Opinion
Letter to the Editor: The Swan has to sing...again
Dear Editor, I can't keep quiet anymore. Approximately FIVE MILLION ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS have infested OUR great country. Now our so-called "leader" says, "Don't just show up at the border!" Really?? For about 5 minutes he had an Asylum Plan. Ran across the bottom of the screen on the SCRIPPS NEWS, and "Poof," it was gone.
Letter to the Editor: Team Red or Team Blue?
Dear Editor, Who do you vote for, team red or team blue? It really doesn't matter, they're not playing for you. There's only one narrative that they want to feed you, now it's up to you to decide whether it's true. Let's follow the money up to the top, then maybe you'll realize, it's time to make it stop. https://rumble.com/v2bb2cw-the-covid-criminals-the-great-reset-crimes-against-humaniy.
It’s just a flower
Sometimes the little things bring good memories. Somewhere in the area there might still be a huge Christmas cactus taking up window space. I have a smaller version of the same plant in my kitchen window.The only instruction that came with the plant was to water it every time it rains in Arizona. I figured a plant like that, I probably couldn’t hurt too bad. Letter to the Editor: What's up Doc?
Dear Editor, Channel 9 said that Pamela Ewell, our superintendent here in Benton Community, (they should note that she prefers the title Dr. to be added before her name) said that she will still "fight" to see these changes made in the district. That's alright, you can keep fighting, but we will still keep voting, NO!She said in that interview, "We've got CPI Index at some of the highest it's been in years, you have property valuation increases.
Iowa could finally Ban the Dog Breed Bans
The discussion of what kind of dog you can own, and the ridiculous idea that a dog's heritage can be determined by someone who is not trained to do so has always hit me as odd. Funny. Peculiar. Bizzare. Unusual. Contingent on someone liking your dog. Weird. Unconventional. Outdated, that's the word, outdated. I like to think that the more information we have, the more educated we'd be. Letter to the Editor: Vote NO!
Dear Editor, A little over 5 years ago, we made the decision to move out of Cedar Rapids (and the Cedar Rapids Community School District) back to my hometown of Norway. The house we bought would've easily cost another $70,000-80,000 in or near Cedar Rapids, and the property taxes and utilities were considerably less. We loved the fact that the kids could ride their bikes around town, or go to the park and play with their friends without having to worry or have adult supervision (which is not the case in Cedar Rapids!).
$48 million project who decides and who gets to pay
The Benton Community School District is seeking the approval of voters in the district to pass a 48.5 million dollar referendum. A special election will be held tomorrow, March 7. There has been a huge push by the school district there to sell this to the residents of the Benton Community School District. There have been several forums for the district to answer questions about the project. Letter to the Editor: Vote NO!
Dear Editor, Just a reminder.If the Benton Community School election passes it will add $405 in taxes to every $100000 assessed valuation. Remember how they increase valuation just a couple years ago? This tax will only affect property owners in the district.$405 for every 100k in value. Imagine what that will do to your own taxes. $400-800 increase over last year? For how long? The proposal DOES NOT SAY WHEN this tax will end!Now that youre thinking of how much your tax will go up, imagine how many more dollars each farmer in the district will owe.
I see your city streets and will top it with a country road
The topic of roads is on the minds of some this week. I had a note from Zale Owens who sent in pictures of the roads in his part of the county. "I'm writing in to show the rural road conditions in Vinton. I've contacted Benton County, and accounts of the road conditions out here vastly differ from those working inside the Courthouse. I'd like everyone to be aware that the roads require rock. Letter to the Editor: C'mon Man
C’mon City of Vinton! I’ve lived here 15 years and during that time, I have only seen one small stretch of the old town streets made new. All the newer parts of town get the new roads and “heavens above” new sidewalks.C’mon City of Vinton our streets are beyond horrible - just take a drive up to Virginia Gay Hospital/Clinic. Try driving down 3rd or 4th streets!What? You say come to our meetings and make a formal complaint.