Letters to the Editor

Dear editor, “Paul Revere Rides Again!” “Listen my children and you shall hear the midnight ride of Paul Revere” “Oneth by land! Twoth by Sea! Threeth by 172 Wind Turbines! Fourth by 172 CHC’s called Upland Wind” The British are Coming! No! The Canadians are Coming! Yes! The 172 Wind Turbines are Coming! Yes! They are coming or trying to cometh! The wind turbines – 172 - of them in Iowa and western Lafayette counties! If you did not like Cardinal Hickory Creek or one CHC you will hate 172 CHC’s in our county of 700 feet tall wind turbines or power substations across Iowa County and western Lafayette County!  These wind turbine salesmen are like slippery snakes in the grass to have the landowner sign a contract of 60 pages full of deceitful lies to have your signature that could give a big corporation of Canada  “Patterson” the right to take over your whole farm, land, and rights. Not just the small easement.  You must read the fine print and do not sign! I do not know if I am Paul Revere but I am trying to sound the alarm as they trying to come! How can we stop them?  We cannot be a Benedick Arnold and sign for these easements and ruin our beloved Iowa and western Lafayette counties.  Do we need this electricity?  No, if we want to save our planet just put up your own power plant of solar panels on your own residents or business. . ..Do not depend on the greed of big, out of country corporations like Patterson to take over Iowa County or SW Wisconsin.  Thank you for your support. These wind turbines were presented to the Iowa County Board at the December meeting! Dr. Gloria Belken, LeRoy Belken Montford   Dear editor, As we have all learned to live in this new world of social distancing and isolating ourselves, many of us are experiencing what is a harsh reality for so many older people: loneliness. It doesn’t feel good and it’s bad for our health.  Research shows that people who feel lonely have four times the risk of early death, 68 percent increased risk of hospitalization, and 57 percent increased risk of emergency department visits than those who don’t feel lonely. So, let’s all remember our older friends, family and neighbors around the holidays and afterward too. What can you do? Make a phone call or schedule a video chat to see how someone is doing. Ask if they need medications, groceries or meals, supplies for a hobby, or anything else. Do they need their driveway or walk shoveled? If you live nearby, mask up and knock on their door. Stand back more than six feet. Have a brief conversation. They’ll benefit from the human contact – and so will you. Encourage them to join you outside if they can safely do so – even if it’s just to walk up and down the hall or sidewalk. The simple act of showing you care can make a world of difference for someone who is alone and lonely.  When this pandemic is over - and one day it will be - remember how you are feeling now during this time and commit to reach out to those who experience isolation and loneliness all the time.  For additional ways to help those in our community experiencing isolation and loneliness, please call  The Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) at (608) 355-3289. Susan Blodgett Director, Aging and Disability Resource Center Baraboo   Dear editor, Yes, it is a minor political complaint when compared to some of our state representatives adamantly ignoring a raging plague.  Yes, it is also not on a par with our national so-called leaders refusing to accept the clear-cut results of a counted and recounted election.  But can we just spare a moment to express our humiliation and outrage that newly re-elected State Senator Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) just used the state capitol for his daughter’s wedding venue?  The capitol is closed! They have not dared to (or bothered to?) meet to do state business for 244 days!  Every other request by the public to use the space has been denied.  Yet local Republican Marklein got permission.  Did we need more proof that ethics is endangered here in Wisconsin? Does every single aspect of fairness and decency have to be corrupted before all citizens stand up to say “enough!”?  A New Year is coming, and a new administration, new vaccines, so can we all start anew, and demand better? Peggy Peckham Arena   Dear editor, I have made the difficult decision to turn into a Republican.  If I did that, I could ignore rules made for everyone in Wisconsin… Just like...State Representatives Tittl and Sortwell, who erected a tree in the Capitol against the rules.  It was taken down, and they stuck out their tongues and insinuated that since they are Republicans, they can do whatever they want...and put up another tree. Just like...Senator Howard Marklein...who had his daughter’s wedding held in the Capitol...although all other activities have been turned down.  Stuck his tongue out and insinuated that since he is a Republican, he doesn’t have to follow rules, and can do what he wants. Oh, and Robin Vos...and Tom Tiffany... These same elected officials are ready and willing to denigrate others who break laws and don’t follow rules...but they can, and DO.  I want in on that, so will consider turning Republican, and then I can imitate our own Senator Ron Johnson ... and spread false rumors, false statements, and not honor my own words (“I will not run for another term”).... Joking.  I can’t imagine the onus of admitting I was Republican, and having to defend these people.   Barbara Voyce  Lone Rock