Letters to the Editor (Week of July 18, 2007)

Letter to the Editor

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Wednesday, 18 July 2007 10:01

Farm bill holds key to algae solution

The death of three dogs after contact with Marion Reservoir water (July 11 issue) may be linked to an algae bloom after all of the evidence is examined.

But the event once again reminds us the problem of water quality still exists with siltation and nitrogen/phosphorus loading.

This season’s heavier than usual rainfall in the watersheds that feed runoff water to Marion Reservoir has likely carried silt laden with fertilizer residues in even larger amounts than in normal rainfall years.

For the past two years many grassroots groups have pushed for reform in the writing of the 2007 farm bill to move payments to farmers from production-based commodity subsidies to conservation programs that...

Read more: Letters to the Editor (Week of July 18, 2007)

Unforeseen result for new tax law

Partly Nonsense

Written by Joel Klaassen Tuesday, 14 April 2009 13:56

I learned of unintended consequences for a law that grants tax breaks for using alternative fuels with taxable fuels.

Seems that paper manufacturers come up with a byproduct from making paper that is a sludge that burns very well for supplying heat all by itself. A law passed in 2005 allows for tax credits when alternative fuels are mixed with taxable fuels.

So, instead of using the byproduct like they’ve done in the past, the paper companies can add diesel to it and reap millions and billions in tax refunds.

Wouldn’t it be great if you could add gasoline to the water in the toilet bowl and get a tax refund on every gallon you flush down the drain?

The TARP law that was passed recently even extended the tax break through the end...

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Pursuit of excellence

Editorials

Written by Don Ratzlaff Tuesday, 28 April 2009 13:44

In our 10 years of covering high school sports in this area we’ve had the privilege to make connections with a lot of quality coaches. More accurately, we’ve gotten to connect with a lot of quality people who also happen to be good coaches. Certainly Becky Carlson is one of the best at both endeavors, and is well deserving of her induction into the National High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame this summer. We have come to know many others who fit that same mold.

We need quality people to fill these critical roles in the lives of our young people. But the greatest frustration we’ve heard from coaches over the years is the inappropriate involvement of parents who seem oblivious to some of the best lessons that sports...

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Letters (Week of July 4, 2007)

Letter to the Editor

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Thursday, 05 July 2007 06:43

Would have liked local hospital support

I would like to thank everyone for their support during Perry’s recent illness and month-long hospital stay, especially Dr. Hodson.

However, I am sad that we didn’t receive support where we needed it most—from our area hospitals. Both Hillsboro and Marion hospitals refused to admit him to swing bed because he is “too much work,” and they don’t have the staff or room to care for him.

Maybe a “merged hospital” would not have those things either. Regardless, our future business will be taken out of the county where it is appreciated.

Barb Steiner

Marion

Read more: Letters (Week of July 4, 2007)