fiction?...

Your full-page editorial "Attacking our #CommUNITY" pin-pointed one of the two major failures of the disastrous eight-year reign of Barrack Hussein Obama. First of all, he "sissified" our military by allowing homosexuals and transgenders to openly serve, allowed "women in foxholes," lowered physical standards so females could qualify for special ops and decimated the general officer core. ...

Much of what the world now knows and believes about hell is based on Dante’s book “The Divine Comedy.” In it Dante states “The darkest places in hell are reserved for those who maintain their neutrality in times of moral crises.” It means in dangerous times, there is no greater sin than inaction. ...

I was 15 years old when my dad made his only trip to the Iowa State Basketball Tournament as a coach. For years, Spencer's teams were expected to get there but fell short, often bested by the Storm Lake Tornadoes in district play. Eventually, though, the stars aligned and with the entire Spencer community cheering them on, the "Cardiac Kids" finally earned a journey to the tourney. ...

I wanted to congratulate you on a wonderful “One Man’s Perspective” in Monday’s paper. I hope some other news sources start investigating a bit more in the future to all news stories. I’m sure you have spoken to many folks who were at the game(s) on Jan. ...

As I write this (on Jan. 20) I am reminded that on this date, in 2017, you were sworn in as our 45th president. Congratulations, Mr. President, on concluding an eventful, whirlwind sort of year! You have demonstrated that you are truly up for the challenge, and that you have the will and the energy to move our country toward greater and greater accomplishments. To your credit, you don't allow your detractors, name callers and malcontents to hold sway...

As I write this (on Jan. 20) I am reminded that on this date, in 2017, you were sworn in as our 45th president. Congratulations, Mr. President, on concluding an eventful, whirlwind sort of year! You have demonstrated that you are truly up for the challenge, and that you have the will and the energy to move our country toward greater and greater accomplishments. To your credit, you don't allow your detractors, name callers and malcontents to hold sway...

I was with a friend of mine one evening at one of the local watering holes enjoying an adult beverage and discussing the political events of the day when he quipped something about President Donald Trump that was factually inaccurate. I was surprised to learn that he didn't really know the facts surrounding his comment, he just repeated what he had heard from the various news sources that are known for their 30-second sound bites and disdain for Mr. Trump...

What happens after? This is a question that is with us throughout our lifetime. My first memory is a yellow school bus wondering what will happen after it stops for my first day of school. From that point on, life is a series of what happens after — grade school, high school, college, military service, marriage, children, unfortunately, in my case, divorce, remarriage, children, grand children, retirement and eventually death. ...

For the record, I am an American. I want to assure you that this president does not represent me. I find most of what he says repugnant, and in no way a reflection of what I think, believe or work for. While there are many in this country who do share his deplorable racist and xenophobic views, I want to make it perfectly clear that I am not one of them...

With the strains of Merle Haggard's "If We Make It Through December" playing softly in the background, it is time for some warm thoughts, going into 2018. From Merle's point of view "it's the coldest time of winter, and I shiver when I see the falling snow.” But Merle's not from Iowa, so he wasn't familiar with how brutal February can be. ...

I noted in the Tuesday edition of the Daily Reporter that one of our habitual letter writers had broken a promise to himself. I think he should have kept the promise; I’ve gotta side with Bob on this one. The figures we commonly refer to as our “founding fathers” did not start out as freedom fighters. ...

Tis the season for letting those close to you know what you want for Christmas. It can range from "my two front teeth" to "peace on earth,” and a whole lot of stuff in between. This year's requests could be a bit more daunting than in years past: universal acceptance of everyone's right to have/do just about anything or everything; accommodation for all that may be wrong in one's life, whether it be as a result of my own doing, or merely the hand that was dealt me; the right to unfettered immigration to America; the right to affordable (by whose definition?) health care; the right to be treated with respect; the right to possess firearms; the right to peacefully assemble; the right to speak my mind, and the list goes on.. ...

I promised myself I would NEVER respond to a letter from Robert Sneitzer until his letter in last Monday's Reporter. As a military veteran speaking, I hope for ALL veterans, I had no choice but to respond to his letter reeking with ignorance about the meaning of protest!...

Our country was founded by protestors — against the tyrannical rule of a colonizing foreign power; it was further strengthened by abolitionists, the women’s suffrage actions, civil rights and gay rights movements. Our country’s history displays the need for and the beneficial results of justifiable protest...

It's too late! We've been told all the necessary contracts have been signed, permits issued and all the Ts have been crossed and Is dotted for that #$^&%$@$% abomination known as Upland Prairie Wind now owned by Alliant Energy. And, it's a done deal! By the end of next year, we'll have 121 of those disgusting, noisy bird killers twirling merrily along (if wind blows hard enough) because of greed!...

This letter comes so late, yet I had to send it. When I wrote about the wonderful Clay County Fair Disability Day last September I didn’t realize that once again I would witness how magnificent the city of Spencer, Iowa, is with their warmth, kindness, caring, compassion, open arms of acceptance and fun-loving spirit...

Sharing the STEM Story We are striving every day to make northwest Iowa a beacon for STEM in Iowa, and we are well on our way. This kind of goal requires all hands-on deck, an eager board of STEM-passionate individuals and the ability to promote STEM in every capacity, all of which we have. ...

A week or so ago, I had a conversation with a sophomore from the University of Iowa. He was looking forward to a course he'd be taking next semester having to do with "the meaning of life.” I was encouraged by his enthusiasm, and am looking forward to hearing from him as he gets into the subject matter. Events of the past week or two have done much to contribute to my own view of this heady question. I'd like to share a bit of wisdom gleaned from some recent, local stories of interest...

Thanks to a sometimes writer for calling attention to a favorable happening during the Trump administration. A 15 percent gain in the Dow Jones Index since President Trump took office. I, along with others that invest in the market, saw a nice bump in our stock portfolio. I certainly hope it will continue...

I imagine the reaction to the story in the Nov. 10 edition of the Daily Reporter (Drive-time distraction leads to arrest) is a mixed bag, to say the least. It could include shock, a chuckle, disdain, pity, compassion, horror and/or genuine concern — to mention but a few. ...

I attended a visioning day for Arts On Grand this weekend, as I'm a co-vice president of the board of directors. This was a day to focus on the future of Arts On Grand. Many of the concerns for the organization are the same as the ones I've heard at board meetings at Clay County Heritage, where I'm the director, and concerns I've heard from friends involved at the Spencer Community Theatre, where I volunteer as an "actor." We are all concerned as our membership, fundraiser dollars, and sponsorships continue to decrease while our operating costs continue to increase. ...

By now, everyone knows there was indeed a sixth game of the World Series, as well as a seventh, and deciding game. I congratulate the Dodgers for making the 2017 Series one for the record books. My hat is off to The Houston Astros for living up to the hype and expectations. They split the games on the road, and took two of three in Houston. Great show, American League!...

Since I'm writing this letter prior to the start of Game 3 of the World Series, I don't know if there will be a Game 6 to discuss. In any event, to a diehard Yankee fan, it isn't an official World Series anyway, as the Yankees aren't in it. Be that as it may, I originally thought about needling your sports editor, since his Red Sox exited from the playoffs faster than my team. ...

Austin Crew, a 17-year-old, suffered a cardiac arrest near his parked vehicle after attending the football game between the high schools of Spencer and Storm Lake on Oct. 13. Quick actions saved Austin’s life. I was personally involved with the resuscitation after evaluating a young man lying on the pavement without movement. Several people had started to render aid and I evidently arrived when Austin became unresponsive...

Is it time to be worried, scared or terrified? The words and actions of the president are taking our country in the wrong direction say 66 percent of Americans. Many in congress, Democrats and Republicans are questioning the president’s stability and ability to govern. ...

OK, Mr. Editor, how about a big shout out for the Spencer Dream Center, as it prepares for its annual meeting and report to the community! It's called Unity for the Community, and will get going at 6 p.m., this Saturday the 21st, at Hope Reformed Church. ...

The city of Spencer ADA Council would like to thank the following individuals and organizations for their help with our “ADA: Let’s Get Practical” event held in Spencer from Oct. 9-12. Renaissance Initiative Grant from the city of Spencer, Clay County Community Foundation, Spencer Municipal Utilities, Sister’s Cafe, Spencer Community Schools, Fareway, Sacred Heart Catholic Church and School, Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School, Clay County Fair, Hy-Noon Kiwanis, Spencer Rotary Club, Bill Campbell, Nancy Naeve, Steve and Marti Bomgaars, Kirby Schmidt, Leann Jacobsen, Hope Haven, Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Iowa Workforce Development, Farmers Bank, More 104.9 radio, Hot 100 radio, The Daily Reporter and thank you to anyone we have forgotten to list here. ...

The rural residents of Clay County do not want to live in an industrial wind installation. They do not want to live with the extra noise day and night, do not want to be subjected to shadow strobing within their homes. They do not want to lose the ability for efficient aerial application on their crops, do not want heavy machinery driven over the tiles that if broken would impact many farms and not just the farm that is leased...

There are miscreants in the NFL, supported and held in high esteem by sports media, who think it is their right to kneel when the national anthem is played. It may be legal, but NOT right! Anyone with any sense of patriotism KNOWS this shows disrespect to the flag, our country and, most importantly, those of us who have served in the military — especially those who have given the ultimate sacrifice!...

I would like to ask all Spencer Schools support staff to join me in voting “Yes” to retain the Spencer Schools Support Staff Union. I am proud to be a part of the Spencer Community Schools education team. The riders on my bus know I will provide them a safe and secure ride to and from school each day. ...

In my unsolicited, yet no less relevant opinion, if divisiveness is one of the big bugaboos in the USA these days, why engage in divisive behavior as some form of "statement" or counteractive strategy? Standing, hand over heart, minus headgear, is the standard when the national anthem is sung or played. Kneeling, sitting or locking arms in a form of "unity protest" is nothing more than a divisive, intentional act meant to wrong-headedly call attention to an issue or cause...

“As a physician, I should be 'pro' factory farming. Think of all the new patients I could care for! The toxic gases, bacteria, and dander spewed into the air by CAFOs will increase the number of children that develop asthma if they live or go to school within 3 miles of a CAFO. ...

The First Amendment guarantees freedom of speech. This covers not only spoken or printed words, but actions as well. The Supreme Court has ruled that even political contributions to the party you support are covered. Actions — kneeling — by athletes during the playing of the national anthem to demonstrate their resistance to the blatant racism in our country is another form of free speech. ...

To those in the NFL who choose to use the time honored practice of standing at attention, hand over heart while “The Star Spangled Banner” is played, I have but one question: By using these moments to protest/demonstrate/show disdain, are you honoring the service to America of your own relatives, many of whom gave their life for this country? There are many other questions, such as "What other stunts do you have in mind?" What is your intended message for the youth of America, as they watch you "protest?” What words in the national anthem offend you? Do you wish to show allegiance to some other nation, and if so, please feel free to move there and take up residence. ...

My name is Michele. I am an Americans with Disabilities Act specialist. In October from Monday, Oct. 9 to Thursday, Oct. 12, I will be in Spencer to present to businesses, schools and service centers. I will also perform informal teaching surveys at several of your businesses including the Clay County Fairgrounds. ...

Seeing for some reason you didn’t want to print my “only” letter I usually write once a year on greed, I thought I might write on one appreciation, here goes. According to Websters New Pocket Dictionary, the word appreciation is known has value, enjoy, recognize rightly or gracefully. In other words, going out of your way to help somebody ya don’t even know. Is usually appreciated. Bringing somebody a plate of food (Example: Meals on Wheels mean a healthy tip) is appreciated...

Thanks to Russ Mitchell of the DCN for explaining the difference between an article, column and editorial for those that weren’t aware of the difference. For some time now, Messer’s Peterson and Fox have been decrying me and my opinions about our current administration published in our local papers. ...

The plot thickens! Thursday, Sept. 7, I had a letter in the Reporter questioning the role of the county attorney in our battle to convince the board of supervisors to increase the separation distance of a wind turbine from other peoples property. I ran into her at the fair and asked why the chairman of Planning and Zoning was told to abstain from voting. ...

Spencer's cub reporter Colin Van Westin (in his Sept. 7 "Colin You Out") attempted to put forth the case for allowing "Dreamers" to stay in the United States. Now I get it, "You gotta have a dream; if you don't have a dream, how you gonna have a dream come true?" (See the wonderful musical “South Pacific.”) Not one to quash the dreams of folks I don't even know, I certainly do not propose to be mean spirited or punitive. ...

As we enter yet another school year, we take time to reflect on the role of education in our lives and how it has contributed to making us the people we are today. The research is undeniable: when schools and communities embrace the arts — dance, music, theater, visual and media arts — students benefit, educators are more effective, and learning communities are revolutionized...

Is the "fix" in? For several months, many of us in Clay County have been trying to convince the board of supervisors to set reasonable distances away from other peoples property since Apex started soliciting easements luring landowners to sign easements waving $10,000 per wind turbine as an inducement. This, of course, would be unnecessary if they had checked with the neighbors before signing the easement...

The Aug. 31 Daily Reporter contained a truly remarkable letter from H. Schar. In it, he apologized for comments he had made earlier in a letter to the editor. My hat is off to H, as it took courage and an adherence to values we all are to be striving to attain. ...

I duly noted the letters to the editor in Monday’s Reporter criticizing comments I made in a letter previously submitted. They were right. I made unwarranted personal references in a letter on an otherwise unrelated subject. Not only should I not have done that, but it distracted from the tenure of the message I was trying to convey in the letter. Thank you for calling me on that. I will try to avoid this kind of personal exchange in any future correspondence with the Daily Reporter...

I was taken aback by the article in the Daily Reporter of Aug. 24 covering Governor Kim Reynolds’ visit to GrapeTree in Milford. What was disturbing was the claim that this business will add hundreds of jobs that will benefit our area economically. What the article does not say is that GrapeTree and several other medical staffing agencies in this state are not creating new jobs. ...

In reference to H. Schar's letter to the editor in the Aug. 22 edition, other than criticizing other people and using derogatory adjectives, there didn't seem to be any substance or point to the letter. It was very confusing as to a subject or information...

The latest article about the proposed IWTs fails to mention that while there are 143 rural residences in Waterford and Lone Tree townships that only nine of those residents have signed wind leases. The rest of the 35 signers are absentee landowners. ...

Award winning psychologist Thomas Lickona’s book “Character Matters” lists 10 essential qualities that must be developed in order to avoid irresponsible and destructive behavior in children as they grow into adulthood. They are: wisdom, justice, fortitude, self-control, love, a positive attitude, hard work, integrity, gratitude and humility. Many school systems have adopted his program to help our students grow to become purposeful and productive adults...

"Monday letters" author, old whatchamacallit, engaged in his usual specious rhetoric, insinuating I am the constant letter-writing companion of a fellow named Jerry. But rather than go further into an underbelly or wherever else H hangs out, let me assure the readers that there is no truth to this assertion. ...

After reading Monday's editorial, and two letters to the editor concerning the events in Charlottesville, I felt the need to respond. While all three writers seemed intent on emphasizing the need to share the blame equally for the violence, only one managed to even mention the fact that a woman died, and nowhere in any of them was the term terrorism used, much less "domestic terrorism.” Even our Republican senators felt the need to call Heather Heyer's death a terrorist act. ...

In light of the letters and commentary in the Monday Daily Reporter, I thought it appropriate to add a comment that I made recently on another platform. It is true that you get the government you deserve. While some like Jerry and his constant letter-writing companion Beavis are currently celebrating this idea, others are saying "I don't deserve this." Oh, no?...

As president and commander in chief, Donald Trump’s primary responsibility is to keep us safe — domestically and internationally. On the world front, his statements to North Korea that they face the possibility of “fire and fury like the world has never seen” would indicate the United States is “locked and loaded” ie: prepared to start a nuclear war. Who knows what action this would bring from China and Russia? Does this make anyone feel safe?...

I've struggled with this letter some three days now. At first I was going to chide the media, your publisher and others who just can't seem to say anything positive about President Trump. No matter the issue, he either says too much, says too little, says it too loudly, says it pre-emptively, says it too late, doesn't say it forcefully enough, or is somehow inept, inappropriate or incapable — in their humble opinion. ...

During his eight years as POTUS, Ronald Reagan was under constant attack from the media and liberals, but that was child’s play compared to the blistering attacks President Trump under goes every day! The recent events in Charlottesville and the reaction of the media is the “perfect storm” after eight years of a president who looked at everything through the eyes of a disadvantaged and persecuted member of a minority. He was never able to put aside his personal feelings and act like a president!...

Let me put it this way, your campaign to discredit Congressman Steve King at RAGBRAI, was nothing more than an old, tired tactic. Whether or not 90 percent of riders agreed with you is hardly a "fact" Mr. King is likely to concern himself with. I have no doubt that if I had told riders and crew members in front of the AARP booth that the bananas we handed out were made possible by King, that they would have consumed them gladly. ...

Clay County: With wind turbines, climate will change. The landscape of rural towns, beautiful fields and farmsteads will never in our lifetime be the same. The constant noise of turbines and swoosh of giant blades, every time the wind blows, will drown out the peace and calmness that we have known. The beauty of a night time sky, which we cannot buy, will be replaced with hundreds of red lights constantly going off and on for the rest of our lives...

The women and men who passed out free water to RAGBRAI bikers near Ayrshire were engaged in civil dialogue with bikers from all over the country. We were exercising our civil right to discuss in a respectful manner. Although a few riders shouted “Go Trump” or “Build a wall” as they rode by, it appeared that 90 percent agreed that Steve King is an embarrassment to Iowa. ...

I hadn’t planned to submit a letter this week, but after hearing President Trump’s speech to a group of law enforcement officers at Long Island, New York, this week, I just could not be silent. His speech was notorious for its embrace of aggressive tactics of police officers. He encouraged police not to be concerned about physical harm to people taken into custody. Laws are stacked against police he said. “Don’t be too nice.”...

RAGBRAI has come and gone. News accounts and editorials praised the community for stepping up and doing a great job of welcoming the riders and their crews. From my vantage point on the fairgrounds where AARP had their display, it was very apparent that people were having a good time and appreciated the opportunities and amenities. ...

There is an implicit promise from one generation to the next to deliver a society equal to, or better than the last. The bulwark of the defense and advance of this promise includes the institutions that make up our daily lives including our religious, government and legal institutions. The men and women who labor within these institutions carry a burden of selfless dedication to deliver on that promise...

I have read stories about industrial wind. I have read stories on that there is opposition to industrial wind but you have never done a story on why there is opposition to industrial wind in the Spencer Daily Reporter? I offered to write an article for the newspaper and you told me I could write a letter to the editor so here it is...

Finally! A local farmer with the chutzpah to defend wind! I applaud Mr. Kirksey for putting his “mouth where his money is!” (Did I get it backward?) But, most importantly, this gives me another opportunity to expose the fallacy that wind is “clean” energy when, after all the hoopla, is merely a tax dodge for the Warren Buffets of the world! Don’t believe me? In his own words “The only reason I invest in wind is for tax purposes.” He, the wind companies, farmers putting a wind turbine on their land and local governments increasing their tax revenue are NOT concerned about “wind” but the government SUBSIDIES associated with it! I have characterized this as “suckling the government teat,” but, contrary to the porcine population, they are NEVER weaned!. ...

Congratulations to Seth Boyes for his insightful column, "Aww, SNAP" I can't understand how our 535 elected congressmen and senators can say with a straight face that they are representing the American people, when in reality they're just licking the boots of the special interests who give them obscene funds...

On July 14, the New York Times reported a meeting between Donald Trump Jr. and Russian operatives that took place about one year ago, Trump Jr. then was forced to acknowledge, that in June 2016, he had met with Russian lawyer, Natalia Veselnitskaya and two other Russians, who promised damaging information on Hillary Clinton’s campaign. ...

The advent of wind turbines coming to my farming community has opened my eyes to a whole new set of societal issues. There is a clear delineation between those who embrace the idea of wind turbines and those who do not want anything to do with them...

The July 6 Colin You Out opinion piece, "Feds should continue funding to 'sanctuary cities,'” serves as the latest installment on my list of "Just Because You Can Doesn't Mean You Should" items. I'm sure there are many out there who line up on either side of the pro/con argument. ...

I vowed to not respond to every insane column written by the lads passing themselves off as newsmen at the Reporter, but Colin Van Weston (Colin You Out) “Feds should continue funding to sanctuary cities” makes me wonder if he truly believes the crap he writes! Does he believe we get to pick and choose which laws we obey? Does the government not have the right to deny funding to sanctuary cities who clearly violate federal law? The article implies he does which is, for all intents and purposes, anarchy!. ...

I must confess the June 19 "Ready Seth Go" opinion piece left me a bit befuddled. Was I entangled in some profound analysis (the "why" of a gunman's recent attack of the Republican Party's baseball team)? Or was I clanking around inside the writer's head, seeking a way out of the jungle? I'm not sure I figured it out, but I have a few observations to share...

Yet another story in Thursday’s Daily Reporter about our “diligent” supervisors addressing the concerns of wind turbines. Here’s a hint — if you are truly concerned about the impact on the citizens of Clay County — forget about the greedy land owners blinded by the $10,000/year and the impact on their tile lines and their farming operation. ...

The sore losers letters that have been frequently appearing in local newspapers have presented us with a smorgasbord of selected facts on the current administration. Not since the election of Franklin Roosevelt in 1932 and his inauguration in March 1933 have we seen such rapid changes being made to correct years of poor administration. ...

I hope you had a chance to drive by Riverside Cemetery in Spencer on Memorial Day. Over 1,200 flags waving in the breeze with another 200-plus at North Lawn Cemetery is certainly a sight to bring a lump to the throat! The Avenue of Flags was the vision on Frank Thomas and Jerry Dean in 1963 and it became a reality in1964 with approximately 90 flags in the first display, and it has now grown to approximately 1,450 flags, each representing a U.S. veteran who has passed away...

One of the health care facilities that rises above the call of duty is Northshire. After heart surgery, I was informed I needed recuperation therapy for a few weeks. I came here from Avera Hospital in Sioux Falls to work hard in gaining strength. These therapists exercise you enough you realize you need a nap...

You have a wonderful new facility for students and for their programs. It was a nice program for service rendered and retirees. Honoring of Mr. Tim Bates was something well deserved. The honor of being honored for 40 years as custodian for Spencer High School...

For the most part, Joe Hopper’s report on supervisor meeting yesterday was fairly accurate, but I think he needs a primer course on counting! Four weeks ago he said “approximately 18” attended when in reality the number was much higher, and he estimated the attendance yesterday as “more than 60” acknowledging the meeting room was packed, but he failed to mention a lot were also in the hallway...

It’s estimated that about 40 million people will be traveling this Memorial Day weekend to reach their vacation destinations or backyard barbecues — the highest number of travelers in 12 years. But congested highways won’t be the only thing aggravating drivers. Police across the country will once again be relying on sobriety checkpoints to catch drunk drivers...

May is Mental Health Month. Mental health is essential to everyone’s overall health and well-being, and mental illnesses are common and treatable. People experience symptoms of mental illnesses differently — and some engage in potentially dangerous or risky behaviors to avoid or cover up symptoms of a potential mental health problem. ...

If Staff Writer Colin Van Westen's purpose with his latest "Colin You Out" column is to stir up controversy, or try to promote permanent solutions to possibly temporary health issues, he's accomplished his goal. Not being a fan of previous offerings, when I saw his composition titled "Iowa needs to allow assisted-suicide,” I was less than enthused to see what was being presented. ...

Tuesday, May 23, at 10:30 a.m. the opponents of APEX/Alliant wind farm will be presenting our side to the board of supervisors. Apparently, according to the Daily Reporter, the “big guns” of APEX et al. presented the “glories” of wind to the supervisors at the May 9 meeting. It is now time to make it crystal clear to the supervisors there is another side to the story because a rather large majority of Clay County property owners do not want a turbine anywhere near their private property!...

Thanks to our local papers for providing a venue for people concerned about their government who are willing to take time to make their thoughts known. A recent piece “Dark Money” dealt with benefits being afforded so the super-rich get their way and the dictatorial order by President Trump to fire rockets on Syria without congressional approval. Thanks Ray for your thoughtful note!...

Throughout the month of May, the National Alliance on Mental Illness brings awareness to mental health conditions. The goals of Mental Health Awareness Month are to reduce the stigmas associated with mental illness, provide support to individuals and families and educate the public. By working together, more people are able to get the help they need, and families feel less isolated in their fight against mental illness...

Last month, one of the "Colin You Out" offerings grabbed my attention. I must admit, on first blush, the sentiments were not overwhelmingly warm or receptive. It has taken me over a week to come up with the words that describe how this piece has impacted me. Then an email I received from a good friend settled the matter. And it was not necessarily the way both he and I initially felt about Staff Writer Van Westen's contribution to the public discourse...

These days, topics for letters to the editor appear to be limitless. Many focus on the merits or deficiencies of those in elected office. Others choose to promote causes, the virtues of their favorite sports teams, or the troubles in all parts of the world. I prefer to be positive and upbeat, for the most part. However, some topics seldom go away, and the penchant for the news media to report (can we admit "over report?”) on others seems mostly laughable much of the time...

The news is out. Most Republicans that voted for Donald Trump think he is doing a great job. However, though Hillary Clinton got 48.2 percent, a 2.9 million advantage over Trump’s 46.1 percent in the popular vote, a number of Republicans must feel that Trump is not pleasing them, as his approval rating is at an all-time low of 40 percent...

To the editor It is not often that the same month highlights a number of truly vital causes. I'm not speaking of promoting cumquats, skiing naked or stuffing one's face with 300 little smokies in record time. No, I'm bringing to your attention three important things that are promoted in April: Alcohol Awareness, Child Abuse Prevention and the "Mind Your Meds" campaign...

Presidential travel bashing I had to laugh when I read the letter slamming President Obama’s travel expenses in the Sunday, April 9, Des Moines Register. According to the Washington Post, three trips to Mar-a-Lago by Trump cost an estimated $10 million. ...

Last Tuesday, 40-50 concerned citizens appeared before the board of supervisors wanting a definitive answer about the regulations (if any) dealing with the location of wind turbines. Presently, the only restriction is a wind turbine cannot be less than 1,250 feet from a residence or 110 percent of turbine height from other peoples property...

I am aghast at how many people — both cyclists and non-cyclists — believe that requiring cyclists to operate with bicycle lights will solve the growing number of fatalities on Iowa roadways. Iowa Code requires a cyclist operating on a highway at night to be visible from 300 feet, whether by lights or reflectors. Even when traveling at 55 mph, drivers have plenty of time to slow down or move over when cyclists are plainly evident from that distance...

Spencer High School's mission statement is as follows: "All students will develop maximum knowledge and skills to become lifelong learners and responsible citizens." Pretty straight forward and clear. Just what you'd expect from an institution that wants to be clear about its purpose for existence, namely the education of its students. ...

I realize, as I am about to finish my last semester at Spencer High School, how much I am going to miss my hometown. I was born at Spencer Hospital. I started going to Trinity Preschool and Daycare when I was 2. I met several kids there who are still my friends today. ...

I am an affected landowner and also on the board of the Preservation of Rural Iowa Alliance. For those who don't know, we are the nonprofit organization formed to oppose the transmission line proposed by Rock Island Clean Line, or RICL for short. The intended 375-mile route through Iowa to take wind power from O'Brien County to Chicago and on east will need to get many many parcels of land by eminent domain if they are to succeed with their plan. ...

If a news story appeared describing a national health problem that affected 20 percent of the United States population (roughly 64 million people), would it get your attention? Would you find it newsworthy? For decades, we've heard how post-traumatic stress disorder affects more than 15 percent of our military veterans. ...

Cold Hands Drowning already But you push me down And holding on tight Begging for air But you don't care You hold me down Push me further I can't breathe You just get larger And I get smaller Your cold hands grabbing me Killing my self-esteem I lay there...

Due to an emergency in our neighborhood I was recently required to dial 911. Within minutes (And I mean minutes) local police were on the scene, followed by Spencer Fire and Rescue. It was a very well orchestrated scene of teamwork. Our neighbor was stabilized and taken to ICU at the hospital. And thanks to these people a positive outcome has ensued...

I have noticed that in your newspaper that you allow for comments following any letter or article. This public podium has given many people the opportunity to give their feedback on any given issue without any personal responsibility. People are allowed to hide behind usernames that obscure their identity. Some writers have used this to become nothing more than cyber-bullies, attacking those who have been willing to stand up and give voice to community issues...

Every new company location or existing industry expansion project is unique. As I and my colleagues at the Iowa Lakes Corridor are currently working on 10 new and existing industry projects along with several start-up and young companies, we can attest that no two are ever alike. Following the public hearings at Spencer City Council on Aug. 19, I'd like to share how this California company and new food ingredient for export came to focus on Spencer...

From food stamps to student loans, federal lawmakers must balance the interests of the taxpaying public with the interests of the public good. It's part of the constitutional job description. As keepers of the public purse, members of Congress make tax and spending decisions that determine from whom revenue is raised and how those tax dollars are spent. Working under a cloud of a $17 trillion national debt, it's obvious that Washington can't tax-and-spend its way to prosperity...

Washingtonians brace themselves for the flood of tourists who come to soak in the monuments, museums and memorials that attract millions of visitors to the nation's capital every year. This summer is no exception. In spite of humidity that puts even the hardiest tourist to the test, families come to show the next generation where the people's business has taken place since 1791. ...

A recent poll showed 90 percent of Iowans believe every person in the state should have access to preventive health care like year check-ups, screenings and immunizations. But for thousands of low-income Iowans, routine health care with a family physician is financially out of reach because they are uninsured...

Imagine a health insurance plan where you pay nothing for your health care and have no incentives to improve your health. Imagine a plan that pays your doctors on quantity of services provided, instead of the quality of services and healthy outcomes...

Like hospital administrators across Iowa, I have the privilege of serving an organization whose mission is to promote good health. Our focus each day is to meet the health care needs of our community - to diagnose, to heal, to comfort and to promote wellness...

Along with a group of friends, I went on duck hunting trips in Canada and North Dakota every year for over 50 years. It was an important part of my life, and as a person who has owned a gun and hunted for many years, I have a great interest in the gun debate going on at this time in our country...

Thank you to all who attended the open house last month to celebrate Discovery House's 20-year anniversary. Some old friends returned and some new guests visited, including Marilyn Stetzel who lived in the house at one time with her late husband Richard and their children, before it became Discovery House...

The 27th annual Jump Rope for Heart was held Tuesday, March 19, from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Spencer High School Field House. Over 150 (4-6 grade) jumpers from Lincoln, Sacred Heart, and the Spencer Middle School participated in the event. $15,871.67 was raised through pledges collected from the community...

March 19, 2013 Dear Editor, Thank you, Randy, for your article about the safe return of your brother-in-law, Brent Juelfs. Congratulations to him! The article brought back memories for me of when our son returned from his first tour of duty in Iraq. ...

In the 1980s, musician Patti Smith wrote a rock 'n' roll anthem dedicated to the proposition that "the people have the power . . . to dream, to rule, to wrestle the world from fools . . . to turn the world around." This month, we're taking that "show" on the road...

The faint hum of grain being dried of a quiet evening. A marching band's rhythmic cadence as they practice on a cool morning. The sudden roar of the crowd at a "Friday Night Lights" showdown. The pulsating buzz of the cicada. These are just a few sounds you may be hearing that signal the change in seasons. As summer turns to fall, another sound we all will be hearing more of is the droning of diesel engines as our school bus fleets gear up for another year of school...

Using your wireless phone or your tablet doesn't happen unless we have our landline network. Wireless activities are made possible by a wireless signal that travels from the device to a wireless tower or router. Once that signal reaches that point, it is redirected through wire-based network that transports it to its destination...

Here we go again. People have lost their jobs, over 300 to 400 in Spencer alone, and the greedy gas suppliers are again raising their prices to way above normal pricing. Oil is not the cause as their prices have gone way down to $61 per barrel compared to over $120 a barrel last year. At these prices, gas should be $1.19 to $1.49 per gallon at the highest...

We would like to thank all of the volunteers for their time and effort in helping with the Little Tiger Relays. It is people like you that make it possible to have this kind of activity for the students. Just listening to the kids cheering for each other and seeing their excitement makes it all worthwhile. ...

Shame on anyone who would participate in the "TEA Party" demonstrations! Are you all in the 5 percent that earn over $250,000 a year? That's where the higher taxes are being sought. Paychecks increased recently with the lower Federal tax, for the other 95 percent...

The cow-calf refund was put into place in 1996. It was a good idea then, and it still is, particularly to encourage hard-working beginning farmers. Most young farmers start out with little capital. Labor is their biggest asset, making effort-intensive livestock production a logical initial investment...

The 2008-2009 Spencer varsity girls basketball season has ended. Many exciting and memorable moments have also come and gone. However, the great community support and involvement will never be forgotten. The support for our team during the 2008-2009 season was tremendous. Who will ever forget the crowd at Estherville in the Regional Final Game against No. 2 rated and then-undefeated Algona? The crowd that night was unbelievable...

Across the United States, March is recognized as American Red Cross Month. As one of the nation's best known humanitarian organizations, the Red Cross has been at the forefront of helping Americans prevent, prepare for and respond to large and small disasters for 127 years. Communities depend on the Red Cross in times of need, and the Red Cross depends on the support of the American people to achieve its mission...