Chronicle Editorial

Catch some fair time fun in Franklin County!
 
     It’s fair time here in Franklin County, and that means five days of fun for both local residents and visitors alike.
     This year’s installment features multiple events for the whole family to enjoy. The forecast calls for steamy weather, but that just means you’ll need to eat more of the fair’s world famous homemade ice cream to cool down.
     The grandstand lineup is once again chocked full of entertaining performers and events Wednesday through Sunday. The Barnes PRCA Rodeo returns tonight for an evening` filled with kicks and thrills, not to mention the Wooly Ride rodeo for youth ages 5-8. It’s always fun to see some dirt fly and the bulls buck each year during the fair.
     The next three nights feature a full concert schedule sure to please music lovers of all kinds. Hairball hits the grandstand stage for an evening of arena rock on July 16. The group will cover familiar tunes from bands like Van Halen, KISS and Aerosmith, so be ready to rock out to some well-known favorites throughout the night.
     Friday’s headliner is country music duo Montgomery Gentry. They’ll perform some of their top hits like “Something To Be Proud Of” and “Gone” in addition to many others. Montgomery Gentry has had more than 10 songs reach the Top 10 on the country charts, so you know they’ll deliver a great performance for the grandstand crowd.
     The entertainment lineup wraps up with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band on Saturday and the Cruiser Car, Go-Kart and 4-Wheeler Races on Sunday. Organizers have worked hard at securing a stacked schedule this year, and we encourage you to head out and show your support at these fun-filled events.
     The grandstand lineup is just one example of what the fair has to offer. Visitors can check out 4-H exhibits, livestock shows, Grandpa’s Farm, Pleasant Hill, the carnival, food stands and other events for even more entertainment. Wambold’s Amazing Animals will also hold daily performances, so be sure to bring the kids to see the lions and tigers in action.
     Franklin County has a busy five days ahead of itself. This packed schedule only underscores all the hard work and effort that goes into planning a huge event like this one. Numerous selfless individuals spend countless hours volunteering their time in preparation of the fair, and that shouldn’t go unnoticed. Please show your appreciation by checking out all their hard work. This fair is a big boon for Franklin County, and it’s directly related to the support of local individuals and businesses.
     Have fun and stay cool out there this week. We only get the fair for five days each year, so be sure to get out and enjoy it!
 
Funding feud Round 2
 
     The Iowa Legislature has been adjourned for a month now, but that doesn’t mean they’ve stopped brawling over education funding.
     Senate Democrats and some Republicans are seeking a special session to override Gov. Terry Branstad’s veto of $55.7 million in K-12 education funding. The Legislature compromised on the one-time money and a 1.25 percent funding increase after debating the issue for more than a month in extended session. The issue deeply divided politicians on both sides, not to mention many folks throughout the state.
     The governor wasn’t coy when he explained his reasoning behind the veto – he doesn’t like one-time funding because it doesn’t allow schools to plan for the future. The Legislature would need two-thirds of the Senate and two-thirds of the House to agree on a special session to override the decision, which might be a tough sell following the month-long overtime.
     Whatever the outcome, it seems clear the pot has been poisoned for debate next year. Lawmakers are dug in deep and that’s unlikely to change by January. We may hope for a constructive session that addresses key issues like education funding, but it’s entirely possible that debate will just go in circles like it’s done so far.