Letters to the Editor 02-11-1998
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Likes Waggoner - Candidates - Priorities - Barbee Sewers - Crooks Case - Gas Prices
Likes Waggoner
Editor, Times-Union:I had the opportunity to ride to Bloomington with Chuck Waggoner last fall. Our sons were playing soccer on a Friday night. During that time I found out a lot about his background in law enforcement and a great deal about his values. He grew up in rural Franklin, Ind. After high school he worked at Bell Labs in Indianapolis and attended night school at IUPUI. He started with the Indiana State Police in 1970 and advanced through the ranks to lieutenant then on to become a division legal adviser. While a state trooper, he put himself through law school at Indiana University. He has been employed as worldwide head of corporate security of Zimmer. He was chief deputy prosecutor under the current administration. He now has his own law practice in Warsaw.
Qualified Chuck Waggoner knows how to gather evidence and guide others in gathering evidence so it can be used effectively and fairly in a court of law. He has extensive experience dealing with all levels of crime from white collar to hardened drug dealers. He also has dealt extensively with youth who are perhaps still deciding whether to step in to a life of crime and drugs. He has been a state policeman. He has been trained in gathering evidence by the FBI. He has put himself through law school, at Indiana University. He has the respect of local and state enforcement agencies and can assist them in gathering and presenting evidence effectively and fairly. He is far more qualified for the job than the current office-holder.
Fair If you had a relative who was a victim of a crime, he or she would feel fairly treated by Chuck Waggoner. If that same relative were caught up in a crime, he would be fairly dealt with by Chuck Waggoner. Gathering information is a science to him. He has been privileged to deal with people in all walks of life and on both ends of criminal acts.
Tough As a state policeman, Chuck has seen first-hand the victims of drunk driving and violent crime. He has dealt with families whose children are swept up in the drug scene. He has little patience with habitual offenders and professional criminals. He has the training and experience to see that they are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Caring Crimes are often committed by people in desperate or difficult situations. When lenience is in order, I suspect Chuck will recommend it, but in a fashion that will insist on community service, vocational training, social and psychological rehabilitation and careful monitoring through the probation office. Unlike his competitor, Mr. Hampton, Chuck lives, works and raises a family in this community. He is fully aware of community resources.
Chuck is committed to being your next prosecutor. He is by far the most qualified candidate. He will be fair, tough and caring. By the way, he is a Republican. Vote for him in the primary!
Douglas Sawyer, M.D.
Warsaw
Candidates
Editor, Times-Union:I would like to thank all of the candidates running for elected office. We all are very fortunate to have so many qualified candidates hoping to serve the people. With the selection so large, and the consequences so dramatic if the best person in not elected. I would like the candidates for sheriff and prosecutor to have a debate. This debate would help this voter and possibly many others decide who is the best man for the job.
I realize this is the primaries, so Republicans would not be debating against Democrats, but if we could have debates for each party the issues could be examined in more detail than by a press release. Maybe the local television station, or a local radio station, could cover this event? By doing this county residents could make a more informed decision about the offices these people aspire to.
I would suggest the local papers and radio stations each provide one person to ask questions. Questions would come from these panel members and the residents of the county. Questions would be mailed to each paper or radio station in advance. Each question must be approved by all panel members before being asked.
There are countless issues to be worked out before such a debate could happen. All of the participants should be comfortable with the format before going ahead. I just hope we are all given an opportunity to see these people in a pressure situation answering tough questions that will affect all of us.
Michael J. Stork
Warsaw
Priorities
Editor, Times-Union:I believe the Warsaw public officials need to take a hard look at their priorities.
Drugs and real crime are on the rise, and the best service they could provide to the community is to hassle Dating Dynamics and arrest Angela Frye? Why doesn't this make me feel safer?
I can attest to the fact that Jenette Fairchild is running a legitimate business and Angela offers absolutely nothing more than a massage. Sure, the exotic massage is topless, but when did that become illegal?
Angela is a lovely lady and does not deserve this. The entire issue should be dropped and she should receive a public apology.
Come on Warsaw, spend the tax money wisely and go after the real problems. Don't fabricate an issue just so it can make the front page.
Being an election year, I would be much more impressed seeing a drug dealer in cuffs and hearing about tens of thousands of dollars worth of illegal drugs being taken off the streets.
Bob Jones
Buchanan, Mich.
Barbee Sewers
Editor, Times-Union:There has been much controversy regarding putting in a universal sewage system for the seven lakes of the Barbee Chain. The BLQN, Barbee Lakes Quality Network, as they call themselves, has distorted many facts to the lake owners. They have made adverse statements, derogatory remarks against BLCD, Barbee Lakes Conservancy District directors, but no proof to back up their statements. The BLCD leaders have devoted much time and hours to instill and establish a feasible plan, with no self-compensation whatsoever.
Sewage has contaminated our lakes and there are quite a few people apparently not concerned because they don't live here as a permanent resident or just don't care about healthy waters.
Please vote for the following board members: Dick Shipley, Charles Stephens, Chuck Polozek and Arnold Patton. Vote in person on Feb. 28 at 10 a.m. at the Barbee Lakes Conservation Club or by absentee ballot.
Please vote!
Trueman Bell
Big Barbee Lake
Crooks Case
Editor, Times-Union:In response to Barbara Barefoot's letter on the Kristina Crooks case, all of your comments were right and then you summed it up with, "Adding all of these facts together comes up with very poor parenting skills to say the least and Kristina Crooks should be held accountable for these charges." The above were your words exactly and what that adds up to warrants a charge of neglect, but hardly homicide.
I wonder how many of those who were screaming Justice for Lois and who were ready to hang Kristina from the nearest tree are also advocates for abortion and assisted suicide? Now that in my opinion is homicide.
I find it very strange how so many of us are so quick to play God in our judgments of one another and when it is acceptable to take a life and when it is not.
Deanna Newton
Warsaw
Gas Prices
Editor, Times-Union:On Feb. 5, 1998, my day's travel took me to Indianapolis, where I noticed two things: 1. Gas prices anywhere from 89 cents to 96 cents per gallon (gas was $1.03 when I left town). 2. Political signs; nowhere did I see any signs of "Vote For" going through Wabash, Miami, Howard, Tipton, Hamilton and Marion counties. Yes, even Indianapolis itself, a town that should have a mayoral election, the same county that elected our governor over their mayor, had no signs.
I think it's wonderful to see the "good old boys system" being challenged right here in Kosciusko County and that there are choices. So, to Whitaker, Knispel, Rovenstine, Hobbs and Bronsing - to Hampton, Waggoner and Kolbe; as we saw Friday night on television, "Good luck and let the games begin!"
Alan E. Earl
Warsaw
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- Likes Waggoner - Candidates - Priorities - Barbee Sewers - Crooks Case - Gas Prices
Likes Waggoner
Editor, Times-Union:I had the opportunity to ride to Bloomington with Chuck Waggoner last fall. Our sons were playing soccer on a Friday night. During that time I found out a lot about his background in law enforcement and a great deal about his values. He grew up in rural Franklin, Ind. After high school he worked at Bell Labs in Indianapolis and attended night school at IUPUI. He started with the Indiana State Police in 1970 and advanced through the ranks to lieutenant then on to become a division legal adviser. While a state trooper, he put himself through law school at Indiana University. He has been employed as worldwide head of corporate security of Zimmer. He was chief deputy prosecutor under the current administration. He now has his own law practice in Warsaw.
Qualified Chuck Waggoner knows how to gather evidence and guide others in gathering evidence so it can be used effectively and fairly in a court of law. He has extensive experience dealing with all levels of crime from white collar to hardened drug dealers. He also has dealt extensively with youth who are perhaps still deciding whether to step in to a life of crime and drugs. He has been a state policeman. He has been trained in gathering evidence by the FBI. He has put himself through law school, at Indiana University. He has the respect of local and state enforcement agencies and can assist them in gathering and presenting evidence effectively and fairly. He is far more qualified for the job than the current office-holder.
Fair If you had a relative who was a victim of a crime, he or she would feel fairly treated by Chuck Waggoner. If that same relative were caught up in a crime, he would be fairly dealt with by Chuck Waggoner. Gathering information is a science to him. He has been privileged to deal with people in all walks of life and on both ends of criminal acts.
Tough As a state policeman, Chuck has seen first-hand the victims of drunk driving and violent crime. He has dealt with families whose children are swept up in the drug scene. He has little patience with habitual offenders and professional criminals. He has the training and experience to see that they are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Caring Crimes are often committed by people in desperate or difficult situations. When lenience is in order, I suspect Chuck will recommend it, but in a fashion that will insist on community service, vocational training, social and psychological rehabilitation and careful monitoring through the probation office. Unlike his competitor, Mr. Hampton, Chuck lives, works and raises a family in this community. He is fully aware of community resources.
Chuck is committed to being your next prosecutor. He is by far the most qualified candidate. He will be fair, tough and caring. By the way, he is a Republican. Vote for him in the primary!
Douglas Sawyer, M.D.
Warsaw
Candidates
Editor, Times-Union:I would like to thank all of the candidates running for elected office. We all are very fortunate to have so many qualified candidates hoping to serve the people. With the selection so large, and the consequences so dramatic if the best person in not elected. I would like the candidates for sheriff and prosecutor to have a debate. This debate would help this voter and possibly many others decide who is the best man for the job.
I realize this is the primaries, so Republicans would not be debating against Democrats, but if we could have debates for each party the issues could be examined in more detail than by a press release. Maybe the local television station, or a local radio station, could cover this event? By doing this county residents could make a more informed decision about the offices these people aspire to.
I would suggest the local papers and radio stations each provide one person to ask questions. Questions would come from these panel members and the residents of the county. Questions would be mailed to each paper or radio station in advance. Each question must be approved by all panel members before being asked.
There are countless issues to be worked out before such a debate could happen. All of the participants should be comfortable with the format before going ahead. I just hope we are all given an opportunity to see these people in a pressure situation answering tough questions that will affect all of us.
Michael J. Stork
Warsaw
Priorities
Editor, Times-Union:I believe the Warsaw public officials need to take a hard look at their priorities.
Drugs and real crime are on the rise, and the best service they could provide to the community is to hassle Dating Dynamics and arrest Angela Frye? Why doesn't this make me feel safer?
I can attest to the fact that Jenette Fairchild is running a legitimate business and Angela offers absolutely nothing more than a massage. Sure, the exotic massage is topless, but when did that become illegal?
Angela is a lovely lady and does not deserve this. The entire issue should be dropped and she should receive a public apology.
Come on Warsaw, spend the tax money wisely and go after the real problems. Don't fabricate an issue just so it can make the front page.
Being an election year, I would be much more impressed seeing a drug dealer in cuffs and hearing about tens of thousands of dollars worth of illegal drugs being taken off the streets.
Bob Jones
Buchanan, Mich.
Barbee Sewers
Editor, Times-Union:There has been much controversy regarding putting in a universal sewage system for the seven lakes of the Barbee Chain. The BLQN, Barbee Lakes Quality Network, as they call themselves, has distorted many facts to the lake owners. They have made adverse statements, derogatory remarks against BLCD, Barbee Lakes Conservancy District directors, but no proof to back up their statements. The BLCD leaders have devoted much time and hours to instill and establish a feasible plan, with no self-compensation whatsoever.
Sewage has contaminated our lakes and there are quite a few people apparently not concerned because they don't live here as a permanent resident or just don't care about healthy waters.
Please vote for the following board members: Dick Shipley, Charles Stephens, Chuck Polozek and Arnold Patton. Vote in person on Feb. 28 at 10 a.m. at the Barbee Lakes Conservation Club or by absentee ballot.
Please vote!
Trueman Bell
Big Barbee Lake
Crooks Case
Editor, Times-Union:In response to Barbara Barefoot's letter on the Kristina Crooks case, all of your comments were right and then you summed it up with, "Adding all of these facts together comes up with very poor parenting skills to say the least and Kristina Crooks should be held accountable for these charges." The above were your words exactly and what that adds up to warrants a charge of neglect, but hardly homicide.
I wonder how many of those who were screaming Justice for Lois and who were ready to hang Kristina from the nearest tree are also advocates for abortion and assisted suicide? Now that in my opinion is homicide.
I find it very strange how so many of us are so quick to play God in our judgments of one another and when it is acceptable to take a life and when it is not.
Deanna Newton
Warsaw
Gas Prices
Editor, Times-Union:On Feb. 5, 1998, my day's travel took me to Indianapolis, where I noticed two things: 1. Gas prices anywhere from 89 cents to 96 cents per gallon (gas was $1.03 when I left town). 2. Political signs; nowhere did I see any signs of "Vote For" going through Wabash, Miami, Howard, Tipton, Hamilton and Marion counties. Yes, even Indianapolis itself, a town that should have a mayoral election, the same county that elected our governor over their mayor, had no signs.
I think it's wonderful to see the "good old boys system" being challenged right here in Kosciusko County and that there are choices. So, to Whitaker, Knispel, Rovenstine, Hobbs and Bronsing - to Hampton, Waggoner and Kolbe; as we saw Friday night on television, "Good luck and let the games begin!"
Alan E. Earl
Warsaw
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