Opinion
38 results total, viewing 1 - 20

Motorists appreciate walkers with light clothing, reflectors

As more and more people seem to be walking these days, it has been brought to my attention that motorists really appreciate those walkers who walk in the streets of Kalona who are wearing light … more

Smaller districts like Highland allow for more student participation

What is great about a small school in Iowa? Highland’s choir director, Jennifer McClenahan, and band director, Andrew McDonald, put on the Disney musical, Newsies, Jr, in Highland’s high … more

Greeting cards for men

One of the most frustrating chores for men is finding an appropriate greeting card. While shopping for an anniversary card for my wife several weeks ago (which was challenging enough) I was also … more

Streetscape is awesome, but more funds are needed

The first reaction of many people who have visited the Kalona Streetscape project inside the Wahl Museum at the Kalona Historical Village is to say, “This is awesome.” They are … more

The discriminating eater

My instinctive interest in eating became apparent the first day of my life, as it is with everyone, and expanded from there, on into an active lifelong attraction. Although, it has taken me a little … more

Letter to the Editor

Another Johnson County Fair has come and gone. I think it’s worth highlighting the sheer impact this fair has on the community and our youth.   4-H and FFA are organizations helping … more

People need to pick up after dogs

Last Wednesday as I was walking to the post office, I accidentally stepped in feces that someone’s dog left on a downtown Kalona sidewalk. I didn’t really notice it until I got inside the … more

We should celebrate Prop 12

Eliminating gestation crates will not only ease the suffering of mother pigs – it may also put some money back in the pockets of Iowa farmers.   The USDA funded a two-and-a-half year … more

California Prop 12 will hurt Iowa farmers

Iowa pig farmers care about their animals. We raise them from birth, feed them, nurture them, take care of their medical needs, and provide climate-controlled housing to ensure pigs are comfortable … more

Goodbye Horses: My Farewell to Kalona

About nine years ago, my mom called to tell me about a classified ad she noticed in the paper – the G****** I think it was. Thanks to her, I ended up at The News. After years of creating … more

Is this your Iowa?

Which important issues were supported by your state representative and state senator: Help low-income people feed their families, or help pay state administrators high salaries?   … more

Iowans should  be free to choose

Over 60% of Iowans support a woman’s freedom to choose what happens with her pregnancy, and I’m one of them.  Women and their loved ones need to be able to decide whether the … more

Great response to Optimists’ Community Blood Drive

Once again, the Kalona community responded by turning out in good numbers for the Kalona Optimists’ Community Blood Drive on Monday, July 10, at the Kalona Mennonite Church. ImpactLife, … more

City of Kalona helps fund fireworks for enjoyment of Kalona residents

If you enjoyed the fireworks displays of the Sons of AmVets at Richmond and at Wellman, you can thank the City of Kalona (and many other contributors) for helping to fund both displays. The City … more

Did library decision reflect will of the community?

By a majority vote of the Kalona Library board of trustees, the book “Gender Queer” retained a place in the library. Did the vote represent the community? If a majority of … more

A conversation with Senator Grassley

Last Wednesday I was invited to join a journalist with the Fairfield radio station for a discussion with Senator Charles Grassley for his weekly podcast, Capitol Hill Report.   The Fairfield … more

Cutting anti-poverty programs is wrong direction

I am exasperated that House leadership is threatening to tank our economy to extract devastating budget cuts that target people experiencing poverty.  As a condition for allowing the U.S. … more

1% sales tax paying for school construction

Anyone driving on H Avenue north of the Mid-Prairie Middle School will notice that the soccer field for youngsters between the East Elementary and Middle School has been replaced with a fenced off … more

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are good things

A recent letter in The News admonished readers to get with it because “‘Woke’ is way dated, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DED) is the new buzz.”  The writer then … more

Supervisors ignore public opinion, hire architect

The Washington County Board of Supervisors ignored public opinion and property taxpayers last week and signed a contract with Carl A. Nelson to develop plans on how to remodel the Orchard Hill … more
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