Breaking News

Letters to Editor

Knowing how much water costs, I won’t pay for the splash pad

To the editor: First, I would like to request that you deny the proposed splash pad. Second, I will tell you why. 1) Ongoing cost and water usage. I have experienced two pin point water leaks at my residence. The first in November 2020 and the second in October of this year. The total to repair the leaks and access sites (I don’t have a basement) was $4,226.97. With that in mind, I know what an extra unit or two of water costs. So, to be honest, I don’t need or want to pay a portion of the water used by the splash pad that will be used by a limited number of people. 2) ...

We need to take a deeper look at our long-term needs

To the editor: I’m astounded that with the projected expenditures, we approved moving forward on a splash pad and even more by a follow up letter that said we should instead do an aquatic center. There have been offers of donations toward the splash pad, but they don’t cover even half of the projected expense or the expense for the water which is projected to increase 50% in the next two years. It would also take away income from the current pool which we will have to address if we then want to keep the pool going. The idea of an aquatic center and the money needed for that ...

Let’s not spend our resources on a splash pad

To the editor: There are expenses that our city government must undertake. Namely, those being the wastewater treatment plant, the water treatment plant and the electrical utility needs. Being on a fixed income we don’t like these expenses, but we accept them as necessary. On the other hand, there is a proposed city expense that we wish not to accept. That is the proposed splash pad for East Twin Park. Earlier, the city was advised to avoid extra expenses. Another argument is that the state of Iowa is in a serious and lingering drought. The flushing of thousands of gallons of water ...

Jane Curtis hit the nail on the head

To the editor: Jane Curtis hit the nail on the head! We’ve been strongly advised that Webster City needs to “tighten our belts.” Though the splash pad is an interesting idea, it is not necessary at this time when it would only serve a very limited age group, is extremely costly, and would put an ongoing annual upkeep expense on not only our pocketbooks, but those of our children and grandchildren. Especially with this large water rate hike in these current times of drought. Wouldn’t it be more prudent to put that money toward a new aquatic center that would bring in revenue, ...

The way to change the world is by speaking up through votes

To the Editor: Do you like the world today? Are you worried about America? Who do you blame, the politicians? And who voted those politicians in? I want you to look in the mirror and ask if you’ve done enough. In the 2022 midterm election the voting rate was 46%, less than half. Do you encourage others to vote? A fact check of the voting rate of 50 countries showed the U.S. came in 31st. Almost 250 years ago our forefathers fought a war against a king who taxed them but didn’t listen to their concerns. If you think you are too small to make a difference, you haven’t spent a ...

Congratulations to VDMC on receiving $751,000 grant

To the Editor: Throughout November, USDA Rural Development (RD) is celebrating Rural Health Day. I want to congratulate Van Diest Medical Center on receipt of a $751,000 USDA RD Emergency Rural Health Care Grant. This award is a key part of the Biden Administration’s Invest in America initiative — focused on rural America. President Biden is committed to ensuring the success of rural hospitals and health care facilities by helping them purchase supplies, equipment, renovate, replace operating costs, recover from the recent public health crisis, and meet the needs of the ...