subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Fri, May 09 2008 

Columns

We must find a way to cover the uninsured

The plight of the uninsured has reached a crisis point in our country. ....more>>

  • Community colleges work to fill needs of local employers
    Can you imagine a community without access to the community college? Many of us accept the presence of our local community college and know it is always there for us. As we reflect during Community College Month, there are so many activities that we take for granted.
  • Final action to protect the health of workers
    The air that more than 90,000 Iowa workers breathe while on the job will become a lot healthier thanks to legislation approved this week.
  • Bukta: This was a busy and impressive week
  • RAGBRAI 2007 off to a good start in northwest Iowa
    SPENCER _ RAGBRAI 2007 is officially under way!
  •  Big step in a new direction
    Well, it’s official. We’re packing up and moving to Ottawa — Illinois, not Canada — leaving behind family, friends, our church and the first house we ever owned.
  •  The nature of editorials
    Welcome to another installment in the random series I like to call “The way we do the things we do.”
  •  Two topics appear interesting
    Things are starting to get good at the Statehouse in Des Moines, where lawmakers finally are taking up issues that could impact just about everyone who lives or works in Iowa.
  •  The Super Bowl muffle
    Hey, did you hear the Bears are in the Super Bowl?
  •  Where to put your money
    Let’s play the “Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is” game.
  •  Making a list, checking it twice
    Based on the results of last week’s online reader poll, I’m certainly not alone when I say I have no New Year’s resolution.
  • How we got our top 10
    Welcome to another installment in the random series I like to call “The way we do the things we do.”
  • How the top 10 stories land on, and in, the roster
    Welcome to another installment in the random series I like to call “The way we do the things we do.”
  •  Revisiting a confusing topic
    Apparently I’m big in Colorado and Texas, or so I gathered from reader response to last week’s column on the minimum wage increase issue.
  •  Trying to solve the minimum wage issue
    Is it possible for college-educated people with full-time jobs to discuss a proposed minimum wage increase without coming off as condescending?
  •  When it snows, it pours
    Every so often, a brave soul will ask me why I got into the newspaper business.
  •  Who’s doing the most to attack marriage?
    The institution of marriage in this country is under attack.
  •  Ode to a very special dog
    All of the Clinton Humane Society venom spewing — and a looming trip home for the holiday — has gotten me thinking about my dog.
  •  Elections are over — now what?
    With state and national elections behind us, the next big ballot issues formally on the Iowa calendar are school board elections in September and municipal elections next November.
  • Riding the high horse
    I write this having completed two essential responsibilities of eligible adults — voting and giving blood — in one day, so I’m all set for at least eight weeks of self-righteousness.
  •  Making sure every vote counts
    In recent days, operatives from both major political parties have contacted my household by telephone and direct mail to tell me how to go about voting via absentee ballot.
  • Become a Study Connection mentor
    Not long ago, there used to be an average of three to four adults who were significantly involved in a child’s life.
  •  Must we accept status quo?
    One of the things people occasionally ask me about my line of work is “Where do you get the ideas for all that stuff you write about?” I usually don’t have a good answer, because most of the stuff just comes from general observations and conversations.
  • Please give Clinton County Extension a yes vote on Nov. 7
    We will have an opportunity on Nov. 7 to ensure adequate funding for the future support of Extension programming.
  •  Negative ads are here to stay
    It’s election season again, which always guarantees two things:
    1. Negative campaign ads; and
    2. People complaining about negative campaign ads.
  • Stewart's legislative update
    I believe a full-time job should pay enough to support a family.
  •  They didn't win -- it's a shame
    "Do they still play the blues in Chicago when baseball season rolls around?"
  • All Iowa students deserve harassment-free schools
    All children deserve to learn and grow in a safe school environment, regardless of whether they are Christian, Muslim, black, white, brown, gay, straight, girl, boy, fat, skinny, short, tall, rich or poor.
  •  Tuba, trumpet or... nothing at all?
    Attention experienced parents of the world: I am seeking your advice.
  • Providing a safe and secure future for Iowa children
    Iowa families expect that our local schools will be an important part of providing a secure future for their children.
  • Deconstructing a faulty ordinance
    Every so often I find myself embroiled in the midst of a semi-public e-mail debate with a local elected official.
  • Make a conscious choice to Stop the Hate
    As our community prepares for the Stop The Hate Walk on Thursday, it is a good time for each of us to reflect on what we are doing or what we can do to stop the hate in our own life.
  • Attacks and negative attitude are appalling
    I find the continuing Clinton Herald attacks upon and negative attitude toward the Clinton City Council appalling.
  • Using print to do what microphones can’t
    For those who were unable to attend Monday’s Sept. 11 memorial service — and for those who were present and unable to hear me due to a faulty microphone — I offer in print the gist of what you would have heard had you been there, or at least standing close enough to hear me shout.
  • Many reasons to participate in Stop the Hate walk
    Why participate in Clinton’s Stop the Hate Walk?
  • Modern life unbelievably luxurious
    There was a letter than ran in Saturday’s newspaper lamenting the condition of Clinton’s schools that do not have air conditioning throughout the entire building.
  • Stopping the hate involves ‘reframing’
    “Stopping the hate” is much easier said than done. I’m reminded of Nancy Reagan’s futile admonition to “Just say NO” to drugs. More recently, George Lakoff has written on this “neurolinguistic” problem in his book, “Don’t think of an Elephant.”
  •  Sharing helps the healing process
    It was a Tuesday, I remember that. It was school board election day in Iowa and, as managing editor of the Independence Bulletin-Journal, I was pretty focused on not screwing that up, since I’d only been on the job three months.
  • Don’t allow hate to grow in our community
    As a child growing up in our home it was not only our mom and dad correcting and instructing us, but our grandparents also.
  • Why we’re pursuing a port authority
    The Clinton Regional Development Corp. and the Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce have been providing information on the concept of a regional port authority and development of a Foreign Trade Zone.
  •  Marching band and booger jokes
    It was a Monday night unlike any other, as I stood on the football field at Fulton (Ill.) High School, wearing a bass drum harness and trying to keep my left and right feet moving at the appropriate time.
  • Iowa State Fair is our time to shine
    It’s just around the corner and I can already taste the corndogs, hear the hog calls and feel the sawdust beneath my feet.
  •  Dream a little dream with me
    Do you have dreams?
  • Community can help teach importance of reading
    The opening of school is always an exciting time as the hot, humid days of summer give way to the rhythms of a new school year.
  • DNR director concerned with property rights issues
    As Department of Natural Resources Director and a property owner in Iowa, I took great interest in the recent debate on eminent domain.
  •  Readers’ ideas for a better Clinton
    Two weeks ago in this space, I asked Clinton residents to come up with 28 ideas for a better Clinton (one idea for every 1,000 people).
  • Stewart's legislative update
    I was recently appointed by Senate Democratic Leader Mike Gronstal to an interim committee examining the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program and Weatherization Program.
  •  Newspapers are easy targets
    Let’s walk though the steps of an all-too typical scenario for people who work in community newspapers.
  •  Soliciting ideas for a better Clinton
    One of the sheer joys of my job (note: sarcasm) is the opportunity to wade through literally hundreds of e-mailed press releases from attention-seeking politicians and political candidates.
  • Stewart's legislative update
    The Legislature did the right thing last week by overriding the Governor’s veto and protecting the rights of Iowans who own private property.
  • Blatant disregard for 1st Amendment, Flag Code
    I had the good fortune to be in our nation’s capital over the July 4 weekend, and what better place to celebrate the 230th anniversary of America’s birth while simultaneously choking on my own tongue given the current mindset of a majority of elected officials on Capitol Hill.
  • Striking a balance between protecting property rights and job growth
    The public deserves an informed debate and discussion about eminent domain.
  • Stewart's legislative update
    The Iowa Railway Finance Authority recently approved funding for rail improvement projects across Iowa, which are expected to create 430 new jobs, leverage $274 million in new capital investment and reduce transportation costs by $73 million.
  • A quick look at some new Iowa laws
    Several new laws will hit the books on Saturday, the start of the 2007 state fiscal year.
  •  Canned tomatoes in a basement cabinet
    It was just a few months ago I wrote about my family’s holiday dinner at my grandparents’ farmhouse in Elizabeth, Ill., a one-time event that seems more special with each passing day…
  • The blessing of good seed
    Ike Klavenga was an avid gardener who loved to plant and nurture. Late in life, he saw the value of a good Christian education and through a gift that he gave to Unity Christian School, Ike still is planting seeds to this day.
  •  Four ideas for the price of one
    Rather than beat each one of these ideas into the ground once a week over the next month, I’ll try to be as concise as possible. And it’ll still cost less than a cup of coffee.
  • We must protect rights of private property owners
    One of the most important rights we have as Americans is the right to own private property.
  • How we do the things we do: Primaries
    Today’s subject is coverage of primary elections. While the focus specifically will fall on the June 6 Iowa primaries, much of the philosophy applies to any primary election.
  •  Searching for the roots of complacence
    Maybe I’m just one of the millions of people who don’t always have the time or motivation to translate political jargon into everyday language.
  •  Talkin’ baseball with Andy Fox, Jody Davis
    Though recent activities at 1060 W. Addison St. in Chicago have led me to reconsider, it’s no secret that I am a serious baseball fan.
  • A closer look at ADM’s tax impact
    For a city struggling to match expenses to available revenues, substantial increases in the tax base — most notably due to Archer Daniels Midland’s expansion projects — are a breath of fresh air.
  • Local meth hotline has been helpful
    The Clinton County Meth Hotline — 1-877-244-METH (6384) — was created late 2004 after the Clinton Area Substance Abuse Council, Clinton County Meth Reduction Coalition partnered with Clinton County 911 Communications.
  • Stewart's legislative update
    The effort to improve the quality of life in Clinton and Jackson counties took me recently to our national capital.
  • Candidate explains border control plan
    At several speaking venues (Blackhawk County Central Committee, KUNI Public Radio Debate, American Legion District Meeting) over the last several days, I have been outlining my solution for securing our nation’s southern border as quickly as possible.
  • Call me crazy, but this is out of control
    So the President is telling everyone the U.S. government does not listen to the phone calls of “ordinary” Americans. Why does this concession do nothing to make me feel better?
  • Reflections on a trip to Washington
    Ward 4 Clinton City Councilman Rodger Holm participated in the annual Mayor’s Summit lobbying trip to Washington, D.C., last week.
  • Not just passing out Band-Aids anymore
    I am grateful to the Clinton Herald for its recognition of the Clinton School District nurses published on Tuesday.
  • Citizens express wishes for library services
    Last week the Clinton Public Library staff and Board of Trustees held two public forums to discuss community needs when a new library is built.
  •  Coach: Take me out of the ballgame
    I would like to begin by apologizing to the softball teams of the Clinton Herald and Main Avenue Pub/River City Investors, as well as the entire recreational softball community, for my ridiculous attempt at playing left field in Monday’s season-opening contest.
  • Meth is an issue at the CCASWA
    I will never forget the day that I was working in the Clinton County Area Solid Waste Agency recycling center with some other employees, when several plastic pop bottles with plastic tubing came down the sort line with the other recyclables.
  •  Trying to understand the immigration debate
    Let me see if I have this whole immigration discussion straight.
  • Looking back on 30 years at CCC
    You can’t tell me that Clinton is a bad place to live, although some have tried.
  • Bukta's legislative update
    In an attempt to end the stalemate that has arisen in resolving budget differences and adjourning the 2006 session, Democrats proposed a reasonable compromise.
  • Olson's legislative update
    The most common question I am being asked is “when is the Legislature going to adjourn?”
  •  Two years in and still learning
    I learned a lot in the first 104 weeks of my son’s life, which we marked Sunday with a delightfully scaled-down birthday party.
  • Can’t imagine Clinton without CCC
    Can anyone imagine the city of Clinton without Clinton Community College?
  • Stewart's legislative update
    As was the case last year, this year’s legislative session will be extended in order to negotiate the priorities in the upcoming Iowa budget.
  • Baseball as it should be
    I am a lifelong baseball fan and as a reward for my faithfulness and devotion, the baseball gods have led me to Clinton where baseball is as it should be: Simple, straight forward, close and personal.
  •  Looking back on days gone by
    Every April, I think fondly back on my four Flunk Days and wish there were some way for the working world to embrace the concept.
  • Stewart's legislative update
    Three Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division trucks featuring designs promoting Iowa’s three pilot Great Places — Clinton, Coon Rapids and Sioux City — were unveiled last week at the State Capitol.
  • Olson's legislative update
    Two weeks ago, there was talk that the Legislature would adjourn before Easter, but that is not the case.
  • Chamber issues statement on recent bills
    On Wednesday, the Iowa General Assembly took action on several significant bills that directly impact the economic and community development of the Clinton area.
  •  Fixing baseball’s schedule quirks
    Now that we’re in the fourth week of the “new look” Clinton Herald, as well as the second week of the Major League Baseball season, I thought it would be a good time to meld the two concepts and do some redesigning of the sports landscape.
  • Schueller's legislative update
    Spring is here at last! So is the end of this legislative session.
  • Clinton Community College benefits everyone
    CCC truly is skilled at connecting the citizens of Clinton County with each other and with the world.
  • Stewart's legislative update
    A new proposal would eliminate the state income tax on pension income for taxpayers who make less than $100,000 and on all Social Security income received by Iowans.
  •  No such thing as secrets on the Internet
    The debate over what students post on the Internet, or otherwise document, and how that information should be handled by parents, administrators and the law was bound to end up in 52732 at some point.
  • Olson's legislative update
    On Tuesday, the Iowa House passed House File 2754, the Renewable Fuel Bill, by a vote of 92-7.
  •  Should LaMetta Wynn resign?
    Should LaMetta Wynn resign as mayor of Clinton?
  • Many ways to connect to community college
    April is Community College Month!
  • New ADM plant in Clinton remains a top priority
    Clinton received good news recently with the announcement that Archer Daniels Midland/Metabolix plans to build its first commercial plant for PHA-based plastics, which are renewable, biodegradable and suitable for many uses.
  •  Surprise! Lawmakers disappoint
    For a few weeks now I’ve been planning to write a column on the ongoing TouchPlay saga being played out at the Statehouse in Des Moines.
  • Putting final pieces in place
    Well, here we are.
  • Stewart's legislative update
    It was great news this week to learn that Clinton will be home to Archer Daniels Midland Co.’s first commercial plant for high-performance natural plastics.
  •  The only thing we have to fear is change itself
    When searching for a quote about change to kick off a column about the Herald’s redesign process, I came across far too many choices, many of which are so cliché that the original author, intent and context are long lost to history.
  • Scheuller's legislative report
    Education, health care, economy and jobs are issues that receive much of our attention each year and they are well deserved issues that need continual updating and positive prognosis.
  • Gateway area benefits from state grants
    Last week, the Iowa Department of Economic Development awarded $35.4 million in HUD grants to communities across Iowa.
  • House debated unusually large volume of bills
    The General Assembly has reached its midterm for this year of the session. All bills that made it through the House Committees have been eligible for debate as of Monday.
  • Olson's legislative update
    The House passed the following appropriation budgets that have been sent to the Senate: Ag and Natural Resources, Justice System and Economic Development.
  • Herald staff getting ready for redesign
    After months of working alongside a consultant to get just the right look, we are almost there. On March 20, we will unveil the Herald's new style.
  • PPEL vote is not about special interest groups
    I would like to address recent criticism and questions regarding the use of PPEL funds for physical education and athletic facility renovations and improvements to the Vernon Cook Little Theatre.
  •  Two quick tales of weekend weirdness
    I’m not going to take up too much of your time this week — we’ve got a lot of Physical Plant and Equipment Levy letters to get to.
  • Bukta's legislative update
    Two public hearings were held at the Capitol this past week to allow Iowa’s citizens an opportunity to present comments on two major issues facing the state this legislative session.
  • Stewart's legislative update
    Things are more hectic in the Senate as deadlines approach.
  • Olson's legislative update
    The renewable fuel bill has been in the news recently. As subcommittee chairman of the bill, I have been busy the last several weeks holding subcommittee meetings and meeting with farmers, lobbyists and experts in the field.
  •  Coach’s speech caps a night to remember
    It was a distinct pleasure to be where I was Friday night, surrounded by Fulton High School students for the highly anticipated Mike Ankrom Benefit.
  • Board member explains PPEL-funded projects
    A very important date is coming up just around the corner, March 7.
    This will be the day voters will be asked to go to the polls and renew the current Physical Plant and Equipment Levy, or PPEL.
  • Bukta's legislative update
    The Governor’s Task Force created to look at the TouchPlay machines in Iowa held its first meeting on Feb. 10 at the State Historical Building in Des Moines.
  • Olson's legislative update
    The Iowa House passed a bill with bipartisan support to limit the power of local and county governments to seize private property.
  •  The first great day of the calendar year
    If you notice me walking with an extra lilt in my step today, there’s a very simple, four-word explanation: Pitchers and catchers report.
  • Schueller's legislative update
    This past week has been a very hectic one and arrived “chock-full” of business.
  • Stewart's legislative update
    This week I visited with two constituents whose opinions I hold in high regard.
  • School board vice president defines PPEL
    This is the first in a series of guest columns to be presented by members of the Clinton Community School District Board of Education designed to present the straight facts about the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy, also known as PPEL.
  •  Convention proves to be mind-opening experience
    Though the average reader may be moderately familiar with newspapers, precious and few are the readers who are intimately familiar with the way things work and how the process we call “the Daily Miracle” actually plays itself out over and again.
  • Olson's legislative update
    A bill to eliminate the state income tax on pension and Social Security benefits passed the Iowa House last week on a bi-partisan vote.
  • Stewart's legislative update
    Things are beginning to heat up in the Senate.
  • Bukta's legislative update
    The Iowa House of Representatives voted last week to provide a huge tax break to Iowa seniors older than 65.
  •  Finding ways to make my life easier
    I like things spoonfed to me. I’m fully willing to admit I’m lazy. I want what I want when I want it.
  • Race founder recalls history of B-rrry Scurry
    I am pleased to see the race continue for 25 years and the many people who have helped make it such an important event at CCC.
  • Olson's legislative update
    One of the first things we do each year in the Legislature is set an allowable growth rate for K-12 education for the budget year one and a half years from this date.
  • Bukta's legislative update
    The third week of Iowa’s General Assembly was filled to the brim with numerous activities, which included visits from Clinton area groups.
  • Stewart's legislative update
    I believe some real rewards and benefits can come to Clinton in the months ahead as a result of everyone’s efforts.
  •  Lessons learned in a day on the farm
    Sometimes a writer has to accept the notion that he or she may not be the best person to try to capture something in words.
  • Week two of session was short but busy
    The pace quickly picked up Jan. 17 as session convened and budget subcommittees met all over the Statehouse.
  •  Clinton’s water towers -- whatta waste
    A water tower is a blank canvas waiting to be used to brighten up a community, to give it something that helps it stand out from the rest. In Clinton, we have billboards for a company we have no choice but to patronize.
  • Representative digs in for second year
    I’ll have to admit its a little disappointing to no longer be referred to as a freshman as it was kind of a kick to be 50 and still be called a freshman.
  • Vilsack fails with cigarette tax proposal
    If Iowans are to rely on the $30 million for something as important as health insurance for small businesses, then raising the tax as a means to get people to quit smoking is counterproductive.
  • Iowa Caucuses set for Jan. 16
    The community gatherings offer Iowa citizens the chance to join their neighbors to discuss issues and concerns at all levels of government.
  •  Time to end toothless restrictions
    Iowans keep adding restrictions to where sex offenders can live, pushing them into rural areas without schools and daycare centers or, as we have seen in the Gateway area, across state lines to other communities with no such laws.
  •  In this case, it is all about the journey
    For those of you who have been paying rapt attention to my “Weekly Walking” feature that charts my progress toward a goal of 2.5 million steps this year, the following will come as no surprise: I am a failure.
  •  Sometimes the issue is more than black and white
    I used to think there were two kinds of people in Clinton, those who get it (agree with me) and those who don’t (oppose everything).
  • Explaining the nature of the solid waste agency
    Some have suggested in recent discussions at the city of Clinton council meetings that the reason for garbage rates going up are because the Clinton County Area Solid Waste Agency’s per capita assessment fee has doubled in price. I would like to clarify a few things on this issue and about the CCASWA.
  •  Reader feedback in the 21st century
    The reader forums have been up and running since the new version of the Herald’s Web site went online in mid-October. In recent weeks they’ve started to attract a good deal of activity.
  • The truest headline ever written
    “Positive community attitude is key to economic success”: If ever there was a statement that was accurate — it is that one.
  • Focus on building economy
    One of the top priorities of the upcoming session of the Iowa Legislature should be building a stronger Iowa economy.
  •  NFI’s good message takes a bad turn
    Taking issue with the National Fatherhood Initiative's public service announcement.
  •  Next year won’t be any different from any other
    The only group of people seemingly more optimistic than Cubs fans during spring training are Iowa legislators in November and December.
  •  What a long, strange trip it'll be
    I’ll just be thankful if I’m alive Thursday to even ponder what I’m thankful for.
  •  Annoyances, irritations, nettles, chafes and so on
    Just in case you’re wondering, and I know you all are, here’s a list I’ve been keeping of my pet peeves:
  •  It’s too darn early for Christmas decorations
    It’s Nov. 9, less than two full weeks before Thanksgiving, and I have already seen three Clinton homes with full Christmas light displays erected and operational.
  • Pool improvements to be finished by June
    It is anticipated that this new portion of the Riverview Pool Complex will be ready for opening day in the 2006 season, which is anticipated to be the first weekend in June.
  •  Young people have a right to their opinions
    Warm up the dead horse, ‘cause I’m ready for a whoopin’.
  • A look at the world from 1987 to 2022
    If you’re not familiar with the Beloit College Mindset List, the basic idea is take the birth year of the current crop of college freshmen, then take a look at pop culture since that year and scare the old folks by how pointing out how different their world is from the class of 2009.
  • Cubs fans forced to chose the least of three evils
    The three teams Cubs fans hate most are the only three left playing for the right to be called World Series champion.
  • Wondering what’s next in Great Places odyssey
    Most of us haven’t had a real good idea about the particulars of the Great Places program since our fist meeting in early April.
  • They didn’t win — it’s a shame
    I thought it would be impossible for a similar series of injuries and rotten luck to strike the Cubs again in 2005. Boy was I wrong.
SEARCH OUR SITE

Add to Google   RSSWhat is this?    

 

monster
wheels
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide