opinion
Why vote yes to the municipal energy utility referendum
Thursday, January 9, 2025 12:08 pm
Dear Editor, Thank you to the Decorah City Council for exploring the feasibility of a municipal electricity utility and for offering residents the opportunity to vote yes on the upcoming referendum in March. There are confusing and conflicting opinions about …
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Apples, oranges, MEUs
Thursday, January 9, 2025 12:07 pm
I wish to add some extra context to Dan Baldwin’s letter in the Jan. 2 Leader, regarding his opposition to Decorah’s March 4 vote to authorize continued exploration of the feasibility of a Municipal Electric Utility. I appreciate Dan’s numbers …
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Part 2: The Case for an MEU — Trust.
Thursday, January 9, 2025 12:06 pm
I’m having trouble trusting Alliant Energy. The information presented in their recent ads and posted on their website is the same misinformation from 2018 when they spent six figures dividing our community on false pretenses. They appear to be up …
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I’m glad there’s discussion, but I gotta’ add one point of clarity
Saturday, January 4, 2025 11:31 am
I have to admit I’ve never seen a letter to the editor submitted as part one of three before — never even heard of such a thing. So, by extension, I have to admit I’ve never considered addressing it as …
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Reader cites city property taxes in predicting high rates under proposed MEU
Saturday, January 4, 2025 11:30 am
To the editor: On the question of a municipal electric utility, “Decorah Power,” I bring numbers, a couple observations and a question. Numbers first. For ease of comparison, I’ll refer in each case to the 12-month period beginning on July …
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A response to Daniel Baldwin’s letter
Saturday, January 4, 2025 11:30 am
I’m writing to respond to a recent letter to the editor submitted by my good friend and former Luther College colleague Daniel Baldwin. I am responding as a private citizen and not in any official capacity as the chair of …
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A letter in three parts — Fairness. Trust. And Economic common-sense. Part 1
Saturday, January 4, 2025 11:29 am
Fairness. Let’s be honest, folks, Alliant simply isn’t playing fair. Alliant’s electric rates put us all at an economic disadvantage. As residents, we pay 62 percent higher rates than Mid-American customers, our commercial businesses pay almost 50 percent higher, and …
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If you’ve got something to say, let us know
Thursday, January 2, 2025 10:17 am
While there isn’t a formal document that lays out our policy for letters to the editor, there are plenty of guidelines we do our best to follow. Obviously we don’t allow things like libelous claims or profanity. We also try …
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The thought of an MEU is singularly unappealing
Tuesday, December 24, 2024 10:04 am
To the editor: Regarding the March 4, 2025, MEU vote — “Shall the City of Decorah…be authorized to establish a municipally-owned electric utility?” — I read that the city council voted 5-1 to allocate up to $15,000 simoleons in support …
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Citizens of Winneshiek County, please beware of more destruction of county government
Wednesday, December 18, 2024 3:50 pm
The Winneshiek County Conservation Board, like numerous county departments, has been under attack for more than a year by the ruling majority on our county board of supervisors. I have been a front row observer for 18 months, and I …
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Apparently, the weaponization argument only goes one way
Wednesday, December 18, 2024 3:50 pm
After reading the editor’s column in the Dec. 5, 2024, issue, I have to wonder if Seth and I have been living in the same country for the last eight years. He laments that Joe Biden’s pardon of his son …
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County sheriff comments on stewarding tax funds
Wednesday, December 18, 2024 3:49 pm
Citizens of Winneshiek County, As county government enters the budgeting process for the 25/26 fiscal year, the county board of supervisors asked each elected official and appointed department head to respond with their thoughts on how budgets are best managed. …
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Approving potential Decorah MEU would provide an option — nothing more
Monday, December 9, 2024 9:50 am
I was thrilled to recently hear that local business owner and Decorah resident Cody Whittle has announced his candidacy for the upcoming Dec. 10 city council election. One reason why is that Cody supports the exploration of a municipal electric …
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Biden pardoning his son won’t help restore public’s trust in government
Monday, December 9, 2024 9:49 am
I had it all planned out in my head. I was going to write a post-Thanksgiving column inspired by some of Norman Rockwell’s well-known art. It was going to make some great points on things like togetherness and community by …
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Positive climate efforts still have momentum
Friday, November 29, 2024 1:49 pm
People are worried that the U.S. will backslide on progress regarding climate. However, many positive efforts will not be stopped. Energy is now more cheaply produced via wind and solar than with coal. Companies are losing interest in building more …