As many of you know, I am a city councilman in Waukon, and am very passionate about our community. I spend hours preparing for meetings in an effort to make the best decision on the issues.
It is never easy taking an unpopular stance on any issue, but the one involving the City issuing a warrant for a second renewal of a $750,000 loan was especially difficult. I have neighbors, friends and relatives employed there, all of who are committed to providing us the best care. I want to see the hospital survive.
I have never uttered the words “The hospital must close.”
I’ve been asked why I’m the only one to not vote in favor of the warrant. As a CPA, I have dealt with financial issues daily for my entire career. I believe that committing large sums of money for the third time is not the right financial decision, with no plan in place to provide the best opportunity to survive.
Rarely, in any given situation, is there only one side to a story. “Facts” are often skewed by emotion, history, or simple miscommunication. In light of recent publicity regarding Veterans Memorial Hospital, we would like to offer another point of view.
VMH is not just numbers, cost reports, or profit/loss margins. While these things are important to address, we are so much more than that. VMH has been, and will remain, part of the fabric of this community. It is staffed by dedicated individuals who have, in many instances, made this facility, and the patients we serve, our life’s work. Together we represent hundreds of years of combined experience caring for your loved ones. We have done so on a shoestring budget, so we are very aware of the dollars and cents of being a small rural hospital.
I found it interesting and somewhat ironic that in his July 17 letter to the editor, Lowell Engle described proposals by several Democratic presidential candidates for single-payer health care (Medicare) and reducing student debt as “handouts.” If he had paid attention, he would have learned that the costs of these programs are paid for.
What is not paid for is the huge tax break given to relatively few wealthy people and corporations in the 2018 Tax Bill, creating historic budget deficits and adding over a trillion dollars to our debt. I call that a handout. What happened to the party of fiscal responsibility?
Mr. Engle’s attempt to portray the Democratic Party as not really democratic, but pushing towards “socialism and communism,” is simply a scare tactic to distract us from the fact that the Republican Party has been sabotaged and discredited by those who are driven by profit and power.
by Jeremy Leitz, Allamakee County Executive Director (563) 568-2148
Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
May 15 - August 1: Primary Nesting Season. No MCM activities on CRP acres.
June 3 - August 23: CRP Continuous Signup 52
June 17 - Sept. 20: Dairy Margin Coverage Program Sign-Up
August 1:Last day to file a COC nomination form
Dairy Margin Coverage
Signup for new Dairy Margin Coverage program began June 17 and runs through September 20, 2019. Coverage is retroactive to January.
Coverage levels range from $4 to $9.50 per cwt, in $0.50 increments. Coverage percentage of the dairy operation’s production history ranges from 5 percent to 95 percent, in 5 percent increments. You have the option to receive a 25% discount on your annual premiums if you lock in for five years. You cannot change your coverage if you lock in.
Producers who were prevented from planting conventional crops this past spring may have a head start on going organic
The historically wet spring of 2019 prevented many conventional and organic farmers in Iowa and across the Midwest from planting corn and soybeans.
However, those who ended up planting a cover crop on their prevented planting acres may have an advantage if they want to transition to organic.
“The cover crop year will provide a good opportunity as your first year in the three years of organic transition (T-1; organic certification in 2021),” said Kathleen Delate, professor and extension organic specialist in horticulture and agronomy with Iowa State University.
The extension Farm Financial Planning Program has resources that can help farmers with their numbers
Knowing your numbers is key to the profitability of any farm operation, and whether you’re struggling to make ends meet, or simply looking to improve or do something differently, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach has an experienced group of associates and specialists who can help.
The Farm Financial Planning Program with ISU Extension and Outreach offers producers one-on-one financial counseling, a computerized analysis of the farm business, and referrals to other extension programs and outside services that may be useful.
Mark Olsen, one of six trained associates who help administer the program across the state, said more than half of the referrals he gets are from farmers who are struggling financially, especially in this time of tight profit margins.
Part of area art project promoting Iowa’s natural areas ... The view pictured above from the observation deck of the Driftless Area Education and Visitor Center in Lansing was painted by Decorah artist Mary Ann Gloe and is being used on posters, postcards and other promotional material. An August 6 gathering at the Driftless Area Education and Visitor Center will offer a view of the original painting and others of area public parks and natural areas that are part of a Capturing the Beauty of Iowa’s Natural Areas Through Art Project. Submitted image.
Public invited to August 6 event at Driftless Center
The Allamakee County Conservation Board (ACCB), Driftless Area Scenic Byway Board (DASB), Northeast Iowa RC&D and well-known Iowa artist Mary Ann Gloe invite the public to gather Tuesday, August 6 at the Driftless Area Education & Visitor Center to view an original watercolor painting, “Lansing from the Driftless Center,” completed by Gloe as part of a public parks and natural areas art and byway promotional project called Capturing the Beauty of Iowa’s Natural Areas Through Art Project. The event is open to the public and begins at 2 p.m. All are encouraged to attend.
ACCB Director Jim Janett noted, “It is a wonderful project for us to partner on with the DASB. We participated because it highlighted the scenic and cultural heritage that our Driftless Area Education & Visitor Center property and facility showcase.”
Pursuing Iowa Dairy Princess crown ... Waukon High School senior-to-be Faith Palmer will be competing for the crown of 2019 Iowa Dairy Princess next week in Des Moines. Palmer is the 2019 Allamakee County Dairy Princess and the daughter of John and Meghan Palmer of Waukon. Photo by Paula Enyart.
Eight young women involved with the Iowa dairy community will compete to win the title of 66th Iowa State Dairy Princess in an event scheduled for Wednesday, August 7 at 7:30 p.m. at the Multi-Media Center of the Cattle Barn at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. The princess and her alternate are charged with helping consumers learn more about dairy products and the farm families who tend the farms and cows that provide them.
Among this year’s eight competitors will be Faith Palmer, 17-year-old daughter of John and Meghan Palmer of Waukon. She was crowned the Allamakee County Dairy Princess earlier this year and will be seeking to become the 17th young lady from Allamakee County to wear an Iowa Dairy Royalty crown, the previous 16 being evenly split between Princess and Alternate coronations.
Recognized for its place in history ... West Paint Creek Church, located east of Waukon at the intersection of Elon Drive and Maud Road, has been designated for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. The church’s association with Norwegian and Norwegian-American social history and architectural features both inside and outside were significant factors in the church being added to the National Register of Historic Places. Submitted photos.
A church Norwegian immigrants built about 130 years ago in Allamakee County has become one of Iowa’s most treasured historic buildings.
Built in 1892, the West Paint Creek Synod Evangelical Lutheran Church, located approximately six miles east of Waukon at the intersection of Elon Drive and Maud Road, has been added to the National Register of Historic Places. Its historic significance is tied to its association with Norwegian and Norwegian-American architecture and social history.
“We’re pleased the West Paint Creek Church has been added to the National Register of Historic Places, and we congratulate all the stakeholders who worked so hard on this successful nomination,” State Historian Laura Sadowsky said. “This recognition marks an important milestone for Allamakee County as it continues to preserve the legacy of its past for future generations of Iowans to enjoy.”
Sunday evening, July 28, the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Dispatch Center received a report of a farmer who had been attacked by a bull in a farm pasture at 1418 Conway Road in rural Allamakee County.
John Francis Conway, age 59, of rural Harpers Ferry was in a wooded pasture area when he was fatally attacked by the bull. It was determined that the attack happened in the evening hours of Saturday, July 27. The bull was dispatched on the property by sheriff’s deputies due to its extremely aggressive behavior.
The incident is being investigated by the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office. Assisting at the scene was the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office and Harpers Ferry Fire and Rescue.
