Letters to the Editor: Donate to support and rebuild communities

I am writing with important plea for help. The recent flooding in Buena Vista County has left many homes, businesses and communities in a state of devastation. Homes have been submerged businesses destroyed and families displaced. The scenes of destruction affecting our neighbors in northern Buena Vista County are overwhelming.

In the face of this tragedy, those affected have shown incredible resilience and community spirit. Yet, the road to recovery is long, and they cannot do it alone. We urgently need your support to help rebuild and restore hope to those who have lost everything.

Your donation to the Buena Vista County Disaster Committee, no matter the size, will make a profound difference. One hundred percent of the money you donate will be used to provide assistance directly to those who have applied for government aid but still have unmet needs, providing emergency shelter for families, food and clean water and resources to begin the painstaking process of rebuilding. Your generosity can help heal the wounds left by this disaster and offer a beacon of hope to those who are struggling.

Please consider donating to support the Buena Vista County Disaster Committee. Together, we can restore these communities and ensure that our friends, family and neighbors won't face this hardship alone. You can scan the above QR code to quickly and securely donate.

Thank you for your compassion and generosity.

Daniel Jones, Storm Lake United Treasurer

The problem with three lanes

The decision to convert Lake Avenue to three lanes should be reconsidered.

While a three lane system works well in a Flindt Drive setting it is not optimal for Lake Avenue. The Flindt Drive setting has widely spaced access points and “head in” vehicle entry allowing for a smooth transition to the existing traffic flow.

That is not the case with Lake Avenue.

Unlike Flindt Drive, both sides of the Lake Avenue right of way are bordered with diagonal parking. This creates points of entry even ten feet, approximately.

In order to access the traffic lane, a vehicle must back into the right of way in opposition to the existing traffic flow, stop and then move forward with the flow. Each time this happens it essentially blocks the lane. These multiple blockages increase traffic congestion and reduce convenience.

A review of the Iowa DOT website, containing the three lane configuration illustrations and videos, does not show a single example of a three lane system combined with diagonal parking.

George Schaller, Storm Lake