Page 4 - Clear Lake Mirror Reporter E-Edition 2-10-2016

Opinion Clear Lake Mirror-Reporter

Page 4 • Feb. 10, 2016

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR REMEMBER WHEN

Invest in Safe up line. Sandy Pals, 25 Years Ago
Routes to School Clear Lake February 1991
The warm weather may have
To the Editor, Stop puppy mills North Iowans thinking of spring,
We can do better for our kids,
and our communities. “Children ages To the Editor, but organizers of Winterfest ’91
10 to 19 represent more than a quar- Iowa has the second largest num- are planning a salute to winter this
ter of the crashes between cyclists and ber of puppy mills in the nation! Of Saturday at McIntosh Woods State
motor vehicles in Iowa” (Kids More the top four dog-breeding states in the Park, Ventura. Gary Duesenberry is
Prone to Bike-Car Crashes, 9/5/15). nation, Iowa is the only state without the chairman of the event and park
Every day I put my kids in the state level oversight on these facilities. ranger at McIntosh. He said the
car and endure the dreaded drop off Many USDA kennels keep their ice-skating is very questionable, but
line at school because I’m too afraid of dogs in near-total darkness. aside from that everything should be
With greater oversight we could fine.
what could happen if they walked.
We have seen communities across work to make Iowa the best puppy pro- The North Iowa Business and
Iowa successfully create safe routes ducing state in the nation, where the Technology Center has announced
to school through well marked cross dogs are protected and happy. And in that O’Neill Enterprises is now leas-
walks, crossing guards, and programs return people will be buying healthy ing space at the business incubator
such as walking school buses, many happy puppies, instead of sickly pup- located on S. 8th St. Snowmobile Rally, 1966
of which have been funded through pies and mothers continuing to suffer On Dec. 4, 1990, Michael Pat-
Iowa’s Safe Routes to School program. litter after litter. Please help! rick Weigel was called to active duty The flag fell to start one of the several snowmobile races held in January 1966 in front of the Sea Wall. This was the first
These initiatives would be simple to to support Operation Desert Shield/ annual Snowmobile Rally. Entries came from Clear Lake and several other communities around the state. The Rally was
Holly Windelow, sponsored by the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce and several Clear Lake residents.
Clear Lake Storm. Weigel, a May 1990 graduate
implement for all of our kids, if only of Clear Lake High School, enlisted took advantage of a sizable crowd on 6 oz., 79¢; Old Style Beer, 12-12 oz. Robert George skated on the ice
we had adequate funding. C.A.R.E.S. in the Army National Guard. He Parent’s Night when they upset ninth cans, $4.09; Turkey Breast, lb., $1.59; to Mason City to visit his father who
Unfortunately, the majority of appreciates support received training as a military police- ranked Humboldt in class 2A action, and Boneless Ham, lb., $1.79. is ill in a hospital there.
requests for Safe Routes to School man for nine weeks. He is the son of 28-20. The win gave the Lions a 5-2 John Rosalind gave instruction
funding are not granted because there To the Editor, Betty Weigel and the late G. Patrick record in conference, their best since in chair caning before the Twentieth
aren’t enough dollars allocated to the We would like to acknowledge the 1976 season when that team post- Century Club Thursday afternoon at
everyone who donated items for the Weigel. ed an identical 5-2 mark. 50 Year Ago the Legion Hall. Some of the women
program. It is time for our govern- C.A.R.E.S. Cake Auction and those Rev. David Burling will be The Ventura girls avenged an February 1966 spent their time working on pewter
ment, who wants to be the healthiest who participated and bid on items. installed as Director of Spiritual earlier loss to Sheffield-Chapin/ The Clear Lake School Board has pounding.
state in the nation, to invest in the The auction was a success and Growth at Zion Lutheran Church. Meservey-Thornton, when they put acted favorably on a petition by the Paul Ashland, son of Mr. and
Safe Routes to School program that proceeds will go to the Clear Lake The Clear Lake boys basketball together a 46-41 victory. Megan Coe Mount Vernon School District, in Mrs. Irving Ashland, who has been
can help our kids get the physical ac- Cares After Prom Party. team maintained their perfect record came away with 19-points and Jenni Burchinal, to allow them to become employed at the Allis Chalmers office
tivity they need to stay healthy and in play last week, surviving one close Fey added 15. a member of the Clear Lake School at Mason City, has accepted a fine po-
reduce congestion in the drop off/pick Amy Jandebeur, contest and running away with an- Grocery specials for the week at District. A recent state law requires all sition with the Milwaukee Railroad in
CL Cares Committee other. The team topped Iowa Falls, Easter’s Super Valu include: Kelloggs school districts without a high school their office in Mitchell, S.D.
66-65. The pounded Clarion, 91- Corn Flakes, 18 oz., $1.29; Keebler to join a district with a high school
Amanda Ragan 18. Matt Freeseman led the team in Pretzels, 8.5 oz., 89¢; California head by April 1, or the County Board will 100 Years Ago
both games with 26 and 25 points lettuce, each, 59¢; Jeno’s Pizza Rolls, place them in a school district. January 1916
State Senator respectively. The new pastor at Zion Lutheran There are a few boys in town
The Clear Lake wrestling team Church, Murley A. Severtson, will be
515-281-3371 or 641-424-0874 installed on Sunday, Feb. 8.
amanda.ragan@legis.state.ia.us

Community Colleges build a skilled workforce REPORTER OPINION The mercury skidded to 17 de- who insist on shooting birds with
grees below zero Sunday as Clear what they call BB guns. Parents who
Iowa faces both challenges and nity College, that investing in worker Support our troops and observe Red Fridays Lake’s cold wave continues into its provide their sons with such weap-
opportunities in building a strong, training is critical to business success. second week. ons should give them effective advice
well-trained workforce. That’s what In a recent survey of 74 CEOs, all I received this email last Friday and after reading it, passed it along throughout Playing at the Lake Theater is concerning the proper use of a gun or
legislators learned this week in a pre- ranked the lack of technical skills in our office. After thinking a bit more about it, I thought it was such an important mes- Sean Connery in, “Thunderball.” they may shoot their eye out.
sentation to the Education Appropria- the workforce as their primary con- sage that I wanted to share it with our readers, as well. Here comes the biggest Bond of all. The cold wave of last week broke
tions Committee. cern for growing their businesses. -Owner/Publisher Mike Finnegan Iowa records for a period of 10 years.
The demand for middle-skilled For example, Fred Lisle of Lisle 75 Years Ago During the blizzard of last week, the
workers continues to grow. These are Corp, a manufacturer in Clarinda, Last week I was in Atlanta, Ga., attending a conference. While I was in the January 1941 roof of a freight car on a rain running
the type of jobs that require some sort says his company competes with busi- airport returning home, I heard several people behind me beginning to clap and Tickets for the president’s birth- west from Algona, was lifted off by the
of education and training beyond high nesses from all over the world. To cheer. I immediately turned around and witnessed one of the greatest acts of pa- day ball are being sold rapidly. C.J. gale and 15 cars went into the ditch.
school, such as an associate’s degree ensure his company remains competi- triotism I have ever seen. Fox has donated the use of the Surf for Tom Pappas, of Mason City, was
or vocational certificate. That’s where tive, Lisle approached Iowa Western Moving through the terminal was a group of soldiers in their camos. As they the ball. fined $4.35 last Friday for leaving a
community college partnerships with Community College for help train- began heading to their gate, everyone (well almost everyone) was abruptly to their sweaty horse tied to a telephone pole
local businesses come into play. ing employees in manufacturing and feet with their hands waving and cheering. until it nearly froze.
Iowa community colleges are milling. Community college training When I saw the soldiers, probably 30-40 of them, being applauded and
uniquely positioned to train workers programs are a great way to build a cheered for, it hit me. I’m not alone. I’m not the only red-blooded American who
in the skills that lead to meaningful, talented workforce, set Iowans on the still loves this country and supports our troops and their families.
well-paying jobs. Our community path to rewarding careers and grow Of course, I immediately stopped and began clapping for these young unsung
colleges offer a variety of programs— Iowa’s economy. heroes who are putting their lives on the line everyday for us so we can go to
short-term and long-term, credit and A public legislative forum will be school, work and home without fear or reprisal.
noncredit—that meet the needs of held in Clear lake on Friday, Feb. 12 Just when I thought I could not be more proud of my country or of our ser-
employers in their communities. Last at 10 a.m. in the community room at vice men and women, a young girl, not more than 6 or 7 years old, ran up to one
year, more than 86,000 Iowans sought Clear Lake Bank & Trust Company, of the male soldiers. He kneeled down and said ‘hi.’
job training through Iowa’s communi- 322 Main Ave, Clear Lake. Hosted The little girl then asked him if he would give something to her daddy for her.
ty college programs. by the Clear Lake Chamber of Com- The young soldier, who didn’t look any older than maybe 22 himself, said he
Business leaders tell Dan Kinney, merce. would try and what did she want to give to her Daddy. Then suddenly the little
president of Iowa Western Commu-

Under The girl grabbed the neck of this soldier, gave him the biggest hug she could muster
and then kissed him on the cheek.
The mother of the little girl, who said her daughter’s name was Courtney,
Golden Dome, Too told the young soldier that her husband was a Marine and had been in Iraq for
11 months now. As the mom was explaining how much her daughter Court-
Representative Linda Upmeyer

515-281-3221 ney missed her father, the young soldier began to tear up.

linda.upmeyer@legis.state.ia.us When this temporarily single mom was done explaining her situation, all of

Energized and enthusiastic the soldiers huddled together for a brief second. Then one of the other service-
men pulled out a military-looking walkie-talkie. They started playing with the
device and talking back and forth on it.
The caucuses and winter weather nomination process. After about 10-15 seconds of this, the young soldier walked back over Newspaper in Nevada
gave us a bit of a slow start to begin Over 186,000 Iowa Republicans to Courtney, bent down and said this to her, ‘I spoke to your daddy and he told
the week, but once everyone made it came out to caucus on a cold night me to give this to you.’ He then hugged this little girl that he had just met and gave It was a fun day at the Hoover Dam as this group of Clear Laker’s enjoyed
to Des Moines we got right back into with the threat of a blizzard on the her a kiss on the cheek. He finished by saying ‘your daddy told me to tell you that catching up on some hometown news in the Clear Lake Mirror-Reporter (L-
the swing of things. Committees and horizon. The number of Republicans he loves you more than anything and he is coming home very soon.’ R): Harold and Lisa Arians, Dave and Denise Fritz, and Pam and Ron Pitkin.
subcommittees met frequently this coming out to vote shattered the pre- The mom at this point was crying almost uncontrollably and as the young -Submitted photo
week on a variety of topics and con- vious turnout record of 121,000 set in soldier stood to his feet, he saluted Courtney and her mom. I was standing no
tinue to do their work. 2012, and each of the top three vote more than 6 feet away from this entire event.
The state seems a bit quieter now getters (Sen. Cruz, Mr. Trump and As the soldiers began to leave, heading towards their gate, people resumed
that the 2016 First in the Nation Iowa Sen. Rubio) surpassed Gov. Hucka- their applause. As I stood there applauding and looked around, there were very
Caucuses have concluded. All of the bee’s previous single candidate record few dry eyes, including my own. That young soldier in one last act of selflessness,
candidates, and the horde of media of 40,000 votes. Additionally, I have turned around and blew a kiss to Courtney with a tear rolling down his cheek.
that follow them, have moved on to heard from numerous people that cau- We need to remember everyday all of our soldiers and their families and thank
New Hampshire and South Carolina cus locations were filled with newly
for the next steps in the Presidential See REPORTER OPINION on page 5
See UPMEYER on page 5

Serving Clear Lake & Ventura Owner/Publisher...... Mike Finnegan The Clear Lake Reporter is a member of the “National
communities since 1869 Newspaper Association” & an award winning
mike@clreporter.com member of the “Iowa Newspaper Association.”

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