Viewpoints

by Dick Schilling, Editor Emeritus

To the Editor:
As many are aware, a bond referendum for a county safety center is on the November 4th ballot. I urge everyone to vote yes.
Why should you vote yes for the $4.9 million referendum? Primarily because it’s the least expensive option for Allamakee County. It sounds outrageous, but compared to the other option of out-of-county jailing, the referendum will result in significant long-term savings for our county. Our property taxes will increase no matter what decision is made, but if the referendum passes, the increase will be consistent and will drop when the bond is paid off. The out-of-county jailing costs are going to grow exponentially each year – at least $400,000 will need to be added to the Sheriff’s budget the first year of out-of-county jailing.

To the Editor:
Will you Vote? And Why?
What do you believe?  What do you believe in?
Does the Constitution play a part in how you choose to vote?
Election Day is only a few days away.  Do you plan to vote? Have you thought about why you are voting? What do I believe and does that make a difference in choosing whom I cast my vote for?
America was formed by a group of men who knew what it was like to live under a king. The king made the rules. The citizens of the country had little choice, if any, on how they were going to live out their lives. They had no hope that their lives would ever become any better for themselves or their families. Their job was to work and pay taxes to the king who lived very well. They, in return, had very little. To protest would mean prison. Their hope was to find a place that they and their families might live, would be free to worship the God of their choice and enjoy the fruits of their labor.

by Dick Schilling, Editor Emeritus

by Pastor Duane Smith

by Pastor Duane Smith

To the Editor:
 After attending the informational meeting at the Farm Bureau Meeting room last Saturday, October 4, I am convinced that a new jail is the best way to move forward for Allamakee County. I had not realized that our current jail facility is so much out of compliance and on the verge of being closed if we don’t get a plan for a remodeled or replaced jail soon.
The “jail problem” committee obviously has put a lot of time and effort into this matter. Hats off to all of them. They got the work all done in time to be included on the November ballot, and I am thoroughly convinced that we should pass this measure so we don’t have to hold a special election which may cost as much as $10,000.
 A new jail is a huge investment, but a badly needed one that will serve as a safe usable/working building for the residents of Allamakee County for the next 75 to 100 years.
Please get out and vote.

To the Editor:
I attended the first one of the Community Meals at First Presbyterian Church, and what a positive experience it was. My first thought upon hearing of it was that it was only for people who were unable to afford a meal, but no, it is an event where anyone can freely drop in.
I agree, along with the organizers of this event, that this is what our community needs.
What most excites me about these meal gatherings is how they will benefit our local churches by bringing church goers together to work for a common cause. We really need more unity among our churches.
We have such an array of great churches in our area; it seems the time has come for us to appreciate them.
We can sit in out churches and we can criticize the congregation down the street for not having what we believe is the right doctrine, or we can come to the Community Meal, meet someone from another church and discover a new friendship.

by Robyn Carey-Dundee
Allamakee County Victim & Witness Coordinator

by Dick Schilling, Editor Emeritus