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Letters to the Editor

Feenstra office makes family trip possible

To the editor: Last August, my family was able to travel to the Virgin Islands. After much preparation and planning for the trip, we hit a roadblock. My 15-month daughter’s passport was stuck in processing. My husband and I had done everything instructed and followed the recommended timelines provided by the federal government passport agency. Yet, our entire trip was at risk of being derailed due to the delayed passport. I reached out to my Congressman, Randy Feenstra, hoping his office could help my family. I’m forever thankful I did. Congressman Feenstra’s wonderful ...

Biden, Reynolds provide contrast

To the editor: I am proud to be an Iowan. Gov. Kim Reynolds gave the Republican response to President Biden’s State of the Union address Tuesday evening, March 1. She pointed out what Republican governors have done in the fight against COVID mandates and lockdowns and the COVID virus itself. She expressed how Republican governors early on opened schools, removed mask requirements, and ended the lockdown of businesses and private activities, unlike the Biden administration and Democrat governors that have just recently relaxed some such requirements, no doubt because their poll numbers ...

Disagrees with Reynolds’ national speech

To the editor: During his State of the Union message, President Biden delivered a positive and uplifting message to the American people. He praised the courage and tenacity of the Ukrainian people and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Biden criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for his indiscriminate bombing and killing of innocent Ukrainian civilians including children and other non-combatants. Biden laid out a plan to strengthen the American workforce, to return jobs to the United States and taking pride in made in America. Gov. Kim Reynolds provided the Republican response. She ...

Wants to end CAFOs

To the editor: I came across a quote “Money often costs too much,” by Ralph Waldo Emerson. A pretty smart guy. Hard to find an intelligent quote now-a-days. The quote means what are we sacrificing for money? I say we are sacrificing the future for profits. Money’s just a vehicle but when we choose greed over empathy and the greater good, it’s evil. In 2007, North Carolina passed a permanent moratorium on new CAFOs (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations) and new lagoons and mandated new technologies to reduce pollution. Hurricanes kept flooding lagoons and hog feces were ...

Governor should help keep rangers on site

To the editor: When I had the honor years ago to represent Webster County in the Iowa House, many local community leaders were disappointed in me when I did not support building a superpark lodge and golf course at Brushy Creek. At the time, I did not support the construction of any superpark anywhere in Iowa as I believed the DNR studies were overly optimistic in the success of such a concept. I was concerned about the long-term financial impact for Iowa taxpayers and impact on other DNR park operations. This week, unfortunately, once again my fears have been proven true. Many Iowa ...

Appreciates support of Hospice care

To the editor, Our deepest thanks to Fort Dodge and the surrounding communities for your ongoing support of UnityPoint Hospice and quality end-of-life care. On Feb. 5 we hosted in a virtual celebration – everyone gathered separately, but all were united by a common thread: the UnityPoint Hospice program. We were honored to serve as co-chairs of the 30th annual UnityPoint Hospice Ball. The event celebrates loved ones we have lost and raises awareness and funding to benefit UnityPoint Hospice patients. The evening included videos, interactive contests and a silent auction. The event ...