Page 4 - Clear Lake Mirror Reporter E-Edition 4-6-2016

Opinion Clear Lake Mirror-Reporter

Page 4 • April 6, 2016

REMEMBER WHEN

Going, going, gone...in 1966 City planned to construct a 30-unit apartment house on the site. They kept some of the older pieces from the hotel and
will incorporate them into the new structure.
The Lake Shore Hotel is no more, as workers cleared the site of debris in 1966. Demolition of the 90 year old structure
was completed in a week. At the time, owners P.O. Petersen, Clear Lake, and Charles Elder and Don Marshall, of Mason

25 Years Ago • April 1991 Clear Lake basketball standout Matt Freeseman was named to the Iowa than young Anderson, a 6’4” guard who averaged 19 points per game and led
The ice has been declared as “out” on Clear Lake, and early reports show the Newspaper Association’s First Team All-State Squad for class 2A. Freeseman the team to a North Central Conference championship and a 18-3 record.
water level has risen drastically since all-time lows were recorded last summer. intends to play for NIACC in the fall.
The level of Clear Lake was measured at 18.36 inches below the weir. That is The Clear Lake boys golf team returns a young, but experienced nucleus of 60 Years Ago • March 1956
the highest level for the lake since late June 1988. At the time the lake froze the players. Five returning letter winners will lead the team Marty Fredericks, Steve Prospects for an early thaw certainly were not helped by the revelation
level was reported as 31.44 inches below the spillway. Spratt, Scott Johnson, Sherwin Bouma and Mark Moeller. that the ice is still 26” thick in the lake.
The Clear Lake School Board voted to seek bids for a proposed addition Jim Hansen Ford, Highway 106 at I-35, Clear Lake, is offering a front The last wall of the Marigold Dairy was reduced to a pile of rubble on S. 4th
to Lincoln Elementary School. The proposal calls for a two-classroom, as well wheel alignment for $19.95. St. yesterday to make room for a new parking lot at the corner of 1st Ave. S.
as a four-classroom addition. The two-classroom addition is estimated to cost Grocery deals for the week at Easter’s Super Valu include: 7-Up, 8-16 oz. A bunch of coffee drinkers Friday morning were betting loaves of Butter
$150,000. The proposed two classrooms would be located on the east side of bottles, $1.69; Sunsweet Prune Juice, 40 oz., $1.29; Cottonelle Bath Tissue, 4 Topp bread on the outcome of the Iowa game that evening. We wonder who
the single story Lincoln School addition built in 1985. rolls, 89¢; Lay’s Potato Chips, 15 oz., $1.79; Keystone Beer, 12-12 oz. cans, went home with all the bread?
Prom dresses of all sizes and styles will be for sale in the “Cinderella Shop,” $3.89; A&E Cottage Cheese, 24 oz., $1.29; pork chops, lb., $1.79; arm roast,
sponsored by the Clear Lake C.A.R.E.S. The shop will be located at Zion Lu- lb., $1.99; and Hillshire Smoked Sausage, lb., $2.29. 100 Years Ago • March 1916
theran Church. Fitting rooms will be available. E.C. Gardner has patented an excelerator to be used in Fords and other
Alvin and Frances Miller, of Ventura, have announced the merger of its 50 Years Ago • March 1966 makes of cars. It is proving a great success and is very reasonable.
insurance business with North Central Insurance Service, which has opened Donald Christiansen, RFD 3, Clear Lake, perished during a snow storm last Henry Lemon, living near Garner, found a wooden box under a haystack.
an office at 2 E. Lake Street, Ventura. The Ventura agency will be managed by Tuesday night. He was found in a kneeling position with one hand on the wire The box contained 25 pounds of dynamite, fuse and caps. It is believed to have
Winston (Win) Watson, who also owns and operates a real estate firm, Win fence by his wife. His car became stalled just three-quarters of a mile from his been put there by bandits who would blow up post office safes and were arrested
Watson and Associates. home He then got out of the car to walk home, passing three homes on the way. at Garner some time ago.
Bill Cooney, an investment executive at the Mason City office of Piper, Jaf- He was about 200 feet from his mailbox and short 10 rods from his house when Mrs. Gentry is selling milk for 6¢ a quart.
frey and Hopwood Incorporated, has completed an advanced broker develop- he apparently became out of breath and died of exposure. The ice did more damage this winter than it has any one winter in 20 years
ment program designed to help Piper, Jaffrey brokers work with business owners Sam Kennedy, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Kennedy, was awarded an Eagle to the lake shore from C.E. Mann’s corner north for one block. All the cement
to maximize investments and minimize tax liabilities. Scout medal in a Court of Honor ceremony held by Troop 75. walk is crushed to pieces and where the walk was is now a great ridge of dirt and
Clear Lake’s Paul Ebeling has been selected to play in the 1991 Iowa Foot- Clear Lake’s Don Anderson became the first Clear Lake High School bas- sand.
ball Shrine Bowl Game. ketball player to earn All-State honors. No one was more deserving of the award

The dangers of LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Under The
hog-processing Golden Dome, Too
run, and it is also what drives eco- wisely over time to sustain your com- has the honor of hosting more than
To the Editor, nomic growth in a community or at petitive advantage. When a communi- one million people at the historic 450- Representative Linda Upmeyer
The Mayor and City Council in least maintains it with a high quality ty fails to do that through poor alloca- acre Iowa State Fairgrounds. The Iowa
Mason City have voiced their support of life. Good communities like good tion or mismanagement of capital they State Fair continues to attract people 515-281-3221
for a new hog-processing facility in businesses pay attention to their com- become vulnerable to quick fixes like from all over the world and truly [email protected]
Mason City as an economic develop- petitive advantage and they cultivate casinos, strip clubs or hog-processors. showcases Iowa’s best in agriculture,
ment project, but I am convinced that it and protect it. In Clear Lake, many I would respectfully ask every elected industry, entertainment and achieve- Medicaid modernization launches
they do not understand the damage wise and thoughtful leaders have un- official in Clear Lake and Ventura as ment. The Iowa State Fair is an Ameri-
that will do to the competitive posi- derstood that concept and taken steps well as the rest of the citizens of Clear can tradition that every Iowan can be The pieces are slowly coming to- safety, and courts – at risk of being
tion of their community or the sur- over the years to protect our lake, Lake and Ventura to formally express proud of and for which I am humbled gether as we begin to wind down this crowded out. The old Medicaid sys-
rounding area in the long run. Over because that is a profound source of their opposition to this project by to serve on the governing board. year’s session. Talks continue on the tem simply does not operate like an
time it will erode the economic vitality competitive advantage for our area contacting the city council members As one can imagine, the Fair- state budget and the number of bills efficient system should.
of our area, not enhance it. and brings in lots of tourist dollars for in Mason City. Our economic future grounds are in constant need of up- on the debate calendar continue to Second, the state’s antiquated
The economic growth of a com- Clear Lake and Mason City. The addi- and quality of life is at stake. keep and preservation to maintain drop off as we complete our work. To Medicaid system doesn’t focus on
munity, business or country depends tion of a hog-processing facility on the the beauty that comes with the title cap off the week, I had the privilege of making patients healthy, and simply
fundamentally on the ability to devel- south side of Mason City will slowly Bennett Smith, “Greatest State Fair in the Nation.” speaking at the Tall Corn FFA Chap- works to treat diseases and illnesses as
op and sustain a durable competitive undermine the competitive advantage Clear Lake Since 1993, the Blue Ribbon Founda- ter’s annual banquet in Hampton on they occur. Under managed care, the
advantage. That is what gives a good that we here in Clear Lake have built tion, the fundraising arm of the Iowa Thursday night. It’s great to see so new system will focus on preventative
business pricing power in the long up over a long period of time. Support the State Fair, has been able to offer the many young people and their families care to help patients lead healthier
The key to economic develop- Iowa State Fair Corndog Checkoff as a way for Io- involved in Iowa agriculture! lives. This is done through coordi-
ment is the ability to allocate capital wans to financially support their ef- On April 1, the state’s new Med- nated care by promoting wellness
To the Editor, forts. The Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon icaid Modernization plan starts and measures and tackling chronic disease.
Every August the Iowa State Fair Foundation is dedicated to continu- managed care organizations (MCOs) These steps will help patients enjoy a
ing that legacy by raising funds for the will begin managing the care of Iowa’s higher quality of life.
restoration and preservation for our 560,000 Medicaid recipients. This is Medicaid Modernization pro-
historic Fairgrounds. a big change for the state as we move vides the state with an opportunity to
It is simple for you to partici- from a fee-for-service model to a co- control these ever-growing costs while
pate in the Corndog Checkoff and ordinated one, but I’m optimistic that also improving patient health.
something that anyone can do while this change will be a benefit to the pa- Under the new system, benefits
completing their Iowa State Tax Re- tients that rely on high quality health- of Medicaid will continue to be of-
turn. Simply checkoff a donation for care from Medicaid. fered. All current services available to
the Iowa State Fairgrounds and help So why is the state switching to Medicaid patients should not change
us continue our efforts to continue a modernized Medicaid system? The and patient identification numbers
needed renovations throughout the reason is twofold. should also remain the same. Patients
Fairgrounds. Your donation will be First, the current Medicaid sys- can switch to a different managed care
deducted from your refund or added tem is bureaucratic, inflexible, and organization at any time for any rea-
to the amount due. Contributions to unpredictable in cost. As the second son between now and May 17. Fol-
the Corndog Checkoff are fully tax- biggest program in state government, lowing that date, patients are still able
deductible. behind K-12 education, the cost of to switch for good cause, such as a
I am looking forward to the 2016 Medicaid has skyrocketed over the last provider not being signed up with an
Iowa State Fair and if you are able, I’d decade. According to the nonpartisan MCO. There will also be an annual
appreciate your support of the Corn- Legislative Services Agency (LSA), open enrollment period in late fall to
dog Checkoff. See you at the Fair. yearly state revenue grew by 2.6% be- switch to a different MCO or remain
tween 2006 and 2015. During that with the current one.
Alan Brown, same time, funding for schools grew As Medicaid Modernization rolls
Iowa State Fair Board President, yearly at 4.3% while Medicaid grew out over the next few days and weeks,
by a staggering 9.1%. This unsustain- please let me know if you run into any
Hampton, Iowa able growth threatens other functions
of government– like education, public See UPMEYER on page 5

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