Viewpoints

To the Editor:

Our downtown Waukon street crosswalks have a new addition!

The pedestrian crossing signs that were recently placed into the street crosswalks are already making a difference. Cars are stopping for pedestrians, which is required by Iowa Code 321.327 Pedestrians’ Right of Way.

It’s time for those who are driving at the full speed limit, as they approach a pedestrian in a marked crosswalk, to think again and stop.

The pedestrian crossing sign is the reminder that drivers are required to stop and yield to the pedestrian in the marked crosswalk. A person convicted of a violation of this code is guilty of a simple misdemeanor.

Many thanks to those in our city who have taken a long-awaited, positive step towards giving Waukon a chance to become a pedestrian friendly community.

Maura Jones
Waukon

To the Editor:

If you are a citizen of the United States, the United States is your home. Therefore, if a nation is home to its citizens, what goes for the nation ultimately goes for the homes where citizens live and all property they own.

The United States has been known as the melting pot, a nation where people from other nations are welcome. People from elsewhere are weleome to come and visit. They are welcome to come and live provided they abide by the guidelines that have been set and eventually learn the language of the land. In all reality, if they do not abide by these guidelines and learn the language of the land, this nation is not their nation or home. They need to return to their nation or enter by way of the guidelines that have been set in order to stay and call this nation their home.

by Dick Schilling, "Editor Emeritus"

... that I was disappointed to learn that the Iowa-Northwestern football game was televised on a sports channel that I do not receive.

So, I listened to radio, and as the game wore on, I was thankful that I did not have to witness the inept Iowa team as it lost.

In fact, I had the TV tuned to the Ryder Cup golf event, because it was entertaining even with the sound turned off. Reading the papers the next morning, I guess I should be thankful I had the sound muted, because the fans up there in Minnesota apparently behaved very badly toward the European visitors. I witnessed a little of that as I watched the U.S. team win back the cup Sunday afternoon.

Since Tiger Woods in particular, but a little bit with Arnie Palmer before that, it has become obvious that a lot of people who follow the pro tour are not golf fans, but sports fans.

To the Editor:

Well, I almost “met my Maker” yesterday in downtown Waukon.

I parked my vehicle in front of Waukon State Bank, walked on the sidewalk to the corner, intending to cross Main Street to Hartig Drug. After taking a few steps on the painted crosswalk, a dark gray pickup truck came speeding from the west and nearly knocked me off my feet.

Our eyes met so I know he saw me. He actually should have slowed up long before getting to the crosswalk because he turned south on West Street directly east of the bank building.

On the crosswalk was a bright yellow pedestrian crossing sign, which should be noticeable to drivers. I was always taught that pedestrians crossing on a crosswalk have the right-of-way.

Obviously, this driver doesn’t know this law. Perhaps he should check with the Iowa DOT or maybe the County Treasurer’s office for information on this issue.

To the Editor:

I’m struggling this election season to keep a positive spirit. Politicians have decided campaigns are won by trashing one’s opponent rather than practical proposals.

This seems less so for local contests where we know the candidates personally. For me, that seems a happier place to focus my patriotism. However, even here I get brochures with one side depicting a candidate in glorious smiling Technicolor, flags waving in the background. On the opposite side, the opponent’s picture in sour macabre smudged grays complete with nasty warnings.

If you get one of those campaign advertisements, beware. If you believe either side, you are being manipulated. Often such brochures are produced by a state party or some political action special interest group. This might urge you to vote the maligned candidate as having the most integrity.

by Dick Schilling, "Editor Emeritus"

... about some miscellaneous things.

I have complained here that the mosquitoes seemed to be pestering me to a greater degree. I’ve heard the thoughts that it is a smell such as after shave that may be responsible, or clothing color. But thanks to the recent publication of this year’s Ig Noble awards by Harvard, I now think I know why I am a target. The Ig Nobel awards are for things the antithesis of the Nobel awards. One recently went to a study that showed mosquitoes are attracted to Limburger cheese. I have Limburger Cheese with crackers for Sunday evening’s meal most weeks. The smelly cheese is an acquired taste, I suppose, but I have always liked it. But I have not figured out how the mosquitoes know that.

Like it or not, another presidential election is upon us. Just a few weeks from now we will be going to the polls and casting our ballots. We are fortunate that we live in a country where we still have the freedom to vote. Many people around the world only dream about this freedom that we take for granted. I would like to encourage everyone reading this to please vote! A wise man once said “if we don’t vote we have no right to complain about who got elected.” 

To the Editor:

We should thank God we have free elections here in the U.S.A., but the lead-up to the election becomes kind of boring. I think anyone with anything between the ears knows we need a new direction.

Ever since they took the Bible and Ten Commandments out of the school and put in condoms and sex education, the devil walked in and our downhill spiral started. Put the Bible and Ten Commandments (local option) back in our schools and repeal the law forbidding priests and ministers from politics. There are 300,000 active pulpits in the U.S.A.; what a force for good they could be.

Be sure to vote November 8; but not only vote for your choice, go to work for your choice. Put up signs, wear caps and pins, talk to your friends and neighbors. Be sure to vote.

Kindest regards
and God Bless,
Osmund (Ozzie) Quandahl
Waukon

To the Editor:

When most people hear the term “domestic violence,” they may think about recent newsworthy events which include popular sport personalities or celebrities. On the other hand, it may also hit too close to home through personal experience or through a family member or close friend.

That is why the month of October is set aside to remind ourselves and others that domestic violence is present in too many homes, right here in our rural communities and neighborhoods.
When we look at a crowd of people we are not able to distinguish those who have had a life affected by violence in their home. That is because violence does not follow the size of a person’s bank account or their employment or education status. The clients we serve at Helping Services’ Domestic Abuse Resource Center show us that it often affects those we least expect.

To the Editor:

The Junior Class of Waukon High School is to be commended for selecting Terrell Baumler as its class representative on the 2016 Homecoming Court. That will be a treasured memory that all members of that class can fondly look back on over the next 30, 40, 50 years and beyond.

Ken and Gloria Krambeer
Waukon