Letters to the Editor 02-14-2005
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Con Artists - Bully Bill
Con Artists
Editor, Times-Union:I was intrigued by Gary Gerard's recent article about "Churches Being Hit By Apparent Con Artists" in a recent edition of the Times-Union. His article was right on the mark!
Doesn't it seem strange that these con artists usually come to town seeking help on weekends knowing the the church will be vulnerable? The offices of The Salvation Army, other charities and local social services are usually closed. They realize their story will not be checked by those who are used to keeping records of people in genuine need of assistance. They also have a good idea of those who are intent on acting as "cons" who steal from others.
These "cons" know that they can "hustle" churches, give a "sob story" which is rarely true, and take advantage of caring people. The churches are made up of caring people who are falling for the story they can rarely check out. The churches would be far better off offering the people dinner, putting them up in a motel and telling them to visit one of the charitable agencies or local social services the next business day. Their stories and true need can then be established. I would suspect that the "cons" would not accept that type of help for fear they would be found out. The churches should NEVER give them cash! Most local charities and social services have a system of vouchers to be invoiced back to them by local vendors for the service which are audited and so forth. It then becomes a matter of "local people helping local business" honestly where those need assistance are helped. The cash goes to help the "cons" steal the money and run.
People should realize that such "cons" make a good living going to and fro across this wonderful country of ours taking advantage of good, caring people. Without them being made to visit charitable agencies, local social services or people accountable to help them, they will continue to "con" churches and other caring and "well-meaning" people along life's road.
Thanks, Mr. Gerard, for the warning and depth of the article.
L. Michael Fletcher
Warsaw
via e-mail
Bully Bill
Editor, Times-Union:There is a bill making its way through our state Legislature that in my opinion is one of the most important bills on the table. Sen. Tom Wyss authored an Anti-Bullying bill that would crack down on school bullies. The bill passed easily through the Senate earlier this week, but it faces a battle in the House. Its critics say it will take money away from other school programs, which the state cannot afford now. As a mother of a child who has been the victim of school bullies for four years, I am appalled. Many school systems as well as the Indiana Urban Schools Association have come out against the bill because of funding and to them I would like to ask, what is more important than a safe school environment? Are victims of bullying not worth it?
To the critics of this bill, all I have to say is shame on you. Sen. Wyss insists his bill would not cost anything, because it would use existing grants. To any Representatives who would vote against this bill, I would just say that if the bill doesn't pass, I would hope they would be on the doorstep of every victim of school bullies to explain to those children why they felt their suffering wasn't worthy of attention of our lawmakers, teachers or schools. If it were their child shedding tears out of fear and frustration, I would imagine it would be a much different story. I am going to assume that the lawmakers that vote against this bill were school bullies themselves. That would be the only conclusion I can draw from their actions.
Debbie Parker
Warsaw
via e-mail
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- Con Artists - Bully Bill
Con Artists
Editor, Times-Union:I was intrigued by Gary Gerard's recent article about "Churches Being Hit By Apparent Con Artists" in a recent edition of the Times-Union. His article was right on the mark!
Doesn't it seem strange that these con artists usually come to town seeking help on weekends knowing the the church will be vulnerable? The offices of The Salvation Army, other charities and local social services are usually closed. They realize their story will not be checked by those who are used to keeping records of people in genuine need of assistance. They also have a good idea of those who are intent on acting as "cons" who steal from others.
These "cons" know that they can "hustle" churches, give a "sob story" which is rarely true, and take advantage of caring people. The churches are made up of caring people who are falling for the story they can rarely check out. The churches would be far better off offering the people dinner, putting them up in a motel and telling them to visit one of the charitable agencies or local social services the next business day. Their stories and true need can then be established. I would suspect that the "cons" would not accept that type of help for fear they would be found out. The churches should NEVER give them cash! Most local charities and social services have a system of vouchers to be invoiced back to them by local vendors for the service which are audited and so forth. It then becomes a matter of "local people helping local business" honestly where those need assistance are helped. The cash goes to help the "cons" steal the money and run.
People should realize that such "cons" make a good living going to and fro across this wonderful country of ours taking advantage of good, caring people. Without them being made to visit charitable agencies, local social services or people accountable to help them, they will continue to "con" churches and other caring and "well-meaning" people along life's road.
Thanks, Mr. Gerard, for the warning and depth of the article.
L. Michael Fletcher
Warsaw
via e-mail
Bully Bill
Editor, Times-Union:There is a bill making its way through our state Legislature that in my opinion is one of the most important bills on the table. Sen. Tom Wyss authored an Anti-Bullying bill that would crack down on school bullies. The bill passed easily through the Senate earlier this week, but it faces a battle in the House. Its critics say it will take money away from other school programs, which the state cannot afford now. As a mother of a child who has been the victim of school bullies for four years, I am appalled. Many school systems as well as the Indiana Urban Schools Association have come out against the bill because of funding and to them I would like to ask, what is more important than a safe school environment? Are victims of bullying not worth it?
To the critics of this bill, all I have to say is shame on you. Sen. Wyss insists his bill would not cost anything, because it would use existing grants. To any Representatives who would vote against this bill, I would just say that if the bill doesn't pass, I would hope they would be on the doorstep of every victim of school bullies to explain to those children why they felt their suffering wasn't worthy of attention of our lawmakers, teachers or schools. If it were their child shedding tears out of fear and frustration, I would imagine it would be a much different story. I am going to assume that the lawmakers that vote against this bill were school bullies themselves. That would be the only conclusion I can draw from their actions.
Debbie Parker
Warsaw
via e-mail
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