Letters to the Editor 02-04-2005
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Hardly Abusive - Special Election - Career Moves - BZA Complaint
Hardly Abusive
Editor, Times-Union:"My, oh my, what is wrong with today's youth?" many people say. Well could it be that there is absolutely nothing wrong with the kids, but perhaps faulty parenting by people who refuse to teach their children to act appropriately and letting them get away with rude and unruly behavior beginning at a very young age? I was raised by people who taught me how to behave and how to have respect for others. I must say, those lessons have served me very well and have gotten me a long way in life.
This letter is directed to the person that was in the Columbia City McDonald's on Friday evening Jan. 21 and called the police because they decided that we were abusing our 5-year-old. Since you are so interested, I am happy to tell you the whole story.
When asked what he would like to eat, he declared a chicken nugget Happy Meal. After our order had been placed, he said that he wanted a cheeseburger. I said no, we have already ordered, and he was getting the chicken. (I believe that it is important that the 5-year-old learn that not every whim is going to be satisfied.)
He then proceeded to throw a fit so I took him by the hand, took him the bathroom and proceeded to give him a good old-fashioned parent-to-child talk. He plopped himself on the floor, still crying, and in grand 5-year-old style, proclaimed that he was not eating. I told him that when he was done with his temper tantrum, he could come out, I left the restroom, and stood outside the restroom door. When he quieted down, I opened the door and told him to come on, he needed to come sit down now so that we could eat. He sulked to the table, climbed up in the booth and said, again, that he was not eating. I placed his Happy Meal sack into my purse and said that was fine.
About 15 minutes later, in walked three Columbia City police officers. By this time, my 5-year-old had decided that he did want to eat, had polished off the entire Happy Meal and was eating ice cream. They come up to the table and they say they had a report of abuse at McDonald's and that someone was not feeding their child, did we know anything about it. Stunned, I explained the entire scenario to them. It was obvious that they felt pretty ridiculous seeing this kid with the remnants of an eaten Happy Meal spread in front of him and shoveling ice cream into his mouth.
Smiling, they said thank you, and that they were sorry to bother us.
Now, if you have children and never were faced with a similar meltdown from your child, consider yourself lucky. I know that some children are not as headstrong as others, but I feel that it would be abuse if we didn't teach our children how to behave and that you can't always have what you want. Oh, and gee, I guess that you must not have been at Wal-Mart later that evening when he was carrying on because I didn't buy him a toy that he thought he had to have, because no police showed up there.
Ronda Sroufe
South Whitley
via e-mail
Special Election
Editor, Times-Union:The special election for the remaining seat on the Warsaw Community School Corp. School Board for residents in District 4, Precinct 1, Ward 2 is next Tuesday. We urge the registered voters in this ward to make sure their voice is heard in this important revote.
We are recommending and supporting Sterling Watkins' bid for this seat. His common-sense approach with his extensive business background and his community involvement will permit him to listen to the issues presented and make an informed decision. He understands the importance of community involvement in the betterment of our school corporation. We encourage you to give him your vote.
If you need a ride to the polls, call 574-267-4828 and arrangements will be made to take you to the fairgrounds to vote.
Kent Adams
Tammi Dalton
John Elliott
Bob Morrison
Aaron Rovenstine
Joe Thallemer
Ernie Wiggins
Chuck Niemier
via e-mail
Career Moves
Editor, Times-Union:Harold: Job promotions and career advancement keep me moving (I began my career at the Times-Union; I've lived in Portland, Ore., New York City and New Orleans as well). I assume the same, or lack thereof, keeps you in Warsaw?
Plus, California is a blue state. I like that.
And don't worry, I'm mouthy in every town I live in.
You should know this by now.
Matt Perry
San Diego, Calif.
BZA Complaint
Editor, Times-Union:Too many local officials and their employees in Warsaw continue to disdainfully and illegally shun the very citizens they are supposed to serve.
Having to deal with the BZA for the past two years has been an experience to say the least. I found the board to be rude, obstinate and even threatening. I was denied a building permit for an 80-square-foot addition of a sunroom because of the sins of the former owner. Remarkably rather than pursuing the former owner, they accused and penalized me. Every citizen should attend one of these meetings so you too can witness the disreputable activity that ensues.
These local officials embrace a culture of "we know best" in lieu of one of public service.
"Not so lucky was Ron Jasper in his request for variance" - Was the start of the story in the Times-Union. Being lucky is the most important part of dealing with the Area Plan Commission (Dan Richards and staff).
"Not so lucky" for information when I asked three times and was told nothing was in the file. But was told that this was reason for denial.
"Not so lucky" Area Planning was the only one to oppose my request although all of my neighbors were in favor of it. I did not expect to fight Area Planning.
"Not so Lucky" denied for being overbuilt. When I asked about this I was told Area Planning only deals with setbacks and footprints. My request, not changing any setbacks, was an 80-square-foot enclosure of an area currently utilized as a wooden deck. This enclosure would have added 6 percent to the total square footage and less than 3 percent of structure to land.
"Not so lucky" When ascertaining wrong information and records from Area Planning and being told that I asked the wrong questions or we don't do it that way.
"Not so lucky" When telling Area Planning that a public service organization, they did anything but serve me. Their response was to serve me with a 14-year-old violation by the former owner levying a $125 fine.
"Not so lucky" When I asked for proof of the above referenced violation (which they can't prove), they turned me over to a lawyer.
On my second request, the Area Planning Board and the Board of Zoning Appeals changed the rules and refused to hear my case even though no verbiage exist in the zoning ordinance relative to such actions. As I attempted to present my case, I was told by the Board of Zoning Appeals chairman (Vic) to sit down four times so they could close the hearing.
I was lucky however to have Ron Truex as a county commissioner. Mr. Truex was a very compassionate individual who listened to me and was in agreement with me on the inadequate poor service I received from the Area Planning Commission. Mr. Truex even went as far as changing the zoning ordinance to void the $125 fine levied on me as a result of the previous owners' violations.
In closing, I pray that the county commissioners will move to change the Area Planning Board and the Board of Zoning Appeal so other do not have to be lucky when dealing with a public service organization like the Area Planning Board.
Ronald Jasper
Syracuse
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- Hardly Abusive - Special Election - Career Moves - BZA Complaint
Hardly Abusive
Editor, Times-Union:"My, oh my, what is wrong with today's youth?" many people say. Well could it be that there is absolutely nothing wrong with the kids, but perhaps faulty parenting by people who refuse to teach their children to act appropriately and letting them get away with rude and unruly behavior beginning at a very young age? I was raised by people who taught me how to behave and how to have respect for others. I must say, those lessons have served me very well and have gotten me a long way in life.
This letter is directed to the person that was in the Columbia City McDonald's on Friday evening Jan. 21 and called the police because they decided that we were abusing our 5-year-old. Since you are so interested, I am happy to tell you the whole story.
When asked what he would like to eat, he declared a chicken nugget Happy Meal. After our order had been placed, he said that he wanted a cheeseburger. I said no, we have already ordered, and he was getting the chicken. (I believe that it is important that the 5-year-old learn that not every whim is going to be satisfied.)
He then proceeded to throw a fit so I took him by the hand, took him the bathroom and proceeded to give him a good old-fashioned parent-to-child talk. He plopped himself on the floor, still crying, and in grand 5-year-old style, proclaimed that he was not eating. I told him that when he was done with his temper tantrum, he could come out, I left the restroom, and stood outside the restroom door. When he quieted down, I opened the door and told him to come on, he needed to come sit down now so that we could eat. He sulked to the table, climbed up in the booth and said, again, that he was not eating. I placed his Happy Meal sack into my purse and said that was fine.
About 15 minutes later, in walked three Columbia City police officers. By this time, my 5-year-old had decided that he did want to eat, had polished off the entire Happy Meal and was eating ice cream. They come up to the table and they say they had a report of abuse at McDonald's and that someone was not feeding their child, did we know anything about it. Stunned, I explained the entire scenario to them. It was obvious that they felt pretty ridiculous seeing this kid with the remnants of an eaten Happy Meal spread in front of him and shoveling ice cream into his mouth.
Smiling, they said thank you, and that they were sorry to bother us.
Now, if you have children and never were faced with a similar meltdown from your child, consider yourself lucky. I know that some children are not as headstrong as others, but I feel that it would be abuse if we didn't teach our children how to behave and that you can't always have what you want. Oh, and gee, I guess that you must not have been at Wal-Mart later that evening when he was carrying on because I didn't buy him a toy that he thought he had to have, because no police showed up there.
Ronda Sroufe
South Whitley
via e-mail
Special Election
Editor, Times-Union:The special election for the remaining seat on the Warsaw Community School Corp. School Board for residents in District 4, Precinct 1, Ward 2 is next Tuesday. We urge the registered voters in this ward to make sure their voice is heard in this important revote.
We are recommending and supporting Sterling Watkins' bid for this seat. His common-sense approach with his extensive business background and his community involvement will permit him to listen to the issues presented and make an informed decision. He understands the importance of community involvement in the betterment of our school corporation. We encourage you to give him your vote.
If you need a ride to the polls, call 574-267-4828 and arrangements will be made to take you to the fairgrounds to vote.
Kent Adams
Tammi Dalton
John Elliott
Bob Morrison
Aaron Rovenstine
Joe Thallemer
Ernie Wiggins
Chuck Niemier
via e-mail
Career Moves
Editor, Times-Union:Harold: Job promotions and career advancement keep me moving (I began my career at the Times-Union; I've lived in Portland, Ore., New York City and New Orleans as well). I assume the same, or lack thereof, keeps you in Warsaw?
Plus, California is a blue state. I like that.
And don't worry, I'm mouthy in every town I live in.
You should know this by now.
Matt Perry
San Diego, Calif.
BZA Complaint
Editor, Times-Union:Too many local officials and their employees in Warsaw continue to disdainfully and illegally shun the very citizens they are supposed to serve.
Having to deal with the BZA for the past two years has been an experience to say the least. I found the board to be rude, obstinate and even threatening. I was denied a building permit for an 80-square-foot addition of a sunroom because of the sins of the former owner. Remarkably rather than pursuing the former owner, they accused and penalized me. Every citizen should attend one of these meetings so you too can witness the disreputable activity that ensues.
These local officials embrace a culture of "we know best" in lieu of one of public service.
"Not so lucky was Ron Jasper in his request for variance" - Was the start of the story in the Times-Union. Being lucky is the most important part of dealing with the Area Plan Commission (Dan Richards and staff).
"Not so lucky" for information when I asked three times and was told nothing was in the file. But was told that this was reason for denial.
"Not so lucky" Area Planning was the only one to oppose my request although all of my neighbors were in favor of it. I did not expect to fight Area Planning.
"Not so Lucky" denied for being overbuilt. When I asked about this I was told Area Planning only deals with setbacks and footprints. My request, not changing any setbacks, was an 80-square-foot enclosure of an area currently utilized as a wooden deck. This enclosure would have added 6 percent to the total square footage and less than 3 percent of structure to land.
"Not so lucky" When ascertaining wrong information and records from Area Planning and being told that I asked the wrong questions or we don't do it that way.
"Not so lucky" When telling Area Planning that a public service organization, they did anything but serve me. Their response was to serve me with a 14-year-old violation by the former owner levying a $125 fine.
"Not so lucky" When I asked for proof of the above referenced violation (which they can't prove), they turned me over to a lawyer.
On my second request, the Area Planning Board and the Board of Zoning Appeals changed the rules and refused to hear my case even though no verbiage exist in the zoning ordinance relative to such actions. As I attempted to present my case, I was told by the Board of Zoning Appeals chairman (Vic) to sit down four times so they could close the hearing.
I was lucky however to have Ron Truex as a county commissioner. Mr. Truex was a very compassionate individual who listened to me and was in agreement with me on the inadequate poor service I received from the Area Planning Commission. Mr. Truex even went as far as changing the zoning ordinance to void the $125 fine levied on me as a result of the previous owners' violations.
In closing, I pray that the county commissioners will move to change the Area Planning Board and the Board of Zoning Appeal so other do not have to be lucky when dealing with a public service organization like the Area Planning Board.
Ronald Jasper
Syracuse
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