The deadliest mass shooting of the year occurred Wednesday in Maine, with at least 18 innocent people killed at the time this letter was written, with the shooter being at large for many hours following the event.

Aspiring to hold elected office is a worthy calling. I encourage the community to review the credentials of the nine announced candidates for the Spirit Lake Board of Education and consider which have effectively demonstrated their commitment to the non-partisan role of a school board member. It is also vital to review which individuals possess a strong record of active involvement in school events and activities.

The current board has been forward thinking for years. They have been doing and making tough decisions that other school boards are not willing to, despite how popular or unpopular the decision is. Rather than popularity, they make their decisions based on what is in the best interest of staff and students, because that is what their responsibility is and why they have dedicated their time to this district.

It's important to consider the value of having a school in your community. Not only does it provide educational opportunities for local children, but it can also have a positive impact on the community as a whole. Here are some reasons why:

1. A good school district can be a reason for new families to consider moving into the area.

2. An updated and modern school with smaller class sizes can be an attractive feature for families.

Some community members of the Harris-Lake Park School District may feel that they don’t have a stake in the vote for an elementary addition to the present middle school/high school facility because they don’t have kids, grandkids or great-grandkids who would be attending. It is true that our priority is putting students first, but this will also affect everything else in the area as strong schools equal strong communities. With a strong school system, property values will be maintained.

Why do we need a new building? Why can’t we fix and update what we currently have? How could this relatively new building (back in 1977) need so many repairs so soon? Why should I agree to let the district use my tax dollars to fund this project? These questions, along with many others, were at the front of my mind when talk started to circulate around town that we were in need of a new elementary building. I’m sure many of you have also wondered these same things.

Having recently served for nearly 10 years on the Board of Education for the Spirit Lake School District, you can imagine that I’ve fielded numerous texts, calls and emails regarding the upcoming election when all five school board seats are on the ballot. Most of the questions have been centered on wanting my thoughts and a little insight.

The Spirit Lake School Board and administration have deserved criticism for not being inclusive of the community as they have decided several very divisive issues without community input.

The ballot for the Harris-Lake Park school bond referendum will have two questions to vote on. Question one says that the amount will not exceed $18.6 million dollars and what the funds will be used for: constructing and equipping an elementary addition, renovating and improving portions of the present middle/high school building, and athletic improvements. Question two specifies the range that may be levied for taxes.

At the risk of offending everyone who reads this letter, I have finally been compelled to send it, hoping for the best. In my past life, I served on the Spirit Lake School Board for six, three-year terms (18 of 20 years) from 1974 until 1994. In my seventh school board election, I was defeated when, for the first time in my 20 years, the school board elections became political (political in affecting the vote, not political in a party sense).

"Where are you from?," is a question I used to be able to answer with excitement and pride. With the fantastic resources and education provided to me as a student in Spirit Lake, known by many as one of the leading Iowa towns implementing one-to-one technology, J-Terms, with world-class staff in all three buildings, decorated coaches and alumni who have gone on to accomplish growth beyond our scope from the seeds planted at home.

I have not made a secret of the fact that Ronald Reagan is my hero and one of my favorite presidents in American history. Ronald Reagan was a transformative figure in American history. His presidency ushered in a new era of economic prosperity and foreign policy assertiveness, and his legacy continues to inspire Americans today. Even in death, Reagan can still save America in five important ways:

1. He can inspire Americans to believe in themselves and their country.

By Al Blum - Founder of Red Rock Wind Energy Center

Every October marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Since last October, 10 Iowans have died due to this horrific crime.

In 1989, Congress declared the month of October to be Domestic Awareness Month. For the last 34 years Domestic Violence Month has helped start the conversation on the crime’s impact on victims, survivors and families everywhere.

Q: What is Character Counts Week?