Opinion

Aug. 1, 2016Washington, Iowa To the Editor:Thank you to the RAGBRAI committee members, subcommittee members and hundreds and hundreds of volunteers who worked tirelessly to prepare for ?RAGBRAI Coming to Washington.? Your commitment and efforts are so appreciated ? and what a success the event was ? you did an amazing job and should be so proud of yourselves! We heard tons of positive comments from bikers and ...

July 26, 2016Washington, Iowa To the Editor:The bond referendum for a new YMCA building will get our ?No? vote on Aug. 2 because we believe in choosing where our donations go.City government developed because collectively citizens realized the need for putting their dollars together to provide for all. They are called public services because they are available to all. These services come with a price tag ...

July 26, 2016Washington, Iowa To the Editor:On Aug. 2, 2016, citizens of Washington will have the opportunity to vote on whether or not they want their taxes raised for the next 20 years. The funds from this increase will be used to build a new YMCA building on West Fifth Street. While taxpayers will have the opportunity to vote on this issue, they will have no representation when it comes to making ...

July 25, 2016Washington, Iowa To the Editor:I do understand the value of the YMCA for folks? health, athletic and social drives, and I do certainly value our youth. What I don?t understand is why our city council is willing to gift a parcel of land with no property tax benefit from said property once the building (to be funded by taxpayers) is in operation. It seems land gifts would be better directed toward ...

July 27, 2016Washington, Iowa To the editor:It has been a privilege to be a part of the RAGBRAI Washington 2016 Advisory Board as we have observed in awe the time, energy and gifts shared by key Executive Committee Chairpersons Diana Rich, Dani Kane, Lyle Moen, Nancy Rash, Ron See, Michelle Redlinger and Sarah Grunewaldt. We are grateful to each of you and many, many others that have selflessly volunteered ...

To the editor:I am appalled by Dear Abby?s column regularly and rarely read it. However, I did read it in The Fairfield Ledger from Friday, Sept. 7, 2012. Abby?s advice to TAKEN ABACK IN CALIFORNIA was, at best, politically correct. At its worst, the advice adds to the moral decline of America! Abby?s last comment was, ?It?s called REALITY.?Businesses should have the legal right to require an employee dress ...

To the editor:Last week, I received an email from a company I had recently ordered some products, that the order placed on August 18th was shipped on August 22nd. This company was promising next-day shipping on all orders, meaning orders received on the 18th would go out their warehouse the next day, or on the 19th. I was feeling the squeeze, because I was hoping to receive the package delivered to my house by ...

In this morning?s Ledger mail there arrived a complimentary copy of the 2013 Old Farmer?s Almanac. I buy one every year and there is more information in it than one might expect. The 2013 edition is no exception.The first page states that this almanac contains, ?besides the large number of Astronomical Calculations and the Farmer?s Calendar for every month in the year, a variety of New, Useful and Entertaining ...

July 20, 2016West Chester, Iowa To the editor,In the ?Salute to Volunteers 2016? section of Thursday, July 14 Washington Evening Journal a group of 85 individuals who volunteer to provide healthcare to their respective communities 24/7/365 days a year were not among those listed. I fully understand that these individuals are recognized during ?EMS Week? but I think it cannot be said enough so that the ...

July 19, 2016Washington, Iowa To the Editor:I support voting ?No? on the Aug. 2 bond referendum.I believe our property taxes are to support services that benefit the public at large, such as schools, police, roads, sewers and such. The YMCA is a private organization requiring membership payment, and it does not benefit all the citizens of Washington.I agree, as most do, that the YMCA provides an important ...

July 19, 2016Washington, Iowa To the Editor:Several years ago an individual by the name of Ray Pugh was the guest speaker at an annual dinner here in Washington. Mr. Pugh was the executive director of the Des Moines YMCA at Boone. He was also an outstanding motivation speaker. The speech that he gave that night was an excellent presentation that Washington Community residents would find very fitting to ...

July 18, 2016Washington, Iowa To the Editor:The question is whether to support a bond for the Washington Community Y that will be put to vote next month. We will be voting Yes as we feel this is a great opportunity for our community. This is the best option for a great new modern facility built in an area where expansion can take place if needed.Why do we need this, you may ask. Many look for exercise ...