Letters to the Editor 01-22-1998
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Whitaker Responds - New Parties - Lottery Case - Child Molesting - Concrete
Whitaker Responds
Editor, Times-Union:My name is Sam Whitaker. I am a Detective Sergeant employed at the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department. I also am a Republican candidate for Sheriff, and I would like to address some issues that Aaron Rovenstine talked about in his town meetings held in Milford and Leesburg, and that appeared in the Times-Union Jan. 14.
The newspaper indicated that officer Rovenstine stated that we do not need a fire investigator, because we only had four fires last year. The following information is from the statistics of the Voluntary Fire Investigative Unit of Kosciusko County, also know as Squad 70. The following figures reflect the incendiary (set) fires and damage amounts that Squad 70 alone investigated.
There were nine fires in 1995, with a loss of $167,000. 1996 had five fires, with a $332,000 loss. Eight fires in 1997, with a loss of $1,397,000. It is reported that there have already been two fires in 1998, with an estimated loss of $80,000. These numbers do not reflect all the incendiary fires in Kosciusko County, as some are not reported and investigated by Squad 70.
All the fire departments and Squad 70 do a great job to determine cause, origin, locating possible suspects and taking statements. However, the time has come for law enforcement to give the fire departments the help they desperately deserve. National statistics states that one out of every four fires is incendiary. Your incendiary fire rate can appear low if there is not intense investigation to uncover incendiary fires. With intense investigations, the incendiary fire numbers will increase due to exposing the incendiary fires we are now missing. However the total number of fires in the county would remain the same. Insurance companies also report that twelve to twenty cents of every insurance premium dollar that Kosciusko County citizens spend, is used to pay or defend fraudulent claims due to incendiary fire. Look at the amount of loss due to incendiary fires and the increase of everyone's insurance premium, and I believe it's obvious we need a fire investigator. The Indiana State Fire Marshall in this district strongly believes and agrees with me, that we need a fire investigator.
Kosciusko County has a population of about 65,000 people, and the sheriff's department has two detectives. In comparison, the city of Warsaw with a population between 10,000 and 12,000, has four detectives and a juvenile officer. Its quite obvious that our detective division is understaffed in comparison to Warsaw and the populations. In my proposal, I would restructure the sheriff's department with officers that we currently have, so that the county has a juvenile officer, an evidence technician, a fire investigator plus the two detectives we currently use, and have them all in the detective division. That would give us a total of five much needed detectives, with some being specialized in certain areas. If, at any time, there is not enough work for the individual that specializes in fire, juveniles or the collection of evidence, they would assist in the solving of other crimes that we so desperately need.
Opposition is saying having a fire investigator is not in the best interest of the county and shouldn't be done. In 1987, I was told I couldn't start a drug unit, that there was no drug problem. They also said that I couldn't forfeit drug dealers assets and vehicles to help with the cost of operating the drug unit. Well, I started the drug unit, forfeited over $200,000 in assets, and obtained clothing, firearms and other necessary equipment free for the taking from the armed services, so that cost to run the unit was at a minimum, thus saving the tax payers money. I have done all the above, and I can give the fire departments the assistance they need and deserve. Let's be innovators to make Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department not just good, but the best. Every citizen in the county deserves it!
Sam Whitaker
Warsaw
New Parties
Editor, Times-Union:Some folks say we need a 3rd political party. This is very true, we do, but in my personal opinion what we really need is two new parties, the Libertarian Party and the Reform Party. I have been studying both party agendas for some time now and I believe they could work well together in the check and balance relationship our nation needs. I believe together they could turn this nation around and bring it back to constitutional law. The Democratic and Republican parties or party, since it has become increasingly difficult to tell the difference, have had sixty or seventy some years to get this country back on track and all they have accomplished is increased corruption and increased national debt.
It would take $20,000 from every man, woman and child alive today in this country to wipe out our national debt. That means every child born today is born $20,000 in debt. What a legacy we are leaving our children and grandchildren.
Our federal government is stealing from you and I, our children, and grandchildren to pay for their ever increasing expenditures and all their unconstitutional programs. They are stealing our hard earned money and giving it to other nations and increasing the poverty in our own country.
I urge you to get involved, learn what these two new parties stand for and lend your support to one of them. These two parties are made up of grass-roots people, people like you and I, who want to give this country back to, "We, the people." We must get the extremely corrupt Republican-Democratic party out and the Constitution back in.
Deanna Newton
Warsaw
Lottery Case
Editor, Times-Union:I could, should, and maybe I (Gene England) would have been if the Kosciukso court system had not ruled my winning ticket as income and as an Asset. Who would dream that a lottery ticket could be garnished. In Aug. 1994 I was driving a truck that I just bought. I had a couple of beers (my only DUI). I did not completely stop at an intersection. A young lady ran into me. At the Emergency room she was treated for a broken nose and released. I spent several days in the hospital. The hearing on this incident resulted in a plea bargain for a one year sentence and I was to pay restitution. I was denied my rights to attend the hearing that decided the amount of restitution. A default judgement was accepted. Default means I was not there. How could I? I was down stairs in jail. Originally the debt was $12,000. Now the debt is $68,000. The debts are medical bills, lost wages, and insurance Eexpenses. For two years I have not received any bills. On Nov. 7, 1997, it was established my only income is Social Security. I was also told that if I got to the $100,000 round on the show I had to STOP. I would not have anything left. This hearing was held over until Dec. 12, 1997, the Hoosier Lottery could object to this garnishment. This date was changed to Dec. 4, 1997. The show was filmed on Dec. 5, 1997. Fred Burns, the prize payment manager for the lottery, can verify the following statements. Mr. Burns number is (317)-624-4650.
Packet Rules and Forms:
In form: How to get on this show. States there is no cash value on an instant lottery ticket; Winners with debts to the courts or the State of Indiana are obligated to be paid by the winner. No other debts are mentioned.
On Form: Release and Consent. This form was not signed by me. I feel I am being forced and coerced. All decisions were taken away from me.
On Form: Proxy release: This form was not signed by me. Somehow Mr. Helm can sign my name! This packet states the lottery could change the date of the show. They choose not to! In closing; When did the act of gambling become an asset? My lifetime dreams are destroyed. How many times does a person have to pay for one mistake? Why could not they wait until after the show to resolve this matter? That would be a little more humane.
I feel my rights to a fair and unbiased judgment have been violated!
I feel walked on, stomped on and kicked out the door! If anyone would like to have more information, you can go to the court house and look up cause No. 43CO1-9507-CP628. If you have any ideas that could remedy this situation please contact me at; Gene England, P.O. Box 152, Claypool, or leave a message at 566-2849.
Gene England
Claypool
Child Molesting
Editor, Times-Union:I would like to commend Mr. Kolbe on the prosecution of Kristina Crooks. There's nothing worse then a mother taking her child's life either through abortion or an act of murder.
Your last election you promoted a couple issues such as drunk driving and child support. This election I would like you to put more emphasis on child molesters. It is becoming way too common to read of people being arrested for molesting young children. And when you read of their conviction, I don't understand why they get suspended sentence, probation or plea bargain for a very small sentence. I can understand why a parent would take the law into their own hands.
I would ask that you become more vocal on your position on this issue. Don't plea bargain, if you have enough evidence to convict, then convict them to the fullest extent of the law. No probation or suspended sentence. I've seen burglars and traffic offenders get worse sentences then child molesters.
I work with a lady whose boyfriend molested two children. He only served days in jail and was ordered not to be around children. Not only does he live with her, he watches the kids while she is at work. Does our town have a book that molesters' names are in for public viewing like some places do? If not will you create one?
Homosexuals and molesters are sick and disgusting, and will burn in hell for eternity unless forgiveness is asked for. There is a organization call NAMBLA which stands for the North American Man Boy Love Association. Which promotes and encourages sexual contact between men and boys as young as four years old. They started in New York and have chapters all over the country including Indiana.
Let's make a stand, Mr. Kolbe. Molesters will be severely sentenced and publicly on display in the newspaper. The morale in the sheriff's department and local police departments is low, one reason is, I believe, they're tired of making arrests without getting convictions and have to arrest the same people over and over. If you hope to win re-election, don't tell us what you've done, your record already reflects that, please state what you're going to do different. Good luck.
Matthew Trier
Warsaw
Concrete
Editor, Times-Union:First, There was the attempt to break the world's record for the most concrete in a single shopping center, when a local shopping center installed zillions of concrete abutments around the parking lot.
Then, not to be outdone, the shopping center next door began their concrete quest, erecting a replica of a World War II German concrete command post complete with - no windows! Unfortunately for Wal-Mart, this overpowering structure has obliterated any sign of their store without firing a single shot. You can still see the shopping center if you get close enough to the front entrances, I think.
Incidentally, there is a local restaurant which could relocate next door and take advantage of the free advertising by this huge concrete edifice. It goes by the name The Great Wall.
Rick Wagner
Pierceton
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- Whitaker Responds - New Parties - Lottery Case - Child Molesting - Concrete
Whitaker Responds
Editor, Times-Union:My name is Sam Whitaker. I am a Detective Sergeant employed at the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department. I also am a Republican candidate for Sheriff, and I would like to address some issues that Aaron Rovenstine talked about in his town meetings held in Milford and Leesburg, and that appeared in the Times-Union Jan. 14.
The newspaper indicated that officer Rovenstine stated that we do not need a fire investigator, because we only had four fires last year. The following information is from the statistics of the Voluntary Fire Investigative Unit of Kosciusko County, also know as Squad 70. The following figures reflect the incendiary (set) fires and damage amounts that Squad 70 alone investigated.
There were nine fires in 1995, with a loss of $167,000. 1996 had five fires, with a $332,000 loss. Eight fires in 1997, with a loss of $1,397,000. It is reported that there have already been two fires in 1998, with an estimated loss of $80,000. These numbers do not reflect all the incendiary fires in Kosciusko County, as some are not reported and investigated by Squad 70.
All the fire departments and Squad 70 do a great job to determine cause, origin, locating possible suspects and taking statements. However, the time has come for law enforcement to give the fire departments the help they desperately deserve. National statistics states that one out of every four fires is incendiary. Your incendiary fire rate can appear low if there is not intense investigation to uncover incendiary fires. With intense investigations, the incendiary fire numbers will increase due to exposing the incendiary fires we are now missing. However the total number of fires in the county would remain the same. Insurance companies also report that twelve to twenty cents of every insurance premium dollar that Kosciusko County citizens spend, is used to pay or defend fraudulent claims due to incendiary fire. Look at the amount of loss due to incendiary fires and the increase of everyone's insurance premium, and I believe it's obvious we need a fire investigator. The Indiana State Fire Marshall in this district strongly believes and agrees with me, that we need a fire investigator.
Kosciusko County has a population of about 65,000 people, and the sheriff's department has two detectives. In comparison, the city of Warsaw with a population between 10,000 and 12,000, has four detectives and a juvenile officer. Its quite obvious that our detective division is understaffed in comparison to Warsaw and the populations. In my proposal, I would restructure the sheriff's department with officers that we currently have, so that the county has a juvenile officer, an evidence technician, a fire investigator plus the two detectives we currently use, and have them all in the detective division. That would give us a total of five much needed detectives, with some being specialized in certain areas. If, at any time, there is not enough work for the individual that specializes in fire, juveniles or the collection of evidence, they would assist in the solving of other crimes that we so desperately need.
Opposition is saying having a fire investigator is not in the best interest of the county and shouldn't be done. In 1987, I was told I couldn't start a drug unit, that there was no drug problem. They also said that I couldn't forfeit drug dealers assets and vehicles to help with the cost of operating the drug unit. Well, I started the drug unit, forfeited over $200,000 in assets, and obtained clothing, firearms and other necessary equipment free for the taking from the armed services, so that cost to run the unit was at a minimum, thus saving the tax payers money. I have done all the above, and I can give the fire departments the assistance they need and deserve. Let's be innovators to make Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department not just good, but the best. Every citizen in the county deserves it!
Sam Whitaker
Warsaw
New Parties
Editor, Times-Union:Some folks say we need a 3rd political party. This is very true, we do, but in my personal opinion what we really need is two new parties, the Libertarian Party and the Reform Party. I have been studying both party agendas for some time now and I believe they could work well together in the check and balance relationship our nation needs. I believe together they could turn this nation around and bring it back to constitutional law. The Democratic and Republican parties or party, since it has become increasingly difficult to tell the difference, have had sixty or seventy some years to get this country back on track and all they have accomplished is increased corruption and increased national debt.
It would take $20,000 from every man, woman and child alive today in this country to wipe out our national debt. That means every child born today is born $20,000 in debt. What a legacy we are leaving our children and grandchildren.
Our federal government is stealing from you and I, our children, and grandchildren to pay for their ever increasing expenditures and all their unconstitutional programs. They are stealing our hard earned money and giving it to other nations and increasing the poverty in our own country.
I urge you to get involved, learn what these two new parties stand for and lend your support to one of them. These two parties are made up of grass-roots people, people like you and I, who want to give this country back to, "We, the people." We must get the extremely corrupt Republican-Democratic party out and the Constitution back in.
Deanna Newton
Warsaw
Lottery Case
Editor, Times-Union:I could, should, and maybe I (Gene England) would have been if the Kosciukso court system had not ruled my winning ticket as income and as an Asset. Who would dream that a lottery ticket could be garnished. In Aug. 1994 I was driving a truck that I just bought. I had a couple of beers (my only DUI). I did not completely stop at an intersection. A young lady ran into me. At the Emergency room she was treated for a broken nose and released. I spent several days in the hospital. The hearing on this incident resulted in a plea bargain for a one year sentence and I was to pay restitution. I was denied my rights to attend the hearing that decided the amount of restitution. A default judgement was accepted. Default means I was not there. How could I? I was down stairs in jail. Originally the debt was $12,000. Now the debt is $68,000. The debts are medical bills, lost wages, and insurance Eexpenses. For two years I have not received any bills. On Nov. 7, 1997, it was established my only income is Social Security. I was also told that if I got to the $100,000 round on the show I had to STOP. I would not have anything left. This hearing was held over until Dec. 12, 1997, the Hoosier Lottery could object to this garnishment. This date was changed to Dec. 4, 1997. The show was filmed on Dec. 5, 1997. Fred Burns, the prize payment manager for the lottery, can verify the following statements. Mr. Burns number is (317)-624-4650.
Packet Rules and Forms:
In form: How to get on this show. States there is no cash value on an instant lottery ticket; Winners with debts to the courts or the State of Indiana are obligated to be paid by the winner. No other debts are mentioned.
On Form: Release and Consent. This form was not signed by me. I feel I am being forced and coerced. All decisions were taken away from me.
On Form: Proxy release: This form was not signed by me. Somehow Mr. Helm can sign my name! This packet states the lottery could change the date of the show. They choose not to! In closing; When did the act of gambling become an asset? My lifetime dreams are destroyed. How many times does a person have to pay for one mistake? Why could not they wait until after the show to resolve this matter? That would be a little more humane.
I feel my rights to a fair and unbiased judgment have been violated!
I feel walked on, stomped on and kicked out the door! If anyone would like to have more information, you can go to the court house and look up cause No. 43CO1-9507-CP628. If you have any ideas that could remedy this situation please contact me at; Gene England, P.O. Box 152, Claypool, or leave a message at 566-2849.
Gene England
Claypool
Child Molesting
Editor, Times-Union:I would like to commend Mr. Kolbe on the prosecution of Kristina Crooks. There's nothing worse then a mother taking her child's life either through abortion or an act of murder.
Your last election you promoted a couple issues such as drunk driving and child support. This election I would like you to put more emphasis on child molesters. It is becoming way too common to read of people being arrested for molesting young children. And when you read of their conviction, I don't understand why they get suspended sentence, probation or plea bargain for a very small sentence. I can understand why a parent would take the law into their own hands.
I would ask that you become more vocal on your position on this issue. Don't plea bargain, if you have enough evidence to convict, then convict them to the fullest extent of the law. No probation or suspended sentence. I've seen burglars and traffic offenders get worse sentences then child molesters.
I work with a lady whose boyfriend molested two children. He only served days in jail and was ordered not to be around children. Not only does he live with her, he watches the kids while she is at work. Does our town have a book that molesters' names are in for public viewing like some places do? If not will you create one?
Homosexuals and molesters are sick and disgusting, and will burn in hell for eternity unless forgiveness is asked for. There is a organization call NAMBLA which stands for the North American Man Boy Love Association. Which promotes and encourages sexual contact between men and boys as young as four years old. They started in New York and have chapters all over the country including Indiana.
Let's make a stand, Mr. Kolbe. Molesters will be severely sentenced and publicly on display in the newspaper. The morale in the sheriff's department and local police departments is low, one reason is, I believe, they're tired of making arrests without getting convictions and have to arrest the same people over and over. If you hope to win re-election, don't tell us what you've done, your record already reflects that, please state what you're going to do different. Good luck.
Matthew Trier
Warsaw
Concrete
Editor, Times-Union:First, There was the attempt to break the world's record for the most concrete in a single shopping center, when a local shopping center installed zillions of concrete abutments around the parking lot.
Then, not to be outdone, the shopping center next door began their concrete quest, erecting a replica of a World War II German concrete command post complete with - no windows! Unfortunately for Wal-Mart, this overpowering structure has obliterated any sign of their store without firing a single shot. You can still see the shopping center if you get close enough to the front entrances, I think.
Incidentally, there is a local restaurant which could relocate next door and take advantage of the free advertising by this huge concrete edifice. It goes by the name The Great Wall.
Rick Wagner
Pierceton
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