A blossom to Christopher Heimerman >for the fantastic job he did as our area sports reporter! Man, Chris, it took you longer to grow that facial hair on your face than it did to decide to leave Monroe. I am not a huge sports fan by any means, and most people know that. But you, sir, did a fantastic job covering our area sports and even made me enjoy reading about them. Good luck on growing more facial hair, and no matter where you go, hopefully you will take fond memories of our area with you. You will be missed. - Jeff Ditzenberger, Monticello>
A bouquet of blossoms to The Monroe Times >for its editorial of Aug. 12 entitled "If few pay, does corporate tax matter?" Something I've been thinking and saying now for years. Corporations, using tax loopholes, are not paying their fair share and Sen. McCain wants to give them even more tax breaks! Is it any wonder why the middle class is being eliminated? - LaVern F. Isely, Monroe>
A huge barb to the management team of the ethanol plant >here in Monroe. For some years now, we who live in the Edelweiss Estates have to go to bed and get up to the 24/7 hum or racket that comes out of that plant. Many a sleepless night can be attributed to the noise. As an RN, I often wonder what effect this will have on our hearing after a period of time. Also, the plant emits an odor that often is a stench, particularly on a humid day. When traveling, I can open up my suitcase and actually continue to smell the odor. This is embarrassing and discomforting.
On a positive side, a beautiful blossom to all the hard work and interest being shown by shopkeepers, city fathers, etc., >who are working so hard to improve the Square and fix up this once-dying town. One can now feel proud to take visitors and friends to the Square. I am amazed at what is available in the shops. By the way ... where is Menards? - Jan Kash>
A barb to The Monroe Times >for its lackluster coverage of the MTG production of "Fiddler on the Roof." This large-scale, professionally-executed musical is something all of Monroe should be proud of. It's rare to find a play of this caliber put on in a city of our size. You would have to go to Madison or Chicago to find a comparable show. But you had to search hard to find a story in the paper on it. A small blurb on opening night and an article about the MTG fund drive were the only items I could find. A play like this deserves better coverage. - Anonymous >
Editor's Note: >As we try to do for all of MTG's productions, the Times did a centerpiece story about the play with two photographs on the Life page on July 24. This story was run in advance to encourage ticket sales prior to the first show. On opening night, the Times ran a photo from dress rehearsal on the front page of the newspaper. A couple of days later, the Times added a Photo Gallery of 12 photos from the play on its Web site. And, as you mentioned, there was a story on page one, July 30, about MTG's fund drive. The play also was featured on a couple of occasions as the "What's Up" event on the front page to remind readers. You're free to characterize all of this as "lackluster." I beg to differ.
A blossom to Mary Jane Grenzow,M> features editor of The Monroe Times, for the delightful "My View" articles that she has written over the years. I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the personal experiences that she has shared with her readers! As a wife and mother of three children myself, I can truly relate to the many real-life stories that she shares with us! Another blossom for her husband and children >for "allowing" her to share their ins and outs. - Melissa Everson, Monroe >
A barb to Scott Thompson, WEKZ.> We have the radio station on at our place of employment. I feel it was inappropriate to announce that the Monroe patrons should not go to Walgreens because they did not use local contractors. Every builder has the right to solicit competitive bids. - Denise Norton>
A barb to the Great Steak Out >on Thursday. My wife JoAnn and I went and we were both disappointed. My "beef" was with the meat, and I've had a few friends that commented along the same lines, lots of fat and gristle. Now I will admit that ribeye has never been my first choice for a steak, but at $13 per meal I can go to at least two good restaurants in town and get a better ribeye for a comparable price. Over the past few years we've seen the cost of the Steak Out soar from $7.50 for an excellent meal to the current price for a not-so-hot meal. If cost is the issue, I'd much rather see a top sirloin or flat iron steak replace the current choice, and it would probably save the Beef Producers a few bucks. We currently have no plans to go back again next year when I can do a better job on the grill at home. - Gene Dobbins, Monroe>
