Opinion

October 25, 2012Washington, Iowa To the Editor:The Demon mascot is one that we ? as alumni of Washington ? have associated with our whole Demon lives. It is displayed on the buildings we learned in, lifted weights in, ran track at, played football and soccer next to, where we celebrated our homecoming pep rally and so much more.Those are not the only places that this Demon mascot will be found. It is also on ...

Later this month, my mom, sister, three nieces and I are going on an overnight trip to Chicago. It will be a girls? weekend out. I?m not sure what all we are doing but I know we?ll be eating at good restaurants, we?ll be seeing some type of theatrical show and we?ll stay at a downtown hotel.The details don?t matter to me. What does matter is that we?ll be together and we?ll commemorate an event that didn?t ...

Geoarbitrage.That is a big word for a relatively simple concept. I believe business guru and author Tim Ferriss coined the word to describe the relationship between economies when spending and selling. In other words, if you are able to purchase something in a weaker economy for less and sell it in a stronger one for more, you will make money.An example of this is if someone earns money in the United States and ...

I haven?t been in school for over four years, but when I walk through my old school buildings, I have flashbacks to those days gone by.I recently had the pleasure of attending a class at my collegiate alma matter, Iowa State University. My youngest sister, Mary, is a senior there, and the family and I went to see her a few weeks ago when she received a scholarship from the College of Human Sciences.The awards ...

Oct. 30, 2012Brighton, IowaDear Editor,I have watched with some interest the legal proceedings with regard to the supervisor candidates. Mr. Seward and Mr. Yoder appear to be honest, upright men that are trying to do the right thing. Hearsay has it that another candidate also received funds from a corporation-but returned them 2 days before charges were filed against the other people involved. Is it possible ...

October 30, 2012Coralville, Iowa (To the editor)Dear Sheriff Dunbar and other concerned Iowans:Thank you for being willing to talk about Martin Medrano and sexual assaults in the Washington County Jail in a way that protects the rights of the accused and balances the many competing interests. I want to thank the jail staff for taking Medrano to the hospital after Medrano said that he was sexually assaulted ...

In some of the deepest, darkest parts of the ocean volcanic vents spew gas into the water. Not too long ago, scientists discovered methane-breathing life way down here.These organisms are the exception. Every other living thing on earth requires oxygen for cellular respiration. And yes, that does include plants.Plant cells, like animals?, need oxygen to convert sugars into usable energy for normal processes. ...

October 26, 2012Richmond, Iowa To the Editor:As a resident of Richmond I would like to comment on County Supervisor Adam Mangold?s response to a letter by Marcus Fedler, in the Washington Journal of October 24 and 25, 2012, in which he attempts to rationalize his promotion of a Richmond lagoon sewer system.It is disingenuous, to say the least, for Adam to compare the village of Richmond to any of the cities ...

I was part of the S.E. Iowa Artists Studio Tour this fall. It was my second year for participation, and I was thinking maybe this would be my last year for the tour. (By the way, here in Iowa we pronounce ?tour? as in ?two-er? not ?tore.?) I?d had several shows lately, and was sort of burnt out; plus, I hadn?t advertised the event as I was supposed to. A small turnout would be the result. That was fine with me. ...

October 22, 2012Kalona, Iowa To the Editor:I?m disappointed that the citizens of Washington County are just now paying attention to the Richmond lagoon situation. After years of planning and conflict the supervisors are considering scrapping the lagoon at the expense of the rural citizens as a one-time taxation.Now the lights are on and the volume is up. You have become aware of Richmond?s situation when it ...

I had never heard of Morris Park, outside of Stockport in Van Buren County. When Dorothy Gilbert of Stockport called me, and told me about Van Buren County?s Scenic Drive, and asked if I would consider setting up my rusty junk sculptures in Morris Park, I decided to check the park out. Morris Park is just north of Stockport off County Road W-30. At the first curve, follow the signs. There are a couple of miles on ...

October 16, 2012Washington, Iowa To the Editor:Our county taxes and fees increased 25.5 percent over the last four years. This doesn?t include the $8 million in borrowed money for gravel or the potential for $1.8 million more for a lagoon in Richmond. Meanwhile, sources show our median income declining.We?ve got issues that need resolutions and I?d agree. When problems come up and the department heads think ...