Letters to the Editor

While rummaging through files the other day, I discovered some old newspapers that had been preserved by me and by my parents. These particular newpapers reflected events of significant historical importance. While the papers are yellowed, the print remains readable and surprisingly current in relation to these days in which we live...

Last week the serial anti-Trump letter writer tried to present a distorted view of the Ukraine impeachment effort. The first "whistleblower" did not have firsthand knowledge of what was said on the telephone call between President Trump and Ukraine President Zelensky. ...

The board of directors and members of the East Okoboji Lakes Improvement Corporation (EOLIC) were saddened to learn of the passing of one of our founding members, Dr. Al Klein. His signature was on our articles of incorporation in 1968 and he and his wife Sheila remained members in good standing to this day...

I appreciate the recent letter to the editor asking "who is listening?" written in response to the millions of youth worldwide that called for climate action during the Sept. 20 Youth Climate Strike. It is tempting to paint a dismal picture of climate denial among our leaders, but as a youth told me at recent Citizens Climate Lobby meeting: "There are good things happening! It just gets drowned out in social media frenzies. We need to pay better attention."...

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. ...

Team WAVE and the City of Arnolds Park would like to thank everyone who participated in our Adopt-A-Flowerbed program. Some of you have been part of our Adopt-A-Bed program for several years. Helping us keep our landscaped areas of the city clean and beautiful for everyone to enjoy is no easy task, and we thank you for your part in that. ...

On Sept. 20, 2019, 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. ...

Last week the serial anti-Trump letter writer tried to find a new way to make President Trump look bad. Fortunately, the Trump hating crowd is running out of new ideas. First, we had two years of Trump is guilty of Russian collaborator. When the Mueller Report debunked that theory it was necessary to think up new ideas. ...

Who controls your property tax bill? The county assessor does NOT determine your bill. Members of your city council, the county board of supervisors and school boards have the largest impact on your final bill when they set their budgets. Property taxes are complicated, but the basic formula is simple: assessed value multiplied by rate equals your bill. ...

My name is Kacey Krieger, and I am a part of Spirit Lake High School's Student Council. I am reaching out in hope of informing the community about our 2019 homecoming events! This year our homecoming week is Monday, Sept. 30 through Friday, Oct. 4. Our theme is "Home Sweet Homecoming."...

  For over 15 years, Spirit Lake and surrounding communities have been supporting the local blood bank, LifeServe Blood Center, at the community blood drives coordinated by John Guthrie. The blood drive was held Tuesday, Sept. 10, to help the blood center keep units on hand for hospital patients across the tri-state area. ...

President Trump stated: "I could stand in the middle of 5th 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...

Please support Spirit Lake Schools on their desire to extend the Revenue Purpose Statement (RPS) in the upcoming special election. The passage of this RPS does not increase property taxes! What the RPS does allow is for the Spirit Lake Schools to receive one cent sales tax money based on enrollment — which has been used for computers, building upgrades and much more since 2012...

1. Voting "yes" will not increase your property taxes. 2. Voting "yes" allows our district an additional 20 years of access to the nearly $1 million/year we are already generating. 3. Voting "yes" will now allow our district to fund safety and security needs to better secure our entrances, etc. (No one will ever regret making it harder for an active shooter to enter a building.)...

I appreciate the mutuality that has developed in discussion between Vergene Donovan and I about Steve King's recent rape and incest remarks. It illustrates the power of civil discourse. I will add that when confronted, post-remarks, with the example of a 10-year-old incest victim who would lose her life carrying the resulting pregnancy to term, Congressmen King demurred, deferring an answer as to whether he would view the termination of such a pregnancy acceptable...

Are we creating avian killing fields in Dickinson County, Iowa?
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 religions. 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 the 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 recently emerged from a store on a beautiful day in the Iowa Great Lakes. On my way to the car, I stepped over a lost penny on the ground. In today's society, we often think of a single penny as something without much value. It can seem like a nuisance to carry the extra weight around in a pocket or handbag, and we’re quick to toss a single penny into the change cup at the gas station for the next person who might need one...

Spirit Lake, I commend you and congratulate you. Our blood drive on Aug. 19 was a huge success and we made our goal. This is twice in a row and I am so proud of all you people that gave to this worthy cause. Our goal was 37 and we had 37 total units! Pat yourselves on the back...

My Congressional representative Steve King just attacked the foundation of the human family by casting incest in a positive light. The incest taboo is universal — all cultures and people of all faiths observe it. Our very humanity is based in the stability of our family ties. ...

Last week the serial anti-Trump letter writer tried to read President Trump's mind. It isn't necessary to read his mind because he tells you exactly what he is thinking. How refreshing to have a politician that tells you exactly what is on his mind...

Kudos to Steve Weisman and the DCN for outstanding coverage of the Prairie Lakes Conference field day tour of the Wallace & Bowers Nature Area. Owing to the generosity of a couple families, many Lakes area contributors, ownership and management by the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, Wallace & Bowers provides a textbook example and material contribution to our Lakes area water and soil quality. A perfect balance of sound agriculture and conservation...

The Iowa Great Lakes Rotary Club would like to thank everyone who helped make our third annual Boji Brew Fest event Aug. 3 at Arnolds Park Central Park a great success. A special thank you to the members of PEO, Chapter PA Spirit Lake, and spouses who volunteered along with our club members to make set up, ticket sales and tear down run smoothly...

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."...

The end of the summer season is near, but we can still remember the sound of feet hitting the pavement during the Pioneer Days run and the laughter of children enjoying inflatable attractions at Florence Park. We saw the grand opening of a new park. Floats and firetrucks from throughout the region gave us unforgettable sights and sounds. Milford honored a group of its finest residents as part of the annual parade...

  Arts On Grand and myself are overwhelmed with gratitude for those who helped make Backyard Bach and Blues a success this year. Backyard Bach and Blues was hosted at the Conover Residence in Spencer Saturday July 27, and it was a beautiful evening for the 220-plus attendees...

I would like to thank Russ Mitchell and others who worked on the mental health series in the recent editions of the Dickinson County News. He covered our son Jeff's story in a matter of fact way but also in a compassionate way. Not a day goes by that we don't grieve him in some way, and hopefully by sharing his story it can help someone else...

Are you often frustrated with how slowly government operates? A recent situation demonstrates when government wants to move fast they can, but that doesn't always lead to good decision making. Consider what happened when Dickinson County wanted to reduce the speed limit on the straight-away portion of Stakeout Road. ...

As the chairman of the Northwest Iowa Cares Connection Mental Health Regional Board, I feel I need to respond to Representative John Wills "The True Story" column in the July 17 edition of The Dickinson County News, as it gives the impression that all is financially well in the mental health world...

The LifeServe Blood Center blood drive sponsored by the Spirit Lake Community on Tuesday, July 9, had a great turn-out! Thirty-nine donors registered and 42 life-saving units of blood were donated. Thank you to everyone that came out to help boost the local blood supply. The units donated at the blood drive can help save up to 126 lives. There were a few milestone donors, who are listed below and a special thanks to John Guthrie for sponsoring and hosting the blood drive...

I am writing in regard to the life and preservation of Lower Gar Lake. This lake is the drain for all of the Iowa Great Lakes. The tubes placed at the south end have been helpful. I know some proposing another tube of some type to be placed to govern further drainage and adjust all-of the lakes' levels. This is in order to preserve the shorelines...

Are you a fan of Iowa Lakeside Lab? If so, please consider helping with the following fundraising challenge. The Okoboji Foundation has announced their incentive to once again help the Nonprofit Partners in their Family of Funds (like the Friends) grow their individual endowments. The Okoboji Foundation is offering an additional $5,000 award to the Partner fund that gets the most on-line contributions during the month of July. Check it out at Challenge at GiveOkoboji.com...

I became a board member of the Conservation Foundation of Dickinson County in 2018 because it's a way I can contribute to the Iowa Great Lakes community. The CFDC is a non-profit organization that is responsible for fundraising and donations that support improvements at the more than 10 county parks and areas owned and managed by the Dickinson County Conservation Board in Dickinson County. ...

During the past year thousands of Americans have died needlessly. In the age group 0-19 years, 47 children were shot every day in America, in murders, assaults, suicides unintentional shootings or police interventions. Each day eight of them died. This past year 17,207 children were shot in murders, assaults, suicides, unintentional shootings or police interventions and 2,737 of them died of gun violence...

Call me "old fashioned'." I thought when people chose to run for elected offices, they did so in order to help their constituents — help them to improve their lives, strengthen their communities, to strengthen rather than divide. Imagine my surprise and dismay, when Joni Ernst opened her re-election campaign with "The forces of the radical, socialist left are on the march across our state and our nation". "We must,...do our part to defeat them."...

The first known accusation of rape against President 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 publicly 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...

I am a 1969 graduate of Iowa Lakes Community College (ILCC). That year, John Denver and the Mitchell Trio performed in concert on the ILCC campus. The commencement speaker was the then Iowa Governor Harold Hughes. Since my graduation from ILCC, I have watched the college grow and increase the number of campuses to five; one each in the principal counties served. During that 50-year period, the school has added a number of career and technical programs...

During Michael Cohen's testimony to Congress, he produced letters Trump directed him to send to Trump's high school and colleges, threatening them with legal action and jail time if they ever released his academic records. A seemingly strange thing to do when he repeatedly claimed that he graduated "first in his class" from the Warton School of Business at Penn. ...

School minutes from May 13, 2019: "Hanson/Johnson moved to approve resolution approving project and authorizing consideration of acquisition of real estate and potential use of power of eminent domain at 1602 Sixth St., Milford and 803 H Ave., Milford. A vote was taken as follows: Yes votes — Droegmiller, Johnson, Hansen. Absent — Weaver, Dodge. Motion carried."...

  Last week the serial anti-Trump letter writer thought President Trump received a poor reception in London. The American press did report it negatively, however the United Kingdom press had a very positive report. This is further proof the American national media knows only one way to report the news about President Trump – negative...

The Stephens College students are back in Okoboji and settled into the OST campus. Thanks to the generosity of local businesses and Okoboji Summer Theatre Association members, we were able to give them welcome bags. These contained information about the area, coupons, food items, and clothing. The following local businesses provided gift items:...

President 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. The Tuesday protest crowd in Trafalgar Square was again supersized...

Last week, the serial anti-Trump letter writer asked if President Trump is the most transparent ever. I would answer – yes, he is. When President Trump says something, you know that is what he is thinking. It is not what some focus group thinks will be popular that will never be implemented...

Rep. Wills was loud and proud of Iowa's ranking as number one state in the nation. He attributed the success to the unified Republican government. But now that we’ve fallen in the rankings to number 14, he hasn't said a word. Most troublingly, Iowa ranks as number 41 in the entire United States when it comes to air and water quality — the lifeblood of our community and economy...

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. ...

The Good Neighbor Fund has provided an opportunity for our whole community to give generously to a wide variety of causes. The Lakes Area Hockey Association is so grateful for this year’s Good Neighbor support of some of the equipment needs of our Phase 3 Capital campaign...

Spirit Lake, I commend you and congratulate you. Our blood drive on May 20 was a huge success and we went over our goal — the first time in several years. Our goal was 35 and we had 43 total units! Pat yourselves on the back. We had six double reds (which accounts for 12 unites) 31 whole blood, one incomplete and three deferred. We had many appointments and most of them came. We also had numerous people that didn't have appointments and for that we are grateful...

Community Advocates Ready to Empower Survivors (CARES) would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the following businesses and individuals for their generous sponsorships and donations for our 3rd Annual Carnival on April 27. Our wonderful donors and volunteers made it a successful event...

  For over 15 years, Spirit Lake and surrounding communities have been supporting the local blood bank, LifeServe Blood Center, at the community blood drives coordinated by John Guthrie. The blood drive was held this past Tuesday, May 14 to help the blood center keep units on hand for hospital patients across the tristate area. Several donors showed their support for saving local lives by donating blood...