How far should city go in its cleanup effort?

By Judy Krieger, Courier Editor

April 11, 2008 10:35 pm

— Our editorial board recently discussed the pros and cons of parking vehicles in owners’ yards. The subject had come up at a recent city council meeting.
We didn’t reach any conclusion, but we have had at least one letter to the editor saying that it shouldn’t be regulated.
As one of our board members said, “you can’t legislate life.”
Sometimes it seems like the government wants to do just that.
We will reserve an official opinion until the issue — if it does — evolves in to more of a public discussion. It is food for thought.

Another issue is soon to be resolved — that of a new marquee for Bridge View Center. Finally, we have one on order and it should be up in a few weeks. We are very happy to see that come to fruition. Many of us are just thrilled about our new center and love attending events in the main hall or the theater. We want everyone to know what is offered at BVC and the new sign will do just that. We’ll really be “uptown” then!

We all give a hearty thank you to the women of the Walter B. Schafer Post No. 775 Veterans of Foreign Affairs Auxiliary who spent last Saturday packing and shipping goodies to area soldiers serving in Iraq.
Since the military officials don’t let you send packages to unnamed soldiers, the VFW Auxiliary worked out a deal with Pella Corp. The Auxiliary women wanted this shipment of boxes to go to Pella Corp. workers serving in Iraq. They packed the boxes with supplies from deodorant and candy to pens and pencils and sent the boxes to Pella Corp. which addressed them to soldiers in the 833rd Engineer Company serving in Iraq. The VFW girls’ junior unit previously shipped items to Iraq.
Auxiliary members said they received help from the public, the VFW post and some area companies.

We’re having some wonderful drama offered in Ottumwa. “Children of A Lesser God” was presented last week at Ottumwa High School. The play is based on a love story between a hearing man and a deaf woman. It is based on a true story. We commend the student actors and OHS Drama Director Natalie Saunders for presenting the challenging offering.
Coming up later this month is a different take on the Shakespearean drama, “Hamlet,” by the Indian Hills Community College theater department. There is no admission to the play to be presented in St. John Auditorium, but seat reservations are recommended — call (641) 683-5144. Ronelle Willadsen is IHCC Theatre Director.
— Judy Krieger