This past week brought perfect ice-making weather. It may not have been everyone’s idea of a great time, but for ice fishing enthusiasts, it was the kind of weather we had been waiting for quite a while. While recent seasons have been tricky, hopefully this cold streak will have the ice ...
It has been a difficult start to the year at the Marshall County Courthouse with the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Supervisor Kevin Goodman. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him as his passion for life and all that he involved himself in was contagious. While Kevin himself can never be replaced, his open position must be filled. How Kevin viewed his role as County Supervisor is a really good guide to all those willing to serve the public. Kevin was incredibly bright and had a great background in farming, baseball, history and interest in politics. Add in his ability ...
I was turning 50 a few months ago and I was a little apprehensive about it. It’s a milestone birthday that felt a little more palpable — like it hit me harder than other birthdays. Following suit with some of my classmates, I decided to post a picture of me on Facebook denoting my half ...
Iowa is an agricultural state and plays a major role in feeding America and the rest of the world. Iowa has the best soil in the world. We need to value the impact that agriculture has on our economy and Iowans who are involved in that industry. We must realize that we have work to do in water quality for the benefit of all Iowans. Having an abundant supply of clean water will determine our economic growth for the decades to come. We have all heard about the high nitrate levels that were found in our water supply. There has been plenty of finger-pointing on who is at fault. Iowa ...
Rural Iowa schools are deeply committed to maintaining quality education, but they must continually navigate the fiscal pressures of shrinking enrollment and stagnant local tax bases. In some counties, a steady fiscal boost has arrived in the form of tax revenue from local wind energy projects, which can fund school facilities and other infrastructure improvements while also offering tax relief by lowering the general levy rate. Unfortunately, the strength of this tax benefit is largely misunderstood. Iowa’s educational funding system equalizes per-pupil spending through the general ...
When I was in the throes of cancer treatment and so miserable with nausea and the lower GI’s, I ran across this aphorism: “What Cancer Cannot Do! Cancer is so limited...It cannot cripple Love; It cannot shatter Hope; It cannot corrode Faith; It cannot destroy Peace; It cannot kill Friendship; It cannot suppress Memories; It cannot silence Courage; It cannot invade the Soul; It cannot steal Eternal Life; It cannot conquer the Spirit. Author Unknown” I printed this maxim and posted it within easy sight of my recliner where I spend a goodly amount of time on the pity pot. Then I ...
