Letters to the Editor 02-19-2001
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Peers Educating Peers - Violent Rap - Congratulations Caleb - Red Lights - Pass Laws, Spend Money - Meijer Controversy
Peers Educating Peers
Editor, Times-Union:I, Gail Rathbun, Tippecanoe Valley High School student, would like to publicly acknowledge and thank everyone who has helped me to get the Peers Educating Peers program initiated in the Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation. I started in September 2000 organizing and planning to start this valuable program; I have had unbelievable amounts of help, support and guidance through this five-month period.
A special thanks needs to go to Carol Gottschalk, Michele Howard and Barb Lembke. These ladies, who are a part of the Peers Educating Peers program at Rochester, have been a tremendous amount of help and support.
Brett Boggs also deserves a very special thanks for helping me take the program to the Safe and Drug Free Local Advisory Committee and to the TVSC School Board.
Other people and organizations that have helped me through this process include: The Safe and Drug Free Local Advisory Committee of Tippecanoe Valley, the TVSC School Board, Lori McClellan & Debbie Potter, who are co-sponsoring the program, Scott Bibler and also to my family who have been there for me from the start. Without these people and organizations I would not have been able to initiate such a valuable and worthwhile program. Thank you very much!
Gail Rathbun
TVHS student
Akron
Violent Rap
Editor, Times-Union:In regard to Mike Snipe's letter comparing Gary Gerard's opinion on violent rap music to a position that Stalin would take ... please tell me, why do liberals resort to mockery of conservative values to make their point? Why is an intelligent defense not used? Please, Mr. Snipes, take the time to write an intelligent defense against "The Moral High Ground" that you so obviously detest on the very subject Mr. Gerard was discussing. Give me a good reason why parents should not be at all concerned with violent and immoral lyrics to rap music, and what it could encourage the children they are raising to become? Why should police not care that these songs encourage cop killing? Why should the police officer's family not be concerned? Why should mothers not care that their sons listen to a catchy beat that extolls the benefits of murdering the overbearing parent? Why shouldn't women give it a second thought that grotesque torture and bloody murder is a part of these lyrics?
As for the Bill of Rights, we have never had complete freedom to do as we wish in this country. Slander is illegal. Any action that causes harm to others has routinely been made illegal. Yelling "fire" in a crowded theater is an illegal use of speech, and has been for years because of the potential danger to others. Why shouldn't the potential danger of violent rap lyrics be under scrutiny too? Why do "artists" become some sort of sacred cow when it comes to the freedom to put others in danger?
You can leave out that tired old line about how we shouldn't legislate morality. After all, that is what laws are ... legislating right and wrong (also referred to as morality).
Here's a last thought. It has occurred to me that liberals so often use mockery because in the past it has been so effective at shutting conservatives up, without actually having to win the argument.
Deb Fivecoate
Mentone
via e-mail
Congratulations Caleb
Editor, Times-Union:Congratulations Caleb Churchill and the Times-Union.
Your front page picture and article were great. Caleb and his older brother, Matt, were at the club every chance they got. When Warsaw Girls Club changed to Boys and Girls Club, Caleb was there every chance he had.
Boys and Girls Club of Kosciusko, as they later became, are to be commended on their choice.
R.W. Lichtenwalter
Retired Executive Director
Baker Boys Club
Red Lights
Editor, Times-Union:I am writing in so our city officials can read a concern I have of our area highways and the great concern of trucks disregarding red lights and causing accidents. One happened again Tuesday, (2/6) and as we passed by the crash site we observed on the same stretch of highway 30 near the strip of restaurants a truck blatantly running a red light that was red for at least two Mississippi's. If there was a car pulling out there would have been another accident less than a mile from one being cleaned up.
Where is the police presence on Hwy. 30 that Warsaw used to be known for? When we came to this area in the late '80s we were told and observed first-hand of the police presence on Hwy 30. Did we cut back due to budget constraints? Just asking if something could be done by way of a deterrent for the truckers who are plowing their way through our fair city with little concern or thought of consequence. At least it appears this way and is being supported by observing first-hand the clear running of red lights on Hwy. 30. Could the cameras at intersections be the deterrent to get truckers to slow down their rigs? But I think nothing serves more as an effective deterrent than seeing our city's finest live and in person on the highways. I know how it impacts me when I see their presence.
Also, why all the deer on Hwy. 30 and Ind. 15? In the past week, I have had three close calls, witnessed three other sightings and had a friend of mine actually hit a deer. Can anything be done to limit the number of deer? Car and deer are not a good match. Cars will win every time but at a very real cost to the owner of a car and not to mention the deer. Is it any more compassionate to let deer or any animal population grow to where they will be put at risk as they live in a developed area of humans. At times last week, I thought I was driving through an African Safari.
Thanks for reading and giving this some thought for future consideration and hopefully action.
Paul De Renzo
Winona Lake
via e-mail
Pass Laws, Spend Money
Editor, Times-Union:Can't we accomplish anything without passing more laws and spending more money?
Problem - Our children are not getting a good education. Answer - Pass more laws, spend more money.
Problem - Our jails are overcrowded. Answer - Pass more laws, spend more money. How about putting fewer people in jail? We have two million of our citizens in jail. More than any nation on Earth.
Problem - People are running red lights. Answer - Pass more laws, spend more money. Aren't we already paying state and local police to deal with this?
Problem - People are smoking marijuana. Answer - Pass more laws, spend more money. Other than themselves, who are they hurting?
Problem - People are having accidents in motor vehicles. Duh! Answer - Pass more laws, spend more money.
Most people are just one law away from going to jail. That law would be to make speeding a jailable offense. It's already illegal you know. So is running a red light. Why isn't this law enforced? How about a 30 mph speed limit on U.S. 30 around Warsaw or would that inconvenience too many people?
We are just a short jump away from people going to jail for selling cigarettes to minors. Can we get any more stupid than that? Probably. Remember, the next time you break a law, and if you drive you will, there are people in our jails for doing nothing more serious than what you are doing.
Charles Carnes
Warsaw
Meijer Controversy
Editor, Times-Union:Has anyone ever gone grocery shopping in Warsaw without scanning their card? Having Meijer in Warsaw will give new competition and lower prices on groceries and gas without scanning a card! More benefits include bringing in new jobs and businesses that will make the local economy more stable. 114 businesses that signed a petition last year subscribe to the fact that they can't exist in a capitalism world. I call them the BMWs (Bash Meijer Wal-Mart) because they are concerned that Meijer or Super Wal-Mart might have lower prices then they charge or services that compete with them. By the way, I don't believe a golf course, mortgage company and bowling alley listed on the petition will be hurt by a Meijer or Super Wal-Mart. After attending the last Meijer meeting, I found that the wealthy regime doesn't want Meijer gas in Warsaw so local gas prices can stay high. Imagine Meijer's gas lowering its gas prices 5 cents then the station across the street will have to do the same and a "gas war" will filter through the town of Warsaw. I also found out there is a conflict of interest in the Warsaw city government and political maneuvering. Why is it that some of the city officials are "cold" to Meijer officials and not more welcoming to this great community? City officials have a duty to serve all Warsaw residents and lure new businesses that would spur growth and taxes to pay for its new projects. If this isn't the agenda of the Warsaw city government then Warsaw residents might think about it when they vote in the next election. Warsaw is not made up of just wealthy people but also hard-working people that live paycheck to paycheck that can't afford to pay high prices for groceries and gas for their families. Do the BMWs speak for the entire community or could it be that hard working Warsaw residents aren't allowed to voice their opinions? The traffic commission gave the go ahead for a Meijer on Husky Trail so at least some of the city government used some logic and planning. This land is zoned commercial so it is going to be developed sooner or later. The people that want a Meijer but not in that location never seem to give details on how Meijer will be successful in the "new" found location. Goshen has a Super Wal-Mart, Meijer, Sam's Club and Lowe's and a thriving downtown business district - why is Warsaw any different? Meijer has been in business longer than some of these people and knows how to operate a first-class store that is clean and well-stocked.
Meijer has a right to come to this community and build in a location zoned commercial and I think once built it will benefit our community. Meijer - welcome to our growing community!
Jeff Bridge
Warsaw
via e-mail
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- Peers Educating Peers - Violent Rap - Congratulations Caleb - Red Lights - Pass Laws, Spend Money - Meijer Controversy
Peers Educating Peers
Editor, Times-Union:I, Gail Rathbun, Tippecanoe Valley High School student, would like to publicly acknowledge and thank everyone who has helped me to get the Peers Educating Peers program initiated in the Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation. I started in September 2000 organizing and planning to start this valuable program; I have had unbelievable amounts of help, support and guidance through this five-month period.
A special thanks needs to go to Carol Gottschalk, Michele Howard and Barb Lembke. These ladies, who are a part of the Peers Educating Peers program at Rochester, have been a tremendous amount of help and support.
Brett Boggs also deserves a very special thanks for helping me take the program to the Safe and Drug Free Local Advisory Committee and to the TVSC School Board.
Other people and organizations that have helped me through this process include: The Safe and Drug Free Local Advisory Committee of Tippecanoe Valley, the TVSC School Board, Lori McClellan & Debbie Potter, who are co-sponsoring the program, Scott Bibler and also to my family who have been there for me from the start. Without these people and organizations I would not have been able to initiate such a valuable and worthwhile program. Thank you very much!
Gail Rathbun
TVHS student
Akron
Violent Rap
Editor, Times-Union:In regard to Mike Snipe's letter comparing Gary Gerard's opinion on violent rap music to a position that Stalin would take ... please tell me, why do liberals resort to mockery of conservative values to make their point? Why is an intelligent defense not used? Please, Mr. Snipes, take the time to write an intelligent defense against "The Moral High Ground" that you so obviously detest on the very subject Mr. Gerard was discussing. Give me a good reason why parents should not be at all concerned with violent and immoral lyrics to rap music, and what it could encourage the children they are raising to become? Why should police not care that these songs encourage cop killing? Why should the police officer's family not be concerned? Why should mothers not care that their sons listen to a catchy beat that extolls the benefits of murdering the overbearing parent? Why shouldn't women give it a second thought that grotesque torture and bloody murder is a part of these lyrics?
As for the Bill of Rights, we have never had complete freedom to do as we wish in this country. Slander is illegal. Any action that causes harm to others has routinely been made illegal. Yelling "fire" in a crowded theater is an illegal use of speech, and has been for years because of the potential danger to others. Why shouldn't the potential danger of violent rap lyrics be under scrutiny too? Why do "artists" become some sort of sacred cow when it comes to the freedom to put others in danger?
You can leave out that tired old line about how we shouldn't legislate morality. After all, that is what laws are ... legislating right and wrong (also referred to as morality).
Here's a last thought. It has occurred to me that liberals so often use mockery because in the past it has been so effective at shutting conservatives up, without actually having to win the argument.
Deb Fivecoate
Mentone
via e-mail
Congratulations Caleb
Editor, Times-Union:Congratulations Caleb Churchill and the Times-Union.
Your front page picture and article were great. Caleb and his older brother, Matt, were at the club every chance they got. When Warsaw Girls Club changed to Boys and Girls Club, Caleb was there every chance he had.
Boys and Girls Club of Kosciusko, as they later became, are to be commended on their choice.
R.W. Lichtenwalter
Retired Executive Director
Baker Boys Club
Red Lights
Editor, Times-Union:I am writing in so our city officials can read a concern I have of our area highways and the great concern of trucks disregarding red lights and causing accidents. One happened again Tuesday, (2/6) and as we passed by the crash site we observed on the same stretch of highway 30 near the strip of restaurants a truck blatantly running a red light that was red for at least two Mississippi's. If there was a car pulling out there would have been another accident less than a mile from one being cleaned up.
Where is the police presence on Hwy. 30 that Warsaw used to be known for? When we came to this area in the late '80s we were told and observed first-hand of the police presence on Hwy 30. Did we cut back due to budget constraints? Just asking if something could be done by way of a deterrent for the truckers who are plowing their way through our fair city with little concern or thought of consequence. At least it appears this way and is being supported by observing first-hand the clear running of red lights on Hwy. 30. Could the cameras at intersections be the deterrent to get truckers to slow down their rigs? But I think nothing serves more as an effective deterrent than seeing our city's finest live and in person on the highways. I know how it impacts me when I see their presence.
Also, why all the deer on Hwy. 30 and Ind. 15? In the past week, I have had three close calls, witnessed three other sightings and had a friend of mine actually hit a deer. Can anything be done to limit the number of deer? Car and deer are not a good match. Cars will win every time but at a very real cost to the owner of a car and not to mention the deer. Is it any more compassionate to let deer or any animal population grow to where they will be put at risk as they live in a developed area of humans. At times last week, I thought I was driving through an African Safari.
Thanks for reading and giving this some thought for future consideration and hopefully action.
Paul De Renzo
Winona Lake
via e-mail
Pass Laws, Spend Money
Editor, Times-Union:Can't we accomplish anything without passing more laws and spending more money?
Problem - Our children are not getting a good education. Answer - Pass more laws, spend more money.
Problem - Our jails are overcrowded. Answer - Pass more laws, spend more money. How about putting fewer people in jail? We have two million of our citizens in jail. More than any nation on Earth.
Problem - People are running red lights. Answer - Pass more laws, spend more money. Aren't we already paying state and local police to deal with this?
Problem - People are smoking marijuana. Answer - Pass more laws, spend more money. Other than themselves, who are they hurting?
Problem - People are having accidents in motor vehicles. Duh! Answer - Pass more laws, spend more money.
Most people are just one law away from going to jail. That law would be to make speeding a jailable offense. It's already illegal you know. So is running a red light. Why isn't this law enforced? How about a 30 mph speed limit on U.S. 30 around Warsaw or would that inconvenience too many people?
We are just a short jump away from people going to jail for selling cigarettes to minors. Can we get any more stupid than that? Probably. Remember, the next time you break a law, and if you drive you will, there are people in our jails for doing nothing more serious than what you are doing.
Charles Carnes
Warsaw
Meijer Controversy
Editor, Times-Union:Has anyone ever gone grocery shopping in Warsaw without scanning their card? Having Meijer in Warsaw will give new competition and lower prices on groceries and gas without scanning a card! More benefits include bringing in new jobs and businesses that will make the local economy more stable. 114 businesses that signed a petition last year subscribe to the fact that they can't exist in a capitalism world. I call them the BMWs (Bash Meijer Wal-Mart) because they are concerned that Meijer or Super Wal-Mart might have lower prices then they charge or services that compete with them. By the way, I don't believe a golf course, mortgage company and bowling alley listed on the petition will be hurt by a Meijer or Super Wal-Mart. After attending the last Meijer meeting, I found that the wealthy regime doesn't want Meijer gas in Warsaw so local gas prices can stay high. Imagine Meijer's gas lowering its gas prices 5 cents then the station across the street will have to do the same and a "gas war" will filter through the town of Warsaw. I also found out there is a conflict of interest in the Warsaw city government and political maneuvering. Why is it that some of the city officials are "cold" to Meijer officials and not more welcoming to this great community? City officials have a duty to serve all Warsaw residents and lure new businesses that would spur growth and taxes to pay for its new projects. If this isn't the agenda of the Warsaw city government then Warsaw residents might think about it when they vote in the next election. Warsaw is not made up of just wealthy people but also hard-working people that live paycheck to paycheck that can't afford to pay high prices for groceries and gas for their families. Do the BMWs speak for the entire community or could it be that hard working Warsaw residents aren't allowed to voice their opinions? The traffic commission gave the go ahead for a Meijer on Husky Trail so at least some of the city government used some logic and planning. This land is zoned commercial so it is going to be developed sooner or later. The people that want a Meijer but not in that location never seem to give details on how Meijer will be successful in the "new" found location. Goshen has a Super Wal-Mart, Meijer, Sam's Club and Lowe's and a thriving downtown business district - why is Warsaw any different? Meijer has been in business longer than some of these people and knows how to operate a first-class store that is clean and well-stocked.
Meijer has a right to come to this community and build in a location zoned commercial and I think once built it will benefit our community. Meijer - welcome to our growing community!
Jeff Bridge
Warsaw
via e-mail
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