Ann Fields gets a letter grade of “F” in Economics 101 for her letter of March 9. She claims that everyone will have less with the new tax policy recently signed by Iowa’s governor. Ms. Fields fails to recognize that if Iowans are paying less income tax they automatically have more money available for their own personal needs.
Nor does she acknowledge that the State currently has a budget surplus that can be spent to cover any unexpected expenses on the part of the State. It appears to me that the legislators, who represent us, have done a great job in keeping spending under control, thus accounting for the current budget surplus. We should be applauding those efforts and remind our Federal Government that Iowa is a great example for fiscal responsibility.
Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
Mar. 25: Dairy Margin Coverage Program
Mid-Contract Management (MCM) on CRP Acres
Now that temperatures are starting to feel more like spring, please start thinking about your MCM, if you are scheduled for this year. Those that are scheduled for this year would have received a packet from our office this past fall detailing what needs to be done. You do have until May 14, 2022 to complete the work, but now is a good time to start lining up contractors if you haven’t already done so, buy seed if needed, and get equipment ready. If you have technical questions, need a seeding plan, or contractor list please contact the NRCS office. Any other questions can be directed to FSA. Once you complete your MCM, notify the FSA office, sign the FSA-848B form, and provide acceptable evidence (receipts, invoices, etc.) of practice completion to determine proper cost share payment.
Iowa State University is part of a new study funded by the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR) to explore possible links between soil health, the nutritional value of plants and human health.
The overall goal of the four-year, $1 million project is to investigate how management practices may alter nitrogen-related nutritional content of grains, such as protein, amino acids and B vitamins, and affect indicators of chemical, physical and biological soil health.
Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care/Allamakee County Public Health will continue to offer walk-in clinics for all doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, each friday afternoon, continuing through the entire month of March, from 1:30-3:45 p.m. in the ICN Conference Room located on the southeast side of the hospital. Both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines will be available.
Parking is available by the orange cones along the golf course for easy access to the vaccine location. Flu shots will also be available and can be safely administered at the same time as the COVID-19 vaccine. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Be sure to wear a mask and bring your insurance card and vaccination card if you are coming for your second or booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine.
As one can tell from the photo above, the streets of Waukon were full of Irish spirit for the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade Sunday, March 13 in Waukon. Under spring-like weather conditions with sunny skies, a slight breeze and temperatures in the upper 40s, the event took approximately 45 minutes to display the wide variety of this year’s nearly 150 parade entries. Additional photos from this year’s parade can be found on Page 16 of this week’s print edition and e-edition of The Standard. Standard photo by Joe Moses. All of the parade photos found in this issue, along with many more from Sunday’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, are available for viewing/purchase by clicking on the Photo Galleries link on The Standard’s website. A video of this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade by Joe Moses can be found on The Standard Newspaper’s Facebook page.
The Allamakee County Emergency Management Agency wants to take this opportunity to notify the public of the intent to conduct a countywide tornado drill and testing of the city emergency sirens throughout the county Wednesday, March 23 at 10 a.m. This will allow Allamakee County to participate in the State of Iowa Tornado Drill as part of Severe Weather Awareness Week, which is being observed March 21-25 this year. The purpose will be to activate the warning sirens in all six cities in the county when the National Weather Service issues a test Tornado Warning on NOAA Weather Radio at approximately 10 a.m.
The Iowa Department of Transportation and its local transportation partners are making available four historic bridges for reuse, accepting proposals from serious inquiries for adoption and relocation of those bridges. Among those four bridges is the Black Hawk Bridge at Lansing that spans the Mississippi River. The more than 90-year-old structure connecting the states of Iowa and Wisconsin is slated to be replaced by the end of the year 2025.
In addition to the Black Hawk Bridge, the DOT is also listing the Boone River Bridge in Wright County, the Hardin City Bridge in Hardin County, and the eastbound U.S. 30 Bridge in Linn County southeast of Cedar Rapids for reuse proposals. All four of the bridges are either listed or are eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places and are available for relocation/adoption.
Recycled plastics ... Allamakee County Solid Waste Manager Dave Mooney estimates that #1 and #2 plastics account for 95-98 percent of consumer plastics. Pictured above, #1 and #2 plastics have been baled and are ready for transport from the Allamakee County Waste & Recycling grounds. Standard photo by Joe Moses.
Bales of cardboard ... Among the services available to rural Allamakee County residents, cardboard recycling is an important piece of the County’s work in reducing waste through its recycling program, yielding approximately 55 tons of recycled cardboard each year locally. Pictured above, bales of cardboard await transport within the Allamakee County Waste & Recycling facility. Standard photo by Joe Moses.
by Joe Moses
Around the world, this Friday, March 18, 2022 is being recognized as Global Recycling Day, an initiative advanced by the Global Recycling Foundation, an organization supporting the promotion of recycling and its vital role on a worldwide scale in preserving the future of the planet. The Global Recycling Foundation is one of many organizations working collectively to reduce waste and preserve natural resources on an international level.
The Allamakee County Veterans Museum will offer a program to the public about the U.S. Navy in World War II. The program will take place in the Program Room of the new museum in the former Vet’s Club building on Allamakee Street in Waukon.
Saturday, March 19 at 10 a.m. the program will present stories of Patrol Torpedo (PT) Boats and Submarine Chasers. Information will also be presented on Allamakee County sailors who served on these smaller fighting vessels.
There is no admission or membership charge. The facility is handicapped accessible. Due to COVID-19 concerns, masks are encouraged but not required. Light refreshments will be available.
The museum remodeling was finished in late summer. Preparation and installation of exhibits is underway and should be completed by Memorial Day this year. Tours will not be offered until the exhibits have been completed. However, educational programs will continue to be offered periodically.
The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, March 14 at the Allamakee County Historical Society’s Veterans Museum in Waukon, as part of a schedule of meeting locations taking place away from the County Courthouse throughout the year. The board addressed a full agenda of items including an update relating to the Waukon Redemption Center, consideration of the Resolution to obligate American Rescue Plan funding to specific projects and discussion of the County’s March tornado drill and Alert Iowa.
Prior to the meeting being called to order, George Beardmore of the Allamakee County Historical Society provided a brief introduction and update relating to the Allamakee County Veterans Museum.
