Viewpoints

To the Editor:

Iowa was on display tonight at Waukon High. The best fair in the nation was the backdrop for family drama, high competition, forbidden love, and adventure in Des Moines. “State Fair,” the musical came to life after an 18-year hiatus educating a new generation to the delights of mincemeat and midway mischief.

Nathan Smith and Katelyn Leiran were perfectly parently as Abel and Melissa Frakes. Carley Sweeney had a sweet sway as Margy and Micah Treptau strutted confidence as young Wayne.  Oonagh Ahouse had great presence as the sassy torch singer Emily and Denzel Decker was fun to watch as the conflicted correspondent.  Special mention must be made of Ryan VanderVelden mugging and careening through his various characters.

by Dick Schilling, "Editor Emeritus"

... that a national columnist this morning noted that if President Trump does nothing else (and he hasn’t been able to do much!) he may have had some success in reestablishing the separate roles of the three branches of government. He has in some instances undone the executive orders of his predecessor and referred a matter to the legislative branch, where it should reside according to the constitution. And he named an apparent strict constructionist to the Supreme Court.

To the Editor:

November 7, Waukon residents will have the opportunity to vote on our local Hotel/Motel Tax. You might ask, “what is this?” The Hotel/Motel tax is a tax imposed on the gross receipts from the renting of sleeping rooms, apartments or sleeping quarters in any hotel, motel, inn, public lodging house, rooming house, tourist court, bed and breakfast or any place where sleeping accommodations are furnished to transient guests when staying for 31 consecutive days or less.

A City is the entity that can impose, by ordinance of the city council, a Hotel/Motel tax at a rate not to exceed 7%. This tax, when imposed by a City, shall apply only within the corporate boundaries of the city. Currently, the rate is 4% tax for these sleeping accommodations in our city, which, according to State of Iowa figures, is low. Out of 156 Iowa cities that have a Hotel/Motel tax, 135 have gone to that 7% level.

To the Editor:

Many towns in Iowa and elsewhere large and small are know for one thing, whether it be a flower (tulip) or a fruit (strawberry) or a prominent landmark, such as a waterfall, cave, overlook, etc. Waukon over the years could have been known for a number of things, such as in the 1960s-1980s as the birthplace for America’s meatcutters.

Many retail and wholesale meat markets and outlets across the country could be found staffed by personnel who originated from or who grew up in the Waukon area. In fact, The Postville Herald newspaper received a prestigious award for its series of investigative journalism articles on the meatcutters of Allamakee County, Iowa.

To the Editor:

I guess we will all agree that our country is in deep trouble; national debt out of control and our moral situation is deplorable. It’s time for concerned U.S. citizens to wake up!

The following test can be taken with the answer choices being either R = Republican or D = Democrat:

Which party is great to increase taxes? R or D
Which party is for English only? R or D
Which party supports our military and police? R or D
Which party will put the Bible and 10 Commandments back in schools? R or D
Which party would secure our borders? R or D
Which party would eliminate Planned Parenthood? R or D
Which party would push for term limits? R or D
Which party promotes a balanced budget? R or D

by Dick Schilling, "Editor Emeritus"

... that the handwriting seems to be on the wall in regard to the future of the Waterville attendance center of the Allamakee Community School District.

Not on the walls of that almost 100 year old building, but in the information publication put out by the district’s board for consideration prior to the board meeting in November and the December meeting to announce a decision.

It isn’t anyone’s fault if the decision is to close the school. It is a victim of changing population densities. The information shows an average of about 20 students per grade just 20 years ago to about ten projected for next year. Rural populations have declined everywhere as farmers have faced the same problem as many mom and pop businesses, either get big or get out.

To the Editor:

Stigma is the greatest barrier to helping individuals with mental illness. Many people mistakenly think that people with mental illness are dangerous or that people with substance abuse disorders have a moral failing. In fact, the majority of people with mental illness pose no threat to others. And regardless of moral beliefs, addiction is a disease that impairs a person’s health, social function, and ability to control substance use.

This misunderstanding causes feelings of shame and fear among people with co-occurring disorders. Many people isolate themselves to avoid embarrassment, or deny that they need mental health treatment. Stigma in our society also prevents people in need from receiving help. Cultural rejection can prevent individuals with addiction from finding work, maintaining stable housing and providing for themselves.

To the Editor:

One of the most serious threats to our youth may be lurking in your medicine cabinet. October 28 you have an opportunity to clean out those cabinets and reduce prescription drug and opioid abuse in our community.

The Police Department, along with the Drug Enforcement Agency, will be hosting a National Drug Take-Back Day for all community members to bring unused or expired pills and patches. This is a free event and completely confidential: No questions will be asked.

Allamakee County pick-up sites will be at the Waukon Police Department, Postville City Hall, Lansing City Hall and the Lansing Fire Department. The drop-off times will be October 28 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

by Dick Schilling, "Editor Emeritus"

... that today (October 9) is listed as Columbus Day on calendars, but news stories today and this weekend describe cities which are changing that name to Indigenous Peoples Day. Government unions got the original October 12 date changed so they could get another long weekend.

The thought being that Christopher Columbus and his crews in 1492 arrived from Spain and interrupted the peacefully existing native population. That period of American history is variously represented.

In today’s Peanuts cartoon strip, Sally Brown is preparing an essay for school, and she describes how the queen said she could only afford three ships for Columbus Day’s trip. Under the impression Day was his last name.

by Dick Schilling, "Editor Emeritus"

... that as I sat down to write this shortly after noon Monday, October 2, the television stations are reporting an increasing number of deaths in that Las Vegas shooting.

Because that story is still fairly new at this point, I can’t comment on much, but when a story such as this greets you when you awaken in the morning, you can’t help but wonder what’s wrong with this world. We seem to be beset by natural and man-made catastrophes at an increasing rate as the years go on. Have we done something to really irritate God?

I can’t help but wonder about the motivation of the killer. There had to be something dark and ugly in his mind to trigger that action. It is inhuman.

Along with everybody else, I have many questions about how he was able to accomplish the horrific act. Maybe by the time you read this, some of my questions, and yours, will have been answered.