Letters to the Editor

Before I begin, let me point out that my views do not necessarily reflect that of the rest of the council, the mayor, or the administration! In reference to the letter sent last week addressing the police force and their lack of effort in investigating vandalism at Florence Park in Milford, maybe you should have done some homework before broadcasting instead of tuning in. ...

Dear Editor,   Today on CNN, Steve King was reported to have said that former President Barack Obama is partly responsible for the severe bipartisanship we are experiencing today. Shame on Mr. King. Apparently he has failed to remember that, on the night President Obama took the oath of office for his first term, Republicans held a meeting in which they pledged to do everything they could to discredit Obama and keep him from bringing forth any of his campaign promises. ...

The sore loser letters that have been frequently appearing in local newspapers has 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 of 1933 have we seen such rapid changes being made to correct years of poor administration. ...

This week I received a letter from a self-described “committed conservative and ardent supporter of the constitution” asking me to stop writing letters to the editor. Stating “Us Trump supporters certainly know by now that you don’t like or agree with him.” Further, that like so many of your fellow Trump opponents, your actions are counter-productive and detrimental to the common good...

Thursday, May 18 was as ordinary as they come in the mostly-quiet city of Milford, with the exception of the sweltering spring heat, of course. The children rode the bus to yet another day of school at Okoboji, the banks, restaurants and grocery store opened as they did every morning and the otherwise silent Florence Park waited for the families to come and play on it in the afternoon...

Is “climate change” guaranteed to bring us higher temperatures? Can man change the world’s climate? Back in the 1950s, we tried to create rain by seeding the clouds. We were not successful then and haven’t been more successful since in trying to control the weather...

Well, I certainly never thought I would be sending a letter like this one. But I must say, I already miss going to track meets and soccer matches! I say this more out of an acknowledgement of the efforts of our students than I do out of an understanding of what I am seeing (in either case). ...

I spent over six years as a commissioner on the Environmental Protection Commission. Members of Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement spoke at most of our meetings in favor of cleaner water, and their solution was a moratorium on livestock expansion. I admire their goal of cleaner water — something we all want — but I disagree with their solution...

There seems to be some confusion in politics these days. Often it’s caused by not looking at all the facts. In a recent letter, the author thought that a reference to “super rich” should describe Hillary Clinton rather than President Trump because she raised more campaign money than he did. The Clintons are well off, but speaking of his personal wealth, President Trump, stating that he is very, very rich surely has the edge here...

In a recent letter to the editor about “Dark Money” the writer expressed the opinion that the “super rich” get their way – implying he meant President Trump. I would have thought he meant Hillary Clinton since she raised twice as many dollars in campaign funds as President Trump. Most of Hillary’s campaign money came from the “super rich” and Wall Street...

I want to extend a big “THANK YOU” to the Good Neighbor Agency and all of our community members who donated generously to their fundraising effort last fall. The donation that Meals on Wheels receives from our portion of the proceeds helps provide meals to the disabled and senior homebound population of the Iowa Great Lakes Region...

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!...

Dickinson County CARES would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the following businesses and individuals for their generous support and donations for our CARES Carnival on April 22: Anne Jackson, Andrea Loerts, Arnolds Park Amusement, Arrowwood/Minerva's, Blank Park Zoo, Boulders Inn of Okoboji, Bridges Bay/Boji Splash Water Park, Brooks Golf Club, Business Today, Casey's General Stores, Carolan Rental & N-Flatable Fun, Central Bank, Christiansen-Bieri Dental Office, Coca-Cola, Daily Addiction, Dickinson County News, Elegance, Fare You Well food truck, Fareway, Farmers Savings Bank, Fridley Theatres, Grand Occasions, Grapetree, Great Lakes Edging, Great Lakes Motors, Hey, Good Cookies!, Hy-Vee, Iowa Lakes Community College, Indian Hills Golf Course, Jensen Realty, Jimmy Johns, Kathy Sprague, Lakes News Shopper, Milford Kiwanis, Kozy Heat, L & C Tire, Lisa’s Bakery, Lolo’s Cupcakes, Mary's Gift Shoppe, McKeen’s Pub & Grill, MHR Insurance, Milford Well Service, Missy Webber, Motor Inn, Ms. ...

Thank you again, Spirit Lake, for coming out and giving the blood of life on May 15, for the American Red Cross. We had a fairly good turn out but missed our goal by 3 pints. We had only two deferrals, 6-for-12 double red cells making a total of 44 units and our goal was 47 so only missed it by a few. We had 40 presenting donors...

After reading the article, by Seth Boyes, in the Dickinson County News, April 25, 2017, titled “Opposition greets manure management plan near Terril,” I have to say, I was taken back by the vast amount of misinformation that came from the board of supervisors meeting...

The writer of a recent Letter to the Editor seems to be confused about support for President Trump. He noted that Hillary Clinton received 3 million more votes than Donald Trump. What seems to be forgotten is – that since the inception of our country – our President is elected by the Electoral College. ...

This time of year, companies who are in the business of making money off of our emotions are successfully creating pictures in our minds of smiling families surrounding a mother and a father in celebration. However, many parents find Mother’s Day and Father’s day to be one of dread and sadness. So, it is important to remember moms and dads who have experienced infertility, pregnancy loss or the loss of a child of any age...

The Milford American Legion knows how the citizens of Milford support the military and our veterans and that same support also extends to the local law enforcement officers. Starting on Thursday and for the next week (at a minimum), the Legion is asking the public to show support for our local law enforcement officers. It is in times like the situation last Sunday night that our community needs to show we support our officers...

On April 22, we concluded the 2017 legislative session. Typically, this session was to have 110 days. We cut it down to 100 days in the de-appropriation bill, but went into overtime by about four days. We accomplished a lot this session. We were not elected to sit idle. We worked hard and got the people’s work done...

The news is out. Most Republicans who 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...

Thursday, May 4, is the 66th National Day of Prayer. It will be celebrated around the nation. In 1952, under President Harry Truman, the Congress officially passed a joint resolution designating an annual National Day of Prayer. The first Thursday was made official under President Reagan. Since the beginning, all presidents have signed proclamations for a National Day of Prayer...

The 100th Day of session was April 18. Typically odd-numbered years mean a 110 day session. Earlier this year, we cut that down to 100 to save money in the de-appropriation bill. We often go beyond the set number of days each session. However, legislators stop getting per diem after the expiration of the allotted number of days...

A few weeks ago there was a Letter to the Editor criticizing candidate Trump for things he said during the campaign. You will recall there were 17 candidates vying for the Republican nomination. I believe it would be more productive to evaluate – now President Trump – on what he has accomplished since Jan. 20. Some examples:...

Survivors of assault and abuse often live in constant fear. Their days are filled with anxiety, knowing that their abuser or attacker might strike again. The Safe at Home program exists to aid survivors of domestic and sexual violence, stalking and trafficking by providing them with a legal substitute address, mail forwarding service and confidential voter registration. The program allows participants to return to active lives without listing their actual address on public records...

As I type today, we are quickly moving to adjournment for this legislative session. We have quickly moved budgets to the House Floor and the Senate has done the same. As I write, we are still working on the Appropriations Budget, medical cannabis, water quality, and a few other important bills...

The Dickinson County Trails Board will start its first maintenance project of the season on April 19 with the trail along 175th Street in the area of the Ranch Okoboji Mini-Golf Park. Anyone familiar with this area knows that it has been in rough shape for a few years due to water undermining the trail and sediment collecting at the bottom of the hill. ...

Q: Why do you keep bookkeepers at the Pentagon on a short leash?   A: In an era of political divisiveness, this is an issue that bridges the divide among Iowans across the ideological spectrum. Iowans have every right and good reason to care about the management of their hard-earned tax dollars. ...

Like other property owners in Senate District 1, my home mail recently included the always-anticipated 2017 Real Estate Assessment Roll from the county assessor, in which it states, “THIS IS NOT A TAX BILL.” 
That makes me feel better! I mention this because some of my Senate colleagues are claiming – in, I guess, a stab at winning votes – that assessors are hiking your taxes by raising the assessed value of your property. Let's shed some light on the property-tax system:
 ...

The board of directors of the Voluntary Action Center of the Iowa Great Lakes would like to thank all of you who donated to our recent March for Meals campaign. This money is used locally to fund our Meals on Wheels program, which serves the people of Spirit Lake, Orleans, Okoboji, Arnolds Park, Milford and Wahpeton. ...

Aren’t we all interested in the health and preservation of our Iowa Great Lakes? I am writing in support of Earth Day/Science Day, Sat. April 22, 2017. I am a recent transplant to the Lakes area from northern Wisconsin. I was born and raised in southeastern Wisconsin and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee back in 1972. I attended the first Earth Day in 1970, a teach-in, where Sen. Gaylord Nelson addressed a large crowd. It was a momentous day!...

The Dickinson County Assessor’s Office allows for review of assessed value of residential property every two years in the month of April. Board of review petitions are due at the Dickinson County Assessor’s Office between April 2 and April 30. These dates are the only window that the property tax-paying citizen of Dickinson County has to request a review of their tax assessment until April of 2019...

As we close in on the end of our legislative year, we have a few vital tasks to finish up. The largest one left undone is to formulate a budget that is both wise and prudent. In the last, week tremendous progress has been made in getting budgets out of committee and ready for floor debate in both the House and the Senate. ...

There's a sure sign that the Iowa Legislature is winding down and the sure sign is that joint budget targets were announced yesterday. The agreed-to budget plan spends less next year than we are spending this current year. Currently, the state is slated to spend nearly $7.26 billion for the fiscal year that ends June 30 of this year...

Bills are making their way to the governor. And two of them in particular, had House District 2 written all over them. Last Thursday, Governor Branstad signed HF 289. This bill allows the Clay and Carroll County Treasurer's office to issue drivers licenses. Prior to this, 81 county treasurers were issuing licenses. With the Governor's autograph and an immediate effective date, our county treasurer may issue drivers licenses...

Over the years we have lost many rock 'n' roll stars far too early in their careers, but Chuck Berry lived a full life to 90 years of age. His recent passing saddens anyone appreciating the rock 'n' roll music era, but it particularly hits hard on anyone who ever played in a rock 'n' roll band. Outside of Lennon and McCartney, Chuck Berry was probably the most prolific song-writer of pop music; in fact he inspired their early song-writing endeavors!...

The cover of Time magazine asks: “Is Truth Dead?” What can we believe of what President Trump says? If you Google “Trump lies,” you will find a listing of 143 statements made by the president that were fact checked as lies – just since Jan. 20, 2017. ...

What a great week to be an Iowan. This week was eventful in that many bills that were sent from the Senate were kept alive or “died” in the Second Funnel – the self-imposed deadline that requires bills to meet restrictions or they are no longer eligible. Below are some of the notable bills that will continue in the Iowa Legislature and remain eligible for future consideration. ...

Iowans from Sioux City to Davenport know why I serve on these committees: Armed Services; Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry; Environment and Public Works; and Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Iowans have seen that these committees can have a tremendous impact on our farmers, military and small businesses...

It was a picture of things to come as the Iowa Senate approved a voter identification plan aimed at protecting the "integrity" of future elections. Debating along party lines, and then voting 26-21 the same way, senators bounced HF 516 back to the House with changes that include shortening the voting period by 11 days; specifying the forms of ID that voters must present at the polls before receiving a ballot; and eliminating straight party voting...

On March 14, the Revenue Estimating Conference (REC) met to establish their revenue projections for FY 2017. Their projections provided a troubling budget forecast: the previous estimates were inaccurate by almost $131 million. Not an insignificant amount by any measure...

The Dickinson County Trails Board has finalized the purchase of the remaining railroad right-of-way from Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. The future Rail Trail begins west of Superior and will traverse 37 miles through both Dickinson and Osceola Counties, then join the Ed Winkel Trail at Allendorf and continue to Sibley for a total of 43 miles...

  A: Many people are surprised by recent reports that younger Americans rank among the fastest growing segment of the nation’s population to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer, a cancer that starts in the colon or rectum. People in their 20s and 30s were found to experience a sharp uptick – by about 1 to 2 percent per year – for colon cancer and an even bigger rate increase for rectal cancer. ...

It’s about the middle class in Iowa! Many have talked about the bold agenda that Iowa Republicans are advancing this year in the Iowa Legislature. Our efforts have returned a voice to the Iowa taxpayer and limited government that has been unprecedented. ...

Through the combined efforts of East Okoboji Lakes Improvement Corporation, the city of Orleans, and Mike Hawkins of the DNR, a strategy for addressing curlyleaf pondweed will be implemented in two areas of East Lake in May of 2017. At their March board meeting, EOLIC finalized details for a contract with Mark Petersen of Underwater Solutions to remove curlyleaf pondweed from north of the Narrows to the State Fish Hatchery. ...

The Spirit Lake Music Boosters would like to extend our profound thanks to the following local businesses for their generous support and donations for the 2017 Lights, Camera, Auction! Fundraiser: Advanced Water Systems, Arnolds Park Amusement Park , Arrowwood-Minervas, Barn Swallow, Bella Via Salon & Day Spa, Boat House Apparel, Boji Bark, Boonedocks, Brooks National Golf Club, Cali Nails, Carol’s Cottage, Carolyn’s Hallmark, CC Screen Printing, Clean Slate Pet & Auto Spa, Coca Cola, Consignment Corner, Custom Creations, Dairy Queen, Dawn’s Dance, Dickinson County News, Dixon Family Chiropractic, Elegance Bridal & Prom Boutique, Emerald Hills Golf & Country Club, Evan’s Clothing, Fick’s Ace Hardware, Fareway, Faust Institute of Cosmetology, Ferguson’s Garden Center & Floral, Fishermen’s Factory Outlet, Forbes Meat, Godfather’s, Goodies Handmade Candies, Great Lakes Cinema 7, Great Lakes Marine, Hank Hall, Hey Good Cookies, Hi-Lo Restaurant, Homeology, HyVee, Iowa Lakes Community College, Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative, Indian Hills Golf Course, Jennings Tow & Repair, Jimmy John’s, John Senn & Friends, Kapco Indoor Golf, Kuhlman Lake Service & Welding, KUOO, Kurio Kastle, Lakes Dermatology, Lakes News Shopper, Lakes Plumbing Heating & Cooling, Lakes Print, Lewis Family Drug, Lisa’s Bake Shop, LogoMark, Maria Mellman doTerra Oils, McKeen’s, Milford Pioneer Theatre, Natural Nails, North Star Music, Oak Hill Marina, Okoboji View Golf Course, Optique, Okoboji Summer Theatre, Picadilly Circus Pizza, Pizza Ranch, Polaris, Prairie Chick, Ray’s Midbell Music, Rick Miles Flooring, Rock a La Carte, Rolling Oaks Barn, Taco John’s, Tammy Browning-Mary Kay, The Hutt Bar & Grill, The Inn at Okoboji, the Three Sons, Trautman Financial, Treasure Village, and Triggs Bay Resort.. ...

HF 563 is a bill I sponsored, and I am so proud to say we were able to pass it off of the House Floor on Wednesday of this week. This bill requires coaches to know how to do CPR. Additionally, this bill requires the Iowa High School Athletic Association and Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union to create concussion protocols...

A Saturday afternoon visit to the Lakes Art Center in Okoboji was truly inspiring. The Dickinson County All-School Show, the most popular event of the year for the Center, displayed art from preschool through high school students in all of Dickinson County...

I am dismayed and frankly, disgusted at the constant attempts by the media to distort and malign the meaning of Congressman Steve King's words whenever it can, which is ongoing and relentless! I have followed Congressman King’s entire career for the past 20 years very closely, because I found it refreshing to find a politician that articulated traditional American values from faith and family to the Constitution of the United States. ...

This week marked my anniversary to my wife and friend of many years.  I want to thank Cami for all she has put up with through the years. She has been my friend, my partner and my rock and I appreciate her and all she does for our family and livelihood. ...

This year’s legislative town halls in Spencer and the Lakes are now in the books, and a very good year it has been. My thanks go to the citizens of Clay and Dickinson counties and surrounding area. You came out in unprecedented numbers to engage in the democratic process that is the foundation of our representative republic...