Viewpoints

To the Editor:
I have spent my whole life on the farm and it’s clear to me that farming will always be a part of me and my family. As a third generation farmer, conservation is very important to me to make sure the next generation or the one after that will have the same soils to farm with as I have had. Terraces have been installed over the years to reduce soil erosion. Grass waterways have been repaired and added where they are needed as well. Taking care of the soil that we depend on to produce crops has always been a part of my farming practice.

Dustin Byrnes
Dorchester

by Dick Schilling, Editor Emeritus

by Rev. Tom Buresh

To the Editor:
A very important advancement for the Lansing area, for Allamakee County, for the tri-state Driftless Area, and for a large portion of northeast Iowa took place on Thursday, October 8.  On this “red letter day” a special session of the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors was attended by some 50 local citizens. Thankfully, the stage is now set for development of a beautiful new Driftless Area Education and Visitor’s Center near Lansing unlike any other facility within a hundred or more miles. This destination facility will inform and inspire residents and visitors of all ages about this wonderful area, and about our long cultural history related to the precious natural resources that are our common heritage.

To the Editor:
Do you ever think about our continuous exposure to cell phones, cell towers and wireless technology in regards to the accumulative effect on our health? We now are bombarded by electromagnetic waves 24/7.  We cannot escape it.
Information was taken from the following websites:
thecrowhouse.com/Documents/Cell_Phone_Poisoning_of_America.pdf
pbs.org/wnet/need-to-know/five-things/cell-phone-radiation/1277
wired.com/2009/09/cellphone-radiation

To the Editor:
As harvest is well underway, I want to remind everyone to be aware on their travels. The roads and highways get busy with tractors and wagons, combines, tractor trailers and those that travel this area to enjoy the beautiful fall colors. Farmers have had great weather for harvesting so far and I want to remind them to be safe and get the rest they need.
I hope everyone has a safe, happy harvest.

Dustin Byrnes
Allamakee County Farm Bureau

by Dick Schilling, Editor Emeritus

To the Editor Emeritus:
I’m responding, Dick, because of your caustic remarks about Pope Francis.

To the Editor:
Has anyone really looked at politicians’ hand gestures? As we know there is a whole field of study on body language, but allow me to take liberty here with some “political posturing.”
For convenience, I have arbitrarily grouped them into four types. The first of the four types is an open hand with fingers slightly splayed; the second, finger pointing; the third, is four fingers pressed into the heal of the hand.
The open-handed gesture indicates the politician is virtually, and figuratively, petting their audience. Finger pointing can only mean the listeners are being accused of something they did or did not get while being petted. When a politician’s fingers are pressed into the heal of their hand it likely means there are members of the audience they would like to grasp by the scruff of their sorry necks and have them removed from the premises.

With winter just around the corner, Iowans who meet certain income guidelines and are at least 60 years of age or are disabled can apply, starting October 1, for assistance with their home heating bills.  All other persons may apply, with certain income guidelines, beginning the first of November. If approved, the assistance will can continue through April 30, 2016.
Persons who would like to apply for the assistance should contact their local Community Action Agency (CAA). To find your local CAA, log on to https://humanrights.iowa.gov/dcaa/where-apply or call the Department of Human Rights at 515-281-0859.  
Bow season began on October 1, and it is a good time to remember the importance of tree stand safety.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources provided the following tips for making your tree stand and hunting trip both safe and successful: