Letters to the Editor 03-24-2004
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Thanks To Biomet - School Capacity - Not A Choice - Emphasis Should Be On Learning - Appreciated No Previews At 'Passion'
Thanks To Biomet
Editor, Times-Union:A big thank-you to all the Biomet employees who shaved their heads along with my husband, Jason Slone, in support of his battle with cancer. Words cannot express the gratitude felt with such an overwhelming number of guys and one lady, who is a cancer survivor herself, who showed their support for him at this very difficult time. I am grateful that he is able to work at a place where friendship and compassion is a high priority and that he has such a wonderful support system on a daily basis.
Thank you too for all the generous donations that were given to the Kosciusko County Cancer Fund as part of this head shaving. This money will be greatly appreciated by those who are experiencing financial difficulties as they too deal with such a brutal disease. 20 And a special thank-you to John Conley of Conley's Barber Shop for donating his time and service to shave everyone's hair. I appreciate your loyalty to the community and the use of your talent for such a good cause.
Thanks again to everyone!
Amy Slone
Silver Lake
via e-mail
School Capacity
Editor, Times-Union:I think it was extremely irresponsible of Ron Yeiter to provide those inaccurate Washington Elementary School enrollment capacity numbers at the school board meeting Monday night.
The truth of the matter is, there are 25 classrooms at Washington Elementary. One of those classrooms is being used as a computer lab and will in all likelihood continue to be used as such. However the fact remains there are still 24 available classrooms. If you put 25 students (a typical class size) in each of the 24 classrooms, that equals a 600 student enrollment capacity and you could still add another 25 p.m. kindergarten students for a total of 625.
Even at a capacity of 625 students, Washington Elementary will still have a computer lab, an art room, a library, a multi-purpose room and a gym.
I spoke with Washington Elementary principal Tom Ray about his plan to accommodate all 540+ students in his building next school year. He is prepared for two a.m. and one p.m. kindergarten classes, four classes each for first, second, third and sixth grades, and three classes each for fourth and fifth grades. These are the student/teacher ratio numbers he gave me based on current enrollments (3/18/04): Kindergarten 20:1, first grade 19:1, second grade 21:1, third grade 20:1, fourth grade 23:1, fifth grade 25:1, and sixth grade 20:1.
At a time when students, parents, teachers and administrators are working together to provide a smooth transition and welcoming atmosphere at Washington for Silver Lake Elementary families, Mr. Yeiter is painting an unfair picture of gloom and doom. I think he should print a retraction and an apology to Washington and Silver Lake families.
Barbara Smolen
Warsaw
via e-mail
Not A Choice
Editor, Times-Union:First off I would just like to say to Steven Hite: I grew up in a loving and "normal" home. I was not or have never been molested so there goes that theory and second you are born gay. It sounds like to me by reading your article that you would like to be gay but can't because it is not right. Well, I'm here for you, Steve, it is OK to come out of the closet now.
Now as for Deanna Newton, I have read the Bible and I don't care much for it. So let me ask you something, if you are all righteous, does that mean that you obey your husband? In the Bible it is told that women are merely just something to look at and to have children. It is told that we do what our husbands tell us and that we shouldn't be independent. I don't know about you, but I like being a strong independent women. I hear you talking a lot about "God" but this has nothing to do with that. Unless you don't already know, church and state are two totally different things. I know that some people consider who I am a sin but you're born gay. No ifs, ands or buts about it. You are born gay. Just like you're born white or black or whatever. To those who say it is a choice, let me ask you this: SO you're really gay and you choose to be straight? That is what I'm hearing. If it is such a choice. To all you Bible-thumpers out there, if you believe every word in that book then we are all sinners anyway because we are all brothers and sisters. You cannot help who you fall in love with and I know that I can say it a million times and it will not change how you feel. Just like you can tell me a million times that I am a sinner and that I'm going to go to hell and that is OK because I guess I will see you there for judging and for you hating me. If it is true that "God" made us all out of him, then I guess parts of him are gay also. You know that saying "God" loves everyone. I guess that would include us homosexuals. I don't hate men. One of my best-friends is a man that I grew up with and he is great but I'm just not into him in that way. We are who we are and nothing can change that. Also it is an insult to put polygamy, incest, animals and rape in the same category, whoever thinks this way is a sick person. Being gay does not hurt anyone in any way. I don't see how changing the marriage law to say "two loving adults" will hurt anything. Unless you are gay or are part of a minority group you have no idea what I'm talking about. In this country if you are not a white man or woman married with two children (boy & girl) and a dog, then you are not "normal."
Well, I say forget that who fits in the mold and who would want to be like everyone else. Like Martin Luther King said, I have a dream ... and in my dream we are all free. Well, maybe someday that will be true, but until then we still have to fight for it. So to all you people out there that who want to live in a country where you are free, write your Congress and your mayors and even the president (Kerry in 2004) and let him know that you want equal rights for everyone. So I say it again: We are queer and we are here so get used to it and we will not be silent any longer.
Brandy Webb
Warsaw
via e-mail
Emphasis Should Be On Learning
Editor, Times-Union:I would like to take the time to comment on the school closings in Warsaw. My kids have attended Warsaw for many years of their childhoods. I was heartbroken to have to move them but they have adjusted very well. I am just so thankful that I moved now. I don't want them in overcrowed classrooms or in a school system that pushes sports over what needs to be taught. That is the 3 R's. I know I may sound old-fashioned but a person will not feed their family playing football or basketball. Classes of 30 or more will not learn like a smaller class size. I am just outraged that the parents and school board in your community are so thoughtless of your children's future. What are you trying to prove? Looks to me like you are telling people that sports programs override the learning that is supposed to be going on. Sports are just games, learning is life! What happened to the no child left behind? Should it be no child left behind that plays sports?
Tammi Mead
Syracuse
via e-mail
Appreciated No Previews At 'Passion'
Editor, Times-Union:Last week my husband and I had the privilege of seeing "The Passion of the Christ" at North Point Theaters. Indeed the film was extremely powerful! I would like to comment on one aspect of the experience. There were no other movie previews shown prior to the "Passion." I really appreciated that! I do not know if that decision was made by the Theater, or if that came from Mel Gibson, but I really appreciated the courtesy. Thank you!
Kathy Schumacher
Winona Lake, via e-mail
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- Thanks To Biomet - School Capacity - Not A Choice - Emphasis Should Be On Learning - Appreciated No Previews At 'Passion'
Thanks To Biomet
Editor, Times-Union:A big thank-you to all the Biomet employees who shaved their heads along with my husband, Jason Slone, in support of his battle with cancer. Words cannot express the gratitude felt with such an overwhelming number of guys and one lady, who is a cancer survivor herself, who showed their support for him at this very difficult time. I am grateful that he is able to work at a place where friendship and compassion is a high priority and that he has such a wonderful support system on a daily basis.
Thank you too for all the generous donations that were given to the Kosciusko County Cancer Fund as part of this head shaving. This money will be greatly appreciated by those who are experiencing financial difficulties as they too deal with such a brutal disease. 20 And a special thank-you to John Conley of Conley's Barber Shop for donating his time and service to shave everyone's hair. I appreciate your loyalty to the community and the use of your talent for such a good cause.
Thanks again to everyone!
Amy Slone
Silver Lake
via e-mail
School Capacity
Editor, Times-Union:I think it was extremely irresponsible of Ron Yeiter to provide those inaccurate Washington Elementary School enrollment capacity numbers at the school board meeting Monday night.
The truth of the matter is, there are 25 classrooms at Washington Elementary. One of those classrooms is being used as a computer lab and will in all likelihood continue to be used as such. However the fact remains there are still 24 available classrooms. If you put 25 students (a typical class size) in each of the 24 classrooms, that equals a 600 student enrollment capacity and you could still add another 25 p.m. kindergarten students for a total of 625.
Even at a capacity of 625 students, Washington Elementary will still have a computer lab, an art room, a library, a multi-purpose room and a gym.
I spoke with Washington Elementary principal Tom Ray about his plan to accommodate all 540+ students in his building next school year. He is prepared for two a.m. and one p.m. kindergarten classes, four classes each for first, second, third and sixth grades, and three classes each for fourth and fifth grades. These are the student/teacher ratio numbers he gave me based on current enrollments (3/18/04): Kindergarten 20:1, first grade 19:1, second grade 21:1, third grade 20:1, fourth grade 23:1, fifth grade 25:1, and sixth grade 20:1.
At a time when students, parents, teachers and administrators are working together to provide a smooth transition and welcoming atmosphere at Washington for Silver Lake Elementary families, Mr. Yeiter is painting an unfair picture of gloom and doom. I think he should print a retraction and an apology to Washington and Silver Lake families.
Barbara Smolen
Warsaw
via e-mail
Not A Choice
Editor, Times-Union:First off I would just like to say to Steven Hite: I grew up in a loving and "normal" home. I was not or have never been molested so there goes that theory and second you are born gay. It sounds like to me by reading your article that you would like to be gay but can't because it is not right. Well, I'm here for you, Steve, it is OK to come out of the closet now.
Now as for Deanna Newton, I have read the Bible and I don't care much for it. So let me ask you something, if you are all righteous, does that mean that you obey your husband? In the Bible it is told that women are merely just something to look at and to have children. It is told that we do what our husbands tell us and that we shouldn't be independent. I don't know about you, but I like being a strong independent women. I hear you talking a lot about "God" but this has nothing to do with that. Unless you don't already know, church and state are two totally different things. I know that some people consider who I am a sin but you're born gay. No ifs, ands or buts about it. You are born gay. Just like you're born white or black or whatever. To those who say it is a choice, let me ask you this: SO you're really gay and you choose to be straight? That is what I'm hearing. If it is such a choice. To all you Bible-thumpers out there, if you believe every word in that book then we are all sinners anyway because we are all brothers and sisters. You cannot help who you fall in love with and I know that I can say it a million times and it will not change how you feel. Just like you can tell me a million times that I am a sinner and that I'm going to go to hell and that is OK because I guess I will see you there for judging and for you hating me. If it is true that "God" made us all out of him, then I guess parts of him are gay also. You know that saying "God" loves everyone. I guess that would include us homosexuals. I don't hate men. One of my best-friends is a man that I grew up with and he is great but I'm just not into him in that way. We are who we are and nothing can change that. Also it is an insult to put polygamy, incest, animals and rape in the same category, whoever thinks this way is a sick person. Being gay does not hurt anyone in any way. I don't see how changing the marriage law to say "two loving adults" will hurt anything. Unless you are gay or are part of a minority group you have no idea what I'm talking about. In this country if you are not a white man or woman married with two children (boy & girl) and a dog, then you are not "normal."
Well, I say forget that who fits in the mold and who would want to be like everyone else. Like Martin Luther King said, I have a dream ... and in my dream we are all free. Well, maybe someday that will be true, but until then we still have to fight for it. So to all you people out there that who want to live in a country where you are free, write your Congress and your mayors and even the president (Kerry in 2004) and let him know that you want equal rights for everyone. So I say it again: We are queer and we are here so get used to it and we will not be silent any longer.
Brandy Webb
Warsaw
via e-mail
Emphasis Should Be On Learning
Editor, Times-Union:I would like to take the time to comment on the school closings in Warsaw. My kids have attended Warsaw for many years of their childhoods. I was heartbroken to have to move them but they have adjusted very well. I am just so thankful that I moved now. I don't want them in overcrowed classrooms or in a school system that pushes sports over what needs to be taught. That is the 3 R's. I know I may sound old-fashioned but a person will not feed their family playing football or basketball. Classes of 30 or more will not learn like a smaller class size. I am just outraged that the parents and school board in your community are so thoughtless of your children's future. What are you trying to prove? Looks to me like you are telling people that sports programs override the learning that is supposed to be going on. Sports are just games, learning is life! What happened to the no child left behind? Should it be no child left behind that plays sports?
Tammi Mead
Syracuse
via e-mail
Appreciated No Previews At 'Passion'
Editor, Times-Union:Last week my husband and I had the privilege of seeing "The Passion of the Christ" at North Point Theaters. Indeed the film was extremely powerful! I would like to comment on one aspect of the experience. There were no other movie previews shown prior to the "Passion." I really appreciated that! I do not know if that decision was made by the Theater, or if that came from Mel Gibson, but I really appreciated the courtesy. Thank you!
Kathy Schumacher
Winona Lake, via e-mail
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