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Letters to the Editor

Says Dr. Cochrane made extra effort for patients

To the editor: As I read the article on Dr. Bruce Cochrane I realize that there were some important facts that were not reported. Dr. Cochrane was an officer in the United States Air Force. During a training exercise he broke his back and was in a body cast for many months. At this time, he was prescribed narcotics for pain control. When his children were young there wasn’t a dance recital or sporting event of theirs that he missed. Throughout their childhood he frequently spent his summers being their coach for football and baseball. He now has been coaching his grandchildren in ...

Supports Larson for House District 7

To the editor: All of us who live in the Iowa House District 7 which includes Calhoun County, Pocahontas County, Sac County and the western part of Webster County are indeed fortunate to have good school districts, good local public libraries, good health care services and a relatively safe environment in which to live and to raise our families and prepare our children for their futures. This also includes human services assistance, good roads and other infrastructure needs to accommodate the largest industry in our district which is agriculture and ethanol production. Compare the ...

Trails Advisory Board supports 22nd Street Trail

To the editor: Planning to develop a high-quality trail system for the Fort Dodge area began in 2006. The outcome of this planning process was the establishment of the Trails Advisory Board that would provide the city and county with input and help raise funds to support the development of paved trails for our community and region. The first project completed was the trail to Harlan Rogers Park and on to Kennedy Park. Since that time, close to 25 miles of paved trails have been built throughout Fort Dodge and Webster County, including a beautiful trail around Badger Lake at Kennedy ...

Importing Argentinian Beef?

To the editor: Importing beef from Argentina is a bad idea! It is a slap to the face of every beef producer in the country. Penalizing these hard-working beef producers with imported beef is a travesty. Raising beef requires being ready to react to any number of issues 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. Power outages to sick animals. Mechanical breakdowns and calves from heifers not supposed to be bred. Rain, shine, sleet, snow, hot, below zero wind chills. They feed and care for the animals in it all. Cattle must be fed every day at least once. There must be continuous fresh water ...

Iowa Central is essential to economy

To the editor: In economic development, one truth remains constant: a strong workforce drives a strong economy. Here in the Fort Dodge region, we face a growing demand for skilled workers in health care, trades and agriculture. Meeting that demand requires vision, investment and collaboration. Iowa Central Community College has been - and continues to be - one of our most important partners in this work. From customized training for major employers to preparing students in high demand programs such as welding, plumbing, HVAC, nursing, dental hygiene and agricultural science, Iowa ...

Says voting no will reduce taxes

To the editor: I have seen a great deal of support in The Messenger for the upcoming Iowa Central and Fort Dodge School bond issue referendums. The main supporting point made in both these questions is passage will result in “no increase in the property tax rate.” While this might be true, everyone should note that these two taxing authorities are asking taxpayers to borrow a combined $77 million and pay it back with interest. No matter how they spin it, that is what the taxpayers will vote on. Your “tax rate” might not go up, but if these bonds are allowed to expire and these ...