Cassville Democrat: Opinion

Why did egg recall take so long? (08/26/10)
In May, the Centers for Disease Control identified a nationwide increase in the number of salmonella cases documented in the United States. Around three months later, Wright County Egg voluntarily conducted a nationwide recall of shell eggs from three of its five farms. The recall was expanded to all Wright County Egg farms on Aug. 18. Two days later, a second Iowa farm, Hillandale Farms, also issued a voluntary recall of shell eggs...

Community support vital for schools (08/19/10)
As the 2010-11 school year begins this week, school districts across the nation are being forced to tighten their belts in the face of major cuts in state and federal aid. Some programs have suffered, but for the most part, local school districts have been able to maintain normal operations thanks to conservative budgeting and ongoing efforts to control expenses...

Enjoy end of summer at Friday Squared (08/12/10)
This week, area families will have one more chance to enjoy a summer-time community event before children head back to school. The Cassville Area Chamber of Commerce will host its final 2010 Friday Squared event on the square in Cassville on Friday, Aug. 13. The event will begin with a block party from 7 to 9 p.m. "Jumanji" will be shown on the square at 9 p.m...

A misguided approach (08/05/10)
By the time you get a chance to read this editorial, it's probably Wednesday or Thursday night, and if you're like me, you're thankful the primary election is over and you don't have to watch anymore television campaign commercials. Over the last week, I've either fast-forwarded through these annoying ads or walked out of the room while they were airing. ...

Time to celebrate our accomplishment (07/29/10)
Barry County deserves a pat on the back. Over the last few months, dozens of community members, businesses and organizations have joined together to help plan, promote and execute musical performances, informances, children's programs and local displays to complement the Smithsonian Institute's Museum on Main Street exhibit "New Harmonies Celebrating American Roots Music," which has been housed at the Barry County Museum since June. ...

Join the fight (07/22/10)
The National Newspaper Association, to which this newspaper belongs, has joined the fight to halt the Postal Service's "exigent" price increase filed July 6 with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC). The price increases include a 2-cent hike on the first-class stamp, but a much more serious increase for the mailing of newspapers and magazines...

The value of community newspapers (07/15/10)
In this day and age, each of us who are lucky enough to have a job will think about how secure that job is from time to time. With newspapers across the country suffering, it is a well known fact that print journalists, myself included, consider ourselves lucky to still be putting together stories and publishing a newspaper. Job security fears grow when you hear younger community members state that they don't read the newspaper...

A student view on citizenship (07/08/10)
I trust that citizens all across Barry County enjoyed their 4th of July weekend, shooting off fireworks, grilling out with family and gathering with friends at one of the many Fourth of July celebrations held in the area. It was a quiet holiday at our house - the first we've spent without the boys at home. ...

Celebrate America (07/01/10)
As families across Barry County gather to celebrate Independence Day with barbecues and fireworks, it is important to remember the reason for these celebrations. This week, I have chosen to run a guest editorial by syndicated columnist Bryan Golden. I hope this column reminds all of our readers why we should celebrate our country and our freedoms this Fourth of July. ~ Lindsay Reed...

Bragging rights (06/24/10)
From time to time, I get asked the question, "why do you have so many stories and photos about kids?" I am always surprised by this question, because I personally enjoy reading about the accomplishments of our area young people, but obviously some people may not. And while there are a few who might object to our school coverage, it's something that we aren't going to change any time soon in the pages of the Cassville Democrat...

Are you tough enough to wear pink? (06/17/10)
Gizmo's Event Center in Wheaton will host a Tough Enough To Wear Pink fundraiser during a Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA) rodeo scheduled to be held at the facility on June 25. Area residents planning to attend the rodeo are encouraged to wear pink in support of breast cancer awareness. ...

Fridays Squared is a great concept (06/09/10)
I was excited to learn that the Cassville Area Chamber of Commerce has taken the lead in creating an event aimed at attracting people to the downtown square after hours. Still in its planning stages, Fridays Squared will be held on the second Friday night during July and August...