Union letters to the editor

Between a Rock and a Hard(ware) Place

Well, it’s happened. Our favorite “Small Town” locally owned hardware store unceremoniously closed its doors on September 6th. What a shame. I’m a local contractor, and this leaves quite a hole in my supplier chain! (I won’t go into that it didn’t need to go this way.)

What I do want to go into is this: In April of this year, the Chamber Ambassadors acknowledged Luckman’s as a local successful small business. As a business owner myself, I know that any business is only as good as the people in it. This is even more pronounced in a small business.

When I started my business about 30 years ago, one of the first things I did was set up a few key vendor accounts that I could count on to supply my needs as a contractor. Luckman’s was first on that short list. And through that time, there is one individual that always got my orders right and really took care of me. In fact, many of us in the trades went to Luckman’s really just because of this person — Rock Davis.

Unloading the afternoon delivery truck or coming in extra early to stock the shelves, reworking product lines and displays to better fill our needs, or a special order tool, or a custom color paint order, it was always Rock. The Heart and Soul of Luckman’s Hardware.

So a heart-felt “Thank You” Rock! You’ve served Fairfield for over 36 years. The best to you on your next adventure.

Lou Bolster

Fairfield

Grassley’s attacks fall flat

Chuck Grassley works, all right. He's on overtime in his attack on three star Admiral of the United States Navy, Michael Franken. Admiral Franken is Grassley's challenger for U.S. Senate. ( "Campaign Almanac," Southeast Iowa Union Sept. 9, 2022.)

Grassley, who never served in the military, has his well seasoned cadre of dirt diggers scouring the remarkable 36-year naval career of Franken in hopes of any tidbit that can be twisted to a big dollar attack ad. Tough job. Franken's military career is impeccable and his leadership experience unmatched by any candidate in the country. Franken even worked during the George W. Bush presidency with Republican Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld in the briefing on worldwide orders.

So, what is the nastiness from Chuck all about? How about diversion. What Grassley should be talking about is his "no" vote on the Inflation Reduction Act and the lowering of prescription drug and insulin costs for millions of Americans.

Franken dutifully served our nation. If he now seeks to further serve through public office after a distinguished career in uniform he should have the opportunity. He should be applauded. Knit-picking nastiness is, well ... curmudgeonly.

David Helman

Salem