Newton Independent

Letter: Greed and politics

To the Newton Independent:

I had to sit up and take notice this morning after reading two different articles in the Newton Independent having to do with the Iowa Speedway.

On the one hand, there is an appropriations bill that has been in discussion now in the Iowa Legislature that would provide taxpayer money to develop the Iowa Speedway furhter to attract another class of NASCAR events. Been known that this was going on for a while. Sounds questionable, but no problem so far.

Then I read, after we are going to help the Iowa Speedway out, they want to have a cow about how their property is assessed. Man, talk about biting the hand that feeds you.

So, since they want their cake and eat it too, then we could reduce the assessed value of Iowa Speedway and also deny one dollar of assistance to help them develop it further. The we all would be in agreement - their property wouldn't be worth it for NASCAR to do more with them, so the value would drop and then they could enjoy the lower assessment that they want.

If they want Iowa to fork over taxpayer money to help them out, they need to shut their yap and quit trying to act like greedy little school children. They are perfectly fine with taking tax money from the citizens, but they will fight tooth and nail to keep from paying any more than THEY think is necessary.

Welcome to the world of greed and politics.

Clifford Downing
Kellogg

 

Letter: May Day! May Day!

To the Newton Independent:

The frantic call of someone in trouble, bad trouble. I say May Day is the plight of America today.

For more than a hundred years, the grandfathers and fathers of today's generation put their body, their lives and their meager resources up against the rich and powerful and sacrificed in every way to create labor unions. This allowed the creation of the largest middle class of any country in the world.

And then, starting with Ronald Reagan - and out of greed and jealousy - the new middle class threw the people less fortunate than themselves out of the safety net provided by government to fend for themselves.

I rejoice not in anyone's misery, but many of the new middle class who went out and voted for the Republican Party got a taste of what they did to their fellow Americans. Things are bad you say and nothing much is being done in Washington you say? Well, whose fault is that?

It's your fault, and pardon my English, but things ain't going to get better until you big cry babies stop voting for Republicans, federal and state. Like the devil did to Jesus, they offer the world but deliver hell.

May Day! May Day! America is going down in a hail of NRA bullets and women are losing title to their body. And you voted for it.

Olen W. Lambert
Newton

Letter: Maytag Park becomes hallowed ground

To the Newton Independent:

On behalf of our committee, I would like to thank the citizens of Jasper County for their support during the recent Walll That Heals event.

The local businesses, which are too many to mention, came through as always with supplies, meals, etc. The Legion Riders and Patriot Guard Riders escorted the Wall to town with great honor. Sheriff Halferty and countywide law enforcement and fire personnel led the procession into Maytag Park.

The blessing of the grounds was led by Vietnam vet Gary Van Baale who gave an opening prayer that painted a realistic portrait of the veterans on the Wall and the circumstances that led to their names being listed.

Over a dozen local Vietnam vets helped assemble the Wall. It was with great reverence that their hands handled the panels as they were placed side by side. To the vets, they weren't metal panels, but a living testimony to their 58,000 plus fellow comrades that had made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of our country.

The Wall was guarded 24/7 by local Vietnam vets. As the snow steadily fell, and the temperatures dropped, I suggested they sit in their cars to stay warm. They would hear nothing of it. They stoked up the fire pit and faithfully stood guard over those on the Wall.

Many stories were exchanged over that fire. Some humorous, some sad; each one taking a grey headed individual back 40-plus years to a land far away. No matter where they were stationed, each vet had a connection to the stories. As the renowned author Jose Narosky once stated, "In war, there are no unwounded soldiers."

Maytag Park became hallowed ground for a time last week and I do believe that some level of healing took place. We will continue our mission of healing and recognition later this month. Another jet load of local vets will make their way to their memorials in D.C. on May 21st. Please join us in thanking these vets at the send-off ceremony which will be held on May 19th.

Freedom is not free and these vets sacrificed a portion of their life to insure that we enjoy what we have today.

Doug Bishop
Jasper County
Freedom Flight Committee

Letter: Rider adds to Trooper's thoughts on motorcycle safety

To the Newton Independent:

Trooper Cutts is correct in reminding drivers and bicyclists of the importance of mutual awareness and care. As the days warm and grow longer, motorcyclists are also making an appearance. Many of Trooper Cutts' cautions apply to drivers who are sharing the road with motorcyclists. Might I add these comments?

To drivers: Remember that motorcycles are also motor vehicles, by definition. As such, they have the same right to the road as cars and trucks. Please don't attempt to cut off riders in traffic or fail to yield the right-of-way.

When approaching an intersection, or driveway, look twice! Cycles are smaller than cars and are often missed, despite bright headlights. Hang up your cell phone; distracted driving can kill motorcyclists.

Don't tailgate motorcycles; they can stop MUCH faster than you can and the results can be deadly. Don't turn in front of motorcycles, even if you think you have plenty of room. In a panic stop, a cycle can easily spill its rider and cause serious injuries. Every time you drive, expect to encounter motorcyclists. Even if you don't, it's a good practice.

To riders: Remember that cars have a right to the road, just as you do. Yield when appropriate. Come to complete stops at traffic control devices. Make sure all of your lights and signal devices are working properly - turn signals, headlamp, brake lights, and fix them if they aren't.

Check your tire pressures regularly, as low pressures will adversely affect handling and stopping ability. Don't attempt to "rush" a traffic light or intersection just because it looks like you can.

Wear full protective gear, and make sure your passenger does, too. This includes a DOT-approved helmet, full-fingered gloves, abrasion-resistant jacket and pants, and over-the-ankle boots.

Don't drink and ride, much less smoke and ride. Make sure your pipes are quiet; believe me, loud pipes don't save lives but only aggravate people who otherwise would be friendly. When given a chance to interact with drivers, as in a parking lot, be courteous and friendly and ready to share your delight in riding.

See you on the road.

C.E. Bryant
Newton

Letter: Trooper urges traffic safety

To the Newton Independent:

As the weather is warming up, drivers need to be aware.

There are people out jogging and bicycling. Some of these joggers are out before the sun comes up and after its sets. Walkers and joggers need to wear light colored clothes or reflective clothing.

Drivers need to slow down and look ahead, scan the roadway. That means checking side roads, driveways. Drivers need to put the cell phone down and drive.

If bicycling in the dark you need to have a light on your bicycle front and rear. Always wear a bike helment. You want to be seen as well as protect your head.

Trooper Doug Cutts
Safety Education
Iowa State Patrol

Letter: Man gives evil to men

To the Newton Independent:

A couple of years ago I took advantage of a trial subscription to a magazine that attempted to show that religion is a bunch of crap and people could get along fine without it. I remain unconvinced.

I believe that there is something in man's nature that needs religion for the soothing effect it has on the spirit or the soul of a person. For mankind, religion seems to be as necessary as salt, but too much salt can harm you, or even kill you, and so it is with religion.

Now, two brothers became filled with too much religion and it caused them to go on a killing spree. There are different sources for salt, as there are different sources for religion. Too much of either salt or religion is a deadly toxin to any human.

I once heard a person say, "Once we discover life somewhere else in the universe, all this religious crap will stop." If you believe that, you are about as smart as a stump.

As for me, I believe in the Big Bang Theory but not even the smartest minds in the world have come up with the answer to the origin of that dot that exploded with such force and was able to create the universe.

The brothers were Muslims, but too much of any religion can cause the same evil. God - He, She, It - gave us salt because our bodies need it. And God gave us religion because our spirits need hope. But it is man who gives evil to men.

Olen W. Lambert
Newton

Letter: Sheriff Halferty thanks Jasper County dispatchers for the outstanding job they do

To the Newton Independent

The week of April 14 through April 20 has been dedicated as National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week. The Jasper County Sheriff's Office would like to recognize and honor our staff who perform these duties every day of the year.

We employ nine dispatchers who communicate, via radio, phone and Internet, with all emergency first responders within the county. Each year, our dispatchers handle an average of 35,000 calls for service. They are almost always the first and last person to be involved in these calls.

For most responders, they are the lifeline, providing valuable information and sending needed resources, in order that each incident is handled safely and efficiently. Many times, they are required to handle several duties at once.

For example, during the ice storm in Jasper County in February 2007, two dispatchers on duty handled over 800 phone calls involving routine and emergency situations in one shift. These calls included lines down, car accidents, power outages and many other situations. Dispatchers were required to prioritize each call and evaluate what resources were available to handle the incidents. During this time, our dispatchers also had to set aside their own personal concerns about family, friends and their homes in order to peform their job.

Without their dedication and professionalism, the Jasper County Sheriff's Office would not be able to provide the level of service that we do. We would like to honor our staff during this nationally recognized week.

John R. Halferty
Sheriff
Jasper County

Guest commentary: Governor's health plan cripples Iowa's mental health redesign

By BILL PETERSON
Executive Director
Iowa State Association of Counties

One of the building blocks of the redesign process for Iowa's mental health and disability services (MH/DS) system managed by Iowa's counties is Medicaid expansion. Medicaid expansion is expected to save up to $60 million annually in mental health care costs for persons with incomes at or below 138 percent of the federal poverty level, an estimated 110,000 to 180,000 Iowans.

The county property taxes currently used to fund these services would be freed up to meet the requirements of MH/DS redesign. Workgroups have outlined new mental health services that must be provided statewide and services for persons with developmental disabilities and brain injury are to be added when funding is available.

The Governor's plan will only cover an estimated 89,000 Iowans with fewer services, thus leaving the counties to provide for both the individuals and the services not provided under his plan.

While ISAC would be opposed to the Governor's plan solely based on the comparison of coverage, the financing of Healthy Iowa with $85 million in county property tax dollars is unacceptable. The $43 million in mental health levies from each county in Iowa are already budgeted to fund the county-managed mental health system in the coming fiscal year and beyond. By adding $42 million from the Broadlawns Hospital property tax levy, the property tax payers in Polk County bear an inordinate percentage of the Governor's proposal.

Beginning in 1996, the state and counties have worked together to move the cost of mental health and disability services off of property taxes. There was an agreement at that time that property tax was not the appropriate funding stream for these services. By the same token they are not an appropriate funding source for a state-wide health insurance program.

Iowa's counties are willing to work with both sides in coming to a proposal that best meets the health care needs of Iowans in poverty, but we cannot jeopardize the success of the redesigned regional MH/DS system by allowing the scooping of local property taxes to fund Healthy Iowa. The success of the redesigned system is dependent on adequate state funding going forward and taking $43 million of the resources supporting the new system is exactly the wrong thing to do.

Medicaid expansion will serve an estimated 21,000 -91,000 more Iowans than the Governor's Healthy Iowa Plan. Medicaid expansion will not direct local property tax dollars from their intended purpose. ISAC urges the legislature and the Governor to pass Medicaid expansion in order to ensure adequate resources for Iowa's MH/DS system.

Letter: Joy has been, well a joy!

To the Newton Independent:

It dawned on me that today marks the one year anniversary of the City Council approving the code change to allow mini pigs as pets.

I was also reflecting on comments the naysayers made in regards to Newton becoming a hog lot and just the general negative attitude overall.

As of March 28, there are a total of two mini pigs licensed with the city; one being Joy. I have met the other mini pig.

Joy has not been a nuisance, or mean. Quite the opposite. People that meet her love her and are amazed at the tricks she has learned. It's fun educating people.

She has been an amazing pet. It was worth the time it took to convince the city to allow mini pigs. She is a wonderful companion pet. She has the intelligence of a 2 or 3 year old so that can and will be interesting at times.

Mini pigs are not for everyone, though. She loves and craves for attention, wants to be laying next to us at all times. She makes us smile and laugh on a daily basis. As we learn her little quirks or attitude she gives us when she isn't getting the attention she deserves we can be pulling our hair out at the same time, but then within seconds (we are) smiling and laughing again.

Anyway, I just wanted to let you know it's been all good. I really need to write the council and let them know this as well.

Dawn Bleeker
Newton

Letter: Changes in store for Newton Little League

To the Newton Independent:

With spring just around the corner, that can only mean baseball is not too far behind. The Newton Little League Board has been meeting since the first week of February laying out plans for the season.

As President of the Newton Little League, I'm excited about this season and want to share with you some changes we are making. We are in the process of putting together plans and forming new partnerships that will help us to develop players and coaches. I believe that 2013 will be the turning point for Newton Little League and baseball in Newton.

This year we have two new co-coaches for high school baseball. They are Darin Tisdale and Pat Riley. Coach Tisdale and Coach Riley have asked to be a part of our planning process this year because they understand for their teams to excell it beings at the lower levels. With their help, we are completely restructuring our leagues so that we better utilize our player's practice and game times.

The coaches' philosophy is pretty straight forward. We need to teach our players the game of baseball, but keep it fun, simple and exciting so that they want to play.

In addition, we need to teach our volunteer coaches how to keep it fun, simple and exciting so that their players are excited about playing.

We are purchasing new training aids and practice information that will help all our coaches teach this philosophy. Every coach in each of our leagues will have the same information and drills that they will use. This way, every player is being taught the same thing. The idea is that players will be moving from drill to drill with little time to stand around. It will be fun and interesting to see both players and coaches develop together.

How many of you knew that Little League has a pledge? The pledge is, "I trust in God, I love my country, I will respect its laws, I will play fair, And strive to win, But win or lose, I will always do my best."

Now let's look at the Newton YMCA mission: "To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a health spirit, mind and body for all."

I am pleased to announce that the Newton Little League has formed a partnership with the YMCA. While our league is a city-wide league, most people just assumed we were already associated with the Y. So really,, this is a partnership we should have done a long time ago.

The Y will handle our day-to-day operations, like player registration, player evaluations, drafts, field preparations and concessions, to name a few. Parents can now go to the Y during normal business hours and register at the front desk. With this partnership, we will now have a greater opportunity to expand our instruction and training of baseball fundamentals that we were just unable to do before.

I would also like to announce that we are forming a new Junior League this year. This league will be for 13 and 14 year old players. This field will have a slightly smaller infield than has been used in the past. The pitcher's mound will be at 54 feet versus the normal 60 feet and the base paths will be 80 feet rather than 90 feet. This smaller infield is being endorsed by our high school coaches.

Coach Tisdale and Coach Riley will be heavily involved in a lot of aspects of this league since these players are just a few years away from moving into high school baseball.

We are also looking to limit the traveling these teams will be doing. We are working with Grinnell to schedule games and looking at possibly other teams that are fairly close. At this time, we are hoping to get three Newton teams, but there has been interest expressed that could possilbly push this to five teams.

With any change comes challenges and to meet these challenges we are going to need the cooperation of parents, players and volunteer coaches. Sign-up for 2013 is under way so stop in at the front deask at the Y and get signed up.

Craig Trotter
President
Newton Little League

Letter: What do you think about chickens?

To the Newton Independent:

It's never come up in front of the Newton council, but I'd like some discussion on keeping poultry in the city limits.

It's a cheap source of protein, a way to dispose of waste food and fun to watch - and get rid of bugs!

Our nursing homes/retirement villages are full of people/ex-farmers that would enjoy watching a few chickens/ducks; as would a few child care centers.

Rick Fletcher
Newton

Guest Opinion: Medicaid expansion is right for Iowa

By STEVE LONG
CEO
Skiff Medical Center

I have the privilege of serving an organization whose mission and vision upholds the conviction that every person deserves access to health care.

Here at Skiff Medical Center, our commitment to serving as a healing presence to all the members of our community means the debate over whether Iowa should expand the Medicaid health insurance program comes down to a moral question in many respects. We believe caring for the least fortunate among us is simply the right thing to do.

We also believe that expanding Medicaid is the right decision to protect jobs and help enhance our state's business climate.

At Skiff, we appreciate the complexity of the Medicaid program for both the federal government and our state legislators. We also understand the challenges of forecasting the financial impact of a "yes" or "no" decision.

However, as an organization that takes its healing mission very seriously, we believe that expanding access to health care to an additional population of very low-income Iowans fits squarely within our mission to serve all who need our medical care. We also believe our hospital's mission reflects the priorities and values of the communities we serve.

Others share that conviction. In deciding that his state should move forward with Medicaid expansion, Ohio Republican Gov. John Kasich said he was guided by his personal ethics. "I can't look at the disabled, I can't look at the poor, I can't look at the mentally ill, I can't look at the addicted and think we ought to ignore them." he said. Similarly, Gov. Rick Scott of Florida, also a Republican, said, "America's greatness is largely because of how we value the weakest among us ... I cannot, in good conscience, deny Floridians the needed access to health care."

A decision against extending Medicaid coverage to more Iowans also will have a severe financial impact on health-care providers, potentially forcing some to eliminate jobs. At Skiff, we are already absorbing significant cuts in reimbursement under the Affordable Care Act.

Skiff Medical Center and other Iowa health-care providers already serve those who would benefit from Medicaid expansion when they become so sick they need care in our emergency room - and we abosrb those costs as unreimbursed care. This, too, reflects the hospital's mission, but the rate of growth for unreimbursed care is unsustainable and undermines our ability to support the overall demand, not only for hospital services, but for other community-benefiting programs that, frankly, only our organization can provide.

More importantly, the ER is no replacement for a personal physician. But it is practically impossible for someone to establish a relationship with a primary care provider - to create a "medical home," if you will - when they are uninsured. This is why we must expand Medicaid coverage, including mental health benefits, to as many low-income Iowans as possible.

Skiff has supported the governor's goal of making Iowa the healthiest state in the nation. We take an active role in improving the wellness of the people and communities we serve. The hospital works continuously to improve the quality of care for every patient while also creating efficiencies that ensure every health care dollar is wisely spent.

Providing high-value health care is part of our mission that also reflects the expectations of the community. Accomplishing this goal - ensuring quality while also lowering health care costs through improved care management - will also fuel economic growth, a top priority for both our state and our country.

However, refusing to expand Medicaid and keeping thousands of poor Iowans uninsured undermines the physical and mental health of our people and economic vitality of our hospitals and our state.

If Iowa legislators decide against Medicaid expansion, we will be left with the worst of both worlds: providing more uncompensated care for Iowans still not eligible for Medicaid while receiving less money from the federal government to cover these costs.

And we will have let down thousands of struggling Iowans who are counting on our compassion.

Letter: Donate to support new and improved Newton fireworks display

To the Newton Independent:

The Park Board is taking huge steps in creating a new and improved Fourth of July Fireworks Display in 2013. The event is being moved to Agnes Patterson Park and a new type of fireworks display will be presented. The new location and show will provide many benefits including more off-street parking opportunities, a more intense fireworks display and like more activities prior to the show. The Park Board believes the 2013 show will be a more attractive community event than in recent years.

It may seem early to start fundraising, but the board has a lot of planning to do with the new changes. We have set a goal of $7,000 to be raised by March 26. This goal would allow us to receive additional fireworks for free through early sign-up incentives. With the fundraising completed early, board members would also have more time to plan and implement pre-firework activities to enhance the event.

If we are going to succeed in making the 2013 Fireworks Display a successful event, we need your help. The money generated for this event will not come from tax dollars, but from private donations from individuals, organizations, and businesses. We are focusing on making this celebration a more community-focused event and we will not accomplish this goal without the community coming together to help fund this annual event. Therefore, we ask you to consider making a donation today, so together we can create an event that allows everyone to celebrate our country's great accomplishments.

If you have any questions about the fundraising efforts, you may contact the Park Office at 641-792-1470. All donations should be sent to:
Newton Parks Department
Attn: Fireworks Fund
3000 N. 4th Ave. E.
Newton IA 50208

Thank you
Newton Park Board Members
Adam Vandall
Debb Smith
Amanda Price
Dennis Combs
Bruce Showalter

Letter: Berg school parking is a mess

To the Newton Independent:

I am hoping the ramifications from the closing of Emerson Hough Elementary go away some day.

I live across the street from B.C. Berg Middle School and when the school board decided to close Emerson Hough and then the soon-to-be-former superintendent and whomever decided the need for divided elementary schools (grades K-3 Berg and 4-6 Aurora Heights) it increased the traffic flow around Berg by four fold because all the grades K-3 from Aurora Heights need to come across First Avenue as they could no longer walk to school or be accompanied to school by their grades 4-6 siblings because of well-found concern from their parents. And now, the grades K-3 in the previous Berg area that previously could be accompanied to school by their grades 4-6 siblings now had to also be driven to school because of concern for them.

Now, because of all the additional traffic someone representing the school decides to reroute traffic through the southeast parking lot and create a drop off zone eliminating a row of parking for the teachers. So now, because of the downsizing of the parking lot, the teachers have begun parking on the street, which now  creates a problem with the snow removal on Fifth Avenue because of parked cars (the city trucks must now go around them).

All of this planning was implemented in late fall so that it hit during a time (WINTER) when nothing could be done to rectify the problem - not that I have any hope that it will be. I'm sure this poor planning was just an oversight because of the need to increase the size of the parking lot to accommodate the reduced capacity (ya think?). By the way, maybe they could address the flooding problem in the parking lot created by the poor design of the drainage system where leaves and other debris continually plug the storm drainage in the parking lot. It creates a safety problem both for cars and children, who might decide to play in the standing water.

I would hope tht the parking lot problem would be looked at and hopefully corrected, but I will not hold my breath. The teachers should be provided with parking at their work place and safety problems should be addressed.

Craig Wade
Newton

Letter: An open letter to the pro-life community

To the Newton Independent:

Every once in a while it becomes necessary for a movement to take a step back and ask itself some very important and fundamental questions. Questions like, "What is our objective?" and "What are we doing to meet that objective?"

The pro-life movement is at such a point. After 40 years and 55 million disposed lives, it is insane for us to keep insisting on doing the same, incremental approach over and over again, and yet expect different results.

As any self-proclaimed pro-life activist or politician, "When does life begin?" They will answer, with rare exception, "At conception."

Life begins at conception Together, we all profess this truth. But professing belief in a truth and taking action on that truth are two entirely different things.

Since 1973, pro-life organizations have been aggressively trying to circumvent the egregious U.S. Supreme Court decision, Roe vs. Wade, all the while hoping to someday stack the court with pro-life justices that would lead to its eventual overturn. Despite all our efforts since the, this strategy has proved to have very little effect on ending abortion.

Perhaps instead of nibbling around the edges of Roe, we should have attacked it head on by using its own words against it. In his assenting opinion, Justice Harry Blackmun gives us the very antidote to his own decision: "If the state determines that a fetus is a person, then of course all protections of the 14th Amendment apply."

Here are the keys to victory over Roe: If a state establishes personhood, then the justification and rationale for abortion collapses.

Last month, my good friend and fellow legislator, Representative Tom Shaw, introduced a bill (House File 138) that would define personhood in the State of Iowa as beginning at the moment of conception.

This bill states nothing more than what we in the pro-life community have been saying for the past four decades, what we have known biblically for millennia, and what modern science has been able to corroborate through the advances of technology: Life begins at conception.

As someone who firmly believes that life begins at conception, and as a newly minted legislator in the Iowa House of Representatives, I was proud to be the very first co-sponsor of this bill. I was also very pleased when seven other colleagues co-sponsored this bill as well.

Now that we have legislation in the Iowa House of Representatives that will codify the very truth that we claim we believe, something very odd and very noticeable is missing from the picture: Support from several prominent pro-life, pro-family groups in Iowa. Why?

This is what we believe as pro-lifers, right? Life begins at conception, right? We want to see an end to the slaughter of innocent life, right? Then why do some pro-life organizations sit silent?

I happen to know that House File 138 hasn't slipped by unnoticed given the volume of e-mails I've received as a co-sponsor of the bill.

I've been told that one of the absent pro-life groups is concerned about the "messaging" of the bill. Really? The message of House File 138 is that life begins at conception and that the life of the child in the womb should be afforded all the rights, privileges and equal protection that every other life is afforded under our country's founding documents.

Are we really afraid of that message? Or are we afraid of the narrative used by the abortion industry that characterizes us falsely? We say that we believe in life at conception. Why not act upon it? Why not make a public stand for it?

As the legislative "funnel" deadline draws near, this is not a time for timidity and seclusion. For those pro-life organizations that have chosen to sit on the sidelines, your absence is more noticeable than your presence. Your silence speaks volumes.

To see the list of organizations that have registered their declaration on House File 138, check out (this) web link.

Please go to this link to see if your pro-life organization has weighed in on House File 138. If they haven't, then maybe they need to hear from you. You should know what their justification is for being silent on a bill that defines life as beginning at conception.

We should not expect God to bless our efforts in this battle if we are unwilling to have the courage to stand on our convictions, and if we are unwilling to back up our words with action.

Either you believe that life begins at conception or you don't. If you don't believe it, then have the courage to admit it. But if you are out there boldly proclaiming it, then stand by it. Don't waver. Lead the charge (or at least come along when the charge is being led by others).

I submit to you that if you are not willing to defend life beginning at conception, then you really don't believe in it.

Edmund Burke once said, "The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing."

Choose this day where you will stand on recognizing personhood for the unborn. I have staked out my position. How about you?

Rep. Greg Heartsill
Republican, Columbia
Iowa House District 28

Letter: Newton taxpayers are privileged

To the Newton Independent:

How privileged we must be to live in Newton.

By leaving our levy rate at $14.99, we would have only a 4 percent increase in our property taxes. But for our elected council members, that is not enough so they say, make it 5 percent.

This 5 percent puts us as the leader of the pack for increases.

• Johnston - $0.14 decrease to $11.15
• Urbandale - $0.05 decrease to $9.57
• Altoona - The same at $9.14
• Clive- The same at $9.98
• Pella - The same at $11.20 (for the 12th straight year)
• Indianola - The same at $11.20
• Ankeny - The same at $12.02
• West Des Moines - The same at $12.05
• Waukee - The same at $13.50
• Oskaloosa - The same at $14.00
• Des Moines - The same at $16.92
• Marshalltown - An increase of $0.09 to $14.37

And then there are us privileged tax payers in Newton - an increase of $0.15 to $15.14!

And by the way, did you notice of all these cities, Des Moines is the only one with a higher levy rate than Newton?

Dennis Messick
Newton

 

Letter: Newton is full of angels

To the Newton Independent:

I have a dumb heart. It needs to be told when to do its thing. A few years ago they put a device into my chest with wires going to my heart. It had worked very well up until last week. It had moved under my skin to my shoulder blade where it got shoved up by my shoulder like a half dollar standing on end. It first developed a kink in one wire and then it broke contact.

Thanks to those great firemen who first got me to the Newton hospital and then drove me to Des Moines in a blinding snowstorm, I survived long enough to get a new and improved device and this tiime they sewed the damn thing in so it should not move.

If you are so dumb that you think that angels only live in heaven, I'm here to tell you angels live in the fire house in Newton. Angels live in the Emergency Room at Skiff Medical Center. I opened my eyes in the middle of the night at Iowa Methodist and saw a whole room full of angels with  feminine faces and a sweet, smiling angel spoke to me and said, "Oh good, you are back. We thought we had lost you."

I am alive today because of a great Newton fire department and Medicare, which helps pay for the angels who tended to me. But my beating liberal heart grieves for those people, some a lot younger than me, who will die because a cruel and stubborn Iowa governor who looks out for the rich and will not extend Medicaid to those who need it.

Olen W. Lambert
Newton

 

Letter: Take a bow Newton students!

To the Newton Independent:

The Newton High School Drama Department will again perform Fiddler on the Roof at the Center for Performance tonight, March 2, at 7 p.m. This is an excellent production!

NHS students gave an outstanding performance under the direction of Melinda Worthington. Sets designed by Marv Campbell and Harvey Olsthoorn, with assistance from NHS students, are incredible!

Kudos to NHS music students who gave of their time to do the music for this production. Outstanding performances were delivered by Tim Stammeyer, Anna Lothe, Leah Hunter and many others.

Stand up NHS students and take a bow. You were incredible!

Run, don't walk, to see the final performance of this production tonight at the Center for Performance.

Fran Henderson
Newton

 

Letter: Did people really hear what he said?

To the Newton Independent:

I thought that President Obama made a very good speech Tuesday night. And I saw a report that over 70 percent of those who saw it thought so too.

But unless the American people are willing to put pressure on that outfit that tries to pass as the Republican Party, the goodness of that speech will be lost and forgotten.

The only way that things are going to get better in Washington is when people wake up and understand that there is no Republican Party; there is only the religious right and the T. baggers and a few succession nuts.

I could not believe it when I saw the most discredited political scum bag, Newt Gingrich, on CNN being asked about Obama's speech - as if he is somebody whose opinion matters.

While I didn't listen to him, I understand that during his "I want to be President speech," Rubio spoke in Spanish. The devil made me smile as I thought about those nasty e-mails sent my way when I recently wrote that Obama should speak in Spanish. There are so many ignorant people in this nation who fail to understand that Spanish and Chinese languages should be taught in every school in America starting with grade school.

Tuesday was a good day for me. It was my birthday and my four sons all celebrated my white hair. Tuesday was also the birthday of Peter Hussmann's son, Noah. So happy birthday to him. Feb. 12 is the birthday of our greatest president so far, Mr. Lincoln, but it is also the birth date of Charles Darwin, the man who took us out of the age of ignorance of our origin into the light of evolution, whose path we are still exploring.

Olen W. Lambert
Newton

Commentary: Former Supervisor again questions development of land gifted to Jasper County for use as a refuge

By JOHN PARSONS
Baxter

The citizens of Jasper County were gifted an 86-acre farm by the late Lillian Johnston. The will reads in part, "I give to Jasper County, Iowa the following described real estate for use exclusively as either a park or wildlife refuge." The Jasper County Board of Supervisors (JCBOS) accepted the property in November 2006. The Jasper County Conservation Board (JCCB) would be in charge of developing and managing the property. The JCCB decided early on to develop a wildlife refuge instead of a park.

At the time the land was accepted, a farm rental agreement was in place. In March 2007, four months after the acceptance of the land, the JCCB Director, Keri Van Zante, met with the JCBOS to ask if the farm rental income could be placed in a trust fund for development of the property. From the very beginning, given the wording of the will, I felt the property should not be farmed. However, since the rental agreement was already in placce, the land was farmed in 2007. The only way the JCCB can receive this farm rental income (which would normally go into the general fund) is by approval of the JCBOS. I was a County Supervisor at the time.

I've always been passionate about wildlife and wildlife habitat development. It's been my vocation as well as my avocation. This was an exciting project for me. I had basically two choices: vote "no" and not support a project that I really believed in, or vote "yes" and allow the JCCB this revenue in hopes that it would not only expedite the project but would provide for a higher quality development in what I estimated would be a year or two. It has now been six years (going on seven) and the property development is far from complete.

The following are the minutes of the March 21, 2007 JCBOS meeting:

"The Jasper County Board of Supervisors met in regular session at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 21, 2007, with all members present. Chairman Worthington presiding. Conservation Director Keri Van Zante was before the Board to request the rent from the Lillian Johnston Estate land be deposited in a trust fund to be used for the sole purpose of developing that piece of property. Currently the rent is $11,160 per year. Motion by Tiedje, seconded by Parsons to approve the request to deposit rent from the Lillian Johnston Estate land into the Conservation Land Acquisition Trust Fund."

Despite my reservations about farming the land, I felt comfortable with this restricted conditional agreement that all revenue from this land would be used solely for the purpose of the developing the land. This would protect the donor as well as the citizens of Jasper County.

The JCCB has now received farm rental income for the property in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and will again in 2013. Total income will be approximately $100,000. Five years passed with no development of the land. This is when I started to ask questions as to why nothing was being done. Fortunately in 2012, approximately 30 acres of land was seeded to prairie, some trees were planted and a new driveway put in. So far, only about $10,000 of the farm rental income has been spent to develop the property into a wildlife refuge.

I recently met with the JCCB to get an update on the development of this wildlife refuge. I was informed that the JCCB plans to continue farming 47 acres of this land and use it as a conservation demonstration farm. Here is a quote from the Conservation Director's article in the Jan. 27, 2012 Newton Daily News:

"This management idea may not be the norm but will create a farm that will be utilized as a conservation teaching tool and an example of how people and wildlife can thrive together in the same environment. In addition, if a bit of annual income can be earned from farming a portion of the property, we look forward to making the generous Johnston donation continue to help other projects blossom around Jasper County."

I explained to the JCCB that this is not a wildlife management plan; it is a farm management plan. The will stipulated that the land be used either as a park or a wildlife refuge. Under the current plan, there will be little or nothing done to benefit wildlife. In addition, ever since the early settlers started plowing up the prairie sod (150-160 years ago) we have demonstrated that man, wildlife and agriculture can co-exist. We have also demonstrated that natural resources are finite, and that urban sprawl and intensive agriculture are putting great pressure on our limited natural resources and wildlife habitat. This plan is simply ill-conceived, odd, and doesn't make any "wildlife refuge" sense.