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Fri, May 09 2008 
Columns | Editorials | Readers' Letters |

Opinion

Fill the Thomson prison, already

Here we go again. Once again, talk has surfaced among state officials that now is the time to fully open up the Thomson Correctional Center — that the time has come to shutter an older prison in the state and send those inmates to the new state-of-the-art facility along the Mississippi River.....more>>

  • Keeping SSA office open is the right thing to do
  • Congratulations to our honored nurses
    With a major medical center located in Clinton, as well as several clinics, the Gateway area employs many people in the health care profession.
  • Check your alarms and the batteries inside
    Last week and again today, the Clinton Herald published stories about the importance of having working smoke detectors in area homes.
  • Grants are welcome news
    Monday was another great day for the city of Clinton. On Monday afternoon it was announced by U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley that Clinton is receiving $600,000 in Brownfields grant funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
  • Take me out the ball game
    Today is a special day for those who love their baseball and want to cheer on their local team: The Clinton LumberKings will open their season today at Alliant Energy Field against the Cedar Rapids Kernels.
  • We’re betting RBD will have a great year
    If you’ve read today’s front page, you already know that Riverboat Days organizers have announced two more acts that will be performing at this year’s summer festival.
  • Leadership Institute’s project will have benefits for years
    Over the past several years, the Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Institute has undertaken a class project to improve the Gateway area.
  • Auxiliary’s hard work makes difference
    Every year, the Mercy Auxiliary works hard to conduct fundraisers and collect money to improve the health care offered by Mercy Medical Center and strengthen the nursing program at Clinton Community College.
  • We applaud those working to make a change
    It’s not easy to lose weight. It takes dedication, a change of habits, a lifelong commitment. But for many, it is something that needs to be done.
    It could be for many reasons.
  • Building a foundation for reading
    It’s a simple message that makes so much sense. Reading to babies and children is good for their brain development and intensifies the bond between the child and parent.
  • Court order was best way to end humane society controversy
    It’s been more than a year since it became apparent that there has been quite a bit of discord between the Clinton Humane Society Board of Directors and some of the humane society’s membership.
  • Remember to give to Student Food Drive
    Have you donated to the local Student Food Drive being conducted by Clinton and Lincoln high school students? If not, there is still time.
  • Welcome back, councilmen
    There’s a lot of changes on the horizon for the city of Clinton.
  • Reader thanks Masons for hard work
  • ABATE riders make Christmas better for area kids
    It’s that time of year again. The television commercials are starting to reflect a feeling of the holidays, Christmas decorations can be found in store aisles and pretty soon kids will be making out their wish lists.
  • Incentives are a great way to clean up neighborhoods
    The Clinton City Council during the past few years has been discussing ways to get people to improve their homes in Clinton’s core area.
  • All agencies should get on board with this agreement
    During the past few weeks, area school boards and the Clinton City Council have heard reports about a Safe Schools and Community Interagency Agreement, a special interagency agreement that would promote the safety and wellness of area students.
  • Hancock Fabrics building purchase makes sense
    For at least two years, the future of the Clinton School District’s maintenance facility was up in the air — as in where it would be located.
  • Honoring the heroes
    Every year since 2002, the Clinton Herald has published a special section in September known as Hometown Heroes as a way of honoring our local police, fire and rescue personnel.
  • EICCD vote will reap benefits for many years to come
    Recently we had the chance to talk to an employment agency official and learned some very startling things about the area’s job climate.
  • Paint the Town volunteers did a great job
    Saturday was a beautiful day in downtown Morrison, Ill. The skies were sunny, the temperatures, not too hot or too cold, and the streets were ready for painting.
  • Stop the hate
    Hate. By nature it is an ugly word. Each year, local residents show how much they wish to eradicate it from our daily lives.
  • Read about what’s been happening the past year
    Each year in September, the Clinton Herald publishes what is known as its Progress editions on four Saturdays of the month.
  • Go to Victory Center meeting to allay concerns
    The Victory Center Rescue Mission has been feeding, clothing and assisting the homeless since 1987.
  • When it comes to kids on the streets, be careful out there
    Soon children will be seen heading to and from school early in the morning and later each day. Some will be in buses and cars; others will be hoofing it on the streets.
  • Corn on the Corner was fun for all
    Corn on the Corner lived up to its name. It was “corny.” It’s what small-town, Midwest America is all about. Neighbors meeting neighbors at a communitywide block party.
  • Get involved in National Night Out
    Looking for a way to have fun, meet some neighbors and make some new friends?
  • Students complete monumental task
    Oftentimes, unless it is an outstanding athletic or scholarly achievement, it’s easy to overlook the good that is being done by area students.
  • Helping from the heart
    Imagine that you are living in a house that needs some work, but you are either physically or financially unable to get it done. It would be frustrating and in some cases unsafe to continue to live this way.
  • Six brothers deserve recognition
    We have used this space recently to write about the impact that firefighters have on our communities — how they really are heroes among us.
  • Remember to thank a firefighter today
    Whenever they are needed, they will go. If it’s the dead of winter, in the middle of the night, no matter the time, a firefighter will respond when the emergency call goes out.
  • SRO program is a great benefit
    Since 1995, school resource officers have been patrolling Clinton school building halls, mentoring students, conducting investigations and taking care of truancy matters.
  • Come on out to the Juneteenth celebration
    A very special event is taking place Tuesday along Clinton’s riverfront. On that day from noon to 8 p.m., residents will be able to take part in the city’s first Juneteenth celebration.
  • Monday was a good day for Clinton
    Months of hard work culminated Monday when ground was broken for construction of the Wild Rose Casino on Clinton’s west end — the first land-based casino that will be built in the state.
  • Tenants need to get serious about renter’s insurance
    The Gateway area has been hit hard by fires over the past few months.
  • This addition is good for dogs and their owners
    Pets are wonderful to have. They provide comfort, unconditional love and keep us company. In return, they need food, water, checkups, shelter and a return of the love they give.
  • Kudos to Lions Club for its work
    Recently two Camanche toddlers received a vision test provided in cooperation with local Lions clubs that is making a world of difference for them.
  • ‘Old Glory’ will fly proudly
    How many times have you seen a displayed flag in less than good condition? While you’re happy to see someone’s patriotism, you are sad that the flag is allowed to look tattered and dirty.
  • Time to move on local building code
    It has happened. If you missed Monday’s Clinton Herald, “it” is the signature of Iowa Gov. Chet Culver on the bill that would place a building code in those cities with a population of more than 15,000 that do not already have a code in place.
  • Celebrate National Library Week
    How well do you know your library? Next week is a good time to find out. Sunday marks the start of National Library Week and there are many events planned to get you involved at the Clinton Public Library.
  • It’s time to play ‘You Pick the Hero’
    You know how you hear a story and wish it was true? This week, the Herald encountered just that three times over — leading us to scratch our heads as we decide which one to believe.
  • Get ready for severe weather
    Did your workplace or school’s in-house tornado drill device sound this morning?
  • We’re proud to have our community college
    Each year since 2003, Clinton Community College has celebrated April’s Community College Month — and we’re glad to be a part of it.
  • Thoughts on the code
    If you haven’t had a chance to check out this week’s Clinton Herald online poll question, take a look. It in essence asks for readers’ thoughts
  • Habitat housing builds a community
    Sunday was a beautiful day for more than one reason. On that day, area residents turned out for a groundbreaking ceremony for the second Habitat for Humanity home in Clinton.
  • Congratulations to the A Cappella Choir
    Pretty much every day on the Clinton Herald sports page, there are articles about achievements by high school students.
  • Time is right for a building code in Clinton
    Throughout the years, time and time again the need for a building code in Clinton has surfaced. At times there were formal votes, with the last one failing in 2003.
  • More ways to say thank you in South Clinton
    At last week’s Clinton City Council meeting, there was a closure of sorts.
  • ‘Taste’ is part of a fine leadership
    In 2002, the Leadership Institute of the Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce conducted a campaign called “Take a New View.”
  • New vehicle is another way police share resources
    In this day and age, the phrases “sharing resources” and “regional cooperation” are buzzwords that are tossed around a lot.
  • Humane Society battle must be resolved
    Much has been written about the turmoil within the Clinton Humane Society — specifically between its board of directors and the membership.
  • Fellowship club is a needed facility
    There’s a very special place where residents and their families can go when coping with recovery issues. It is the Clinton Fellowship Club, at 1010 S. Fourth St., and it is an example of self-sufficiency at its finest.
  • More progress for Fulton
    There’s a lot going on in our neighboring city to the east. Fulton, Ill., is a neat-as-a-pin, active community, with volunteers ready to stand by to help in whatever way needed.
  • Meet your legislators to gain understanding
  • Salvation Army theft wrong on many levels
  • Fire safety — it’s about more than the victims
    It seems as though every couple of weeks, we have experienced a fire in Clinton or the surrounding area. In fact, some days we’ve had incidents in which one fire is called in right on the heels of another.
  • New school was needed to fill out plan
    On page 5A of today’s Clinton Herald, our popular historical columnist, Gary Herrity, gives readers a detailed history of the Clinton School District’s beginnings and the many schools that have housed students throughout the years.
  • Help is on the way for Clinton family
    As is often the case, when a Gateway-area resident is sick or suffering, many rush to provide aid. Judging by how many times we’ve been contacted by people asking how to put information in the newspaper about a benefit they’ve organized for a friend, there are many who’ve been blessed with people who care and want to help them.
  • Historical Society makes an important contribution
  • Camanche facility is a model for rest of the state
    There were many issues discussed during two legislators’ recent visit to Camanche.But one item really stood out to us — that of the significance of the Kids First! Academy.
  • New networking group has a noble goal
    It’s no secret that Clinton, like the rest of the state, has an aging population. It should be no surprise then that there will continue to be an increase in services that will be needed by this growing segment of our population.
  • Pet owners simply are not interested in following rule
    According to city officials, fewer Clinton residents are licensing their pets. This is a problem, they say, because the licensing structure is in place to help generate a database of rabies vaccinations as well as to help reunite lost pets with owners.
  • Cigarette tax can achieve only one goal
    From 2000 to 2006, only twice did a state legislature opt to raise its cigarette tax by $1 per pack — Maine in 2001 and Montana in 2005. This information is brought to us by the Federation of Tax Administrators, which also tells us that, as of Jan. 1, 2006, Iowa’s 36 cents per pack ranks 42nd in the country, tied with Louisiana.
  • Many issues roll into district calendar discussion
    There is a debate brewing in the Clinton School District between administrators and educators, and it all boils down to one simple item: the district calendar and, specifically, inservice days set aside for mandatory staff development.
  •  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.
  • Not a pretty city budget picture
    Welcome to the job, Gary Boden. On your first day as Clinton City Administrator Monday, you had the unpleasant task of telling the City Council its general fund balance is in dire condition and called for a tight budget for at least the next two years.
  • Anna Nicole Smith’s un-anchored marriages fostered her early death
    I was saddened about the unfortunate death of Anna Nicole Smith, who died at age 39.
  • Fair Share capable of derailing entire legislative session
    Perhaps the words Fair Share don’t scare you yet — but they should. Not because of what the bill floating around the Iowa Statehouse could mean to non-union workers covered by union contracts, but because of what Fair Share could do to the entire legislative session.
  • Cigarette tax hike would be harmful to small retailers
    Last year, Iowa smokers paid almost $185 million in cigarette taxes, tobacco taxes and settlements to the state — that’s part of the reason there’s a $1.3 billion surplus in the state general fund.
  • Higher cigarette tax is unconscionable
    I have been following with growing disgust the crusade of Gov. Culver and others to raise the state cigarette tax another $1 per pack.
  • Time, price are right for jail study
    One of the most common criticisms of government bodies is that they aren’t run like a private business or a single-family household. But those criticisms tend to be levied when it comes to spending money. When the issues are open meetings or accountability, we rightfully demand much more from elected officials than private businessmen.
  • Reader pins smell on rendering company
    In regards to the editorial “Why Have Odor Complaints Declined?” in the Wednesday edition of the Clinton Herald:
  • Jaycees seek info on past members
    The Clinton Jaycees are looking to update contact information on all past members of the Clinton Jaycees.
  • Judge’s visit underscores city’s forefront role
  • Price to be paid for seeking personal gain
    When the main building at the Deer Ridge Apartments burned to the ground in early December, the days and weeks that followed were filled with stories of people coming to the aid of residents, offering food, money, clothing and shelter to more than 60 people who lost everything in a matter of hours.
  • Time for the city to act on odor complaints
    When I picked up my paper Jan. 25 and read the “Odor Complaints Decrease” headline, I almost had a stroke.
  •  The nature of editorials
    Welcome to another installment in the random series I like to call “The way we do the things we do.”
  • Welcome to Clinton, Mr. Campbell
    Dear Kent Campbell,
    Welcome to Clinton. We’re sure you’re excited to be hired as the new president of the Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce and, although you don’t officially start work until Monday, assume you’re anxious to hit the ground running.
  • Time to have the statewide local option sales tax debate
    Here’s a little government 101 lesson for those who may be interested. Although it may seem terribly basic — fundamental, even — it remains an important thing for people to understand.
  • Why have odor complaints declined?
    There has been a fair amount of discussion since we printed a story about Clinton’s odor hotline under the banner headline “Odor complaints decrease.” All of it has centered around a very important question: Why?
  • Booster club effort is worthy of praise
    Let’s head back a few months to early March 2006. Clinton School District voters had rejected — for the second time in less than a year — extension of the voter-approved physical plant and equipment levy.
  • Proceeding with caution is best possible plan
    When it comes to the ongoing investigation of alleged employee wrongdoing at the Clinton County 911 call center, there are only two facts worth knowing:
  • Cost of hospital care is very, very confusing
    Monday’s front page featured three stories about the cost of medical care, centered around a new Web site produced by the Iowa Hospital Association that aims to allow comparison shopping for hospital treatments.
  • Reader will work hard for Vilsack campaign
    Magnanimously, former Governor and presidential candidate Tom Vilsack worked very hard for the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Iowa, and as president he will do the same for the entire nation.
  • 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.
  • There really is room for improvement
    When we ran a five-column, front page headline about the downtown and Lyons business districts Saturday that read “Room for improvement,” we anticipated some negative response from the people whose life work is to promote those two parts of Clinton.
  • We are worried about our safety and health
    In response to the Clinton Herald’s opinion on Thursday:
  • Time to take action on new garbage system
    It has been 13 months since we called for the Clinton City Council to begin the process of converting to an automated waste collection system as a way to save homeowners time and money.
  • This town stinks... literally
    Are the officials of Clinton actually pleased with the odors that surround this town? After reading the article “Odor complaints decrease,” that is what I would believe.
  • You don’t get an opinion
    If you don’t live in South Clinton, don’t assume to know what goes on down here.
  • Many sides to complex issue
    The Clinton City Council’s Internal Operations Committee meets on an as-needed basis, meaning it sits idle for months, if not years, at a time.
  • South Clinton residents explain concerns
    We, the neighbors of Archer Daniels Midland property, have many concerns regarding the rezoning and construction now taking place in South Clinton.
  • Lots of questions, no answers
    I just read the Herald’s Opinion in published in the paper Thursday. I would like to take a minute to respond.
  • Making the community better
    The 14th Clinton Citizen Police Academy class has its first meeting Feb. 8, and the CPA Alumni group has elected its officers for the coming year.
  • An issue worth studying
  • Time for answers in South Clinton
    Of all the things that were made abundantly clear at Tuesday’s Clinton City Council meeting, the most alarming is simply how much is unknown by both the city and its residents in the South Clinton neighborhood.
  •  The Super Bowl muffle
    Hey, did you hear the Bears are in the Super Bowl?
  • Welcome to Clinton, Mr. Boden
    Dear Gary W. Boden,
    Welcome to Clinton.
  • Reader asks for Dance Marathon support
    Once again I am participating in Dance Marathon at the University of Iowa and I need your help!
  • A good chance for the public to be heard
    There is a public hearing at the beginning of tonight’s Clinton City Council agenda and, unlike in most cases, we expect the public to be present and heard.
  • Lots of what ifs for the future of Clinton
    What if…
  • Legislature fails to properly address property tax issues
    Shortly after winning election as governor last November, Chet Culver announced his appointment of a special panel to investigate the unreasonably high commercial property taxes and report back to him before his January 2007 Condition of the State Report.
  • Look out for each other
    Those responsible for breaking windows on more than 100 cars in Clinton last week appear to have been stopped in committing their small reign of terror. Five people have been arrested, accused of the crimes.
  • A significant moment in Iowa’s history
    Amidst the flurry of activity at the Iowa Statehouse on Jan. 8 — the first day of the new legislative session with a horde of freshly elected Senators and Representatives — a few moments were set aside to be spent on a significant moment in Iowa’s history.
  • Was anyone else concerned?
    Does the last Clinton City Council meeting raise concern with others beside myself?
  • Many questions about future of county landfill
    It’s been a wild 10 months for the Clinton County Area Solid Waste Agency, with two pressing questions about its future and many taxpayers wondering what hangs in the balance.
  • Armstrong is not a threat to society
    A threat to society is someone who is lost, which means someone’s heart is cold, someone hasn’t heard, someone doesn’t care, someone failed to share, someone failed to help and finally someone decided to admire the creation in this world instead of the Creator of this world.
  •  Bend it like Barackham
    The curious lives of David Beckham and Barack Obama may never intersect outside of my brain, but the prominence of these two in the national news of late has me wondering more than ever about the forces that motivate humans and guide our lives.
  • The epitome of community
    Time and again the people of Clinton have shown themselves to be thoughtful, caring neighbors quick to come to the aid of a friend in need.
  • What is wrong with people today?
    This letter pertains to the story “Son attacked by dogs.”
  • Council moving in the right direction
    The Clinton City Council has turned an eye toward a growing problem in the community — the urban core slowly decaying while new construction, commercial and residential, focuses on the fringe areas.
  • Council responding correctly to 19th Avenue request
    Since there’s been so much talk about the condition of existing city streets, perhaps it’s right to turn attention to one that hasn’t even been built yet.
  • Religions have more in common than you think
    Jim Fullan’s letter and his kind words for me and my article about Muslim’s view of Christmas is appreciated.
  • City council did the right thing
    Every member of the Clinton City Council deserves recognition and gratitude for Tuesday’s unanimous vote to improve South 18th Street by installing a 31-foot-wide section of concrete, curb and gutter from Second Avenue South to Eighth Avenue South.
  • Administrator search nearing completion
    Few decisions the Clinton City Council makes this year — or most years, really — will be as important as hiring the right city administrator to replace Jeff Kooistra, who left the post last fall after more than five years on the job.
  •  Where to put your money
    Let’s play the “Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is” game.
  • Glad to have Jefferson situation resolved
    It appears that the long saga of constructing Clinton’s new Jefferson Elementary School may finally be over.
  • Reader, son attacked by dogs
    On Friday night, my 2-year-old son, Davian, and I were walking our 2-year-old boxer and a 3-month-old boxer puppy around the block. Both of our dogs were on leashes.
  • Sunday will be a special day
    Sunday will be another special day in Clinton: The 19th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration is set to begin at 3 p.m. that day as a time to remember and celebrate his life, work and vision.
  • Legislative session will be interesting
    Monday marked the beginning of the Iowa Legislature. Democrats will be in the majority this time, and thus set the agenda, lead the committees and decide the fate and future of our state.
  • Votes could be very telling
    When the Clinton City Council sits down for the first regular business meeting of the year Tuesday, it will have the opportunity to set the tone for the future of the town and what its residents can expect as it relates to the condition of city streets.
  • A significant difference
    The opinion “Do Muslims Celebrate Christmas?” by Anis Ansari reveals the difference between the Muslim view of Jesus and the Christian view in that the Muslim considers Jesus to be a prophet only while the Christian considers Jesus to be the son of God.
  • Young women should take a look at pageant
  • Good news for United Way, other agencies
    The end of the calendar year typically is a time when people dole out contributions to various entities, be it a favorite charity, local church or other good cause.
  • Reader responds to letter stating Muslims’ view of Christmas
    Dr. Anis Ansari’s letter thoughtfully described Christmas from the Muslim perspective.
  • It’s important to care for all Iowans, regardless of age
    We hope our readers took note of a story on Tuesday’s front page regarding Iowa’s aging population.
  • We should take landmarks seriously
    I was amazed by the photo taken in the 1950s of the people gathered at St. John’s Episcopal Church.
  •  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.
  • A perfect chance to take advantage of life on the river
    Many people familiar with the Gateway area — often those new to town or recently departed — have been heard to say people here don’t appreciate what they have with the Mississippi River and all it offers.
  • Some people aren’t following instructions
    I’ll begin this letter with a quote from an article in your Dec. 15 edition, “City of Clinton Snow and Ice Control Program.”
  • Committees help city move forward on police, fire facility plans
    The future of Clinton’s public service delivery will be greatly shaped by work being done now by two committees — one that is addressing the city’s police facilities and the other that’s planning for the fire department’s future.
  • 2007 promising to be a good year
    There are a lot of good things happening as we take a look around the Gateway area.
  • Building owner issues thank you
    I witnessed the most challenging night for fire, city and Red Cross crews, in which I’m very proud and thankful of the quick response and organization, in addition to the caring and patience from all in handling this devastation.
  • 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.”
  • Person of the year greatly deserves this honor
    When we decided to select the Clinton Herald’s first-ever Person of the Year, we weren’t sure how it would go over.
  • The time is right for new Catholic church to happen
    It’s been a long time coming. But now the parishioners of Jesus Christ Prince of Peace Parish can visualize the future of their church.
  • Thanks for the lights — and the festive spirit
    Well, another Christmas is behind us. Gifts are opened, and some, no doubt, have been returned. Scraps of Christmas candy and cookies can be found in nearly empty cookie trays.
  • Special thanks to all of Santa’s helpers
    There seems to be an awful lot of Santa’s helpers in the Clinton community this Christmas season, both the in-store costumed variety and those on the ground, doing the legwork of getting toys to the children who may need them most.
  • Do Muslims celebrate Christmas?
    Every year people ask me, do you celebrate Christmas?
  • Building code is a delicate, divisive issue
    The fire that destroyed the main building at Deer Ridge Apartments was not fully extinguished before city officials brought up the two words that sharply divided Clinton in 2003: building code.
  • Former councilman supports road project
    Pam Graboski conveniently did not mention all the streets that have been installed with assessments, i.e. 13th Avenue North, Second Avenue South, Eighth Avenue South and North 11th Street. These assessments affected a lot of people who had to come up with a lot of money in those days.
  •  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.
  • Marina project no longer just a dream
    In the race to not be the last Vision Iowa project completed, the Clinton Marina has pulled ahead of the Riverview Park Bandshell.
  • Commending a young hero
    It’s never a good thing when people lose a home, a point that has been driven home all too frequently in recent weeks with a spate of apartment and house fires.
  • Do the work, and do it right
    While we’re glad to see the issue moving forward, we remain baffled at the approach our elected and appointed officials are taking.
  • Thank you for making us part of your lives
    “News about you,” our recently adopted motto, truly is a two-way street. We’re happy to provide the transportation, and we’re equally happy that you’re along for the ride.
  • Good moves by city council
  • Lessons learned from a disaster
    With the devastating Deer Ridge Apartments fire now more than a week behind us, it seems a good time to think about what we as a community have learned through the experience.
  •  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?
  • Time to get serious about library plans
    And so it has come to this. The Clinton Public Library Board of Trustees and its hired architect, Greg Gowey of the Davenport architectural firm Scholtz, Gowey, Gere, Marolf, have developed a detailed plan for adaptive reuse and expansion of the Harding Elementary School building to create the new main branch of the Clinton Public Library.
  • ’Tis always the season to help the hungry
    Oh sure, ’tis the season for hall decking and fa-la-la-la-la-ing and all that good stuff, but it’s also the season for charitable contributions. In particular, food drives tend to be as popular as those aimed at providing toys to underprivileged children, and this year is no exception.
  • Stylist writes about salon cleanliness
    I am writing in response to the articles in the Dec. 5 and Wednesday editions of the Clinton Herald about the disciplinary actions taken against two area salons.
  • Community answers the call for help
    It is with heavy hearts that we once again put ink to paper this week to tell the story of lives forever altered by a horrible fire.
  • Money should be spent on city park system
    It’s not too often that the city of Clinton finds itself on the positive side of a minor financial windfall. Usually it’s exactly the opposite — the state needs some cash or the federal government wants a new mandate carried out, and our local revenue supply gets drained.
  •  When it snows, it pours
    Every so often, a brave soul will ask me why I got into the newspaper business.
  • Iowa lawmakers must move forward with I-Smile program
    On the long list of social concerns — things people worry about when they’re thinking of their fellow man — dental care for poor kids may not spring right to the top.
  • Help us give HUGS this holiday season
    If we counted the number of editorials written this year to encourage participation in some local event at helping people less fortunate, it certainly would enter double digits and might even fill a full month.
  • Safety is everyone’s responsibility
    It now has been two full weeks since a man and his dog were shot dead by a deer hunter inside Mississippi Palisades State Park in Savanna, Ill., and very few questions have been answered about the entire incident.
  • Great Places projects edging toward reality
    Slowly but surely, Clinton’s Great Places projects keep rolling along, with each passing development demonstrating the welcome difference between Great Places and Vision Iowa.
  • A belated thank you
    We recently realized that before we moved to Kansas, we forgot to say “Thank You” to many deserving people in the Clinton, Camanche and Fulton, Ill., region.
  • Marriage should be entered with enduring vows
    Somehow, our contemporary society views serial marriage and divorce and re-marriage as perfectly fine. Yet, there is a stigma on polygamy.
  • The best time to dive in to the holiday season
    Today the focus shifts to Christmas — specifically a smorgasbord of activities scheduled for this weekend to help welcome the holiday season in grand fashion.
  •  Who’s doing the most to attack marriage?
    The institution of marriage in this country is under attack.
  • Making the most of a special time
    Now that most of the leftovers have been eaten or frozen and America seems to be barreling full speed toward another Christmas season of gluttonous consumption, perhaps it is fair to recap some of the highlights of the week that was.
  • Some agencies leading the way in cooperation
    We’ve had the opportunity in recent weeks to print stories about instances of cooperation between local fire departments, and it’s served as an excellent reminder of how some agencies are able to work together.
  • Taking positive steps against a horrible reality
    If suicide has affected one family, it has affected too many. But locally, there have been several recent teen suicides recently, which was what motivated the DeWitt Observer and the DeWitt Community Hospital Foundation to sponsor a panel discussion about the issues and, most importantly, to analyze how future tragedies can be prevented.
  • Apathy never cured any disease
  • 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.
  • Liberty Square a race worth running
    If the words Liberty Square meant nothing to you last week, hopefully Saturday’s front page — explaining the project in explicit detail, with several full-color visual elements to help — brought the concept into your world.
  • Help us celebrate our 150th year
    On Dec. 18, the Clinton Herald will celebrate its 150th birthday.
  • Herald is harassing Humane Society
    I am a former area resident and a current member of the Clinton Humane Society.
  • Mustangs played like champions all season long
    The Morrison Mustangs football team — losers of just one other game the entire season — fell one point short Saturday afternoon in an Illinois High School Association Class 2A semifinal contest against the Tigers of Westville High School.
  • Welcome home
    Once again, local residents have shown that however unpopular the war in Iraq may be, we will continue to respect and honor our service men and women.
  • Time to crack down on those who owe the county money
    It is an unfortunate reality of modern government that Clinton County must rely on the help of a state agency to collect room and board fees owed by jail inmates, but at least the state is willing to use its muscle to help lift a burden shouldered unfairly by all county residents.
  • Reflections on the Great American Smokeout
    This is, without a doubt, the biggest example of “Political Correctness” that one could ever witness.
  • Kettles, ringers out in full force
    Sure, Thanksgiving is about a week off, but the holiday shopping season has been going strong since before Halloween. So it’s no surprise that one of the sure signs of Christmastime, the Salvation Army bell ringers and red kettles, were rolled out Wednesday.
  • There are better ways to honor our veterans
    Smiles all around for the common sense exhibited at Tuesday’s Clinton City Council meeting.
  • Help us name a Person of the Year
    The Clinton Herald Editorial Board hopes to start a new tradition in 2006, recognizing an individual or group that has had the greatest impact on the Gateway area over the past year.
  • Reader: Things that make you go ummm?
    I filled a five-gallon gas can, it took six gallons.
  •  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.
  • Showing support to help others kick the habit
    By all accounts, tobacco is a drug that forms a powerful addiction in its users. Many of those people — smokers, dippers and the like — desire to quit tobacco, yet find its pull too powerful to resist despite the heaping piles of evidence pointing to the havoc tobacco wreaks on the human body.
  • Herald coverage found lacking
    On Nov. 4 we welcomed home several of our local Naval troops back from Iraq.
  • Students lead the way on hunger drive
    File yet another story under the following category: High school students are not as bad as the stereotypical perception.
  • What is happening to Clinton Humane Society?
    What is happening to our Humane Society?
  • Slow it down!
    To the person speeding in the truck in the vicinity of 2030 400th Ave. on Thursday at approximately 9:30 a.m.:
  • Be safe: Don’t veer for the deer
    If you’ve ever driven on an open, country road in the fall during nighttime hours, you know exactly what we mean when we say it’s that time of year again.
  • Take time to thank a veteran
    Today we celebrate Veterans Day with mixed emotions.
  • Sizing up the aftermath
    As we leave the election cycle behind us and look forward to the winners being sworn in after the first of the year, we find Clinton County in an odd position.