Letters to the Editor

Raccoon River blame game 

I was very saddened but not surprised that the Raccoon River is on the endangered list for rivers. As a child, I grew up southwest of Newell on the Raccoon River. Many summer days were spent playing and rafting down the river. The neighborhood kids would meet at the bridge and play for hours on end. Mud fights, fishing, swimming and rafting down the river. In the winter, ice skating and broom ball were the games of choice. We even drank out of the river because if we went home our parents might spot us and find work for us to do. 

Now there is a new generation of young people living in the river house, which so happens to be good family friends of ours. I pray that they can have as much fun as we did as kids. 

My parents just like their parents were farmers on the river. In the early 1980s or 90s my father and brother along with other farmers in the area were asked to sell land for a buffer zone along the bank of our precious river. Many did — my family being one of them. 

I get very concerned when the little Iowa farmer gets blamed for the condition of our river. I feel big industry and corporate farming plays a big role in our river pollution. 

I wrote this not to bash anyone. I just wanted a record to say our river needs to be cleaned up and everyone plays a part. Not just the farmer. 

Cindy Pedersen, Alta 

Hypocrisy of our governor’s values 

Thank you, Art Cullen, for your very fine column on the refusal of Gov. Kim Reynolds to not help with accepting those seeking asylum at our border with Mexico.

As you may know, Kristi Noem, governor of South Dakota, is taking a similar path. Her words were something to the effect of “call me when you’re a citizen.” Your column was respectful, drawing on the history of the state under Robert D. Ray, and pointed out the fallacy of worshiping a stranger crucified in a strange land on one day only to deny acceptance and showing “Christian” values to strangers in our country. 

Thank you. It’s gratifying to know there are others who feel the same as I do and can express that feeling in the excellent way you did. 

Gerry Ambroson, Sioux Falls, S.D.