Who are the “powers that be” in Spencer? The ones that make decisions for our community. For instance; installing speakers, fancy lighting and trees on main street, and a pile of rocks with a welcome sign at the South T and brown street signs that are small and near impossible to see or read. And deciding to turn off the power at a trailer park during one of the hottest summers on record.

Over the years as your state representative, I have been asked a lot of questions and given comments about policy, about singular issues a person is having with a state department or organization, about important issues in the lives of regular northwest Iowans. Sometimes I am told I am being too partisan, and we need more bipartisanship and while I don’t disagree, I must point out that bipartisanship is a two-way street in which there is give and take.

Over the last year, the Iowa Department of Public Health and Iowa Department of Human Services evaluated the areas of overlap and duplication between the two state agencies. Over the winter, the departments announced that the plan is to remove silos between agencies by moving toward a one-agency structure.

When Democrats passed their first partisan $1.9 trillion reconciliation bill early last year, even liberal economists warned it would trigger inflation. Prices at gas stations and grocery stores have climbed ever since. The average household in my state of Iowa has seen its monthly living expenses increase by $669 since January 2021. Iowa State University released a report showing inflation has caused the equivalent of a 33% cut to rural disposable incomes.

This time of year, wherever you might be fishing, if that body of water is home to largemouth bass, there will be some bass on the weedline. Here are some ideas for catching those bass.

For the past six years, I have enjoyed being a part of the Okoboji Blue Water Festival. Established in 2016, the festival has truly become celebration of water quality of not only the Iowa Great Lakes, but also across the state of Iowa. This year’s event is scheduled for Saturday and promises to be an awesome day for adults and kids alike.

“You know it used to was even hotter than it is right now, don’t you?” Windy looked up from his lunch. Oh boy, professorial mood. We’re gonna get it. “I used ta pack mules, a-course. Well, I packed ‘em ‘til the accident, anyway.”

“Accident, Windy?” Dang it, Dud, you’ve done it now.

“Nobody can say I don’t love them little mules, but that accident took all the packin’ enthusiasticals right outa me.

Temperature extremes, drought and storms take a toll on our landscapes. Sometimes a bit of pruning, proper care and patience is all that is needed to help plants recover. Other times, plants need replacing. It is always sad to lose a favorite plant. The memories, time and money invested are lost, but it presents an opportunity to grow something new.

It seems like I just turned in a column, but it is my turn again. As cliche as it is, time certainly does pass quickly. Since my last article I have had the chance to help at a couple area county fairs. Being new it is a bonus to have such a late fair so that I can dip my feet in the water before it is my turn to have the answers.

I’m guessing my perspective on this time of year differs a bit from some oft those school age children.

Summer in its purest form — vacations, trips to the Lakes, concerts in the parks, days at the pool, long weekends — is coming to an end. Within the next couple of weeks, kids will return to school and we’ll be looking toward Labor Day and the Clay County Fair.

Despite what the White House says, our economy is in a recession, and inflation is the highest it’s been in over 40 years.

Washington Democrats keep telling us not to worry and that the problem is only temporary, yet every month the mountain Americans have to climb to make ends meet keeps getting steeper and steeper.

The reason is simple — President Joe Biden’s tax and spend agenda.

Q: What’s contributing to the postpandemic rise in violent crime in America?

The unlikely, but popular, pairing of former pro wrestler Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and comedian Kevin Hart are at it again, this time as a pair of animated dogs in an enjoyable family trip to the movies. The two star in “DC League of Super-Pets,” a fun and safe for the whole family tale of how a group of enhanced pets come together to take on Lex Luthor (voiced by Marc Maron) and his evil pet experiment, Lulu (voiced by Kate McKinnon) — both bent on world domination.

What does it mean to be a steward of the land? Beyond that, what public policies would ensure land stewardship for rural America?

Summer is an exciting time for everyone here in northwest Iowa. I see the boats being trailered to the lakes and shoppers on Grand. The art deco lights and classic main street feel paints a beautiful picture of what Spencer is all about. This is a great place to raise your kids (I am raising three of them here myself). Also in case you didn’t know, we have the best county fair in the world!