Letter to the Editor
This note is in response to the insightful Muddy River News story about the acute and chronic mental health consequences of being near to a public space shooting like the one that occurred recently at TJ Maxx. The eyewitness account and experience of a local mental health professional was augmented by the interview with another,…
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I am writing to inform the citizens of Hannibal about the upcoming vote the Board of Education will be taking to increase the operating levy tax — or keep it as it is now. Voters were promised that the $30 million bond issue just approved would result in no tax increase with the debt levy…
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It’s true. Low reading scores are a national concern, including in our area. Literacy is crucial for education, jobs, health, and our community’s economy. We all need to understand and find solutions to improve reading skills. The Literacy Advocates of West Central Illinois is a group of community members, families, educators, and school administrators working…
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I read the story, “Are they learning anything or are they just playing? Quincy pastor wants to address low reading scores,” and wanted to share some critical insights. The poor reading scores in our district are unacceptable and point to a systemic problem. Blaming parents, teachers, students, or the pandemic is not the solution. I…
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To the citizens of Quincy and Adams County, thank you. You are amazing. The love we felt from the community for both the Gem City Concert Series country (May 20-21) and rock (June 21-22) weekends was, hands down, more than we could have ever expected. You came out in droves, brought the house down, supported our…
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There is absolutely no doubt Hannibal is known for its rich history, amazing art scene and world-famous people. However, Hannibal also is known for something else — and something very unique. Each year buried deep inside Tom Sawyer Days and surrounded by the Fourth of July, 60 teams from all around the Midwest gather by…
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This past weekend, the Tri-States were fortunate to again have access to world-class entertainment hosted right here in Quincy in your parks. Many thanks to Scott Edlin and his team, and everyone from promotions to tickets to trash pickup, for a job well done. I’m especially proud of the Park District team under Rome Frericks. They moved…
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British-American musician Slash of Guns N’ Roses’ fame once remarked, “I don’t think there’s ever a chance of a reunion.” Looking back now some 70 years, what was the chance of a reunion of two folks after a life’s journey together from kindergarten, through grade school, then high school, off to college, then law school,…
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I want to preface my comments by saying they do not necessarily represent the views of the office I hold as an elected official. Regardless of my position, I’m still a veteran, citizen, taxpayer and resident of the 2nd Ward. Quincy’s city council recently passed an ordinance establishing the TIF South district. Whether you agree…
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Here is how part of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution reads: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” Protestant friends once told me that their minister told them that Catholic priests were so close to the devil that they had tails. Fortunately, by the…
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Smartphones are an essential part of everyday life and help us do so many things. However, in a UScellular survey, nearly 75 percent of respondents said they spend at least an hour on social media every day, with 24 percent spending three to four hours per day. Nearly a third of respondents said they want…
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In Quincy town, there dwelt a man grim,Who thought his job was to fill every pothole’s brim. With “No” votes for the public good on this day.His heart was as dark as the asphalt’s gray. He grumbled and groaned each attempt to do more.Hating the world with an unyielding roar. The sun was too hot,…
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Tax increment financing is effective. It has led to economic development and increased growth in our historic downtown business district. As mayor, I was proud to propose and implement TIF East in 2010 with the help of our terrific city planner, Chuck Bevelheimer. A multitude of infrastructure improvements have occurred since then, and private investment…
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Thought you might tell Mr. Eighinger that of the great bald athletes he mentioned, he forgot Mark Messier, who is one of the greatest hockey players of all-time. In fact, (Wayne) Gretzky won a Stanley Cups with Messier but none without him. Also going the other way about players who tried to cover it up,…
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First, let me say Brother Zimmerman, you are courteous and conciliatory. You should have called me out. I quoted G.K. Chesterton, and Chesterton certainly was not a capitalist but a distributist. Wasn’t his description of distributism “40 acres and a cow for everyone?” Certainly a different time. But the point was to favor small businesses…
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Mr. Felsman, thank you for taking my thoughts seriously! I am pleased that you say Ayn Rand does not represent what most capitalists think or feel. I just recall Paul Ryan, former Speaker of the U.S. House, saying that Ms. Rand was an important source of his thinking. It is certainly true that the poor…
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I’d like to add my two cents with Mark Felsman on the recent topic of capitalism versus socialism, which is just a fancy word to get around being called a communist in the real world. Socialism has caused more than 100 million deaths in a little more than 100 years and countless miseries, with the…
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Leadership. Whether you feel it’s an art, a science or maybe a combination of both – either way, you’re right. In my career, I’ve had the opportunity to hold various leadership roles and to learn countless “leadership styles,” strategies, approaches and so on. I’ve taken tests and gone through exercises to learn my “bird type”…
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Brother Joe, what was the mission of Jesus? I think scripture and tradition would say Jesus came to save sinners of whom I am chief (1 Timothy 1:15-17). Didn’t Father Ronald Knox say Christians aren’t here to make the world a better place but to colonize heaven? Certainly Christians are to help the poor again…
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Jesus: Blessed are the poor, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Capitalist: I’m sorry, but I have to take exception to that. In a capitalist society, if you are a loser, that means you or your family haven’t tried hard enough to play the game. The game has rules. You must play by the…
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It’s good that a recommendation has been put forth by the Illinois Department of Transportation for the replacement of the Memorial Bridge. While it is not a consideration to replace the Golden Gate Bridge, also put into service in the 1930s and in a salt air environment, most other bridges should not be expected to last…
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Regarding the article concerning the 13-year-old and 18-year-old who sent the pictures — which, of course, he shouldn’t have done. A question I have: Was he aware of her age? I ask because many girls get online and portray themselves as 18, which should not happen. Parents should bear some responsibility for not monitoring their daughter’s…
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It seems our society is short on selflessness these days. Selflessness is “giving to others without looking for personal gain.” Thankfully, in healthcare, you’ll find teams of selfless people led by doctors. This area is blessed with many skilled physicians, including those practicing at Blessing Health. After multiple years in training, these doctors joined the Blessing…
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Our world at the Quincy Police Department (QPD) was turned upside down on Jan. 11, 2024. On this date around noon, Officer Matthew Hermsmeier was shot in the right arm while on the scene of a domestic disturbance and acting as a field training officer for Officer Gabriel VanderMaiden. Both officers have since been cleared of…
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Did you ever consider these phrases in the hymn “Hold the Fort” by Philip P. Bliss in 1870? In the first verse: “Ho, my comrades!See the signalWaving in the sky …” And in the chorus: “Hold the Fort for I am coming,Jesus signals still,Wave the answer back to Heaven,By Thy Grace we will!” What does…
Read Full Article January 14, 2025
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