Letters to the Editor

In 1994, the Clay County Fair employed me as general manager. I was there until 1999 when I left for an opportunity in the Twin Cities. It was fall of that year and the Save the (Arnolds) Park campaign had achieved its astonishing success. Of course I was aware of the campaign and knew some of its principals but only a few well. Paul Hedberg was one I knew well from both the Spencer fair and my time at the Minnesota State Fair; Berkley Bedell was not...

Last week in a Letter to the Editor, the author was quite agitated over what was called President Trump's multiple "rants." Funny, I don't remember any Trump "rant." Calling comments from the President of the United States a "rant" demonstrates that the author is unable to evaluate the President's actions in a fair and impartial manner...

I contemplated writing about key positive issues or programs that could be introduced after our next election. However, following President Trump's Rose Garden rant, his recent TV interviews, his rebooting of misinformation/politicizing the COVID-19 crisis and now his dispatching federal militia into sovereign cities managed by political opponents, it becomes more important we seriously study history of constitutional democratic demise! Trump's actions flaunt the concerns of Hamilton and other founders in creating the American presidency they perceived to be based upon trust of mutual toleration and institutional forbearance.. ...

By Judy Palmer The red-wing blackbird nibbles at the feeder As the wind whips flags on the white docks. Boats traverse across the lake as the Wind excites wakes so skiers can jump them. --- Sightseeing boats carry chairs filled with Awestruck dreamers of what might be...

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of the businesses and parents who made our Spirit Lake Junior Senior "Evening in The Park" such a huge success! The event was held on June 21, and included amusement park rides, a dance in the Roof Garden, lots of food, a hypnotist and life-long memories made.   We couldn’t have had such an amazing "final" event for our class of 2020 seniors and class of 2021 juniors without the support and gracious donations from Arnolds Park Amusement Park, Pizza Ranch in Spirit Lake, Godfather’s Pizza in Milford, Spudnutz in Okoboji,  Spirit Lake After Prom and all the generous parents who volunteered to ensure the event ran smooth and safe.. ...

LifeServe would like to thank those who came out on July 7 to give the gift of life during this time. Being in a middle of a global pandemic, Spirit Lake individuals knew how important it was to donate when you are well and healthy. Spirit Lake Community registered 32 donors, collected 38 lifesaving products, had no first time donors, and saved over 114 lives! Once again, thank you. ...

Last week in a Letter to the Editor the author suggested that since President Trump has committed so many crimes he will surely would be indicted and sent to prison. In a town that has 93 percent democratic voters one would think it would be difficult to find a jury that would not convict a Republican president. With all of those resources digging for any dirt on President Trump they surely would have found some crimes after four years of searching. Let’s see how they have done so far...

As the July 4 holiday approaches, let's take a moment to think about what makes our community special, and what it will take to keep it that way. The Iowa Great Lakes are known for family-friendly fun, spectacular natural beauty, high-quality dining and other amenities, and — most importantly — a population that truly cares for one another. ...

Just about every cabinet department has been corrupted during Trump's Administration but none as overtly and grossly as the Department of Justice under the direction of William Barr. His total disregard for his oath of office to support our Constitution, disdain for the DOJ institution and use of the DOJ to cover President Trump's personal prejudices and biases is a dangerous national disgrace. Actions such as:...

I take total exception to State Senator Zach Whiting's summation of HF2486 — that it assures safe, secure and reliable rules to follow for Iowans to vote. He states voter ID legislation must be enforced, that it sets checks and balances for the Secretary of State under emergency powers, that no more than 35% of polling places can be closed in an emergency and finally acceptable absentee applications must complete all information...

Not far from the Dickinson County Fairgrounds and St. Mary's Catholic Church, is a little section of unpaved gravel road. It's an odd spot — part city, part county — with agricultural fields and two old farm houses that have lined either side of the road for over 100 years...

I hardly know where to begin. This past week of "slumber party antics" by the Iowa Legislature has left me with a mixture of disappointment, anger and confusion. Late Saturday night, our esteemed representatives voted not only to suppress the votes of those who elected them, but, in essence, vowed to put us all in harm's way. ...

Northwest Iowa Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) volunteers, all 55 or older, fit into the vulnerable population definition of COVID-19 and frequently serve vulnerable populations from young children to seniors. Since late March 2020, Northwest Iowa RSVP suspended the usual volunteer activities to help protect volunteers, staff, and clients. ...

Having been in the area for 20+ years we at Cherish Center know firsthand how phenomenal this community is! Still, when we received the incredibly generous donations totaling $5,088.96 that many of you from Spirit Lake and Okoboji gave through the Good Neighbor Fund we were blown away!...

On Monday, May 18, my wife, Connie and I went to the Walmart at Spirit Lake. Connie went into the store and I stayed in the van. It was 11:15 a.m. There was only one entrance open (west doors). The entrance is fenced off so one has to navigate that passage to enter the store. ...

LifeServe would like to thank those you came out on May 13 to give the gift of life during this time. Being in a middle of a global pandemic, Spirit Lake individuals knew how important it was to donate when you are well and healthy. Spirit Lake Community registered 47 donors, collected 53 lifesaving products, had three first time donors and saved over 159 lives! Once again, thank you. ...

We had another very successful Red Cross Blood Drive in Spirit Lake where we had registered 52 donors, received 45 units of blood (which was our goal), had eight donors of power red blood with only three deferrals. Due to this recent COVID-19 pandemic, the protocol for donating blood changed. ...

There is no question the COVID-19 pandemic has had a serious impact on Iowans. Most have been doing their part to slow the spread of the disease, whether that means staying home or stepping up. Iowa’s ethanol producers like Green Plains are no exception. When conventional supplies ran low, we donated ethanol for hand sanitizer production in Iowa and Nebraska...

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 as we further enhance our facility with much needed coin-operated locker facilities for those who utilize our facility...

Everyone should read and study carefully the Gettysburg Address by Abraham Lincoln (attached below). Then spend some time thinking about what Lincoln's words really mean. A lot of people in the past have sacrificed their lives for our country's ideals, and the most important is that all men and women are created equal, and have equal rights according to the Constitution...

  On behalf of The Humane Society of Northwest Iowa, we want to extend our sincerest gratitude to the Good Neighbor Fund for the generous contribution to the homeless animals residing with the Humane Society. Your very generous donation will surely have a significant impact as we will be using this to install emergency exit lighting as well as fulfill medical needs of our animals. ...

Hope Haven has recently received $8,193.12 from the Good Neighbor Fund of Spirit Lake and Okoboji. We are so thankful for their generous support of the renovation of our office building located in downtown Spirit Lake. The building was in great need of repair and restructure, and the renovation also honored the building’s history as a local firehouse, with some restoration to original architectural details. ...

My name is Marchetta Stillwell White. I live in Beeville, Texas. I am looking for any relatives of my parents Cecile Voigt and Benjamin Franklin (Frank) Stillwell. I am interested in finding more about my paternal family. I was born June 5, 1938, in Spirit Lake. ...

Last week in a Letter to the Editor, the author tried to make the case that for the last 40 years our country has been running amok. The writer listed the sins of the federal government as: "successive deregulations, massive tax cuts, unattended infrastructure, environmental deregulation, multiple war zones, unraveling of unions, assault of women's rights, gerrymandering voting rights, overbearing lobbyist influence, disregard for science, public education downfall, unsustainable wealth gap, rapid middle-class erosion, and recent 'government deconstruction' efforts." It is a wonder the country functioned at all considering all of these ills. ...

Upper Des Moines Opportunity Inc. (UDMO) would like to extend our appreciation and thanks for the monetary donation given to us for the Good Neighbor Fund, and also to our local people who support the Good Neighbor Fund. This donation is utilized in so many ways to assist UDMO consumers in need. your support is greatly appreciated...

I just received a generous check from the Good Neighbor Agency to support the Voluntary Action Center and its work with the Healthy Hometown and other food insecurity groups. It still overwhelms me when I think about how generous people in our community are...

The 1980 election year was highlighted by a campaign quote, "Government is not the solution; government is the problem." Today, 40 years later, after successive deregulations, massive tax cuts, unattended infrastructure, environmental degradation, multiple war zones, unraveling of unions, assault on women's rights, gerrymandering voting districts, overbearing lobbyist influence, disregard for science, public education downfall, unsustainable wealth gap, rapid middle-class erosion and recent "government deconstruction" efforts we now face the results.. ...

I am writing to address a comment that was made during the March 9 Milford Council Meeting by an Okoboji School District employee in regard to the city of Milford using eminent domain to take property from her family in the late 1990s. This comment came about because the Milford City Council had passed a resolution taking a formal position against the Okoboji School District Board of Education's action to use eminent domain to take private property...

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. He was the orthopedic surgeon who answered the call when a bus crashed in Tanzania, Africa, in 2017...

Each year the Iowa Great Lakes area enjoys the visit of thousands of tourists spending millions of dollars at Arnolds Park, in bars, restaurants, hotels, etc. This summer will be different. I expect we will see few if any tourists due to forced closures...

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 or opening your summer homes. ...

The Operation Barnabas Committee of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Spirit Lake was planning to launch a suicide awareness/prevention program for veterans beginning on Memorial Day Weekend, however due to the increase in anxiety and stress attributed to the coronavirus they have decided to release parts of their initiative now under the title: "There's Hope There's Help"...

Last Monday evening (March 16) I attended the Okoboji School Board meeting that was moved to the elementary gym due to the COVID-19 virus concerns. A lawyer spoke to the school board that we could not hear, and a copy from this lawyer's office addressed to the board secretary was distributed to all during the open forum. It contained objections and explanation of objections with regard to the sale of the Okoboji Middle School...

I attended the public hearing on the sale of the Middle School last Monday night, March 16, 2020, followed by their regular meeting and, after reading the minutes published on the school website, I wondered if I had been at the same meeting. Oh, that’s right – the noise from the HVAC system in the OES gym was so loud that nearly all the conversation and dialogue of the meeting were drowned out...

Last week in a Letter to the Editor an author stated his opinion that President Trump was incompetent. Is that fact or fiction? When Democrats can't get the public to go along with their policies for more government, free health care, open borders and elimination of fossil fuel they resort to character assassination...

I am 96 years old and still concerned about my country! I would like to share some of my recent conversation I had with Iowa's U.S. Representative Steve King when he came to visit me. One of the first questions I asked him was, "Why is he running for Congress again?" He said he was born and raised in our district, he married his high school sweet heart, moved to the home where they have lived in for 48-plus years...

March is National Social Work Month. This month is a time to celebrate the workers who have dedicated their lives to serving the Iowa children and families who are so often overlooked by our society. They put in long hours doing some of the most difficult work in the state. ...

During my 28 years of corporate participation, both as an employee and management principal, I experienced and studied successful and unsuccessful leadership qualities for corporate entities and historical periods. Successful leadership qualities without question center on inspiration, honesty, fairness, truth and integrity. ...

The money earned from the 9th Annual Get Up and Bowl for Special Olympics will be shared among Spirit lake Park & Hope Haven North's Special Olympic Teams. Everyone involved had a wonderful day of bowling and bidding at the silent auction. The support the teams received from our community is unbelievable. Get Up and Bowl is a chance for businesses, families, and friends to come together and have fun while helping support our Special Olympics community!...

Your review of past miscarriages of justice by our government and their similarity to the actions of our current president should be seen by all Americans as another tragedy in the making. Since the days of the Emancipation Proclamation there has been a latent element of racism in small parts of our population. No president since then has supported this prejudice till the current holder of this office...

This past week the Senate acquitted President Trump of impeachment charges by holding a sham trial without calling any witnesses or producing any documents. The Trump team stated his actions were proper because they were made "in the public interest." Mr. ...

The Christian right makes up a significant share of the Republican Party, claiming that they share the same values. Feb. 5, in a speech to the Senate prior to the impeachment vote, Sen. 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. ...