The Physical Plant and Equipment Levy only comes up for a vote every 10 years and we feel the tax that covers somewhat more than $300,000 a year in maintenance, repairs, computers, vehicles and more at West Branch Community Schools has been well spent and deserves another approval.

Soapbox Philosophy: Mosque, Westboro points of view
by Gregory R. Norfleet · Opinions/Editorials · September 01, 2010
It may help the public discussion regarding the idea for a mosque near Ground Zero and limiting Westboro Baptist Church protests at military funerals if we stop discussing “us” and “them” and take a moment to put ourselves in the churches’ point of view.

Letter: Keeping property taxes at reasonable level: BOE
Opinions/Editorials · September 01, 2010
While we occasionally see eye-catching improvements in our schools, many projects are not flashy. Many serve us best if they’re not noticed.

Letter: Miller-Meeks will vote just like Grassley does
Opinions/Editorials · September 01, 2010
Second-district Republican congressional candidate, Marianette Miller-Meeks, would vote against landmark legislative reforms that Congress recently voted into law: Wall St. reform and health care reform. She also would privatize Social Security.

Editorial: Congrats on summer festivals, again
Opinions/Editorials · August 25, 2010
Just before the school year eclipses the fact that we’re still in the heat of summer, we wanted to take a moment and comment on two events of the season that amazed us: Hometown Days and Hooverfest.

Survey: By a 2-to-1 margin, fans want Bears to fill Week Seven
by Gregory R. Norfleet · Opinions/Editorials · August 25, 2010
1. The Van Buren Warriors will not field a varsity football team this year, so the West Branch Bears have an opening on Oct. 8. Instead of nine games, the team right now has a “bye” for that Week Seven. What would you like to have seen happen? (100 responses)

• 66 percent said "Find another opponent"
• 34 percent said "Take the bye"

Guest column: What we can, and can’t, do if you approve PPEL
by Craig Artist, School Superintendent · Opinions/Editorials · August 25, 2010
Every 10 years the school district is required to renew the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) so we can continue to maintain and upgrade our facilities.

Letter: Imagine a DOT truck dumping money in a pit
Opinions/Editorials · August 25, 2010
The other evening, on my regular dog walk through downtown, I had a vision of a large DOT truck backing up and dumping half a million dollars into the pit where the old post office once stood.

Editorial: Avoiding another ‘disaster’
Opinions/Editorials · August 18, 2010
Several issues arise when we review what was said — and how — at the two city council meetings where Cedar County 911 Director Tim Malott discussed certification requirements, federal funding and disasters.
In summary, fact-checking and government accountability would have saved time and money, as well as a little bit of bad blood.

Soapbox Philosophy: Family goes for medals, memories
by Gregory R. Norfleet · Opinions/Editorials · August 18, 2010
At the rear of the pack of more than 130 Team Fergalicious 5K Road Race competitors, a sea of green shirts started stretching out along Main Street at Hooverfest.

Editorial: Hardest question about LOST vote
Opinions/Editorials · August 11, 2010
The issue of whether the West Branch City Council should authorize a referendum for a 1-percent Local Option Sales Tax opens with these questions:
1. Why has this been presented to the council just weeks before the filing deadline?
2. How can the council make a good decision on a referendum calling for a new tax with such a short time before the filing deadline?

Emergency responders put ‘ideals into action’
Opinions/Editorials · August 11, 2010
The following is a transcript of the keynote speech given by John Avlon Saturday, Aug. 7, at the Memorial Ceremony at Hooverfest. Avlon, a former speechwriter for former New York mayor and Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani, is married to Hoover’s great-granddaughter, Margaret Hoover.