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Letters to the Editor

‘We do not want more politics in the selection of judges’

To the editor: I was appointed by Governor (Terry) Branstad to serve on the committee to select candidates for judges for District 2B years ago. At that time the governor selected the short half of the committee of lay citizens and the other half were lawyers selected by the law association. Most lay people do not know the candidates. They get their information from resumes and other committee members. Most lay people know very little about selecting a judge. The committee selects two candidates and the governor selects on the two to become a judge. I think we did a very good ...

He appreciates newspapers

To the editor: After reading the Messenger paper this a.m. to find out what’s going on etc, even the announcement of my 90th birthday, March 2nd. I want to thank everyone who sent me cards. 33 of them. Best birthday I ever had and we want to thank all the people who delivers them in all kinds of weather, including the postal workers. I heard a long time ago, you can’t learn anything from a dummy but you can from newspapers. I often ask people if they subscribe to a paper. Right away they start bragging about how they can get any paper on their computer, but they can not put it in ...

Has unanswered questions about Iowa water quality

To the editor: In the March 10 Messenger, the editorial “Iowa Water Quality Affects Us All cited the latest annual report of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. I read the article hoping to learn what progress has been made in the last five years. Mike Naig states “This report shows progress in each of the areas measured. We are encouraged by the efforts of the public and private sectors to implement conservation practices across the state. And are working to build on this success going forward.” I read the report and it states what is being done and the amount of money ...

Lord’s Cupboard says thank you for donations

To the editor: Thanks to The Messenger and all who attended and donated food items at their annual Home Show held March 1,2 and 3, 2019. Your generous donation stocks the shelves in the Lord’s Cupboard and in turn helps feed those less fortunate in Webster County. In 2018, The Lord’s Cupboard distributed food and household items to 1,041 households, comprised of 2,435 men, women and children. The numbers for the beginning of 2019 are already ahead of last years’ at this time. We appreciate those who have donated in the past and ask for your continued support going ...

DNC should reconsider ban on Fox News

To the editor: So, the Democratic National Committee has decided that Fox News will not be allowed to host any of the Democratic primary debates held to choose the Democratic nominee for president in 2020. I thought all along, or so we all have been led to believe, the Democratic Party was the Party that promoted and practiced diversity. Diversity, like in presentation of and acknowledgement of differing opinions (I must have been wrong on that one). But what we really know is the Democrats don’t want the likes of Fox News reporters or journalists because they may ask tough ...

If you eat or wear clothes, thank a farmer

To the editor: In honor of our farmers who provide the food and fiber that helps feed and clothe our nation we celebrate National Ag Week during the week of March 10-15. Today’s farmers can produce more with less thanks in part to precision (GPS) agriculture, improved seed genetics and the like. As Americans we enjoy the safest most affordable food supply in the world, which translates to having more disposable income to spend on other household expenses, travel and other non-essential luxury items. Perhaps forgotten in all this is the economic contribution agriculture provides ...