Letters to the Editor 01-18-2005
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- General Assembly - Family Says Thanks - Salvation Army Says Thank You - MasterWorks Performance - Able Public Servants - Hunting, Farming Similar
General Assembly
Editor, Times-Union:The 2005 session began with an explosion of activity in and around the Statehouse. Before the General Assembly even convened this year, senators and representatives have been working on solutions to Indiana's budget crisis. The state's fiscal condition presents legislators with a daunting task. Not only does the state already face a significant structural deficit, but it also owes $717 million in payments to schools, cities and towns. The state's wallet is not just empty, it is full of IOUs.
Much of the discussion this year will center upon adequate funding for health care and education. The state determines how to allocate the appropriation for K-12 education to each school based upon a formula. Unfortunately, many suburban schools with increasing enrollment suffer under the current system because the money doesn't "follow the child."
In the last budget session of the General Assembly, legislators funded K-12 education with a 3 percent increase for each year of the current budget cycle. That was the highest level of funding in any of the 50 states, many of which are facing severe budget problems. On average, we currently spend more than $9,500 per year for every public school child in Indiana.
A partial solution to solving Indiana's fiscal crisis involves enacting policies designed to improve the state's government efficiency. The Government Efficiency Commission is a panel that was charged with studying how to a taxpayer's dollar go further. Recently, the Government Efficiency Commission delivered its recommendations to the Legislature and governor.
Gov. Mitch Daniels has already implemented some of suggestions via executive order. Others need to go through the legislative process, but each idea will be considered and debated in the General Assembly.
I look forward to working this session to bring your concerns and viewpoints to the Statehouse. You can stay connected to the Legislature by visiting our Web site at www.in.gov/legislative I also encourage you to visit my own Web site at www.in.gov/S9 or send letters to my attention at 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204.
State Sen. Ryan Mishler
Indianapolis
via e-mail
Family Says Thanks
Editor, Times-Union:We the family of our beloved husband, father and grandfather (Ronald Lee Harreld) want to express how much we are grateful for the love and concern when Ronnie passed away. There are so many people we want to thank. Our church Warsaw Community Church, our wonderful neighbors in Woodland Hills, Titus Funeral Home and Kosciusko Community Hospital.
As I've told people, if this death brings even one soul to know Jesus Christ as their savior then we will be grateful for God's mercy and his great love. We celebrated Ronnie's life with lots of pictures so people could see how happy he was and how we as a family shared our lives with others. I ask God that day to let this cup pass by us, however he could not, so now we celebrate our Ronnie's passing with the fact that he loved God and is resting now with our heavenly Father.
Our hearts and lives will never be the same, however, this too will pass, all things are possible to them that believe, and we will.
Thank you all for your love, support, prayers.
Clelda Harreld
Tonyette, Jason, Chandler, Sawyer and Abby
Warsaw
Salvation Army Says Thank You
Editor, Times-Union:Once again we have closed another Christmas season. It never ceases to amaze us the support that folks from Kosciusko County give. We met our goal of $145,000 for our "Tree Of Lights" Campaign!
Because of that generosity we were able to help 387 families totaling 1,548 people. 745 children received new toys and clothing through our Angel Tree program. 137 teens received gift cards through our new Teen Angel program.
Most importantly the funds we received not only support our Christmas outreach but the assistance given throughout the year. This was our 83rd annual Christmas outreach in Kosciusko County. Each year the community has ensured that we have the means to help.
Thanks as well goes to Combined Community Services for the Adopt-A-Family and their willingness to "clear names" so we did not duplicate services.
We also greatly appreciate Toys For Tots for their donation. Thank you to everyone who rang the bell, took a tag off the Angel Tree to help a child, brought in canned goods or gave financially.
We at The Salvation Army know that there are "Angels Among Us" willing to help by supporting our outreach to others. We praise God for the opportunity to serve made possible by many generous people.
Capt. Matt Osborn
Corps Officer
Ken Locke
Community Ministries Director
Warsaw
via e-mail
MasterWorks Performance
Editor, Times-Union:On Saturday, at 7:30 p.m. a free performance was arranged by the MasterWorks group at the Winona Lake Presbyterian Church. The weather was cold so there was less than a full house of attendees. Those who did attend were treated to an excellent performance by Bethany Brestel, clarinet, and her able accompanist Jennifer Jackson. Miss Brestel ,who is currently a Masters of Music candidate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, holds a graduate assistantship. The performance this night delighted the audience by showing the entire range and capabilities of her instrument. At times it seemed like it was reaching the range of a flute and at others sought the opposite end of its frequencies.
The program included Robert Schumann, Leslie Bassett, Leo Weiner (a classmate of Bartok and Zoltan Kodaly) and ended with Johannes Brahms. The Brahms was a real showpiece and permitted both Miss Brestel and Miss Jackson to display their wonderful skills. It was a pity that the Grace College student body did not avail themselves of this performance. If one judges by the music they play at the Gordon Sports Center, we might wonder whether they take away an appreciation for fine music.
MasterWorks has been instrumental in bringing fine music to Winona Lake. Miss Rebecca Valentino (violin), a close friend of Miss Brestel, is also a member of the MasterWorks group and had something to do with convincing her to come to Winona Lake.
The next scheduled performance of a guest artist in the Recital Series is to be Claude Chew, viola, on March 5 at 7:30 p.m. For those of you who like a free performance of fine music, it will be one which you don't want to miss. It also takes place at Winona Lake Presbyterian Church.
I and my wife enjoyed this performance and the thoughtfulness of the Christian Performing Artists' Fellowship which arranged for it to be held here.
Joe Conlan
Winona Lake
via e-mail
Able Public Servants
Editor, Times-Union:This past Sunday I witnessed a near tragic and very unfortunate event in our neighborhood. A wonderful young couple with two small children lost their home and most of their belongings in a fire. My 83-year-old mother lives next door and had to be ushered out of her smoke-tainted house. I witnessed our diligent fire, police and EMS personnel doing their jobs. I was amazed at the smooth coordination of these professionals and was very impressed by the concern and courtesy shown to the person staying at the house, as well as to the neighbors.
Our city and county is blessed with very good fire, emergency medical and law enforcement departments. I hope we all remember to show the respect and gratitude they deserve for putting their lives on the line to save and protect ours.
George Clemens
Warsaw
via e-mail
Hunting, Farming Similar
Editor, Times-Union:When you bite into a steak do you think about how that piece of meat ended up on your plate? For most people the answer would be no. Being a farmer I grew up understanding that my friend in the pen would end up on my plate. That is part of the circle of life because God put animals on this Earth for man to use however he felt necessary. Every animal serves a purpose is meat.
I have a neighbor who has started a business in raising deer. He raises his deer just like I raise my beef. I am sure he has probably even gotten attached to one or two of them. Deer meat is not like beef, not everyone acquires a taste for it. So people who enjoy venison have to hunt for it. My neighbor has made it possible to enjoy this rarity with a price, of course.
Some of the other neighbors find it wrong to keep deer in pens to hunt. They dislike it so much, they protest by putting signs up that say "ban canned hunts." What these people must not understand is how their beef ends up on their plate. Beef animals are also raised in pens, fattened up and sent to slaughter. Would that not be equally as wrong according to them? These so-called "canned hunts" are just a way to enjoy your deer meat by having the knowledge that you shot it yourself.
Since man has had guns, we have shot animals for meat. The fact that they are in a controlled environment makes no difference.
The controlled environment makes it safer. My neighbor can control which deer are ready and which still have time. He also breeds them to produce better deer just like a farmer does with his cattle.
What my neighbor is doing is not ethically wrong. He is a farmer, making profit from livestock. What is the difference between this and any other farming operation?
Stephanie Rhoades
Whitko High School senior
Pierceton
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- General Assembly - Family Says Thanks - Salvation Army Says Thank You - MasterWorks Performance - Able Public Servants - Hunting, Farming Similar
General Assembly
Editor, Times-Union:The 2005 session began with an explosion of activity in and around the Statehouse. Before the General Assembly even convened this year, senators and representatives have been working on solutions to Indiana's budget crisis. The state's fiscal condition presents legislators with a daunting task. Not only does the state already face a significant structural deficit, but it also owes $717 million in payments to schools, cities and towns. The state's wallet is not just empty, it is full of IOUs.
Much of the discussion this year will center upon adequate funding for health care and education. The state determines how to allocate the appropriation for K-12 education to each school based upon a formula. Unfortunately, many suburban schools with increasing enrollment suffer under the current system because the money doesn't "follow the child."
In the last budget session of the General Assembly, legislators funded K-12 education with a 3 percent increase for each year of the current budget cycle. That was the highest level of funding in any of the 50 states, many of which are facing severe budget problems. On average, we currently spend more than $9,500 per year for every public school child in Indiana.
A partial solution to solving Indiana's fiscal crisis involves enacting policies designed to improve the state's government efficiency. The Government Efficiency Commission is a panel that was charged with studying how to a taxpayer's dollar go further. Recently, the Government Efficiency Commission delivered its recommendations to the Legislature and governor.
Gov. Mitch Daniels has already implemented some of suggestions via executive order. Others need to go through the legislative process, but each idea will be considered and debated in the General Assembly.
I look forward to working this session to bring your concerns and viewpoints to the Statehouse. You can stay connected to the Legislature by visiting our Web site at www.in.gov/legislative I also encourage you to visit my own Web site at www.in.gov/S9 or send letters to my attention at 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204.
State Sen. Ryan Mishler
Indianapolis
via e-mail
Family Says Thanks
Editor, Times-Union:We the family of our beloved husband, father and grandfather (Ronald Lee Harreld) want to express how much we are grateful for the love and concern when Ronnie passed away. There are so many people we want to thank. Our church Warsaw Community Church, our wonderful neighbors in Woodland Hills, Titus Funeral Home and Kosciusko Community Hospital.
As I've told people, if this death brings even one soul to know Jesus Christ as their savior then we will be grateful for God's mercy and his great love. We celebrated Ronnie's life with lots of pictures so people could see how happy he was and how we as a family shared our lives with others. I ask God that day to let this cup pass by us, however he could not, so now we celebrate our Ronnie's passing with the fact that he loved God and is resting now with our heavenly Father.
Our hearts and lives will never be the same, however, this too will pass, all things are possible to them that believe, and we will.
Thank you all for your love, support, prayers.
Clelda Harreld
Tonyette, Jason, Chandler, Sawyer and Abby
Warsaw
Salvation Army Says Thank You
Editor, Times-Union:Once again we have closed another Christmas season. It never ceases to amaze us the support that folks from Kosciusko County give. We met our goal of $145,000 for our "Tree Of Lights" Campaign!
Because of that generosity we were able to help 387 families totaling 1,548 people. 745 children received new toys and clothing through our Angel Tree program. 137 teens received gift cards through our new Teen Angel program.
Most importantly the funds we received not only support our Christmas outreach but the assistance given throughout the year. This was our 83rd annual Christmas outreach in Kosciusko County. Each year the community has ensured that we have the means to help.
Thanks as well goes to Combined Community Services for the Adopt-A-Family and their willingness to "clear names" so we did not duplicate services.
We also greatly appreciate Toys For Tots for their donation. Thank you to everyone who rang the bell, took a tag off the Angel Tree to help a child, brought in canned goods or gave financially.
We at The Salvation Army know that there are "Angels Among Us" willing to help by supporting our outreach to others. We praise God for the opportunity to serve made possible by many generous people.
Capt. Matt Osborn
Corps Officer
Ken Locke
Community Ministries Director
Warsaw
via e-mail
MasterWorks Performance
Editor, Times-Union:On Saturday, at 7:30 p.m. a free performance was arranged by the MasterWorks group at the Winona Lake Presbyterian Church. The weather was cold so there was less than a full house of attendees. Those who did attend were treated to an excellent performance by Bethany Brestel, clarinet, and her able accompanist Jennifer Jackson. Miss Brestel ,who is currently a Masters of Music candidate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, holds a graduate assistantship. The performance this night delighted the audience by showing the entire range and capabilities of her instrument. At times it seemed like it was reaching the range of a flute and at others sought the opposite end of its frequencies.
The program included Robert Schumann, Leslie Bassett, Leo Weiner (a classmate of Bartok and Zoltan Kodaly) and ended with Johannes Brahms. The Brahms was a real showpiece and permitted both Miss Brestel and Miss Jackson to display their wonderful skills. It was a pity that the Grace College student body did not avail themselves of this performance. If one judges by the music they play at the Gordon Sports Center, we might wonder whether they take away an appreciation for fine music.
MasterWorks has been instrumental in bringing fine music to Winona Lake. Miss Rebecca Valentino (violin), a close friend of Miss Brestel, is also a member of the MasterWorks group and had something to do with convincing her to come to Winona Lake.
The next scheduled performance of a guest artist in the Recital Series is to be Claude Chew, viola, on March 5 at 7:30 p.m. For those of you who like a free performance of fine music, it will be one which you don't want to miss. It also takes place at Winona Lake Presbyterian Church.
I and my wife enjoyed this performance and the thoughtfulness of the Christian Performing Artists' Fellowship which arranged for it to be held here.
Joe Conlan
Winona Lake
via e-mail
Able Public Servants
Editor, Times-Union:This past Sunday I witnessed a near tragic and very unfortunate event in our neighborhood. A wonderful young couple with two small children lost their home and most of their belongings in a fire. My 83-year-old mother lives next door and had to be ushered out of her smoke-tainted house. I witnessed our diligent fire, police and EMS personnel doing their jobs. I was amazed at the smooth coordination of these professionals and was very impressed by the concern and courtesy shown to the person staying at the house, as well as to the neighbors.
Our city and county is blessed with very good fire, emergency medical and law enforcement departments. I hope we all remember to show the respect and gratitude they deserve for putting their lives on the line to save and protect ours.
George Clemens
Warsaw
via e-mail
Hunting, Farming Similar
Editor, Times-Union:When you bite into a steak do you think about how that piece of meat ended up on your plate? For most people the answer would be no. Being a farmer I grew up understanding that my friend in the pen would end up on my plate. That is part of the circle of life because God put animals on this Earth for man to use however he felt necessary. Every animal serves a purpose is meat.
I have a neighbor who has started a business in raising deer. He raises his deer just like I raise my beef. I am sure he has probably even gotten attached to one or two of them. Deer meat is not like beef, not everyone acquires a taste for it. So people who enjoy venison have to hunt for it. My neighbor has made it possible to enjoy this rarity with a price, of course.
Some of the other neighbors find it wrong to keep deer in pens to hunt. They dislike it so much, they protest by putting signs up that say "ban canned hunts." What these people must not understand is how their beef ends up on their plate. Beef animals are also raised in pens, fattened up and sent to slaughter. Would that not be equally as wrong according to them? These so-called "canned hunts" are just a way to enjoy your deer meat by having the knowledge that you shot it yourself.
Since man has had guns, we have shot animals for meat. The fact that they are in a controlled environment makes no difference.
The controlled environment makes it safer. My neighbor can control which deer are ready and which still have time. He also breeds them to produce better deer just like a farmer does with his cattle.
What my neighbor is doing is not ethically wrong. He is a farmer, making profit from livestock. What is the difference between this and any other farming operation?
Stephanie Rhoades
Whitko High School senior
Pierceton
[[In-content Ad]]
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