A huge bouquet to Green County Clerk, Mike Doyle, Veterans Service Officer, Clayton Ruessgger and his assistant, Chris Beer for coordinating a successful Green County Government Days last week at the Green County Justice Center. Each year area high school seniors have the opportunity to see how local county government functions and conducts business. This year students from Monroe, Juda, Brodhead and Albany toured offices at the Justice Center, Sheriff Randy Roderick guided students through the tunnel to the jail and then demonstrated to the students scenarios that certainly impressed the students. During a lunch break at the Monroe American Legion, Monroe Police Sgt. Dan Maresch with his K-9 dog Loki, demonstrated the capabilities of their work in the K-9 Unit. In the afternoon newly elected Second Judge Thomas Vale presided at a "mock trial" for the group.
A rose to Monroe Times staff reporter, Brenda Steurer, for the quick response to covering the event and the coverage by the Monroe Times. Rose petals and thank yous to all county officials and employees that took time out off their busy schedule to make Green County Government Days a very successful event for the future leaders of our county. - In appreciation, Green County Council of the American Legion.
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While I was at the swearing in of our new mayor and council members and I enjoyed it, I would like to give a barb to radio station WEKZ and The Monroe Times for failing to report my comments during the comments from the public at the council meeting of April 20 in my concern in hiring a new administrator at an estimated cost of $100,000 plus benefits. I mentioned that our property taxes have been increasing and I believe, before you hire a new administrator, the issue should be put on the ballot in the form of a binding referendum and let the people decide whether this cost is gong to benefit the city, as well as the taxpayers. - La Vern F. Isely
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A great big blossom to Eric Jordan and his crew from Professional Roofing and Repair for the great job they did on my new roof. And the cleanup job was so good you couldn't tell they were here. Thank you. - Peggy Raab
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We would like to extend a barb to the Monroe Times regarding the Shopping News delivery or I should say lack of. Our neighborhood was so fortunate to have excellent delivery service for the past few years but when he retired at the end of the year it has been a totally different story. There have only been a couple weeks where it has been delivered on a timely basis and without calling the Times. They always have some flimsy excuse as to why it hasn't been delivered. My whole concern is that they are collecting money from the people that choose to advertise with the Shopper and it isn't being distributed. They are being ripped off and so are we. - 4th Street Retirees
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I would like to extend a barb to the individual who gave a barb to the Times for keeping the story of the recent fatal car accident short. The "bomb threats" you spoke of were a public safety issue, and I honestly do not remember them running on the front page for "weeks". The accident in question took the life of children who have families that may not want to be reminded - every day in the newspaper - of an incident that they will never forget. It should be seen as a fit of humanity on the part of the Times, not an oversight. Do we all need to be reminded daily of the tragedies of life? - Tracy Devoe
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I would like to give a barb to the Gratiot Fire Department. There are not a lot of people waiting to open a business in Gratiot. Yet on Saturday, April 24, they parked there first response vehicle right in front of the beauty salon knowing the operator does a lot of elderly people. Some on walkers and so forth. They have the whole town to park their equipment and still choose to park it in front of a business. They have been asked on other occasions not to park there and they still do it. Out of respect I think they need to find a new spot for their equipment. Don't say you need it close in case of a call. There is plenty of space near but not in front of the salon. - concerned salon customer
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A huge blossom to the Green County Extension office, Alissa Grenawalt, Dusty Williams, Jake Samson, the Green county FFA advisors, Green County Sheriff Department, Juda Fire Department, Sloan Implement, Carter and Gruenwald of Juda, and anyone I may have missed for helping us with the Green County Tractor Safety program again this year and to the parents that take the time to let their children learn safe operation of farm equipment. As we are all sharing the roads this sumnmer ... please take the time to slow down and be proactive towards farm equipment and let them do their job as you head to do yours. Again...a huge huge thank you to all involved. - Jeff Ditzenberger.
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I want to send the largest blossom ever to Cody Bates and the people at the Bargain Depot for all that they are doing for the families of Corey Becker and Amber Moyer. I do not know Cody, but I would be honored to call him my friend. To step up in these families time of need sets him above all the rest. He has definietly restored my faith in true friendship. Everyone should have a friend like Cody. God Bless you Cody. - Tina Gombosi
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A barb to last week's "upset" if the city approves painting the Lincoln Park Water Tower. The person who submitted the comments is confused. The Green County Historical Society had never taken ownership of the water tower nor has it agreed to maintain it. Nevertheless, the society has spent many hours of labor and a considerable amount of money to help restore it after years of neglect. An open records request revealed that the city has no maintenance records for this structure from 1978 to the present. The Green County Historical Society thinks that the tower is worth preserving and is willing to share the cost of the paint job with the city. - Donna Glynn.
A rose to Monroe Times staff reporter, Brenda Steurer, for the quick response to covering the event and the coverage by the Monroe Times. Rose petals and thank yous to all county officials and employees that took time out off their busy schedule to make Green County Government Days a very successful event for the future leaders of our county. - In appreciation, Green County Council of the American Legion.
***
While I was at the swearing in of our new mayor and council members and I enjoyed it, I would like to give a barb to radio station WEKZ and The Monroe Times for failing to report my comments during the comments from the public at the council meeting of April 20 in my concern in hiring a new administrator at an estimated cost of $100,000 plus benefits. I mentioned that our property taxes have been increasing and I believe, before you hire a new administrator, the issue should be put on the ballot in the form of a binding referendum and let the people decide whether this cost is gong to benefit the city, as well as the taxpayers. - La Vern F. Isely
***
A great big blossom to Eric Jordan and his crew from Professional Roofing and Repair for the great job they did on my new roof. And the cleanup job was so good you couldn't tell they were here. Thank you. - Peggy Raab
***
We would like to extend a barb to the Monroe Times regarding the Shopping News delivery or I should say lack of. Our neighborhood was so fortunate to have excellent delivery service for the past few years but when he retired at the end of the year it has been a totally different story. There have only been a couple weeks where it has been delivered on a timely basis and without calling the Times. They always have some flimsy excuse as to why it hasn't been delivered. My whole concern is that they are collecting money from the people that choose to advertise with the Shopper and it isn't being distributed. They are being ripped off and so are we. - 4th Street Retirees
***
I would like to extend a barb to the individual who gave a barb to the Times for keeping the story of the recent fatal car accident short. The "bomb threats" you spoke of were a public safety issue, and I honestly do not remember them running on the front page for "weeks". The accident in question took the life of children who have families that may not want to be reminded - every day in the newspaper - of an incident that they will never forget. It should be seen as a fit of humanity on the part of the Times, not an oversight. Do we all need to be reminded daily of the tragedies of life? - Tracy Devoe
***
I would like to give a barb to the Gratiot Fire Department. There are not a lot of people waiting to open a business in Gratiot. Yet on Saturday, April 24, they parked there first response vehicle right in front of the beauty salon knowing the operator does a lot of elderly people. Some on walkers and so forth. They have the whole town to park their equipment and still choose to park it in front of a business. They have been asked on other occasions not to park there and they still do it. Out of respect I think they need to find a new spot for their equipment. Don't say you need it close in case of a call. There is plenty of space near but not in front of the salon. - concerned salon customer
***
A huge blossom to the Green County Extension office, Alissa Grenawalt, Dusty Williams, Jake Samson, the Green county FFA advisors, Green County Sheriff Department, Juda Fire Department, Sloan Implement, Carter and Gruenwald of Juda, and anyone I may have missed for helping us with the Green County Tractor Safety program again this year and to the parents that take the time to let their children learn safe operation of farm equipment. As we are all sharing the roads this sumnmer ... please take the time to slow down and be proactive towards farm equipment and let them do their job as you head to do yours. Again...a huge huge thank you to all involved. - Jeff Ditzenberger.
***
I want to send the largest blossom ever to Cody Bates and the people at the Bargain Depot for all that they are doing for the families of Corey Becker and Amber Moyer. I do not know Cody, but I would be honored to call him my friend. To step up in these families time of need sets him above all the rest. He has definietly restored my faith in true friendship. Everyone should have a friend like Cody. God Bless you Cody. - Tina Gombosi
***
A barb to last week's "upset" if the city approves painting the Lincoln Park Water Tower. The person who submitted the comments is confused. The Green County Historical Society had never taken ownership of the water tower nor has it agreed to maintain it. Nevertheless, the society has spent many hours of labor and a considerable amount of money to help restore it after years of neglect. An open records request revealed that the city has no maintenance records for this structure from 1978 to the present. The Green County Historical Society thinks that the tower is worth preserving and is willing to share the cost of the paint job with the city. - Donna Glynn.
