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The Van Diest Medical Center Foundation is grateful

Letters to Editor

To the Editor: In one word — gratitude. At a time of year when we give thanks and count our many blessings, the Van Diest Medical Center Foundation wishes to thank the organizations and individuals who have supported our events and campaigns over the past year. Through the generosity of philanthropic and community partners, our hospital benefits and, in turn, patients in north central Iowa benefit greatly. One of the more recent events was the 8th Annual Van Diest Medical Center Foundation Golf Outing, held this fall at Briggs Woods Golf Course. The outing raised more than ...

The splash pad is a troubling, unnecessary expense

Letters to Editor

To the editor: It is troubling to me that our city council who is making decisions about the financial welfare of our city are entertaining a massive expenditure to build a splash pad. Have they considered the cost each year to maintain and provide employees to oversee this recreational endeavor? The situation in our city has a very high elderly population who are trying to live in their homes and are very concerned about their property tax which just saw a substantial evaluation increase which translates to higher taxes and they are also concerned about the high cost of ...

A lot of us are not happy because of the city's wasteful spending

Letters to Editor

To the editor: I tried to get my message out to the people of Webster City at the (city) council meeting last night (Monday). I knew I was in trouble before they let me speak. The mayor, when asked why they had the power to tax the citizens even more, his reply was we’re in power and you’re not. OK, then. Taxation without any representation. They wouldn’t let me finish what I needed to say about the sad state of affairs of our out-of-control spending of the city. The mayor told me to stand down or be removed. … (Editor: The designated time to discuss the splash pad was ...

Is it Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays?

Local Columns

Every year about this time we begin hearing complaints from whose who believe their right to wish others a Merry Christmas has been taken away. Or they complain that someone wished them “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas.” As a follower of Jesus who sincerely believes Jesus is the reason for the season I want to quote Archie Bunker and say, “Stifle yourself!” I will soon be 76 years old and I’ve been wishing folks “Merry Christmas” for most of those years. In all those years I’ve never had someone complain when I wished them “Merry Christmas.” When ...

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

Letters to Editor

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) ...